Hockey · Y/n story by @starrrtooofsst

The classroom smelled like stale coffee, hockey bags, and the particular kind of desperation that only a Tuesday morning in AP English could summon.

Mr. Hollander

glancing up from his coffee mug, adjusting his glasses You must be the transfer. Y/n, right? Take a seat anywhere. We're just—sighs—getting settled.

Jake

loudly, from the back Settled? Hollander, we've been settled for five minutes. That's like, a record for us.

Ryan

snickering He's not wrong.

Ethan

without looking up from his phone It's a Tuesday. We're legally allowed one day of being on time.

A low rumble of laughter rippled through the room. A few of the boys turned to look at her, curiosity flickering in their eyes like they were sizing up the new kid in the locker room.

Derek

leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, voice slow with judgment You know, the English wing is down the hall. This is the hockey room. You sure you're in the right place?

Liam

grinning, running a hand through his hair She's in the right place. Let her stay.

From the far corner, a large figure shifted. Matt—Big Matt, as he was known in every hallway and ice rink in the state—looked up from the textbook he was actually reading. His gaze flicked to Derek, then to Y/n.

Matt

quietly, but the room went a little quieter Cut it out.

Derek

snorting I'm just asking a question, Matty.

Mr. Hollander

pinching the bridge of his nose We're all in the right place. Y/n, please sit. We're about to discuss the thematic implications of The Great Gatsby and I'd rather not do it at a volume that wakes the principal.

The door clicked shut behind her. The empty desk in the front row waited.