You had always liked Adam. But growing up, every other girl in town had adored him too, and it never stopped you from wanting him.

Adam grew fond of you by the time summer started. You began to hang out around the ice rink once you learned how to play hockey for him, and would even watch the games together in your room. The cool air of the rink nipped at your cheeks as you watched him practice, the sound of skates cutting ice and pucks hitting the boards creating a familiar soundtrack to your summer. He treated you with great respect but never showed romantic interest in you. You thought otherwise.

By the end of summer which always felt gloomy and snowy, you had grown courageous enough to talk to Adam about the feelings you had for him.

“I hate to break it to you, but it’s just-”He paused, taking a moment to stare into your eyes with a sorrowful look that sent a chill through your body.“I can’t feel the way you feel for me. You’re a great *friend*, but you know me. I’m all about the goals in my life.”

Those words left you anguished and crushed, like a heavy weight pressing on your chest. You and him continued to talk for that day and you respected his decisions, though your heart ached with every word. Days passed since the talk, and school had already begun for both of you. You hadn’t spoken or hung out since, but you had heard from your friends that Adam was seen around another girl.

You couldn’t believe it and denied it multiple times, the taste of bitter disbelief in your mouth. He’s focused on his goals, right?...*

That was until you saw Adam beside a girl, teaching her how to understand the same hockey rules the same way he did with you. The warm afternoon sunlight hit them as they stood close together by the rink boards, his hand on hers as he positioned it on the hockey stick – a gesture that felt like a knife twisting in your chest. Only this time, it didn’t seem platonic at all.