Theo's pov
The second they announced our win, everything around me just—exploded. Shouts. Cheers. Streamers flying out of nowhere. People slamming into me with hugs and back pats and sticks raised in the air like swords.
But I didn't care.
I didn't care about the medal or the coach's proud face or even Avinav yelling "You finally didn't suck!"
My eyes found her.
Val.
She was across the rink, just stepping off the ice, her skates clicking on the floor as she looked around in the chaos, eyes scanning—
—and then she saw me.
We both froze.
For half a second, it was dead silent in my head. Like we were in our own little snow globe, and everything outside us was muffled.
Then she ran.
I don't even remember my feet moving, but I ran too. Sprinting like I had no stick, no team, no plan.
And we collided in the middle—arms wrapping around each other, breath catching, both of us stumbling from the impact. Her hair smelled like ice and sugar. Her arms were tight around my waist. My hands were in her hair, then down her back.
Neither of us let go.
The crowd around us didn't know whether to clap or gasp. I think someone dropped their hotdog. Whatever.
Because when she pulled back, just slightly, her hands still resting on my chest, and looked up at me, our faces stupidly close—I swore I could feel my heart throwing an actual tantrum in my chest.
"What just happened," she whispered.
I blinked. "We just won."
"No," she said, blushing. "That."
"Oh." I smiled. "I think we might've… hugged."
"Don't get cocky," she muttered, hiding her smile.
Too late.
Before I could say anything else, two voices joined us.
"Well, well, well," Ashley grinned, limping slightly as she came over, her ankle wrapped tight. Avinav followed with a smug look and a Coke in each hand.
"Do I even need to say anything?" he said, handing one to Ash. "That hug spoke volumes."
Val let go of me entirely then, stepping back like I was radioactive.
Ashley bumped her shoulder. "We all saw it, babe. It's already in the group chat."
Val groaned.
I didn't say anything. I was too busy trying not to look like I'd just been electrocuted.
---
The school threw a celebration party in the main hall—decorated in Garnet colors, balloons bouncing along the floor, parents hovering with proud eyes and phones out. There were trophies. Speeches. Even Emma got a mini cupcake tower to celebrate her "sister's brilliance," as someone put it.
Val stood with her family—her mom radiant, Emma buzzing with sugar, and her dad… well. He clapped politely.
I watched from the corner, sipping soda, when I noticed something off.
My mom was here. Of course. Front row, cheering like I'd just won the Olympics.
But across the room, my father stood beside Nicole, talking. Laughing at something I didn't care about. He hadn't even looked my way once.
Figures.
I sucked in a breath.
Then I spotted Val again.
Something about the way she stood, so strong and composed even with that stiff air around her dad, made something tighten in my chest. Screw it.
I walked over.
"Hi," I said, stopping in front of them.
Val blinked. "Oh… hi."
Her mom turned, curious.
"I'm Theo Dodge. I skate—uh, play hockey. With Val." I offered my hand.
Her mom shook it warmly. "Oh! You were amazing out there."
"Thank you, ma'am. You have a very talented daughter."
Val's mom smiled. Val blushed.
Emma peeked from behind her mom's leg. "Are you the boy who gave Val detention?"
I choked. "I—uh… maybe?"
Emma giggled and stepped forward to grab my hand. "I like you."
Val looked like she was going to combust.
Her dad just looked… bored.
"Hmm," he muttered. "Good game."
That was it.
But her mom said, "You're very well-mannered. And tall. I like tall."
I cleared my throat. "Thanks. I drink… a lot of milk."
Val covered her face.
Emma asked if I liked cats. I said yes. I think she decided I was her new big brother on the spot.
---
Later that night…
After the "official" party wrapped, the real one started.
Parents went home. Teachers disappeared. And somehow, someone booked a private venue with a pool.
Yes. A freaking indoor pool.
Music was blasting. People were diving in fully dressed. There were lights flashing blue and purple. Someone brought punch that definitely wasn't PG. Girls in short dresses were screaming with joy. People were dancing like finals didn't exist.
And Val…
Val walked in like she owned the place.
She wore a short silver dress—tight at the waist, glittery under the lights, her legs on full display, her hair slightly curled from earlier, makeup smudged just a little. She looked like every dream I didn't know I had.
She was holding a red cup and wobbling a little in her heels.
And she was smiling like she hadn't smiled in weeks.
I watched her from across the pool, barely touching my drink. She laughed at something Emma whispered, handed her to Ashley for a second, and kept dancing.
A few hours and a few drinks later… she was gone.
Like, gone gone.
Val was swaying by the pool edge, arms in the air, cheeks flushed pink.
She twirled, then slipped—just barely, just enough.
I shot forward, fast.
"Val—!"
I grabbed her arm right as her heel skidded on the tile, and she gasped.
Our faces ended up inches apart again.
"You're gonna fall," I said, breathless.
"You caught me," she said, smiling up at me with glassy eyes.
"Yeah, well," I muttered, steadying her, "I'm getting good at that."
She blinked slowly. "You're really handsome."
I blinked back. "You're really drunk."
She giggled. "Same thing."
I couldn't even argue.
And as she leaned against me, her head resting on my chest, and my arms stayed wrapped around her waist to keep her upright—I had one terrifying, impossible, completely thrilling thought:
I didn't want to let her go.