Chapter 40

Lucas POV

The final buzzer rang out, echoing through the rink as James unleashed a powerful shot, sending the puck soaring past the opposing team's goalie and into the net.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, filling the air with electric energy.

We had done it.

As the chaos of celebration ensued, my teammates enveloped me in shouts and high-fives.

Their happiness was contagious, and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming surge of pride. It had been a difficult game, but we had emerged triumphant once again.

"James! James! James!" The chant rose through the rink, a testament to his incredible performance. Some of the guys even attempted to lift him up.

Laughter filled the air as a few stumbled, their blades barely keeping them upright on the icy surface.

Sam, his face flushed with exertion, struggled to lift James. "Man, you're so heavy! What have you been eating?"

James shot me a knowing grin, his eyes sparkling mischievously. He was probably thinking about all the cookies Grandma Jo had been feeding him—

his guilty pleasure.

While the team continued their cheers, my gaze wandered into the stands, scanning the crowd for a familiar face.

Where was Shana?

Throughout the game, my focus had been locked on the ice, pushing myself to give my all to the team. But now, in the aftermath, her absence weighed heavily on my mind.

Normally, Shana would have a reserved spot in my VIP seat. But tonight, that seat remained unoccupied—

a void that tugged at my heart.

Huh, that's strange. She’s never missed a game since our reunion.

A flicker of concern coursed through me as I glanced at the wall clock. School had ended hours ago, and Shana had promised to join me directly after classes.

But now, as I stood amidst the elation and chaos of the post-game celebrations, she was nowhere to be found.

A sense of unease settled over me, my mind grappling with unanswered questions.

Why wasn't she here? Was something wrong?

My thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of worry, fueled by the gnawing absence of her presence.

Leaning against the wall, I skated towards the exit, my movements driven by a growing need to find Shana, to ensure her safety.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Could she be waiting near the locker rooms, seeking refuge from the crowd?

I had often encouraged her to do so, especially during moments of intense celebration. Sometimes, I even told her to wait in my private locker room to avoid getting swept up in the mass of people.

That's probably where she is now.

Determined, I navigated the bustling hallway, maneuvering past clusters of enthusiastic fans vying for my attention.

Their smiles and pleas for conversation were met with apologetic nods and hurried footsteps. My mind was focused on finding Shana, on unraveling the mystery of her absence.

Yet, as I scanned the hallway, a sinking feeling settled within me.

Shana was nowhere in sight.

Panic began to coil around my heart, its grip tightening with each passing second. The hallway stretched before me, seemingly devoid of any trace of her presence.

I approached the entrance to my private locker room, my heart pounding in my chest, and swung open the door with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

My eyes scanned the familiar space, my hopes waning as I realized it was empty…

A chill ran down my spine and a shiver of foreboding washed over me. The room, usually filled with my gear and Shana's comforting presence, now seemed devoid of life. It was as if the walls held their breath, waiting for a revelation that refused to come.

My fingers found my phone as I retrieved it from my pocket. With trembling hands, I unlocked the screen, desperately searching for any sign of communication from Shana.

My heart sank as I saw no missed calls, no text messages—

just silence, an emptiness that echoed in my private locker room.

Me: Hey Shana, are you here? The game's over.

I waited a minute before texting her again.

Me: I'm in my room if you want to stop by.

I drummed my fingers on my lap, waiting. But all I got was silence.

Dread filled my chest as I dialed Shana's number, my ears straining to catch the sound of her voice. Each ring intensified the unease gnawing at me. But as the call went straight to voicemail, my anxiety reached new heights.

I called again and again, and each attempt met with the same result—

silence, her absence growing more palpable with each unanswered call.

I tried to search for answers again in all the group chats... Did Jessica start a fight with her again?

But there was nothing.

A surge propelled me forward. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was terribly wrong. I needed to see Shana, to ensure her safety.

I had to find her.

I hastily gathered my belongings, stuffing them into my bag, my mind racing with scenarios of what could have happened.

Determination etched into every fiber of my being, I burst out of the locker room, nearly colliding with James due to my speed.

His chuckle echoed through the hallway, a temporary distraction from the whirlwind of thoughts consuming my mind. "Whoa, bro! Watch where you're going. You're like a bulldozer," he teased, his voice filled with good-natured humor.

I barely registered his words, my focus locked onto a single question. "Have you seen Shana? I couldn't find her during the game, and she's not answering my calls or texts."

James's brow furrowed, his concern mirroring my own. "No, I haven't seen her," he replied, his voice laced with worry. "And she never misses a game."

I nodded, the gravity of the situation sinking in. A shared understanding passed between us, a silent agreement that we needed to find Shana, no matter the cost.

She was more than a friend to us—

she was like family.

"Do you think..." James started, his voice trailing off, unable to articulate the fear that hung in the air.

I didn't want to consider the worst-case scenario, but the thought had already seeped into my mind, spreading its tendrils of concern.

Swallowing hard, I met James's gaze, my voice barely a whisper. "We need to find her, James. We can't waste any more time."

Understanding filled his eyes, his unwavering support a silent promise that we would face whatever lay ahead together.

"I'm coming with you," he declared, his voice resolute. "Shana is our friend, and if something's wrong, we'll face it together."

Gratitude welled within me for his loyalty and unwavering friendship. We stepped outside into the night, the cold air biting at our skin, as we embarked on a mission to find Shana.

James and I walked side by side, stepping out into the cool evening air. Our vehicles were parked nearby in the dimly lit parking lot, waiting to carry us on our mission.

"Let's head to Shadow High first," I suggested to James, my voice laced with concern. "Maybe Shana's there, training on her own or... I don't know. It's the first place we should check."

James nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring my own worry. We were about to part ways when I noticed a group of people nearby. It was Jessica and her clique, her followers loyally gathered around her.

"Hey, Lucas," Jessica greeted me with a flirtatious wave, a surprisingly upbeat tone in her voice. "Great game, as usual."

Her sudden change in demeanor caught me off guard. I turned to James, seeking confirmation that he sensed something off as well. His narrowed eyes confirmed my suspicion—

there was more to this than met the eye.

"You were amazing out there!" one of Jessica's followers chimed in, a wide smile on her face.

Jessica's gaze hardened, and she shot the girl a stern glare, instantly deflating her enthusiasm. The girl wilted under the weight of Jessica's disapproval.

James, sensing the tension, decided to engage them. "So, you guys watched the game?"

A different follower, her voice tinged with excitement, replied, "We only caught the very end of it."

Before anyone else could speak, Jessica interjected, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, we were... a little tied up with other things."

Laughter erupted from the group, but James and I exchanged a quick glance of alarm. The implications of her words sent a shiver down my spine.

There was no time to waste on a conversation with Jessica and her followers.

We needed to find Shana, and our gut instincts told us they might be involved.

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