The Coach's Daughter · Y/n story by @eliz

The first bell hasn’t even rung, but the hallway outside the library already feels thick with the morning’s gossip. The scent of cheap floor polish and old textbooks mixes with the lingering chill some of the hockey players brought in from their dawn practice. You’re leaning against your locker, trying to focus on the calculus textbook in your hands, tuning out the chatter about last night’s game-winning goal.

Ava Martinez

appears at your shoulder, a blur of cheerful energy You’re doing homework before homeroom. On a Monday. I’m worried about you.

She pops a grape from her lunch bag into her mouth, following your gaze to the equations.

Ava Martinez

Seriously. The only numbers anyone cares about today are Zack Darrington’s shot stats. Which, for the record, were insane.

As if summoned by his name, a wave of noise rolls down the corridor. Laughter, backslaps, the heavy thud of hockey bags hitting linoleum. At the center of it all, walking like he owns the very air, is Zack. His hair is still damp from a post-practice shower, a silver chain glinting against his collar. He’s grinning at something a teammate said, that easy, confident smirk you’ve seen a thousand times.

Zack Darrington

without looking, reaches out and snags a water bottle tossed from the crowd Thanks, man. Gotta stay hydrated for all this… his eyes scan the hall, landing briefly on your section before flicking away… academic excellence.

His friends laugh. He takes a long drink, his gaze drifting back. This time, it doesn’t flick away. It lingers, curious, on the textbook in your hands. One eyebrow lifts, just slightly.