Beyond the Blue Line

The ice rink, freshly polished by the Zamboni, reflected the stadium lights like a giant mirror. Carrying his hockey stick and helmet, Daniel Stewart walked down the hallway toward the locker room. His breath was still ragged, creating thin plumes of mist in the frigid air. He relished the nightly scent of that arena, a mix of puck rubber and the metallic tang of the rink. However, he stopped in his tracks when he noticed the university team’s locker room door slightly ajar. It was supposed to be empty by now. Curiosity drew him closer, peeking through the narrow gap. The lights inside were only partially dimmed, but a pair of entwined silhouettes was clearly visible in front of the wooden locker. His breath hitched as he overheard their conversation. "So … do you like it?" "Of course. Your lips are always captivating." "Which lips?" "Both. But your horizontal lips taste so much sweeter when kissed. Come to my place after this." CRASH! Daniel slammed the door against the wall and hurled his helmet with all his might toward the couple. "How dare you, Lirena!" "Dan? Why are you here? Th—this isn’t what it looks like!" "Yes! Because what I imagined was you partying with your girlfriends, just like you said in your text. Not being alone with this prick in the middle of the night!" "Calm down, Stewart. Don’t act like you’ve just seen a ghost," Alex said in a flat, irritating tone. He stepped forward, blocking Daniel from grabbing Lirena’s arm. "Calm down? We have a massive game tomorrow. Instead of practicing, you’re out here dating someone else's girlfriend." "Control yourself! Lirena and I haven't done anything." "Bullshit! You think I didn't hear what you two were saying?!" Without warning, Daniel swung. His knuckles connected squarely with Alex’s cheek, drawing blood from the corner of his lip. But instead of retaliating, Alex simply smirked. "You love making a scene, Dan. Honestly, if you want, I’ll let you sleep with my girlfriend once just so we're even." "Don't compare me to you." "Haha. I know how to please a girl. Besides, I’m the team captain, while you’re just a second-line player. We could never be compared, right?" Daniel felt his blood boil. Alex’s words weren't just an insult to his manhood, but a direct hit on his position in the hockey team. He had been patient enough with Alex’s arrogance, but bringing up the captaincy in a cheap affair was the final straw. "You're not a captain. You're just trash who happens to be good at scoring points." "And that’s exactly why the coach keeps me around, isn't it? Because he needs winners, not losers like you." "How about we settle this on the ice right now and see who the real loser is?" "Dan, please, stop!" Lirena screamed, her voice piercing the silence of the cold hallway. The blonde girl tried to grab her boyfriend’s arm, but he brushed her off harshly. Daniel’s gaze shifted to the woman who had been his home for the past year. "Horizontal lips, huh? How long have you been sharing them with him, Lirena? While I was working overtime to buy your birthday gift? Or while I was running back and forth to the hospital to take care of you last month?" Lirena fell silent, her head bowed. She couldn't find a single word to defend herself. "Leave," Daniel commanded sharply. "Daniel, please give me a chance—" "I said leave!" Without looking back, Lirena grabbed her bag and ran out in tears. Now, only the two men stood facing each other under the dim lights. Alex adjusted the collar of his team jacket as if Daniel’s punch hadn't bothered him at all. "One piece of advice, Stewart. Both on and off the ice, you’re always one step behind me. So, at the very least, after losing your girl, prove you can actually play tomorrow." Alex strolled away, leaving Daniel standing frozen. Daniel’s eyes fixed on a small mirror on his locker door, now cracked from his helmet’s impact. He let out a bitter, trembling laugh. He watched Alex’s back as the captain paused for a moment, but he didn't turn around. "You think I don't know? Why is someone with mediocre skills like you still captain? You bribe the coaches and the refs in every game just to keep your stats perfect, and yet you still dare to be arrogant? Bastard." "Better watch your tongue if you don't want to be benched tomorrow." "Let’s see how you win without me tomorrow!" "Without you? You’re just a second-liner, Stewart. You’re replaceable." "Then I hope you manage to keep the left side of the ice safe." Without waiting for a reply, Daniel turned around. He left the locker room, which now felt suffocating with the stench of betrayal. His eyes blurred with tears. Lirena was his first girlfriend, the one who had been with him since freshman year. But it seemed the universe wasn't in a kind mood tonight. Just as the man in the white jacket stepped out of the stadium lobby, an SUV suddenly swerved onto the sidewalk. Screeeeeech!! The sound of skidding tires was followed by a loud thud. Not only was Daniel knocked back, but his poor, oversized hockey bag was crushed under the front bumper. "Dammit!" Daniel cursed, struggling to stand as he brushed ice off his jacket. "What else is going to happen today?!" The driver’s door swung open frantically. A girl stepped out, her dark hair slightly disheveled. "Oh my God! I’m so sorry! I–I meant to hit the brakes but I hit the gas instead! You—you're not dead, are you?!" she cried out as she tried to help Daniel up, her hazard lights blinking. "I’m not dead, but my bag definitely is." "I'm so sorry! I just got my license last week, and this is my first time driving at night," she rambled. "Please don't call the police, I'll pay for everything! My name is Lisandra. I–'I don’t know what to do now." "Holy s**t, even your name sounds like hers." "Whose ...?" "Forget it. Just go home before you run over the stadium." "Y—yes. I was actually heading home after picking up my brother." "Tell him to take the wheel then. This is dangerous." "Right." The girl with the twin braids bowed her head. "I'm truly sorry. Let me and my brother give you a ride home." "No need. Just take care of yourself." Daniel picked up his scattered gear and walked away without looking back. He just wanted to sleep and forget this day ever happened. Meanwhile, Lisandra remained frozen by her car, unaware that the man she had just hit was her own brother’s rival.