Chapter 57 The catalyst

Chapter 57 The catalyst
Chapter 57: The Catalyst (Elena’s POV)
​The mansion felt like it was breathing down my neck. Even through the heavy basement door, I could still hear the muffled thump of the music and the screeching laughter of people who didn't have to worry about where their next meal was coming from. My knee was throbbing, a sharp, rhythmic reminder of the moment I had knelt on that marble floor to clean up a puddle while the boy I loved watched with ice in his eyes.
​I stared at my reflection in the small, cracked mirror above my dresser. My eyes were bloodshot. I looked like a ghost that had been haunted by its own life.
​"Elena? Open up. It’s me."
​I unlocked the door, and Maya slipped in, carrying a plate of stolen party food and a look on her face that usually meant trouble.
​"I can't do this anymore, Maya," I said, sitting on the edge of my bed. "I can't stay in this house and let him look at me like that."
​"Then don't," Maya said, shoving a mini-slider into my hand. "Eat. You look like you’re fading away. And listen to me—Liam Vance thinks he’s the center of the universe because no one has ever told him otherwise. It’s time to shift the orbit."
​"What are you talking about?"
​"My best friend, Julian. He’s back from that exchange program in London. He’s in the senior class at South-High, but he’s coming to the game tomorrow night to see me. And he’s going to see you, too."
​"Maya, no," I said, shaking my head. "I’m a mess. I don't want to meet anyone. Especially not one of your 'hot' friends."
​"He’s not just hot, Elena. He’s gorgeous. He’s a photographer, he’s smart, and most importantly, he’s not a Vance. He’s been asking about you since I told him what happened with the recording. He thinks Liam is a caveman."
​"I don't need a knight in shining armor. I just need to pass my exams and get my mom out of here."
​"This isn't about being saved," Maya said, leaning in, her eyes sparking. "This is about reminding Liam Vance that you are a prize, not a floor rug. If he wants to treat you like a servant, let him watch someone else treat you like a queen. Julian is already on board. One night. One game. Just let him sit with us."
​"It won't work. Liam hates me, remember?"
​"He thinks he hates you," Maya countered. "But I saw him tonight. When you were on the floor, he looked like he wanted to puke. He’s miserable, Elena. Let’s make him suffer a little more."
​The Northview hockey arena was freezing, the air smelling of ice and sweat. I sat in the bleachers, tucked between Maya and a guy I had only just met ten minutes ago.
​Julian was... a lot. He had messy dark hair, a leather jacket, and a smile that felt like it belonged on a billboard. He wasn't loud like Jax or brooding like Liam. He was easy.
​"So," Julian said, leaning close to me so I could hear him over the crowd. "Maya says you're the smartest girl in school and you're currently being bullied by a bunch of guys who hit frozen rubber for a living?"
​I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "That’s one way to put it."
​"I prefer my version," Julian said, his eyes crinkling. "It makes the stakes higher. Don't look now, but I think the 'King' just noticed his throne is being encroached upon."
​I looked down at the ice. The team was doing their warm-up laps. Liam was at the front, his jersey fluttering as he cut through the ice with effortless power. He was halfway through a turn when he stopped dead. His eyes locked onto our section of the bleachers.
​He saw Maya. Then he saw me. Then he saw Julian’s arm draped casually across the back of my seat.
​Liam didn't move. He just stood there on the ice, his grip tightening on his stick until his knuckles were white even through his gloves. Jax pulled up next to him, saying something and pointing at us, his face twisting into a scowl.
​"He looks like he wants to check me through the glass," Julian whispered, grinning. "I like him already. He’s so transparent."
​"Julian, please don't get into a fight," I whispered.
​"I’m a lover, not a fighter, Elena. But I’m a very good actor." Julian reached out and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. It was a soft, deliberate movement.
​Down on the ice, Liam slammed his stick against the boards. The sound echoed like a gunshot.
​The game was brutal. Liam was playing like a man possessed. He wasn't just scoring; he was hitting everyone in sight. He was fast, aggressive, and terrifyingly focused. Every time he scored a goal, he didn't look at the cheering crowd or his teammates. He looked straight at Julian.
​During the intermission, we headed toward the concession stand. We were halfway down the stairs when Liam and Jax intercepted us near the locker room entrance. Liam was still in his gear, smelling of the cold and the rink.
​"Who’s this?" Liam asked. His voice was a low growl. He didn't even look at me; he was staring at Julian.
​"This is Julian," Maya said, stepping forward with a smirk. "He’s a friend of mine. A very close friend."
​"He doesn't go to Northview," Jax snapped, stepping up beside Liam. "This is a private area for students and families."
​"I’m a guest of Elena’s," Julian said, his voice smooth and calm. He slid his hand down to my waist, pulling me slightly closer. "Is there a problem, Vance? I heard you were a great player, but you seem a little distracted tonight."
​Liam’s jaw tightened so hard I thought it might snap. He looked at me then, his eyes burning with a mix of fury and something that looked a lot like pain.
​"Elena," Liam said, his voice trembling. "What is this?"
​"It’s a game, Liam," I said, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I thought you liked games. Isn't that what you told me? That I was just a 'project'?"
​"You don't even know this guy," Liam hissed, stepping into Julian’s space. "He’s a South-High loser. What, did you pick him up at the bus stop?"
​"Actually," Julian interrupted, "we met through Maya. And I find Elena fascinating. She’s much more interesting than the girls who usually hang around here. They’re a bit... plastic, don't you think?"
​Jax stepped forward, his face red. "Watch your mouth, kid."
​"Or what?" Julian asked, unfazed. "You'll hit me with a stick? Grow up, Jax."
​"Liam, let's go," Chloe said, appearing from the hallway and grabbing Liam’s arm. She looked at me and Julian, her eyes narrowing. "They aren't worth the delay. The scouts are waiting."
​Liam didn't move. He was breathing heavily, his eyes fixed on Julian’s hand on my waist. "Get your hand off her."
​"Why?" Julian asked. "Are you her boyfriend? Because I heard you treated her like a maid in front of your whole house last night. Doesn't sound like a boyfriend to me."
​Liam lunged forward, but Jax and Chloe held him back.
​"Don't do it, Liam!" Jax shouted. "He’s baiting you! Look at her—she wants you to lose your head!"
​I looked at Liam. For a split second, the Ice King mask cracked. I saw the boy who had promised to protect me. I saw the regret. But then, he looked at Julian, and the mask slammed back down, harder than ever.
​"You're right," Liam said, his voice turning cold as a grave. "She’s not worth the penalty minutes. Keep her, Julian. She’s great at cleaning up spills. Just make sure you check your pockets when you leave."
​He turned and walked back into the locker room, his skates clacking loudly on the concrete. Chloe followed him, giving me one last look of pure triumph.
​"Well," Julian said, letting go of my waist once they were gone. "He’s definitely not over you. That guy is about five seconds away from a total meltdown."
​"I feel sick," I whispered, leaning against the wall.
​"That's the feeling of winning, Elena," Maya said, patting my shoulder. "He’s hurting. For the first time in his life, Liam Vance realizes that the girl in the basement isn't waiting for him to whistle. Now, let’s go back out there. We have a second half to watch."

We went back to the seats, but I couldn't focus on the puck. I kept watching Liam. He was playing out of control. In the final minute of the game, he got into a massive brawl with the opposing captain. As the refs dragged him toward the penalty box, he looked up at the stands. He wasn't looking at the scouts. He was looking at Julian whispering something in my ear. Liam didn't go to the box—he kept walking, straight out of the arena, leaving his team behind.