Breaking The Ice

CHAPTER 13

Riley POV

The email arrived halfway through my physiology lecture. I wasn't supposed to check my phone. Normally, I wouldn't have. But something told me to look.

Wolf Ridge University Housing Services

My stomach tightened before I'd even opened it. Beside me, another student was busy copying notes while Professor Lewis explained muscle recovery after high-intensity exercise. I wasn't listening anymore. I opened the email.

Dear Ms. Bennett,

We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen maintenance issues affecting your residence hall, your current accommodation will be closed earlier than expected for repairs. Students will need to relocate within two weeks.

Alternative campus housing is currently at full capacity. Students are encouraged to seek approved off-campus accommodation. A list of local housing providers has been attached.

I read it twice. Then a third time. Two weeks. Two weeks to find somewhere to live. My heart sank. I had chosen campus housing because it was affordable. Because it was close to the rink. Because I could walk to classes. Off-campus rentals were expensive. Much more expensive.

The professor called for a ten-minute break. Students stood and stretched around me. I stayed exactly where I was. Staring at my screen. Two weeks. "Everything okay?” I looked up. Emily, the girl who usually sat beside me, was watching me with concern. I forced a smile. “Yeah." She frowned. "You don't look okay.” She said looking at me in concern. "It's... just housing stuff.” I said. “Oh." Her expression softened. "They're moving everyone from Cedar Hall?” I blinked. "You know?” I asked. "My roommate got the same email.” She sighed. "It's all over the student group chat already.” She said informatively.

Great. Apparently everyone knew except me. "You'll find something.” she said encouragingly. "I hope so.” Was all I said but I wasn't nearly as confident as she was.

After class, I went to the Housing Services office and it was packed. Students stood in lines that barely moved. Some looked frustrated. Others looked completely defeated. A woman behind the front desk smiled apologetically. "If you're here about Cedar Hall, please take a number.” I looked at the machine. Number 83. The display above the counter read 51. I sighed. This was going to take a while.

An hour later, I finally reached the desk. The housing advisor looked exhausted. "I'm guessing Cedar Hall?” I nodded. "I'm afraid so.” She typed something into her computer. "Unfortunately, all available campus accommodation has already been allocated.” She said apologetically. "I figured.” I mumbled in defeat. She looked genuinely sympathetic. "I wish I had better news.” She said.

"What about a waiting list?” I asked and she started typing on her computer. "There is one.” She paused. "You're number twenty-six.” I almost laughed. Twenty-six. That wasn't a waiting list. That was wishful thinking. She slid a printed sheet across the desk. "These are approved off-campus rentals."

I looked down. Most of them were already marked unavailable. The cheapest one made my stomach drop. It was nearly double what I was paying now. “That's..." I couldn't even finish the sentence. "I know.” The advisor's voice was gentle. "Unfortunately, housing fills quickly this time of year.” I thanked her anyway. It wasn't her fault. She couldn't create rooms that didn't exist.

By late afternoon, I'd called seven landlords. Four never answered. Two had already rented the rooms. One wanted six months' rent upfront. I sat on a bench outside the student union, staring at my notebook. I'd started making a list. Now it mostly consisted of crossed-out addresses.

A shadow fell across the page. "You look like you're planning a bank robbery.” I looked up. Gray. Of course. He held out a can of cola. "For morale.” I accepted it with a small smile. “Thanks." I said as he came to sit beside me. "What are we staring at?” He asked. "My terrible luck.” He leaned over. I quietly closed the notebook before he could read it. He raised an eyebrow. "Top secret?” He questioned. “Very." Gray held both hands up. "I respect mysterious paperwork.” He said and I smiled. "Since when?” I asked on a laugh. "Since approximately…" He looked at his watch. "...right now.” I laughed as he smiled back.

"There it is.” He said triumphantly. “What?" I asked confused. "You've looked stressed all day.” I hadn't realized it was that obvious. "I'm okay.” Gray studied me for a second. Then, surprisingly… He didn't push. “Good." Was all he said.

He stood up. "Because Coach says tomorrow's conditioning session is going to make us question every life decision we've ever made.” I groaned. "That bad?” I asked. “Worse." He pointed dramatically toward the athletic center. "If I don't survive…" He placed a hand over his heart. "...delete my internet history."

Before I could respond, he walked away. I shook my head, laughing despite myself. Only Gray could make me forget my problems for five minutes.

That evening, I spread the rental listings across my dorm bed. A calculator. My notebook. My bank statements. Nothing added up. Even if I worked extra hours at the campus recreation center… I'd still come up short. I rubbed my eyes. There had to be another option. There just had to be. My phone buzzed. Dad. I smiled before answering. "Hey."

"Hey, kiddo.” His voice immediately made me feel younger. "How's my hockey star?” I looked around the tiny dorm room. At the lists. The numbers. The growing panic. "I'm good.” I lied and there was a pause then… "You sound tired."

"I am.” I answered. "You sure that's all?” I closed my eyes. For one second… I wanted to tell him everything. About the housing. The money. The uncertainty. Instead… "I've just got a lot going on.” I said. "I know you do.” Another pause. "But remember…" His voice softened. "You don't have to carry the whole world by yourself, you know.” I swallowed. "I know."

Only… I wasn't sure I believed it. After we hung up, I looked back at the growing pile of rejected options. One by one, I crossed off the last remaining listings. The page was almost completely covered in black ink. I leaned back against the wall and let out a long breath. Two weeks. No housing. No solution. For the first time since arriving at Wolf Ridge… I wasn't worried about making the team. I was worried about whether I'd still be here to play for it.