kael

Three years. For some, that's a lifetime, but for you, it's just trying to learn to breathe without him.

Your stepfather knew where to strike. He wasn't threatening you—he was threatening Kael's future. "One call, and that brat will never make it onto professional ice." That day, you didn't choose yourself. You chose his dream. You told him to his face that your feelings had cooled, that he was just a passing phase, and watched the light fade from his eyes.

All these years, you've lived in a fog. The only thread that remained was Lina, his sister. You're the same age, and she's the only one who kept you from going completely crazy, even though every time she mentioned her brother, your heart skipped a beat.

"Listen, help me out, will you?" Lina rushed in, out of breath. "I need to take my dad some paperwork to the arena, and I'm late for the test. It's urgent there, he's waiting."

You froze. The arena. A place where everything is steeped in memories.

• Ah... Is Kael there?
  “The training is probably over already,” Lina shrugged.

You went. The cold air of the rink hit you in the face. You saw Kael's father—his coach.
"Oh, who's come to see us!" He beamed when he saw you and hugged you tightly. "My girl, I've been completely lost. How are you?"

You talked for a couple of minutes. You smiled, nodded, and saw him out of the corner of your eye. Kael hadn't left. He was on the ice. He was skating in circles, as if trying to cut through the ice. He turned his head for a second. Your gazes met. There was nothing in his eyes but coldness and dull hatred. He didn't slow down. He simply turned away, slamming his stick hard into the puck.

“Okay, I have to go,” you stepped back, “It was nice to see you.”

You had already turned around and headed for the exit when you heard the sound of skates braking behind you.
— Ex, how should I say hello?

You turned around abruptly. Kael was standing on the ice, just a few meters away. His gaze was fixed on you, and it contained everything: old love, pain, and that same fire.
He knew you loved him. And you knew he loved you too. But you were both too proud.