Chapter Text
Caroline had always been the kind of person who tried to solve things her own way. She hated asking for help, especially when things started to spiral out of control. So when her team began having problems because three hockey players had failed chemistry, she found herself needing to swallow her pride and go talk to the only person who could fix the situation.
Caroline walked into the student council office without knocking.
—I need official tutoring for my team— Caroline said, entering abruptly.
—Good morning. Don't they teach manners at the hockey rink? —Alysa replied, crossing her arms as she looked at Caroline.
—I'm not here to play the perfect princess. I need you to find someone to help Laila, Aerin, and Megan.— Caroline seemed to be having a hard time.
—And why should I help you?— Alysa asked gracefully.
—You know that if they don't improve their grades, our team won't qualify for playoffs. We need them, and you're the only one who can get someone to help them without us having to beg the eggheads for weeks— she said seriously.
—If you need my help that badly, you'd better start asking a little more politely, don't you think?— Alysa was clearly enjoying seeing Caroline so desperate.
—So, are you going to help the team or not?— Caroline asked impatiently.
—I'll see what I can do, but I do have one condition. —Alysa was willing to make sure Caroline didn't get things easily. —You know about the annual event we hold in October. The hockey teams don't usually participate much because they think it's stupid, you know that. But the rugby guys will be away at training camp, and I need more people since the principal decided that I have to organize it. If your team participates, I'll tell Amber to help the girls. What do you say?— Alysa proposed, staring at Caroline.
—That event is definitely stupid. I'm not going to make my team look like a circus just to entertain kids— Caroline answered quickly.
—Then there's nothing I can do. If you're not capable of setting your pride aside for your friends, I have no reason to worry. I'm not the one who won't qualify for the playoffs— Alysa said, pretending to be sympathetic as she grabbed her things and walked past Caroline to leave the office.
Caroline grabbed her by the arm and said, looking her in the eyes, —You're doing this just to annoy me and laugh at me. You're insufferable pretending to help everyone while trying to be perfect. Tell Amber to help the girls. I'll tell the team to go to your event, Jack and the boys' team too. Just make sure Laila, Aerin, and Megan don't get kicked off the team.
After saying that, Caroline let go of Alysa and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her while Alysa watched with a mocking smile.
—I'll tell Professor Adam to give them more time!—Alysa shouted, laughing at the way Caroline had left
"This is gonna be very interesting"—Alysa thought as she was walking to the rink for practice with a winning smile.
--
If you asked anyone on campus who Alysa Liu was, most of them would answer without hesitation, "the figure skating prodigy." that reputation definitely precedes her.
Alysa first put on skates when she was five years old. Since then, her life has revolved around the ice rink. Her coaches quickly noticed the talent she had. At thirteen, she became the youngest skater to land a triple Axel, which led her to win the national championship.
She walked into the locker room, getting ready to train after finishing her student council duties. As soon as she was done with that, she went straight to the ice. It was her way of finally feeling free, like she could breathe again—and today more than ever, she needed that.
—You look pretty stressed today. Did something happen? —Amber, her best friend, asked as she walked in.
It was rare for something to actually stress Alysa out. She was known for handling all kinds of situations without letting them get to her. But today was just one of those days when everything felt overwhelming.
—The principal asked me to organize the fundraising event in October,—Alysa replied, rolling her eyes, exhausted.— I have to gather all the teams that don't have competitions that week. But I don't want to talk about that right now. You won't believe who walked into my office today asking for help.— Her serious tone shifted into a teasing smile.
—Why did the principal ask you if that's literally Ilia's job? He ran to organize events and help you,—Amber said, confused. And no, who came to ask for your help?.
—Caroline,—Alysa answered, clearly amused. —Her team is having trouble in chemistry class. By the way, I'm going to need you to help Laila, Megan, and Aerin. Professor Adam is about to bench them from the playoffs,— she said, finishing putting on her skates.
—Caroline? Like, Caroline Harvey asked you for help? That must've been pretty funny to watch. Fine, I don't mind helping them, but I doubt you agreed that easily.
— Of course no, I told her I'd do it on one condition: they have to participate in the fundraising event. At first she refused, but you know I have my methods.
—I can already imagine how much she's going to love that,— Amber said sarcastically as they stepped onto the ice.
—Good morning, girls. Warm up. Today we're only repeating each of your solo sequences. Amber, from the chorus. Alysa, from the beginning. Internationals qualification is just around the corner, and we need to clean up the details. — one of the coaches ordered.
The girls started warming up. Qualifications were only a few weeks away, and their programs had to be perfect. Which shouldn't be complicated, they're Alysa Liu and Amber Glenn after all.
--
—Harvey, I talked to the girls. How is it possible they failed and didn't tell me anything? Do you realize that in a few weeks we need to qualify for playoffs and three of my best players are on the red line?— her coach demanded.
—We're fixing it, Coach. They have the exam in two weeks, and I talked to the student council president so she could help them. We didn't tell you because I could handle it,—Caroline replied confidently.
—I don't care who can handle it or not, I trust you, Harvey. But I don't want to be left in the dark about something this serious. I'll talk to Adam so he goes a little easier on them. And tell the girls that if they want to keep their starting spots, they better start taking things more seriously,— he said firmly. —Tell them to get ready. This afternoon's practice won't be friendly.
—Yes, Coach,— she answered as she walked toward the locker room.
Caroline felt extremely frustrated. The team depended on her as captain. And not only that—if they didn't qualify for playoffs, her scholarship could be affected. Her grades weren't bad, but she needed to win if she wanted to get recruited by a PWHL team.
One thing she knew for sure: she had to be the best to make it. But that didn't depend only on her—it depended on her team too.
—I managed to get Amber to help you, so I need you to do everything you can to make sure we're in the playoffs,—Caroline said as she walked into the team's locker room.
Laila looked at her, confused. —How did you manage that? Amber isn't even in our year.
—I talked to Alysa. She'll convince Amber. Just take it as the extra help we clearly need,— Caroline replied, a hint of anger in her voice.
Aerin looked at her carefully. —We're sorry. You know Adam hates us. It's not an excuse, but it makes things harder. We promise the next exam will be different.
—Yeah, we know you and Alysa can't stand each other. We could've fixed it on our own, but thanks for talking to her,— Megan said while grabbing her things.
—Fine. I'll see you on the ice. Don't be late.
It was true—they couldn't stand each other. But Caroline knew she didn't have many options. They had known each other since they were little; their parents were good friends. But they were... very different. Where Alysa was elegance, freedom, and joy, Caroline was aggression, control, and dominance. They both had very different reputations.
But this time, she couldn't let that difference affect her team—or herself.