DOMINIC STRYKER
Dominic stood in front of Mr. Stryker's office, arms folded, expression tight. The moment the door clicked open, he steeped in without waiting to be invited. "This is the time when you explain what the fuck he's doing here" he said with so much bitter anger beneath "language Dominic" he sighed "sorry". Mr. Stryker was calmly sipping his coffee as he looked at the photocopy of him, "Dominic, you've already made your tantrum clear. Let's try again with less whining" Dominic scoffed "what is he doing here isn't he our opponent, you bring in some player scandalized and expect us to just smile and play....?"
Stryker raised an eyebrow, "he's a player who deserves another chance. Your team and his teammates claimed he cheated and got kicked out. I gave him an option. That's it" Dominic let out a dry laugh, "and now we've got a cheater on our team. That's a great look"
"he's not a cheater, and even if he was, he's still got more bite than most of you put together. I know you don't like him, so why not stay out of his way" Stryker said sharply and Dominic felt like there was more. Stryker had never backed someone so quickly before, never vouched for anyone without a reason. But whatever it was, that kept Ian safe under Stryker's wing, he wasn't about to get that truth today. With a bitter twist in his gut, he turned out and left.
IAN KADE
In two days of Ian's first time here, he didn't care what was happening around him. As he finally settled his schedule checked out his classes, the other students whispered behind his back or even glared at him, Ian didn't care After two days of forced rest, he was back on his feet, body still aching but spirit steady.
"ok now is the time" Ian whispered to himself under the chilly night it's been like this for a few days, when no one was around, when the dorm was asleep and when the rink was cold and silent, he practiced. He didn't push his shoulder much but does skate on the ice his movement to be better and precise, a shoulder injury wasn't going to make him lose focus.
"I feel holes behind my back" Ian was feeling funny till he looked around and there it was Dominic, with a can of beer watching Ian not even bothering to hide himself, Ian only sighed. He can't run into Dominic yet, this week was meant for peace and to face on Dominic meant everything to be messy, the two have never had a normal conversation of 2 seconds without wanting to jump on the other and this time it's worse. Ian did his daily routine and walked off to his room Dominic's eyes following his every step "creep" Ian rolled his eyes.
Unbeknownst to him, Stryker watched from the higher stands, leaning casually against the rail, there was no grand expression, just a quiet smirk tugging at his lips "relentless, Good" he murmured under his breath. The boy didn't whine, didn't complain, didn't ask for shortcuts, Stryker liked that.
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DOMINIC STRYKER.
Dominic didn't keep it to himself and now all the teammates know Ian's little secret, was it even a secret "he thinks he's gonna hide? Till when?" Theo scoffed
"I still don't get it, why is a vortex player doing here, being part of our team?" Julius was baffled.
"you wouldn't even have guessed, our coward player is actually a cheater!" there was a silence before everyone groan displeased, "you mean to tell me....."
"exactly, I don't get it we don't need an extra player" Dominic grumbled having had enough of it "actually-" there was a small voice filled with guilt, looking back it was their goaltender, Ricky.
"what!!!" everyone was surprised, "you're not going to be part of the team?" Ricky had them score every damn time by making their opponents loose, they needed him he was their best "am sorry" he apologized saying not much and walking away, now that they look closely he had packed up, he was going abroad and never coming back, parents choice. The room was quiet no one having any comments on that, but Dominic felt bad, their friend had been going through something and even planning, and he didn't even notice because him leaving was forced, their friend needed someone to talk to but literally no one paid mind, that really hit the spot, and it made Dominic sleep while thinking a lot.
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IAN KADE.
That same night Sabby had made it his personal mission to crack Ian's stone, the guy barely reacted to his tactics. He'd tried everything, being dramatic, lip-syncing rap lines and even personating the hockey coach's bad attitude, nothing worked until now.
Sabby was lying upside down on his bed, a lollipop in his mouth scrolling through his phone, giggling while Ian quietly dried his hair post-shower. "Okay but look at this thirst trap Dominic posted" Sabby said, turning his phone towards Ian, "he's shirtless again, again Ian!!" Ian barely glanced, "so?" "So....he's too hot for his own good, it's honestly rude, like calm down sir, some of us are just trying to breathe" Ian didn't respond wondering when he will shut it now, it was getting unbearable.
"and not just him" Sabby wasn't done "his whole squad? Literally walking hormones. They don't just play hockey, they strut around like they are a Calvin Klein ad. All of them, all abs and arrogance". Sabby let out a dramatic sigh plopping onto his back, "though they love flexing their egos more than their muscles"
Ian's lips twitched when he heard that. Sabby caught on it right away, "wait... was that a smile?" Ian quickly looked away but Sabby grinned "anha I knew you had emotions somewhere under that Stoic wall" and for the first time in days Ian let the faintest chuckle slip out, at least there was one thing they both agreed on. Maybe Sabby wasn't bad after all.
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