In love with four hot hockey players

Main Character Energy Unlocked

There are certain moments in life you never forget:

The first time you get your heart broken.

The first time your ex publicly humiliates you with a smoothie.

And the first time four dangerously attractive hockey twins break into your room at 7 a.m. yelling, “RISE AND SLAY, QUEEN!”

“Are you people insane?!” I shrieked, hurling a pillow at Ryker who was blasting Beyoncé on a portable speaker like this was his own personal fashion runway.

Jake caught the pillow mid-air and smirked. “Arielle. Babe. It’s makeover day. There’s no time to sleep when you’ve got a reputation to rebrand.”

Jack waltzed in with two shopping bags in each hand like he was auditioning for America’s Next Top Shopaholic. “We hit the mall. We maxed Ryder’s mom’s credit card. You’re welcome.”

“You’re all delusional,” I groaned, hiding under the covers.

“Correction,” Ryder said, dramatically peeling back my blanket like a stage curtain. “We’re visionaries. And it’s time to turn you from classroom zero to hallway hero.”

“Was that supposed to rhyme?” I asked.

“No,” he said, “but now I wish it did.”

---

Two Hours Later – Operation: Glow-Up in Progress

I didn’t know how it happened.

One second, I was in sweatpants and arguing about eyeliner. The next, I was sitting in front of my vanity with Jake straightening my hair, Ryker coordinating outfits on my bed, Jack scrolling Pinterest for “baddie aesthetic inspiration,” and Ryder painting my nails like a freaking pro.

“Where did you all learn this?” I asked, watching my reflection transform into someone who looked... kinda hot?

“Little sisters,” Jake said.

“Cheerleader exes,” Jack chimed in.

“YouTube,” Ryder added.

“Trial and error,” Ryker said. “You should’ve seen the first time we tried contouring Jack.”

“Hey,” Jack snapped, “I looked like a Kardashian who fought a blender. Let it go.”

I laughed.

Actually laughed.

And for the first time in weeks, it didn’t feel forced. It felt real.

---

Later That Day – The Walk of Wow

I stepped into school like someone hit the slo-mo button on a teen drama series. My hoodie was gone, replaced with a cropped leather jacket, a black mini skirt, and boots that made me walk like I owned the hallway.

Hair? Sleek. Makeup? Sharp. Confidence? Fabricated—but convincing.

Students actually turned to look at me. Not in a “what’s she doing here?” way. In a “wait, who is she?” way.

Mandy’s face when I passed her locker?

Priceless.

Flynn? He looked like he couldn’t breathe. Like his lungs had gone on strike.

Even the teachers did a double take. One actually dropped his coffee.

“You’re welcome,” Jake whispered beside me, nudging my hip as the four boys flanked me like a bodyguard squad with cheekbones.

I smirked and kept walking.

---

After School – Revenge Level: Activated

We were lounging on the bleachers after practice. Ryder tossed a puck between his hands, Jack scrolled through Arielle’s old socials (“You were kinda cute even before the glow-up, not gonna lie”), and Ryker was explaining the science of attraction like he had a PhD in flirting.

Flynn walked by.

Paused.

And walked back.

“You’re seriously hanging out with them now?” he asked, eyes locked on me like I was suddenly too shiny to ignore.

I turned to Jake, who was laying across the bench like a golden retriever in a GQ ad. “Babe, what do you think?”

He sat up instantly. “Nah. We’re just using her for her brain.”

Then he leaned in close and added, “But I’m staying for the legs.”

Flynn looked like he might combust.

And I? I looked him dead in the eyes, smiled sweetly, and said, “Don’t worry, Flynn. You made your choice. Hope Mandy was worth it.”

He stormed off.

Ryker let out a whistle. “Arielle Winters: one, human garbage: zero.”

---

That Night – Chaos Has Consequences

I stared at myself in the mirror that evening, wiping off my makeup slowly.

The girl looking back at me was still me. But she was standing taller. Smiling more.

And okay, fine, she maybe liked the way Jake looked at her. Or how Ryder winked. Or how Jack always tossed out a compliment with zero shame. Or how Ryker had actually listened when she talked about her favorite book.

This was all fake.

It was a game.

A plan.

Except... why did it feel real?

And worse, what would happen when the game ended?