Adelaide was used to the rush of people crowding around the rink before the game. She was used to the slight irritation that overcame her every time she was pushed or told to hurry up. This time however was completely different for her.

People moved slower, they were still excited and all wore the same blue and gold of the team but they seemed to have this aura around the audience. A sadness that Adelaide didn't think the game and team would be able to penetrate.

She walked with the crowd, through the doors and into the stands of Hell Hounds. The other side was filled with the students of another school, their loud shouts of excitement seemed to echo around the rink.

Even the Hell Hounds cheerleaders seemed to deflate as they try to cheer up the crowd.

Adelaide finds a seat, out of the way but close enough that she can make out the people around the rink. In front of her Jade stands she has a wide fake smile as they yell encouragement into the stands.

"Welcome everyone." The announcer's voice fills the area, the room falls silent. "Today is the first game of the season, an exciting time for both teams."

Around her, a couple of people clap their hands, half-hearted and stop almost as quickly as they started.

"However, before I invite the teams out to play we want to give tribute to the girl lost last night." The other side of the rink stops their cheering, they probably had no idea but each of them is respectful as everyone around the rink lowers their head.

"Taylor Chance had a long and bright future ahead of her. She just couldn't see it as clearly as we do. We how she finds peace wherever she is now. And remember if anyone is struggling reach out and find the help you deserve."

The announcer lets his words hang in the air. A heaviness weighs down on Adelaide's shoulders.

"This game is for you, Taylor." The crowd echoes the words around her.

"Now." The announcer takes a deep breath. "Let's welcome the Hell Hounds to the ring."

As soon as that first person is seen peeking out of the team's alley the crowd around Adelaide roars.

The excitement fills her chest as the people scream and cheer for the team. That once tentative head turns to a confident grin as the team slides out. The baluster around makes the crowd around Adelaide scream themselves hoarse.

The cheerleaders double down their efforts, they dance, shout and cheer as the team skates around.

She sees him before she even knows it Paxton is near the back of the team, he's holding his helmet in his hand he's messing around with his mouth guard but still, he gives everyone a wide grin. He finds his place in the team's group huddle near the stands just as Samuel comes out.

The crowd goes crazy for him. Girls screaming his name and boy cheering and clapping for him.

"It's like he's a superstar or something." Adelaide doesn't even notice she's said it out loud until the girl beside her rolls her eyes.

"You have no idea." Adelaide almost thinks she's agreeing with her until the girl turns back and screams in a high-pitched voice for Samuel to notice her.

Adelaide rubs her ear at the sound before rolling her own eyes.

She's watching the team, wondering what's going through their minds right now. Wondering if any of them want to pull out of the game too shaken from the news of Taylor.

Her eyes find Paxton still helmet-less as the announcer calls every single name in the team. Paxton picks his head up at his name and like she had been the one to call him his green eyes find hers in the stand.

Adelaide's heart thuds into the front of her chest as he smiles over at her. A heart-stopping grin that wipes away the last couple of days and disappointment he's shown her.

He's the first to look away as someone pulls him into the team huddle and Adelaide forces herself to look away as well.

She doesn't need him and his heart-stopping grins. She can ignore him this whole game.

"Welcome the team coming from Brigs University the Griffins."

The crowd on the other side cheer so loud the ground seems to shake but the sound doesn't reach Adelaide, it feels even to her to be missing something.

She shakes it off as she watches the other team come out. They don't bother mooching up to the crowd like the hell hounds instead it's like predators scooping out the other team already.

The hounds don't even notice, in fact, Samuel is laughing as he talks with the team.

The announcer goes through the names of the others but Adelaide doesn't take them in at all. Something cold slides down her spine, and it sends a shock to gasp to her throat when she realizes what it is.

As Paxton skates into position, he comes face to face with a large wide-set male on the other team. That cold had been a worry. For the first time coming to the game, she would be watching the game, taking in more than just the score for the paper.

She's worried about the boy with beautiful green eyes and breathtaking grins.

As she watches him his head turns, facing towards her she can almost feel his eyes on her. The man in front of him bends down to whisper into Paxton's ear but he doesn't even react instead the helmeted head shakes his head and looks towards Sam waiting for the game to begin.

With batted breath, Adelaide watches as the sound of the starting whistle fills the rink. She feels the shaking of the chair as those around her cheer as Sam takes the puck launching in towards a player but Adelaide's eyes keep a watchful eye on Paxton.

He's able to evade the big man and skates quickly towards the puck. He doesn't get it but helps the team as they duck and weave towards the goalie.

The puck slides over the ice right into the waiting stick of Samuel who sends it sailing through the air and into the net.

The first goal for the Hounds just literal seconds into the game.

Lost in the game Adelaide jumps up with the crowd screaming herself hoarse in encouragement as the team high-fives and celebrates.

A lightness enters the rushes through the rink as the team gets into position again and the crowd goes wild for them.

Adelaide's cheeks are red as the crowd sits forward in their seats. Will they be able to do it again?

The sound of the puck sliding around the ice fills her ears while her eyes watch Paxton the way he slides just as easily as the puck. His large body that when off the ice seems awkward now moves with such ease and purpose he looks like a completely different guy.

Adelaide's chest burns as Paxton snatches the puck from the other team, sliding away from the defence and right to the goalie.

He throws his whole body into the hit and the puck slides right over the head of the goalie.

The crowd loses it again, the cheerleaders boosting it all up with their cheers that the crowd quickly joins in.

Adelaide had attended one or two matches the year earlier when she had pulled the short straw and was made to report on the game. Those times the team had won but it hadn't been like this. It didn't feel as special as it did right now.

Someone behind her yells at the team.

"For Taylor." And the crowd echo's the chant.

This was the feeling burning through her veins the rightfulness of it. The team will win for Taylor and the crowd will be there cheering them on the whole way.

The game flashes past Adelaide in moments, the team dominate the once proud Griffins until the team is breathless on the bench watching their game, their year sliding away as the Hounds cheer on.

By the end Adelaide feels just as breathless as the team, she's red hot even in the icy air. Around her, the crowd cheers the team as the final bell rings. The girl next to her turns to her friends pulling them into a hug.

A new Taylor chant starts up and the team in front of the crowd chants along with them until the whole thing seems more wholesome than anything Adelaide had ever seen.

She however can't pull her eyes away from the green of Paxton as he takes off his helmet and looks up at her. His hair is flat with sweat but as he grins up at her she hasn't seen anything as sexy as him standing there watching her.

A smile filters onto her face and Paxton sends her a wink.

She ducks her head hoping to hide the red blush, when she looks up the team is at the edge of the border signing things and heading to the locker room.

She takes her time getting down the stands and out the door, but while everyone else comes to a stop outside waiting for the team to come out so they can cheer them on one more time Adelaide keeps walking.

Outside of the cold rink, she feels the heat of her body stronger, taking her jacket off she walks towards her dorm in the darkened night, a grin on her face as she thinks about Paxton.

It's not until she's turned the corner, deeper into the school's campus that she realizes just how alone she is. Looking around at the darkened buildings and lack of people she realizes just how many people must have stayed to cheer the team. She feels almost alone in an abandoned school.

A tree shakes behind her in the wind and Adelaide jumps in fright at the sound but doesn't stop her quickened walks towards her dorm.

She's not scared of the dark, she reminds herself turning another corner, nothing is out there to get her.

A scream rips in the air around her, coming from somewhere behind her.

Adelaide turns afraid of what she will find in the forest behind her. 

AUTHOR NOTE

Okay, I have a confession ... I've never watched a game of Ice Hockey .... is it noticeable? 

Do you guys have any resources to help me with writing the games? 

As always if you see any issues or problems with any of my chapters in any of my books please comment so I can fix them in the next draft.

Thank you for reading, 

Laura