Fates of Fortune

On Thin Ice

Esmeray’s POV

Esmeray sat in the classroom, her mind drifting as Professor Duval explained the intricacies of their upcoming history project. She wasn’t particularly paying attention because she had already been partnered with Edmund Rothchild. After their initial meeting, she hadn’t decided if she liked him or not. He was serious, confident, and slightly arrogant, but at least he was focused. She could work with him.

The bell rang, snapping her back to reality. Students began to shuffle out of the classroom, but Esmeray lingered, gathering her things. Just as she slung her bag over her shoulder, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Hey! You’re Esmeray, right?”

She turned to find a girl with black hair and a smile standing beside her.

“Um, yes. And you are?” Esmeray asked, feeling slightly confused.

“I’m Daphne”, the girl said, extending her hand. “I just wanted to say hi! I heard you’re new here. How are you liking it so far?”

Esmeray shook her hand, a little surprised at the friendly gesture. “It’s different. I’m still getting used to everything.”

Daphne grinned widely. “You should come to the hockey match tonight! It’s going to be so much fun. Nathaniel and Edmund are both playing. It’s a huge rivalry!”

Esmeray raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “Hockey? I’ve never really been into sports.”

“It’s not just about hockey. It’s the atmosphere! Everyone will be there. You can’t miss it! Plus, you’ll get to see Edmund in action,” Daphne said, her excitement infectious.

Esmeray recalled her first impressions of Edmund: serious, somewhat aloof and slightly intimidating. Still, the prospect of watching a live hockey match with the whole school buzzing around her was tempting.

“What’s the deal with the rivalry?” Esmeray asked, curious.

Daphne’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Oh, it’s legendary! Nathaniel Rhodes is like the golden boy of the school-everyone loves him. He’s charming, athletic, and incredibly talented. Then there’s Edmund, who’s just as good but way more reserved. They’ve been competing against each other since freshman year. It’s intense!”

“Sounds…dramatic,” Esmeray said, trying to gauge how seriously she should take it.

“Trust me, it is! They push each other to be better, but they can’t stand losing to each other either. The whole school is divided, cheering for either Nathaniel or Edmund. It’s going to be electric tonight!” Daphne’s excitement was palpable.

Esmeray hesitated. She didn’t know much about hockey or rivalries, but the idea of being part of something bigger, of meeting more students, intrigued her.

“Fine, I’ll come,” Esmeray finally decided. “But only for a little while.”

Daphne squealed in excitement, practically bouncing on her feet. “Awesome! You won’t regret it!”
Esmeray

Later that evening, Esmeray made her way to the rink, the cold Swiss air biting at her cheeks. She felt out of place among the crowd of students, all buzzing with excitement. As she approached the rink, she could see the bright lights illuminating the ice, the sound of blades slicing through the surface echoing in the night.

When she found a spot in the bleachers, she took a moment to observe the scene around her. The crowd was animated, cheering and chanting as the teams prepared for the match. She spotted Edmund on the ice, dressed in his team’s uniform, his dark hair damp from skating. He looked focused, serious, almost intense, as he practiced his moves.

Next to him, she finally caught sight of Nathaniel Rhodes. He stood out with his confident posture and charming smile, effortlessly engaging with the crowd. As he waved to some fans, Esmeray felt a flicker of curiosity. She couldn’t deny the magnetism that radiated from him.

Daphne’s voice cut through her thoughts as she settled next to Esmeray. “There they are! You can see why they’re rivals. Nathaniel is all about showmanship, while Edmund is strategic and serious.”

Esmeray nodded, trying to follow Daphne’s train of thought. “Do they really dislike each other that much?”

“Dislike? It’s more like a fierce competition. They push each other, but it’s also personal. Nathaniel thrives on the spotlight, while Edmund prefers to stay in the shadows. But you’ll see. It’s like a high-stakes game, both on and off the ice.”

As the referee signaled the start of the match, the crowd erupted in cheers. Esmeray found herself swept up in the energy around her. She had never been to a sports event quite like this, and despite her initial reservations, she felt a thrill of excitement.

Edmund's POV

Edmund took a deep breath as he skated onto the ice, the sound of the crowd roaring in his ears. This was his moment—time to show everyone what he was made of. He could feel Nathaniel’s presence on the opposing team, and it fueled his competitive spirit even more.

As the puck dropped, he focused on the game, his mind clear and his body moving instinctively. He was in his element, reading the play and anticipating his teammates’ moves. But as he glanced to the side, he couldn’t help but scan the crowd, looking for a familiar face.

And there she was—Esmeray Vanderbilt. Though they had only just met, her presence sent a spark of energy through him. She was watching intently, and he wondered what she thought of the game, of him.

He shook his head, refocusing on the match. He had a job to do. Nathaniel was across the ice, a whirlwind of energy and charm. The rivalry between them was palpable, and Edmund was determined to come out on top.

Esmeray's POV

As the game progressed, Esmeray found herself more engrossed than she had expected. She still wasn’t sure why Edmund intrigued her, but she couldn’t deny that he did. His focus on the game was captivating, and she began to see the passion that drove him.

When Nathaniel scored the first goal, the crowd erupted in cheers, and Esmeray couldn’t help but join in. The atmosphere was electric, and she found herself laughing and cheering along with everyone else. But her eyes kept drifting back to Edmund, who remained stoic despite the score.

As the match continued, she noticed the tension between Nathaniel and Edmund grow. Every time Nathaniel made a play, Edmund responded with a fierce determination, as if he was pushing himself harder just to keep up. Esmeray could feel the intensity radiating from both of them, and it drew her in.

When the final whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, Esmeray felt a sense of exhilaration. Nathaniel’s team had won, but the real competition was clearly far from over. As the crowd began to disperse, she knew she’d have to talk to both of them soon—especially Edmund.