Playing To Win || paused might be continued soon ||

chapter thirty-one

The rest of the week felt like a tightrope walk, each day becoming increasingly tense and fraught with unspoken emotions. I found myself avoiding Landon as much as possible, wrestling with my feelings while trying to keep my head down in the chaotic atmosphere at school. The whispers continued, a constant buzz in the background, but I did my best to ignore them.

As I entered the cafeteria on Thursday, I caught sight of the same group of girls huddled together, their eyes narrowing as I approached. I could feel the weight of their scrutiny like a heavy cloak, and my stomach twisted. I wished for a moment that I could simply disappear.

"Look, it's the queen of mixed signals," Claire called out to me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a surprise to see you here, since you're busy playing the field with the Kingston brothers."

"Shut up, Claire," I snapped, a burst of anger surprising me. I hadn't meant to react, but something about the way they were talking about me sent a jolt of irritation through my veins.

"Why? Are you worried I might expose your little game?" she shot back, her friends giggling like it was all a joke. "Just remember, you can't have both of them. One of them is bound to get hurt, and I can't wait to see which one it is."

I gritted my teeth and kept walking, my heart pounding. I could feel the flush creeping up my neck, the humiliation threatening to overwhelm me. I made my way to a table where Ava and Sienna were sitting, the familiar comfort of their presence easing the tension just a little.

"Did you hear what she said?" Sienna whispered, her expression fierce. "I'm ready to confront her."

"Please don't," I said quickly, shaking my head. "I don't want to escalate things. Let them talk."

Ava leaned in, concern etched on her face. "Em, you shouldn't have to deal with this. It's unfair."

"I can handle it," I replied, forcing a smile. But inside, I felt anything but capable. The relentless attention and the rumors were starting to take their toll. I had always prided myself on being tough, but this felt different. I wasn't just facing the usual whispers; it was a full-scale attack on my character.

As the days dragged on, I tried to bury myself in my training, spending hours on the ice. But no matter how hard I skated, I couldn't escape the feeling that my world was closing in around me. Every turn, every jump, every spin was laced with tension, and I was constantly aware of the eyes that followed me, judging my every move.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling practice, I decided to take a break outside. The fresh air hit me like a wave of relief, and for a moment, I forgot about everything—until I spotted a group of girls gathered near the entrance, talking in hushed tones.

Just as I turned to head back inside, I heard snippets of their conversation. "She thinks she's so special, being friends with both of them," one girl said, her voice loud enough for me to catch.

"Right? It's ridiculous. She can't have both. Someone needs to put her in her place," another girl replied, her tone venomous.

I inhaled sharply, the hurt creeping back in. Anger bubbled beneath the surface, and I clenched my fists, willing myself to walk away. But the words echoed in my mind, and I felt my heart racing.

As I turned back to the rink, I found myself running into Lorenzo. He looked concerned as he caught my eye. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, stepping closer.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

He frowned, clearly not convinced. "You don't look fine. I heard some girls talking earlier..."

"Everyone's talking," I snapped, frustration bubbling over. "It's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal, Em. I know you're tough, but it's not fair what they're doing to you."

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I just want to skate, Lorenzo. I don't want any drama."

"Then let me handle it," he said, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll talk to them."

"No! Please don't," I insisted, shaking my head. "I don't want you to get involved. It'll only make things worse."

He opened his mouth to argue, but I held up a hand to stop him. "Just... let it go, okay? I'll deal with it."

Lorenzo looked conflicted but finally relented. "Fine. But if it gets too bad, you have to let me know."

"Promise," I said, appreciating his concern but also feeling the weight of the situation. I didn't want to burden him with my problems.

As the days passed, I tried to focus on myself. I continued to practice, pushing through the tension and the whispers. I skated harder, channeling my frustration into my movements. But it only worked for so long before I found myself confronted by the familiar presence of Landon again.

He caught me after practice one evening, his expression serious. "We need to talk."

"Do we?" I replied, trying to keep my tone light. But the truth was, I was terrified.

"Yeah," he said, his voice low. "I've seen how they're treating you. I don't like it."

"Landon, please don't," I pleaded. "I don't want you to get involved. I can handle it."

He stepped closer, an intensity in his gaze that made my heart race. "You shouldn't have to handle this alone. I want to help."

"I appreciate that, but I don't want you to get dragged into this mess. It's my fight, not yours," I insisted, my voice firm.

"You think I care what they say?" he shot back, his frustration palpable. "You're my friend, Em. I'm not going to stand by and watch them tear you down."

"Landon, it's not worth it," I said, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm used to this. It'll blow over."

He shook his head, his expression softening slightly. "But it shouldn't be happening in the first place. You deserve better."

"Maybe, but I'm not about to let them see me sweat," I retorted, my defenses flaring. I didn't want to show weakness, not now.

His gaze lingered on me, searching for something in my eyes. "You're stronger than you think, but it's okay to lean on someone else sometimes. You don't have to do this alone."

A part of me wanted to let him in, to lean on him for support, but I couldn't shake the fear of what that meant for our relationship. I was terrified of crossing that line, of losing the fragile balance we had.

"I'll be fine," I said finally, forcing a smile. "Really."

He studied me for a long moment, and then nodded slowly. "Alright. But if you change your mind..."

"I won't," I interrupted, my heart racing. "I promise."

With that, he turned to leave, and I felt a mix of relief and disappointment wash over me. I didn't know how to navigate this strange new territory we were in, but one thing was clear: I needed to find a way to stand strong, even if it meant facing the storm alone.

But deep down, I was beginning to wonder if I truly wanted to be alone in all this.