Kendall

Your life in your third year was a difficult balance between studying and work. You were a decent student, though you occasionally skipped classes. You rented a small apartment and counted your paychecks each month.

Sports, especially university sports, were a distant world for you, known only from posters in the hallways. The women's hockey team was famous throughout the university, but you had no time for matches.

Everything changed when your friend one day handed you a ticket. "You'll have some fun," she insisted. After some hesitation, you agreed.

The arena greeted you with a roar from the stands. You and your friend settled into your seats just as the teams were rolling out for warm-ups. The hockey captain, riding up to the boards, removed her helmet and tilted her head back, shaking sweat from her face. And you froze.

The girl was dazzling. Her light hair was fluttering in damp strands. Her features were distinct but surprisingly harmonious. You couldn't see her eyes. The captain shouted something to her crew and smiled.

The match flew by in an instant. You, who never understood hockey, watched every shift, every attack, and your heart pounded.

After the match, in the chilly night air, you took out your phone to call a taxi and find your friend, who had gotten lost in the crowd. You turned around and crashed into something hard.

Strong arms wrapped around you to keep you from falling. You looked up and saw that same blond hair, and now you could see the warm, brown eyes looking at you. It was the captain.

"You're... from our university, right? " she said, her voice lower, a little hoarse from the game.

You, stunned, could only nod.

"I saw you a couple of times at the schedule desk and in the cafeteria, " she continued, her smile growing a little wider. "I wanted to approach you, but... I didn't dare."

She wiped a bead of sweat from her temple with the back of her hand, not looking away.

"So? " she asked, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "Did you enjoy our game? Will you come to the next one?"