The overwhelming noise of Orientation Day finally faded into a dull background hum as they escaped toward the cold, quiet sanctuary of the athletic complex. Tucked away around the side of the main hockey arena, the concrete stairs were shaded by the high overhang of the building, offering a rare pocket of privacy on an otherwise chaotic campus.
Ryker sat down on the second step, resting his elbows on his knees. Lila sat beside him, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. The two iced coffee cups rested on the concrete between them, forgotten.
Ryker turned his head, his sharp dark eyes studying her face. She was staring out toward the empty practice fields, quiet—quieter than usual.
"What happened?" Ryker asked, his tone dropping into that low, grounded regis
