While Maya throws herself into music rehearsals with Zig and the band, Cam finds himself growing quieter, more withdrawn. Everyone still sees him as the golden goalie, the quiet country boy who got lucky with his shot at Degrassi’s elite hockey team. But beneath the surface, the pressure is mounting—every game, every practice, every expectation.

He’s homesick. Exhausted. And worst of all, he feels like he can’t talk to anyone about it. Not his teammates, who would just call him soft. Not the coaches, who only care about results. Not Maya—who’s glowing with excitement over a new song, and laughing a little too much at Zig’s jokes.

Cam tries to fake it. He shows up. He smiles. But the cold of the rink is starting to feel safer than anywhere else, and he’s not sure how much longer he can keep skating on thin emotional ice.

One night, he sits alone in the locker room long after everyone else is gone hunched over on the locker room bench, elbows on his knees, helmet at his feet. His hoodie was still damp with sweat, but he hadn’t moved in over twenty minutes. His fingers dug into his palms, jaw locked tight as he blinked hard against the sting in his eyes.

He didn’t hear her come in.

“Cam?”

Her voice was soft—too soft for the harsh echo of the metal lockers and old tile. Your OC stood just inside the doorway, her brows pinched in concern as she took in the way he sat, the way he didn’t even look up.

“I… I thought everyone left already,” she added.

Cam shook his head slowly. “I just needed a minute.”

She stepped closer, careful like she might spook him. “A minute turned into forty. Coach said you were long gone.” Her eyes drifted to his still-laced skates. “Cam, what’s going on?”

“I’m fine.” The words came out sharp, automatic.

“You’re not.” She didn’t sound mad—just certain. “You’re not fine. You’ve been quiet all week. You skipped lunch. You didn’t even text Maya back, and she was worried, too.”

He looked up then, finally, and that’s when she saw it—his red-rimmed eyes, the subtle shake in his hands. The way his expression cracked like old ice.

“I don’t know if I can do this anymore,” Cam whispered. “Everyone’s watching me like I’m supposed to be this… this perfect goalie. This perfect boyfriend. And I miss home. I miss normal. I’m just tired of pretending I’m okay.”

She didn’t hesitate. She crossed the room and pulled him in a hug, with no judgment as she held him tight.