Chapter 5 Avoidance is a Myth

Aveline’s POV

Avoiding Kieran Hampton should have been easy. but In reality, Crestwood Academy apparently had some kind of sick sense of humor because everywhere I turned, there he was. At my locker, in the hallway, across the cafeteria, on the ice, existing aggressively. Every single time I saw him, my brain betrayed me by replaying that kiss like a toxic highlight reel. His hand gripping my collar, the smell of whiskey and mint, the heat of his mouth against mine. I wanted to die. Worse? It made absolutely no sense because Kieran Hampton was either gay, bisexual, or clinically insane. Possibly all three.

I slammed my locker shut harder than necessary.

“Whoa.”

Theo looked startled beside me. “You trying to murder the locker?”

“Maybe.”

He blinked. “Rough morning?”

You have no idea.

I forced my expression and voice, neutral, quiet and controlled just like Asher's. “Didn’t sleep much.”

“That explains the serial killer energy.”

“Good.”

Theo laughed softly and walked beside me toward class. “You know, Hampton’s acting weird too.”

I nearly choked on oxygen. “What?”

Theo frowned slightly. “He almost skated straight into the glass wall during warmups.”

My stomach flipped traitorously.

Good.

Serves him right.

“And Landon keeps looking at him like he’s having a psychological breakdown.”

I stared ahead calmly while internally screaming because what exactly was Kieran thinking right now? Did he regret it? Did he remember everything? Did he realize kissing your hockey team mascot was deeply concerning behavior?

“Carter?”

I blinked and looked at Theo.

“You okay?”

“Fine.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

Lie. Massive lie. Theo still looked suspicious because unfortunately Theo Mercer was observant in the most inconvenient ways before he could question me further, another voice interrupted.

“Asher.”

I turned and saw Daphne Sinclair approaching with a smile bright enough to start wars. Today she wore Crestwood’s navy sweater tied loosely over her shoulders while dark curls bounced around her face. Pretty. Way too pretty. And dangerously nice.

“You left class so fast yesterday,” she said. “I thought you were avoiding me.”

My heart nearly stopped. “Why would I avoid you?”

Theo snorted beside me. “Oh, so you can talk normally around Daphne but not the rest of us? Rude.”

Daphne grinned. “I bring out the best in people.”

“That’s debatable,” Theo muttered.

She ignored him completely and focused back on me. “You missed bio notes again. I copied everything for you.”

She handed me a notebook and I stared at it because nobody had ever voluntarily helped me academically before. Mostly because I usually threatened people during group projects.

“Thanks,” I said carefully.

Her smile softened slightly. “You don’t have to thank me every time, Asher.”

Something uncomfortable twisted in my chest because Daphne clearly cared about my brother. The real Asher not me pretending to be him.

“Anyway,” she continued, “there’s a student movie night Friday. You should come with me.”

Theo immediately made obnoxious kissing noises.

Daphne rolled her eyes. “What? It’s not a date.”

This is perfect, actually useful because suddenly an idea formed in my head. A terrible idea. My favorite kind. I glanced casually across the hallway and immediately regretted it because Kieran was already looking at me from beside the trophy cases where he stood with Landon and Milo. Our eyes locked instantly and the memory of his mouth on mine punched me directly in the nervous system.

Absolutely not.

I looked away first and deliberately turned back toward Daphne. “You should save me a seat.”

Theo blinked.

Daphne smiled wider instantly. “Really?”

“Sure.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kieran go completely still. Good. Message received. Asher Carter liked girls, which meant Kieran Hampton needed therapy immediately.

Unfortunately, avoiding him became impossible by lunch. The cafeteria buzzed with noise while hockey players dominated their usual table near the windows. I almost escaped unnoticed but Theo yelled loud enough to alert everyone nearby.

I reluctantly approached the table. Landon looked exhausted, Milo looked chaotic, Cassian looked murderous and Kieran looked directly at me before immediately looking away again. The weirdness was becoming visible.

Theo dropped into the seat beside me. “You two had a fight or something?”

Kieran grabbed his water bottle too aggressively. “No.”

“Then why are you acting like divorced parents?”

I nearly inhaled my own drink.

Milo pointed between us excitedly. “I SAID SOMETHING HAPPENED.”

“Nothing happened,” Kieran said quickly.

Cassian’s eyes narrowed slightly, dangerous, Interested.

“You’re loud today,” he said suddenly.

The table quieted and I met his stare evenly. “Maybe you’re just finally listening.”

Milo made a dramatic choking sound.

Cassian leaned back slowly, still watching me. Something about his gaze felt wrong. Too sharp. Too aware. Like he was peeling layers off me one by one.

“You’ve changed,” he said quietly.

The words hit harder than they should have because he was right. Not about Asher. About me. I had changed. The second I saw my brother bleeding on the floor, something inside me changed permanently.

Before anyone could respond, Kieran stood abruptly. “I need air.”

Then he walked away like the building was on fire, the entire table stared after him.

Theo frowned deeply. “Okay, now I’m definitely suspicious.”

After classes ended, I finally got my first real chance to investigate. Asher’s locker sat near the old auxiliary rink hallway slightly separated from the others. Quiet. Hidden. Perfect. I glanced around carefully before spinning the combination lock. The door creaked open and immediately something felt wrong. Too empty. Too organized. Like someone had cleaned it recently.

I searched anyway. Folders. Old assignments. Mascot schedules. A notebook filled with hockey statistics in Asher’s messy handwriting.

Then my fingers brushed fabric shoved deep into the bottom corner.

I pulled it out slowly.

A hockey jersey.

Bruised blue stains covered the front.

Blood.

My stomach tightened instantly. The jersey was ripped near the collar like somebody had grabbed him violently. Then something slipped from inside it and clattered onto the floor.

A broken silver chain.

I froze because I knew this chain. Asher wore it constantly. Mom gave it to him after his first surgery. My chest twisted painfully as I picked it up carefully. Then I noticed the folded paper tucked inside the jersey.

Three words written aggressively across it.

STAY OFF THE ICE.

My pulse spiked and rage followed immediately after. This wasn’t random. Someone had threatened him and clearly he was from the team. Suddenly every memory involving Kieran Hampton replayed differently. Try not to faint this time. Back from the dead. The constant targeting. The suspicious looks. Confusion swirled violently inside me.

But what if.....

“What are you doing?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin and slammed the locker shut instantly.

Kieran stood at the end of the hallway alone with his hockey bag hanging loosely over one shoulder while damp curls fell into his eyes from practice. Unfortunately, he looked offensively good.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I shot back.

His jaw tightened slightly. There was tension between us now.

“I’ve been looking for you,” he said.

Suspicion crawled up my spine immediately. “Why?”

Kieran opened his mouth then stopped like he didn’t know the answer himself. My anger flared instantly because while he stood there looking confused, attractive and emotionally constipated, my brother was lying unconscious in a hospital bed because of someone on this team. Maybe because of him.

I stepped closer. “You know what’s funny, Hampton?”

His eyes flickered. “What?”

“You keep acting like you care about your team mates when you don't.”

His expression sharpened instantly. “I do.” The answer came too fast. Too honest. It caught both of us off guard.

I laughed bitterly. “i can see that?”

He stared at me for a long second before answering quietly, “what are you playing at.”

I looked away first. “Stay away from me.”

His face hardened immediately. “That’s hard to do when you keep showing up in my face.”

“You’re the captain. Act like it.”

Something flashed in his eyes. Anger maybe. Or frustration.“Trust me,” he muttered. “I am.”

Practice that evening became an absolute disaster mostly because Kieran apparently forgot how to function. Coach Hale blew the whistle sharply. “Hampton! Focus!”

Kieran muttered something under his breath before skating back into formation while I stood near the bench organizing equipment and trying not to stare at him. Unfortunately, Kieran kept staring first. Every time I looked up, there he was. Watching me. Distracted. Frustrated.

Then it happened, One careless glance toward me The opposing winger stole the puck instantly. Kieran reacted late and absolutely destroyed the poor guy against the boards. the entire rink went silent as the sound of impact echoed brutally.

“What.. the,” Milo whispered.

Coach Hale exploded instantly. “HAMPTON!”

Kieran backed away breathing hard while the other player struggled upright. “That was unnecessary!”

“He took the puck.”

“You nearly killed him!”

The team watched carefully because Kieran Hampton never lost control. Except apparently today. Coach pointed toward the bench furiously. “Sit down before I bench you permanently.”

Kieran ripped off his gloves aggressively and skated off. His gaze found mine immediately after and somehow he looked angry at me for it, which made absolutely no sense.

Practice ended tensely and players cleared out quickly afterward. I stayed behind gathering stray pucks until the rink emptied completely. Or so I thought.

“You should’ve stayed gone, Carter.”

My entire body stiffened.

Cassian Thorne stood in the tunnel entrance half-hidden in shadows, watching me with a cold unsettling stare.