9. Skating

I spent the rest of the day in various classes and ensuring every corner of the dorm room was immaculate. I couldn't risk giving Alec any reason to rummage through my belongings.

I tried to distract myself, but no matter what I did, I grappled with a looming sense of panic.

Skating. The very thought made me cringe. My experience with skating was limited at best, restricted to a handful of childhood attempts on roller skates across a wooden floor. The memory of my one and only disastrous incident with inline skates, resulting in my body covered in bruises and a missed day of school, did little to bolster my confidence.

But, like with everything else in my life these days, I couldn't just wallow. Determined to face my fears head-on, I decided to scope out the hockey practice.

Sneaking into the auditorium, I found a discreet spot in the stands, my heart racing with anticipation and dread. Adrien's words earlier that day echoed in my mind. If I could figure out how to survive the hocke