Astrid's Point of View
The medical room slowly emptied after Coach Harrison dismissed the team. One by one, the players filed toward the practice rink, their laughter echoing down the hallway until only silence remained. Before leaving, several of them threw playful remarks over their shoulders.
"Try not to torture the captain too much, Doc."
"He's dramatic. Don't believe him if he says he's dying."
Coach Harrison shook his head with an amused smile before glancing toward Rhett. "Captain, finish your physical and meet us on the ice. Everyone else, warm-ups. We've wasted enough time."
The door closed behind them, and the sudden silence felt almost suffocating.
I stared down at the medical chart in my hands, pretending to review information I had already memorized. My pulse was steady
