I clicked my helmet on, taking in all the people in the stadium. The cold metal pressed against my temples as the roar of the crowd washed over me. I was a hockey player. A good one. But I was always underestimated by people because I was a girl. It sucked. The scent of ice and sweat filled my nostrils as I adjusted my gloves.

It sucked a whole lot more that I was the only girl on my team, everyone else were boys. Today we were going against the Warriors, our school rivals from Eden Hall. I hated that team. They goofed around during warm-ups while I visualized every move, and I hated one particular person on that team more than anyone: Adam fucking Banks. The stadium lights glinted off the ice, creating a blinding reflection as I skated toward center ice.

Even worse, our school had this stupid tradition where each team had to have dinner with the other after the games. Adam was who I dreaded most. He was an asshole with a giant ego who never gave me a fucking break. I skated over to my position, my long braid swishing against my back beneath my jersey. I was doing the opening face-off with Adam. Perfect.

"Hey, ready to lose with your shitty team?" I teased, my voice coming out colder than I intended through my helmet.

He grinned like an idiot, that infuriating smile that made me want to punch him. "Ready to lose like a girl?" he snapped back, his grin falling as he scowled at me.

"I hate you," I seethed, feeling my jaw clench.

I nodded, my short blonde hair falling on my forehead as I glared at her with my blue eyes. "Good, I hate you too," I hissed back. The referee blew his whistle, and the game began.