Chapter 20
Luna
He walks past me like I’m invisible, like he didn’t promise we’d talk.
“Are you fucking serious right now?” I snap, spinning around. “You don’t see me?”
He stops, but doesn’t turn around.
“You said we’d talk,” I say, louder this time. “You promised.” I take a step closer, my voice shaking from anger.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” he says, still not turning to look at me.
“Wow.” I laugh bitterly. “Now I see why everyone stays the hell away from you.”
“Maybe you should stay away, too,” he says over his shoulder.
My throat burns, but not from the cold air. I thought things would be different. Just because he made me soup and we listened to Billie together.
“Maybe I will, but I’m not stupid, Zayden. There’s something going on here, and I’m gonna find out the truth with or without your help.”
I turn to walk away, but before I can take a step, Zayden is in front of me. He backs me up against the wall, not hard enough to hurt me, but just enough to trap me. “You need to stop.” His eyes are stormy and something close to being scared. Scared for him or for me?
“Stop what?” I snap.
“Stop digging into things that don’t concern you.” He’s so close I can feel his breath on my skin.
“Or what, Zayden?”
“You don’t know what you’re getting into.” His fingers twitch on my arm like he doesn’t know whether to push me away or pull me closer.
“So tell me.”
My chest rises and falls rapidly, so does his.
Neither of us moves.
For a second, there’s only the sound of our breathing and the pulse pounding in my throat.
I hate him.
I want him to kiss me.
I hate that I want that.
His eyes drop to my mouth, and mine lift to his. The space between us could be shattered with one breath.
“Stay out of this, Luna. Focus on your skating. That’s what you’re here for, right?”
A little too late for that.
He lets go of my arm, but I don’t move. I don’t even breathe.
“I hate you,” I yell at him, furious, and aching in ways I don’t even understand.
“Yeah?” He leans closer. “I hate you, too.”
But he doesn’t stop.
“I hate that you’re so fucking stubborn.”
A little closer.
“I hate that I know what your laugh sounds like. And I hate that I like hearing it.”
He’s breathing hard now—so am I.
“I fucking hate that I want to kiss you right now.” He stares at my lips, then lifts his eyes to meet my gaze.
I should shove him away and tell him he doesn’t get to kiss me after all of this. That he doesn’t get to hate me and want me at the same time. But my body doesn’t move. Instead, a small exhale escapes my lips.
That’s all it takes for his mouth to crash to mine.
Then he’s kissing me like he hates me and can’t get enough of me at the same time.
Like he’s drowning, and I’m the only thing keeping him afloat.
And I kiss him back just as hard. Because I hate him.
Hate him for making me want this. Hate that I have no fucking idea what this even is.
His tongue searches for mine, and my lips part, letting him in. He tastes like adrenaline and cold air. I grab a handful of his locs, dragging him closer, and the sound from his throat sends heat curling through my core.
It’s all lips and tongues and gasps and too much and not enough and—
God, I’m dizzy.
Zayden’s hold tightens on my waist like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go. He shifts the angle, kissing me deeper, and we consume each other.
I’m fucking lost in him.
Just like last time, the kiss softens. His lips move slower, tongue grazing against mine in one last lingering stroke before he slowly pulls away.
His lips hover over mine like he wants to kiss me again. Eyes closed, chest rising and falling so fast I can almost feel his body shaking.
Then his forehead presses to mine, and he exhales like it hurts. “Just let it go, Luna,” he says quietly, breathing me in one last time before pulling away. His whole body is tense, like it’s killing him to do this.
And then he walks off. No explanation, no glance back, just gone. Leaving me wrecked, angry, and so goddamn confused I want to scream.
Instead, I take a deep breath, fix my clothes, and shove everything down. I don’t have time for Zayden Aldenhurst and his fucking hot and cold games. He’s right. I came here to skate, not to get caught up in his storm.
He wants me to stay away from him? That’s exactly what I’m gonna do.
I don’t remember walking away. One second he’s kissing me, and the next I’m in the library. I didn’t want to go back to my dorm just yet. I’m not ready to face Sophie and Annika. I promised them we’d talk later, but how do I explain something I don’t understand myself?
The library is quiet, just a few early birds. I take a seat near the back and open one of the library laptops. A pressure builds behind my eyes as the screen powers on.
I open a new page and type Ellias Vaughn. A single article pops up from five years ago.
First-year hockey player found dead in Valcérre Arena.
Valcérre University officials confirmed the death of first-year hockey player Ellias Vaughn, 18, who was found unresponsive on the ice in Ice Arena D early Monday morning.
Staff preparing the facility for training reportedly discovered Vaughn’s body shortly before 5:30 a.m. They believe Vaughn may have sneaked into the rink sometime after midnight for a solo training session.
No official autopsy has been released. As of now, authorities are treating it as an accident. The university has not commented on whether unauthorized access to Arena D will lead to further investigation.
A memorial is expected to be held after the holiday break. The university has asked the press to respect the family’s privacy.
That’s it. No autopsy report, no investigation, no quotes from anyone who saw what happened. That doesn’t add up.
Zayden mentioned they ended the Midnight Challenge after an accident. Could this be related?
My head throbs harder, and I rub my temple, trying to breathe through it. I’m used to my migraines by now, and this one is manageable.
I type Shadow Rink next, and nothing comes up. Valcérre Midnight Challenge. Still nothing. What the fuck? Even the video of me and Zayden skating together is gone. Erased like it was never real, deleted from every account and every repost.
I reload again and again. Still nothing. Panic rises in my chest as I swallow against the rising nausea in my stomach.
“Hey,” a voice says.
I look up as Serene slides into the seat across from me and drops her book on the table. Her red hair is twisted up into a messy bun that looks effortless.
“Hey,” I say with a small smile, trying to sound normal.
“Working on something for class?” She nods at the laptop.
“Something like that,” I lie.
She studies me for a few seconds, like she doesn’t believe me. I look down at my phone again, trying to find the video, maybe a repost, but nothing. How is that even possible?
“You okay?” Serene’s voice breaks through my thoughts again. I almost forgot she was here.
“Yeah, I just have a lot going on.” I hesitate before adding, “Have you heard of the Midnight Challenge?”
Serene takes a sip of her coffee before answering. “I’ve heard the name before.” She leans a little closer, like she’s whispering a secret. “It’s one of those things people don’t really talk about. If it did exist, it doesn’t anymore. Someone must have buried it.”
“So, you think it was real?”
“Maybe. If it was, someone definitely doesn’t want people to find out about it.”
“You saw the video, right?” I ask before I can stop myself. “The one with me and Zayden.”
“Yeah, then it was gone, like someone wiped it.”
Every hair on my arms rises. “Right, like who would even do that?”
“Whoever did it has reach. Real reach.”
How deep does this thing go?
“Are you and Zayden…like, together?”
“What? No.”
“Could have fooled me.” She gives me a soft smile.
“I— It’s complicated.”
She sips her coffee silently, but her eyes are still on me.
“What?”
“I saw how he looked at you. Your chemistry was obvious even through the video. That connection is rare.”
What do I even say to that?
“And whoever’s sending those messages clearly wants the truth out.”
My blood goes cold.
“I didn’t tell you that…”
Serene blinks. “You didn’t tell me what?”
“About the messages.”
I didn’t.
I know I didn’t.
She tilts her head, a soft frown tugging between her brows. “Yeah, you did. At your locker when you asked me about the Shadow Rink.”
Maybe I did and forgot.
I nod. “I probably did. My brain gets foggy when I’m stressed.”
She smiles at me. “I get it. I’ll see you in class.” She stands, grabbing her book and coffee from the table. “And if you want information about the Midnight Challenge, you won’t find it online.”
“So, where should I look?”
She leans down and whispers, “Try the archives.”
“The archives?”
“Yes, it’s in the basement level of the library, and you probably need a key to get in there. But if you want the truth, that is a good place to start.” She gives me one last smile before walking away.
As soon as she’s out of sight, my phone buzzes.
I glance down.
Unknown Number: Ellias Vaughn. It wasn’t an accident.
I stare at the screen, hands suddenly cold.
Me: Who are you?
No response.
Me: Why are you telling me this?
Nothing, but I know this isn’t some prank. Someone wants the truth out.
Me: Why me?
I send the text, not expecting a reply, but the three dots appear.
Unknown Number: Because of how he looks at you.
What does that even mean?
Unknown Number: He knows more than he lets on.
Who? Zayden.
I know he’s holding something back, but the question is why?
Me: Who?
I wait for a response that never comes, but I already know the answer.