Prologue
The first thing Noah Bennett noticed about Hayes High wasn’t the trophy case or the loud hallways.
It was the stares.
Some were curious.
Some were amused.
Most were judgmental.
He adjusted the pink camera strap resting against his oversized sweater and took a slow breath. His long blonde hair fell over his shoulder as he tucked a loose strand behind his ear. He’d promised himself this school would be different.
No more pretending to be someone he wasn’t.
No more hiding.
The editor of The Howler smiled as she handed him a press badge.
“Welcome to the school newspaper.”
For the first time in a long time…
Noah smiled.
⸻
By lunch, he’d already made one friend.
Ava Hawthorne.
She talked fast, laughed loudly, and acted like they’d known each other for years.
“You have to come over after school,” she said. “My mom makes the best lasagna.”
Noah laughed.
“I’d like that.”
He didn’t notice the hockey players watching them from across the cafeteria.
Didn’t notice the whispers.
Didn’t notice the captain standing in the middle of them.
Until Ava waved.
“Ryker!”
The conversation around them seemed to disappear.
The tall hockey player walked over, hockey bag slung over one shoulder, tattoos disappearing beneath the sleeves of his varsity jacket.
Ice-blue eyes landed on Noah.
They didn’t soften.
They hardened.
His gaze swept over Noah’s pink nails.
The camera.
The long blonde hair.
The oversized pink sweater.
Then back to Noah’s face.
“So,” Ryker said coldly, “this is your new friend?”
Ava smiled.
“His name’s Noah.”
Silence.
Then Ryker looked Noah dead in the eyes.
“Stay away from my sister.”
Noah blinked.
“…What?”
“You heard me.”
Without another word, Ryker turned and walked away.
Noah watched him disappear into the crowd.
He had no idea why the captain of the hockey team hated him.
But somehow…
He knew this wouldn’t be the last time Ryker Hawthorne looked at him like he didn’t belong.
