Chapter 15
Where my ordinary desk used to be was something straight out of a royal court–a gleaming desk plated in what looked like polished gold, reflecting the morning light in blinding shards across the room. Behind it sat a chair that could only be described as a throne, towering over the other seats with gilded armrests and an ornate backrest.
“Wait a minute. That’s not polished gold, it’s real gold! Oh, God! This is so embarrassing,” I thought, my cheeks burning as the realization hit me like a wave.
I swallowed, pulse quickening with a mix of mortification and anger. This wasn’t a prank–it was a message, loud and clear. Kaiden was doing exactly the opposite of what I’d asked, adding about a thousand times more drama.
And as if that wasn’t bad enough, sprawled across the desk was a jersey, proudly emblazoned with the words Lucy Sterwalt–The New Captain.
My fingers curled into tight fists at my sides, fury rising and threatening to explode. I wanted to yell, to fling the jersey across the room, to erase every trace of this display that mocked everything I’d worked for. Kaiden had gone too far, broadcasting my private struggles for his own
amusement.
Whispers snaked through the rows of desks, some laced with laughter, others with grudging admiration, and a few with outright jealousy.
For a moment, I was frozen, caught between the storm of emotions swirling inside me and the need to maintain a sliver of dignity. Forcing my shoulders back, I took a slow, steadying breath, ignoring the countless eyes on me, eagerly waiting to see my reaction.
“This is…ridiculous,” I muttered under my breath, mostly to myself, though a few students nearby stifled laughter as they overheard.
As I walked closer, I could almost imagine Kaiden’s smug face, satisfied to see me cornered. And I hated it. I’m never going to forgive Kaiden for
this one.
With a final, unsteady breath, I straightened my back and reached out, shoving the jersey into my bag. “What’s wrong with this person?” I murmured, utterly mortified and frustrated. “Why would he do this to me? Did I do something wrong? No. I didn’t. He must’ve gone insane! Totally, completely, insane! Oh, Kai-”
“Congratulations, Lucy.” A familiar voice, thick with bitterness, sounded behind me. “You did it. Finally.”
I couldn’t help but scrunch my forehead in confusion.
“You’re now the captain of the hockey team.”
Wait. Rubina? I recognized the voice and immediately turned around. Yep, I was right—it was Rubina.
“Ru… Wh–what do you mea-
“Don’t you dare act innocent with me!” she snapped, cutting me off. “Your twisted act may have worked on Kaiden, but it won’t work on me.” She came closer, her eyes blazing with utter hatred. “You can never be a good captain. And you know why? Because you didn’t earn it on your own. You don’t deserve it,” she spat, jabbing her finger hard into the center of my chest with each word. “You’re just a good–for–nothing Barbie. And…” Her eyes flicked over my shoulder to the gleaming setup at my desk. “Everyone can see it, clear as day.”
“Rubina, please.” My voice cracked. “Trust me. I didn’t-”
“Don’t you dare.” Her voice was sharp, eyes blazing so intensely that a chill ran through my soul. “Don’t you dare.” She repeated with a forced, calm fury. A tear slipped down her cheek, glistening like a drop of molten lava from her blazing red eye. “Please,” she sneered, shaking her head slowly, dangerously. “I’m done. I’m leaving this fucking school. And thank you for this opportunity… bitch.”
She shot me the middle finger, her eyes burning with fury, before turning on her heel and pushing her way through the crowd, her steps heavy with anger as she stormed out of the classroom.
I was so shaken by her intimidating demeanor that I couldn’t process anything for a few seconds, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. I’d never felt this terrible, not even when my mom yelled at me. But hearing it from Rubina, of all people–it hurt in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I used to look up to her, she was my inspiration. And now, seeing her like this, misunderstanding me, blaming me, giving up on her dream and her school because of me–it felt so heart–wrenching that if I were a fifty–year–old woman with a heart condition, I’d probably be having a heart attack right
now.
After Rubina left, Sheela approached me, her eyes teary, her voice shaky. “You said you wouldn’t take her place. I trusted you, Lucy. Why would you do that?”
“Hey!” Barbara’s voice rang out from the doorway, sharp and commanding, instantly grabbing both Sheela’s and my attention. She walked over confidently, yanked the jersey from my bag, and held it up for Sheela to see. “Careful. Didn’t you notice?” She gestured toward the jersey with a smirk. “Show some respect.”
Sheela’s jaw tightened as she took in the sight of the jersey, her tear–filled eyes now blazing with anger. She looked back at me, her voice laced with disdain. “I don’t care if she’s our team’s captain. She’ll never earn my respect.”
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Chapter 15
“Woop!” Barbara snapped her fingers between Sheela and me, holding Sheela’s furious gaze with ease. “Not that, babe. Look at the name.” She ran her fingers over the name on the jersey. “Lucy Sterwalt.” A proud grin spread across her face. “She’s not the old Lucy Hailstone anymore. She’s the new and improved Lucy Sterwalt. You’d better show some respect for that surname, babe. Because if you don’t…” She stepped closer to Sheela, her intimidating presence causing Sheela to back up until she bumped into my desk. “You know, your family’s barely putting food on the table.” Barbara smirked, her face almost like a devil’s, someone you wouldn’t dare to mess with.
“Enough, Barb.” I interrupted her devilish stare–off with Sheela, and Sheela quickly slipped past Barbara, running out of the classroom.
Barbara watched her leave, clearly savoring Sheela’s retreat, before she turned back to me, switching back to the goofy friend I knew, “Why did you stop me? It was so fun. And…” She pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Please don’t be.” I said, pulling back to break our hug. “I didn’t do anything to earn this title. I’m going to talk to the coach and ask her to give the captaincy back to Rubina.”
“What?! Why?” she blurted out. “Anyway, I wasn’t talking about your captaincy. I was talking about your new surname. You finally changed it to ‘Sterwalt‘! Oh, God, I’m so happy for you! I can’t believe it. My best friend is a Sterwalt,” she said dreamily, as if it were her stepping into the Sterwalt legacy instead of me.
“I didn’t change my surname, Barb. My name is Lucy Hailstone, and that’s how it’s going to stay. Forever.”
“But-”
didn’t bother listening to her; whenever it came to the Sterwalts, Barbara always took their side, and that was the last thing I needed right now. She had no idea how hurt I was–or how furious.
What was wrong with Kaiden? Who the hell gave him the right to change my surname?
I stormed out of the classroom. “Kaiden Sterwalt, you’re fucking dead.”
To be continued…
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