THE HOCKEY CAPTAIN'S SECRET GIRL

FREYA.

The sound of people screaming shook the whole college long before I even reached the main building. It had only been one week since summer break ended, but Willow College already looked like it had never been quiet. Students filled every walkway, laughing, running, and wearing the blue-and-silver colors of our school. The biggest event of the month was happening today, a friendly hockey match against our oldest rival, and everyone acted like it was the most important thing in the world. I pulled my backpack closer against my shoulder and wished I could disappear before anyone noticed me.

Everywhere I looked, people were talking about the game. Some were waving banners while others painted each other's faces with blue stripes. The cheerleaders stood near the arena entrance, practicing their routine with bright smiles that looked almost too perfect to be real. They spun through the air as if they didn't have a single worry in the world. I couldn't stop myself from watching them for a moment, even though I knew better than to let myself dream. Being one of them had always been my biggest wish, but wishes didn't matter when Cassie Vale was the one making the decisions.

"Freya!"

I turned just in time to see my older brother jogging toward me with his hockey bag hanging over one shoulder. Draven was no longer a student here, but he still visited almost every week because his best friend was the captain of Willow's hockey team. His dark hair was messy like always, and he wore the same easy smile that somehow made everyone trust him.

"There you are," he said. "Grandpa wanted me to remind you to actually watch a hockey game one day. He still thinks you'll fall in love with the sport."

I laughed softly and shook my head.

"I don't think that's ever going to happen."

"You've never even given it a real chance."

"I've given it plenty of chances. I still don't understand why grown men skate around chasing a little black puck."

Draven placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

"Ouch. That hurts."

"I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

I smiled, and he laughed before ruffling my hair.

"Anyway, I'm heading inside. Maddox will probably be looking for me."

The moment he said Maddox's name, I sighed. Maddox DeLuca. Hockey captain. Campus hero. Every girl seemed to lose her mind whenever he walked by.

"I'll see you later," Draven said.

"If I survive the noise."

"You'll survive."

He disappeared into the crowd before I could answer.

I waited until everyone around me rushed toward the arena before quietly walking in the opposite direction. The cheering became softer with every step I took, and my shoulders slowly relaxed. Finally, I found the girls' restroom near the old arts building. Hardly anyone came here during sports events, and that was exactly why I loved it.

The room was cool and peaceful. I leaned against the sink and let out a long breath as silence wrapped around me like a warm blanket. For the first time all day, I could hear myself think. I splashed cold water on my face and smiled at my reflection.

"This is much better," I whispered.

The bathroom door suddenly swung open so hard that it hit the wall.

My smile disappeared.

Cassie Vale walked in first, wearing her cheerleading uniform like she owned the whole college. Three girls followed behind her, all laughing until they saw me. The laughter stopped immediately, replaced by matching smirks.

"Well," Cassie said sweetly. "Look who we found."

I looked toward the door, but two of the girls had already moved to block it.

"I was just leaving," I said quietly.

Cassie stepped closer.

"No, you weren't."

My stomach tightened.

"What do you want?"

She folded her arms and looked me up and down.

"You've been avoiding everyone all week. That's rude."

"I wasn't avoiding anyone," I replied.

"Please." She rolled her eyes. "You're always hiding somewhere."

One of the girls laughed.

"Maybe she's scared of people."

Another one added, "Or maybe she's practicing being invisible."

They all laughed except me.

Cassie tilted her head.

"You still want to join my cheerleading squad, don't you?"

The question hit me harder than I expected.

I swallowed.

"I... yes."

"I knew it."

She smiled, but there wasn't anything kind about it.

"You've tried out three times."

"I know."

"And every single time..."

"You rejected me," I finished for her.

"I did."

I looked down at my shoes, trying not to let them see how much those words hurt.

"I've practiced every day," I whispered. "I worked really hard."

Cassie leaned closer until her face was only inches from mine.

She nodded. "I know you did."

"Then why did I keep getting rejected?" I asked.

"Because I didn't want you."

The words felt like someone had slapped me across the face.

Her friends laughed again.

Cassie suddenly smiled in a different way, almost as if she had remembered something exciting.

"But maybe... I've changed my mind."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Maybe I'll let you join."

I stared at her, unable to believe what I had just heard.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Hope filled my chest so quickly it almost hurt.

"What do I have to do?"

Her smile grew wider.

"I knew you'd ask."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a black invitation card.

"There's a party tonight after the game," she began to say.

"I don't go to parties," I cut in immediately.

"You'll go to this one."

She placed the invitation into my hand.

"What for?"

Her eyes sparkled with something dangerous.

"Maddox DeLuca will be there too."

I frowned.

"What about him?"

"I want you to sleep with him."

Everything inside me froze.

"What?"

"You heard me."

I shook my head so fast my hair fell into my face.

"No."

Cassie sighed dramatically.

"I haven't even finished."

"I don't care."

"You should."

"I won't do that," I insisted.

Her sweet smile disappeared so quickly that it scared me.

"You really should think properly before saying no to me."

"I said no."

She stepped even closer until I had nowhere left to move.

"If you can get Maddox DeLuca into your bed tonight, I'll personally welcome you onto the cheerleading squad tomorrow morning."

I stared at her like she had gone completely crazy.

"That's impossible."

"Maybe."

"And disgusting," I added.

She shrugged. "I don't care."

"I barely even talk to him."

"You don't have to talk much."

"And my brother would kill me."

"Cute."

I shoved the invitation back toward her.

"I won't do it."

Cassie's face turned cold.

"Then listen carefully, Freya."

The room suddenly felt smaller.

"If you walk away from this, every single day for the rest of this year will become a nightmare."

I felt my heartbeat speeding up.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you'll never have a peaceful class again. You'll eat lunch alone. You'll be laughed at every day. Every rumor I start about you will spread before lunch ends."

Her friends smiled like they couldn't wait.

Cassie crossed her arms.

"And trust me, I always get what I want."

I looked from one face to another. None of them looked like they were joking. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because I can."

The silence that followed felt heavier than anything I had ever carried. Slowly, my fingers closed around the invitation.

"I..."

The word barely came out.

"I'll do it."

Cassie smiled victoriously.

"I knew you would."

She patted my cheek as if we were friends.

"Good luck, little mouse."

The girls walked out together, laughing loudly as the bathroom door closed behind them.

Hours later, I sat alone on my bed, staring at the black invitation resting in my hands. The music from the party hadn't even started yet, but my heart already felt like it was breaking. Maddox DeLuca was my brother's best friend. He barely knew I existed, and even if he did, there was no chance someone like him would ever look at someone like me. Still, Cassie's threat echoed inside my head until it drowned out every other thought. I squeezed the invitation tightly, letting out a heavy sigh as I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

FREYA.

I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to convince myself not to go. Every time I looked at the black invitation lying on my desk, I wanted to tear it into tiny pieces and throw it away. Then Cassie's voice would come back into my head, reminding me exactly what she had promised to do if I refused. I hated that she had trapped me like this. More than anything, I hated myself for being too scared to walk away.

By the time evening came, I found myself standing outside the hockey arena with hundreds of other students. I kept my hood pulled low and stayed near the back of the crowd, hoping nobody would notice me. The air buzzed with excitement as people shouted, laughed, and waved bright blue flags above their heads. The loud music from the speakers mixed with the sound of whistles and cheers until my ears started hurting. I had promised myself years ago that I would never waste my time watching hockey, yet somehow I was here anyway.

"I told you Maddox is going to score tonight!"

"No way! Their defense is too strong."

"Just watch him!"

The crowd suddenly exploded with screams so loud that I jumped.

"Maddox!"

"Maddox!"

"Maddox!"

I sighed and stood on my toes just enough to see through the people standing in front of me. For only a second, I caught a glimpse of him skating across the ice. He moved so fast that everyone else seemed frozen around him. A moment later, he slammed the puck into the net, and the arena shook from the cheering.

"Oh, come on," I muttered under my breath. "It's just a game."

The girls standing beside me looked like they were about to faint.

"He's so perfect."

"Did you see that?"

"I swear he's even hotter when he scores."

I rolled my eyes so hard they almost hurt.

"I don't get it," I whispered to myself.

To everyone else, Maddox DeLuca was some kind of hero. He was the fearless captain who never seemed afraid of anything. Teachers liked him. Students worshipped him. Every girl wanted him. Even my grandfather talked about him as if he were already playing professional hockey.

To me, he was just Maddox-Draven's loud, annoying best friend. The guy who acted like the world belonged to him. The guy who somehow smiled through everything.

I had seen him enough times at our house to know he was far too confident for his own good. He laughed too loudly, teased my brother too much, and somehow made every room brighter the moment he walked inside. Everyone loved him.

I didn't.

Or at least that was what I kept telling myself.

The final buzzer echoed through the arena, and another wave of cheering burst into the night. Fireworks exploded above the building, lighting up the dark sky with flashes of blue and silver. Students poured out of every entrance, celebrating as if they had just won a championship instead of a friendly match. Someone shouted that the after-party was starting inside the school hall, and suddenly the crowd began moving in one direction.

My feet stayed frozen.

I could still leave.

Nobody was forcing me.

I looked down at the invitation in my hand, then I thought about Cassie. With a shaky breath, I followed everyone else.

The school hall barely looked like the place where we normally attended assemblies. Colorful lights flashed across the ceiling while loud music pounded through giant speakers. Balloons, banners, and decorations covered every wall. Students danced in groups, laughing so loudly they could barely hear each other. Drinks filled long tables near the entrance, and I could already smell alcohol floating through the crowded room.

"This was a terrible idea," I whispered.

I almost turned around.

Instead, I pulled at the hem of my short black dress, wishing it would somehow become longer. I never wore dresses like this. I always chose oversized sweaters and jeans because they made me feel safe. Tonight, I hardly recognized the girl staring back at me in the glass doors. My hair was curled, my lips wore soft pink lipstick, and my brother would probably have a heart attack if he saw me dressed like this.

I felt completely out of place.

Nobody paid attention to me, which should have made me feel better.

Instead, it somehow made me feel even lonelier.

I slowly made my way toward the drinks table, keeping my head down. Earlier that afternoon, I had stopped by a pharmacy near campus. I had told the pharmacist that my grandfather couldn't sleep and needed something mild. The small bottle of sleeping pills now rested inside my purse.

I touched it nervously.

"This is crazy," I whispered.

I wasn't planning to hurt Maddox. I wasn't planning to sleep with him.

I only needed him asleep.

If he passed out somewhere private, I could call Cassie. She could come running, believe whatever she wanted to believe, and leave me alone forever.

Nobody would get hurt.

At least that was what I kept repeating to myself.

The music suddenly became louder as students began shouting.

"Captain!"

"Speech!"

"Speech!"

Curiosity pulled my eyes toward the center of the room.

There he was.

Maddox stood surrounded by his teammates, still wearing part of his hockey uniform with his jacket hanging over one shoulder. His dark hair looked messy from the game, and sweat still glistened along his forehead. He laughed at something one of his teammates said before grabbing a bottle of water instead of alcohol.

Someone groaned dramatically.

"Seriously, Maddox? Water?"

He laughed.

"Coach would kill me if I showed up to practice hungover."

His teammates laughed with him.

Another player threw an arm around his shoulders.

"You worry too much."

"I like being alive," he answered playfully.

The room filled with laughter again.

Girls crowded around him so closely that they practically pushed each other aside.

"Maddox, dance with me."

"No, dance with me first."

"You promised me a picture."

He smiled politely but somehow never looked uncomfortable.

"I didn't promise anybody anything."

"Liar!"

"I have witnesses."

He laughed again.

Watching him from across the room confused me more than I wanted to admit. This wasn't the arrogant show-off I had imagined all afternoon. He thanked people who congratulated him. He smiled at the cafeteria workers who had helped prepare the party. When someone accidentally bumped into him and spilled a drink across his jacket, he simply laughed and told them not to worry.

Why was he being... nice?

I frowned.

"No," I whispered. "Don't fall for that."

I reached into my purse and wrapped my fingers around the small bottle of pills. My hand was shaking so badly that the bottle rattled softly against my palm. I looked toward Maddox again as another group of girls surrounded him.

Five minutes.

That was all I needed.

Just five minutes with him unconscious.

Then Cassie would leave me alone.

Then this nightmare would finally end.

I took one slow breath after another, trying to calm the storm inside my chest. My fingers tightened around the pills until they almost hurt. Every instinct screamed at me to run out of the hall while I still could, but fear kept my feet rooted to the floor. Keeping my eyes locked on Maddox across the crowded room, I swallowed hard and whispered to myself, "You can do this, Freya. You only need five minutes."

FREYA.

My heart refused to slow down no matter how many deep breaths I took. The small bottle of sleeping pills felt heavier every second it stayed hidden inside my hand. I stood near one of the walls, pretending to watch everyone dance while my eyes followed only one person. Maddox was still laughing with his teammates, completely unaware that I was staring at him from across the room. I kept asking myself how my life had turned into this. A week ago, I was worrying about classes. Tonight, I was planning something that could ruin everything.

The music blasted through the hall so loudly that the floor seemed to shake beneath my feet. Students danced without caring who was watching, while others crowded around the food and drinks. Every few seconds another girl walked up to Maddox, hoping to steal a few minutes of his attention. He smiled politely at all of them, but he never stayed with one person for very long. That gave me hope. If I could just get close enough to his drink, I could drop in the pills without anyone noticing.

"You can do this," I whispered to myself.

"No, you can't."

I closed my eyes for a second.

"Stop it," I muttered. "Just do it."

Before I could lose my courage again, I forced my feet to move. I slipped through the crowd, keeping my head low as people brushed past me from every direction. Someone laughed loudly beside me, making me flinch. Another person bumped into my shoulder, but I kept walking until I was only a few feet away from Maddox and his teammates.

I could finally see the table where they had left their drinks.

There.

A clear plastic cup stood beside Maddox's phone.

I swallowed.

Just a few more steps.

My fingers tightened around the bottle hidden inside my purse. I carefully twisted the cap loose without taking it all the way off. The music covered the tiny sound, and nobody looked in my direction.

Almost there.

I reached the table, my hand slowly came out of my purse, then someone crashed into me from behind.

I gasped as my body lurched forward.

The bottle slipped from my fingers and bounced across the table before rolling onto the floor with a loud clatter.

Everything seemed to stop.

"What was that?"

Several people turned toward the sound.

My heart nearly stopped beating.

Before I could grab the bottle, someone bent down and picked it up.

I froze.

Please...

Please don't...

"Freya?"

I slowly looked up.

Draven.

His confused expression lasted only a second before it turned into a deep frown.

"What are you doing here?"

I couldn't answer.

He looked from my frightened face to the bottle in his hand.

Then he read the label.

"Sleeping pills?"

His eyebrows pulled together.

"What is this?"

"I... I can explain."

"Then explain."

"I..."

The words disappeared.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"I told you to go home after classes."

"I know."

"So why are you here?"

"I just..."

"You hate hockey."

"I do."

"You hate parties even more."

"I know."

"Then why are you sneaking around with sleeping pills?"

His questions came so quickly that my head spun.

"I wasn't..."

"You weren't what?"

"I..."

Nothing sounded believable.

Draven let out a frustrated sigh.

"Freya, look at me."

I slowly raised my eyes.

"What are you thinking?"

"I just wanted..."

"What?"

"I can't tell you."

His face became even more serious.

"You can't tell me?"

I shook my head.

"I'm sorry."

He rubbed a hand across his face.

"You've never lied to me before."

"I know."

"So don't start now."

"I really can't."

He stared at me for several long seconds before gently taking hold of my wrist.

"You're leaving."

"What?"

"Now."

"But-"

"Save it," he shunned me.

He started leading me toward the exit.

People moved aside as we walked through the crowded hall. My face burned with embarrassment because I could feel everyone staring at us. I kept my head down, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

Once we reached outside, the cool night air hit my face.

Draven finally let go of my wrist.

"Go home."

I stared at him.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"I..."

"I'm serious, Freya."

His voice softened a little.

"This place isn't for you."

"I know."

"So why are you here?"

Tears filled my eyes.

"I wish I could tell you."

He sighed again.

"I don't know what's going on, but I don't like it."

"I'm sorry."

"I'll call Grandpa and tell him you're on your way home."

"No!"

The word came out louder than I meant.

Draven looked surprised.

"Why not?"

"I... I'll walk."

He studied my face for another moment.

"Promise me you'll go straight home."

The lie almost broke my heart.

"I promise."

He nodded slowly.

"Good."

Then he turned around and walked back inside the building. The moment the door closed behind him, I leaned against the wall and covered my face with both hands.

"It's over," I whispered. "I failed."

"You certainly did."

My entire body stiffened.

I turned around.

Cassie stood a few feet away with her arms crossed.

She looked furious.

"I saw everything."

I couldn't even look at her.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

She laughed bitterly.

"That's all you have to say?"

"I tried."

"No, you panicked."

"My brother caught me."

"I noticed."

"I can't do this, Cassie."

Cassie's eyes turned cold.

"Oh, yes, you can."

"No."

"Listen carefully, Freya." She stepped closer until I could smell her expensive perfume. "If you fail to do this, tomorrow morning every person in this college will hear a story about how you were caught trying to drug the hockey captain."

The blood drained from my face.

"You wouldn't."

She smiled. "Try me."

"I wasn't trying to hurt him."

"Do you think anyone will care?"

I couldn't answer.

She smiled cruelly.

"Exactly."

Tears blurred my vision.

"Please, Cassie," I pleaded. "I can't do this."

"No."

"My brother will hate me."

"I don't care."

"My grandfather..."

"I don't care."

"I'll lose everything!"

I could hear the desperation in my own voice now.

She leaned close enough for only me to hear.

"And you'll lose even more if you fail me."

I felt trapped.

There was nowhere left to run.

"What do you want me to do now?" I whispered. "The pills are gone."

"Forget the pills."

I blinked.

"What?"

"Get him alone."

"How?"

"I don't care."

"He'll never come with me."

"Make him."

"I can't."

"You'd better figure it out."

She looked toward the entrance.

"Because this is your last chance."

Before I could answer, the hall doors opened.

Students poured outside for fresh air.

Among them was Maddox.

He held a phone against his ear while walking away from everyone else toward the quieter side of the building.

"Yeah," he said into the phone. "I'll be there in a minute."

He stopped beneath one of the lights near the parking lot.

Cassie grabbed my arm.

"There."

I looked where she was pointing.

"He'll be alone."

"I can't."

"You can."

"What if he says no?"

"Then you're finished."

She let go of my arm.

"I'm watching."

Then she disappeared back into the crowd.

I stood completely still.

My legs felt weak.

My mouth had gone dry.

Every part of me screamed to run away, but Cassie's threat echoed inside my head. I slowly looked toward Maddox again. He had finished his phone call and slipped his phone into his pocket. For a moment, he simply stood there alone, staring up at the night sky as if enjoying the silence away from the party.

This was my chance.

Maybe my only one.

I wiped my sweaty palms against my dress and forced one trembling step after another. Every heartbeat sounded louder than the music behind me. By the time I reached him, I could barely breathe.

He turned his head before I could even say a word.

His bright blue eyes landed on mine almost immediately, and one corner of his mouth lifted into an amused smile.

"Looking for me?" he asked.