The weather had taken a turn for the better — early summer warmth hung in the air, the sun strong but not unbearable. The school's outdoor gym facilities were busier than usual, as sports teams continued practice despite classes being over.
Claire, Jade, and Amber leaned against the railing of the fenced-in outdoor field where the hockey team was training. With the rink closed since April, the boys had moved to the turf for endurance and dryland skills.
The players were spread out — stretching, sprinting through drills, stickhandling around cones. Several shirts were already discarded, slung over benches. Sweat glistened. Muscles worked.
Jade (fanning herself with a notebook): "Okay, so… hot boys working hard and looking sweaty. You two were right. This is quality summer entertainment."
Amber: "Told you. Bonus points if one of them pulls a hamstring in slow motion."
They laughed.
Claire (half-distracted): "Hey, remember that guy I dated last year?"
Amber: "You're gonna have to be more specific."
Jade (arching a brow): "You mean Nose-Patch Apology Guy?"
Claire: "Yeah. That one."
Jade: "What about him?"
Claire (casually): "Apparently after he dumped me for not wanting to 'deepen' the relationship, Chris had… a physical discourse with him. You know, about how to treat women with respect."
There was a beat of silence. Then both girls snorted.
Amber: "Physical discourse?!"
Jade: "Please tell me you have a picture of that guy looking like he just got whacked by karma."
Claire: "I think so?"
Jade (holding out her hand): "Give. Now."
Claire handed over her phone without hesitation. Jade started scrolling, Amber peeking over her shoulder.
They found the photo — the ex-boyfriend with a patched-up nose, standing in front of Claire looking pitiful. Head bowed. Expression sheepish.
Amber: "Oh my god. He looks like a kicked puppy."
Jade: "I'm going to frame this. 'When karma works overtime.'"
She kept scrolling — then paused.
Jade: "...Hello, what's this?"
It was a slow-motion video clip: Chris, shirtless, training at home. Stick in hand, working on shooting form. Sharp, fluid movement. The camera captured every controlled breath, every contraction of lean muscle. Sweat trickled down his chest. His amber eyes were locked in that intense, focused stare.
Jade (blinking): "Claire."
Claire (absently): "Hmm?"
Jade (deadpan, holding up the screen): "You traitor."
Claire (glancing at it): "Oh. That. He made me record it — wanted to check if his posture was aligned."
Jade: "No, no, no. You've been hoarding a living, breathing thirst trap and said nothing?"
Amber (grinning): "Let me see."
Claire: "Oh come on, you too?"
Amber (shrugging): "I'm loyal, not blind."
Claire groaned as both girls watched the clip again — one giggling, the other straight-up analyzing his forearms.
Jade: "If he ever releases a workout tape, I want early access."
Claire (muttering): "I really regret letting you touch my phone."
Jade was still watching the slow-motion clip, teeth lightly catching on her lower lip as Chris fired another precise shot.
Jade (half-joking, half-serious): "I already know who my next prey is."
Claire and Amber turned to her in sync, both raising their eyebrows.
Amber (grinning): "Prey?"
Claire (dry): "You planning to bring him down with seduction or chloroform?"
Jade smirked, handing the phone back — but not before sneaking one last look.
Jade: "If he's game, of course. Wouldn't go for him if you called dibs."
Claire's mouth curled into an amused, closed-lip smile — not smug, but knowing, like someone holding a card no one else realized was in play.
Claire: "Oh, go for it. By all means. Best of luck."
Jade narrowed her eyes, immediately catching the shift.
Jade: "Wait. What's with that smile?"
Claire (waving a hand): "Nothing."
Jade (frowning): "No, no — what is it? He's not gay or something, is he?"
Claire (shrugging): "I don't think so? He had a girlfriend before."
Jade (perking up): "Perfect. Then there's no problem."
Claire just nodded slowly, that same enigmatic grin tugging at the corner of her lips.
Claire (humming): "Mhm. No problem at all."
Jade squinted.
It had been three days. Three straight afternoons of Jade smiling, waving, winking — and Chris Carter giving her exactly nothing in return.
Not a twitch. Not a glance. Not even a confused double take.
They sat on the bleachers again, the boys below glistening with sweat as they ran passing drills on the turf. Jade crossed her arms and leaned forward, glaring murderously at the field.
Jade: "Is he a robot? Is that it? He's some hockey AI built in a lab to ignore women?"
Amber snorted, sipping her iced tea.
Amber: "Could be. Maybe he only recognizes hockey pucks and pain."
Claire leaned back on her hands, lazy grin in place.
Claire: "I think you're on the right track. Just keep doing what you're doing."
Jade: "You're messing with me."
Claire didn't answer — just smiled wider.
Jade (grumbling): "Let me show you what's supposed to happen."
She sat up straighter and waved at a guy who happened to be facing their direction. The guy looked unsure — and was promptly hit in the chest with a medicine ball, sending him sprawling backward with a groan.
All three girls burst into laughter.
Chris jogged over immediately, crouching next to the fallen player.
Chris: "You okay?"
Guy (groaning): "Yeah. Just got distracted for a sec."
Chris looked around calmly.
Chris: "I don't see anything distracting."
The laughter stopped.
Claire bit her lip. Amber tried not to choke on her tea. Jade blinked — mouth slightly open in horror.
Chris (serious): "You gonna get distracted during a game too?"
Guy (snapping to attention): "No, Cap!"
Chris: "Then get back to throwing."
The guy scrambled to his feet and took off. Chris stood, glanced vaguely in the girls' direction as he scratched the back of his neck — clearly puzzled — then jogged back to the field.
Claire (whispering): "Maybe he is a robot."
Amber (grinning): "Or just allergic to pretty girls."
Jade (deadpan): "I'm gonna cry."