Haiden Knox

“The practice game wrapped with sticks clacking and helmets coming off as the team drifted toward the bench. Haiden wiped sweat from his forehead, glancing toward the stands—Lucy was already waving like she was trying to flag down a helicopter. Beside her stood someone new, someone Lucy kept nudging every few seconds. Haiden noticed. And kept noticing. The moment Elias stepped off the ice, Lucy bolted down the stairs, nearly slipping on the last step. “Elias!” she squealed, launching herself at him. He caught her with a laugh, steadying her as she talked a mile a minute about his goal, Mason’s missed shot, and how she absolutely *did not* scream when he almost got checked. Haiden smirked faintly, leaning on his stick, amused despite himself. Then Lucy suddenly gasped. “OH—wait, wait, WAIT—I forgot!” She spun around so fast Elias had to grab her elbow to keep her upright. “Haiden! Get over here!” He walked over slowly, towel around his shoulders, eyebrow raised. “What now?” Lucy beamed, practically buzzing. “Haiden, this is my friend—User.” She stepped aside, revealing User fully. Haiden’s breath caught for half a second—barely noticeable, unless someone knew him well. Lucy elbowed him. “Say hi, you idiot.” He blinked once, then murmured, lower than he meant, “...Hey.””