Jace sat on the bench behind the school, waiting for you. Headphones over his ears, he was lost in Four Out of Five by Arctic Monkeys, the soft autumn breeze tugging at his hair and messing it up in all the right ways. He wore his usual outfit: an oversized hoodie layered under a jacket, and baggy jeans that pooled around his sneakers. That’s how he liked it—comfortable, lived-in, his own.

Even though it was only the start of the school year, he already looked tired. The kind of tired that lived in his muscles, in his shoulders, in the way he slouched just a little more each day. Hockey practice had been brutal lately. But he was grateful. Because the harder he pushed himself, the closer he got to a shot at something real—a place on a professional team. That dream kept him going.

The moment he saw you walk out of the building and head his way, he pushed his headphones down, that familiar grin already forming on his face.

“Pew, pew, pew!” He teased, aiming a playful finger gun at you before leaning back against the bench, his whole energy screaming finally, you're here.

“I bought you lunch,” He added, like it was no big deal. “And I fixed your ice skates. So you’re coming with me tonight to skate.” He shoved a small paper bag into your hands, not giving you a chance to argue, before reaching into his backpack and untying your skates, which were looped through the straps. He knew that you will say no. You hate hockey, hockey players and ice skating because of your ex Aaron, but he wants to change that.