The Captain’s Accidental Girlfriend

Chapter 1 The Hockey Captain I Hate Riley’s Pov I stared at the gates of Blackridge Academy and took a very deep breath. My backpack felt too heavy on my shoulders, and my palms were sweating inside my jacket pockets. Today was my first day as a senior transfer student, and I had only one simple rule for myself: keep my head down, study hard, get that university scholarship, and stay completely invisible. I did not want drama. I did not want boyfriends. And most importantly, I did not want anything to do with the hockey team. Everyone in the city knew that Blackridge was famous for its elite hockey players, and the students treated those boys like movie stars. But my old school had taught me a harsh lesson about popular boys and the fake worlds they lived in. I wanted none of it. I walked quickly across the courtyard, my eyes fixed on the entrance of the main building, hoping to find my homeroom before the bell rang. But the universe apparently loved playing cruel jokes on me. Out of nowhere, someone came rushing around the corner of the brick building, and we crashed hard into each other. Books, folders, and loose papers flew everywhere in a chaotic white storm. "Watch where you are going, new girl," a deep, annoyingly calm voice laughed. I groaned and rubbed my sore shoulder as I dropped to my knees to gather my spilled notebooks. "I was walking straight, maybe you should learn how to steer!" I snapped, refusing to look up right away. When I finally lifted my chin, my breath caught in my throat just a little bit. Standing right in front of me was a tall guy with messy brown hair, bright green eyes, and a cocky smile playing on his lips. He was wearing the black and red varsity jacket that screamed hockey captain, and the way he looked at me made me feel like he owned the entire sidewalk. "Sorry about that," the boy said, crouching down to help me pick up a paper. His fingers brushed mine, and he flashed that lazy, famous smile. "I am Mason. Mason Hayes. And you must be Riley, the transfer student who looks like she wants to murder me with her bare hands." I snatched the paper right out of his hand. "I do not want to murder you, Mason. I just want you to get out of my way so I can find my class." Mason chuckled, standing up and towering over me. "Feisty. I like it. Welcome to Blackridge, Riley. You are going to have a lot of fun here." "I doubt that very much," I muttered, pushing past him and rushing inside the building. I spent the first half of the day trying to calm my racing heart. Thankfully, my classes went smoothly, and I even managed to answer a difficult question in advanced literature, earning a warm smile from the teacher. I started to think that maybe, just maybe, my simple senior year plan was still possible. Then came the final period of the day: Advanced Social Studies. I walked into the classroom, picked a desk right in the middle, and pulled out my pens. A few minutes later, the door swung open, and in walked Mason Hayes, surrounded by three of his hockey teammates who were patting him on the back and laughing loudly. My stomach dropped straight to my shoes. He scanned the room, his green eyes locking onto mine instantly. A slow, triumphant grin spread across his face, and he actually started walking straight toward my desk. "No way," I whispered to myself, pressing my face into my hands. "Well, look who it is," Mason said, dropping his heavy bag onto the empty chair next to me and sitting down without asking. "We meet again, sunshine." Before I could tell him to go sit somewhere else, Mr. Davis, our strict teacher, walked to the front of the board and cleared his throat. "Good afternoon, class. For this semester, you will complete a major research project that counts for forty percent of your final grade. I have already assigned your partners based on your entrance diagnostic test scores." I sat up straight, crossing my fingers under the desk. Please, I prayed silently, give me anyone else. Anyone. "Riley Brooks and Mason Hayes," Mr. Davis announced loudly. My mouth dropped open. I shot out of my seat so fast my chair scraped loudly against the floor. "Mr. Davis, you cannot be serious! There has to be a mistake. Can I please change partners?" The entire classroom went dead silent. Students turned around in their seats to stare at us, whispering behind their hands. Mason just leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, looking entirely too amused by my total panic. Mr. Davis frowned down at me over his glasses. "No mistakes, Miss Brooks. Your test score was the highest in the class, and Mr. Hayes here needs serious academic support if he wants to stay on the team. Your grade depends on this project, and so does his eligibility. You two will work together, and that is final." "But—" I started to argue. "Sit down, Riley," Mason whispered, his voice dripping with teasing amusement. "You heard the teacher. We are stuck together." I sat back down slowly, my face burning hot with pure anger. I glared at Mason, wishing my eyes could actually shoot laser beams. "Do not think for one second that I am going to do all the work for you just because you are too busy playing games on the ice," I hissed quietly. Mason leaned in closer, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, do not worry, Riley. I plan to be an absolute joy to work with. Meet me at the campus library at four o'clock. Do not be late." When the bell finally rang, Mason grabbed his jacket and walked out with his friends, leaving me sitting at my desk feeling completely defeated. I stared at the empty chair beside me and felt a cold shiver run down my spine. Working with Mason Hayes was going to be an absolute nightmare, and deep down, I had a terrifying feeling that my simple life at Blackridge Academy was officially over before it had even really begun.