L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 1

The road leading to the school was, as always, packed with cars lined up in a long queue. Parents were dropping off their kids just in time for class.

Koi pedaled hard, weaving past the stationary cars waiting at the traffic light, quickly cutting across the street. A car approaching from a distance slowed down slightly upon spotting Koi’s bicycle. He pushed his legs harder, making a beeline straight onto the school grounds.

At the same time, students were stepping out of their cars, greeting each other.

“Sara, over here!”

“Did you watch Eternity last night? I literally cried at that scene. How could it end like that?”

“My dad wants to go camping again. So lame.”

After parking his bike in the designated area, Koi walked past groups of chatting students toward his locker. Kids gathered in their usual cliques, animatedly chattering away, but no one greeted him. No one spoke to him.

He was used to it. It was so familiar that he didn’t think much of it as he opened his locker, grabbed the textbooks he needed for his morning classes, and shut the door.

Then, suddenly, a ripple of excitement spread through the hallway.

Koi, instinctively drawn by the shift in atmosphere, turned his head—and it immediately made sense.

The ice hockey team’s star players, all six of them, were striding through the corridor, chatting and laughing loudly.

Of course, they instantly commanded attention.

The six boys were taller and more physically imposing than most of their peers. On top of that, every single one of them was good-looking.

But the one who stood out the most—undeniably, effortlessly—was Ashley Dominic Miller.

As expected, he walked at the center of the group, completely at ease. The looks he received from their classmates? He didn’t even acknowledge them. Instead, he continued joking around with his friends, utterly unfazed.

The people around him, however, were captivated. Staring, admiring, fascinated.

Koi, despite himself, was one of them.

Damn it. He looks even better when he smiles.

Koi held his breath, unable to look away.

There wasn’t a single person in this school who didn’t know Ashley Miller.

No—anyone who even remotely liked hockey knew who he was.

Koi always thought Ashley’s nickname was childish and cringe-worthy.

But right now... for once... he hated to admit it, but it made sense.

The Prince of the Ice.

Ugh. Gross.

Koi nearly gagged, catching himself before making an actual retching motion. The fact that, even for a second, he found himself agreeing with that stupid title made him physically sick.

But—ugh, fine—he had to admit it.

The way the morning sunlight gleamed off Ashley’s platinum blonde hair was infuriatingly perfect.

Even the way his brows furrowed slightly—it was frustrating how good he looked.

Deep-set, silver-blue eyes framed by thick lashes. Sharp nose. Full, well-shaped lips. A sculpted jawline that looked like it had never known imperfection. His features were so striking, you could swap out a marble bust with his face and no one would question it.

And that body.

Nearly 190 centimeters tall, towering over most of their classmates. He wasn’t even wearing his hockey uniform—just a plain t-shirt and jeans—but even then, his broad shoulders, defined chest, and strong thighs were impossible to ignore. Even his ass, annoyingly, was perfect.

Of course he was.

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He was the captain of Buffalo High’s hockey team.

He had never lost a championship.

Koi, whose body only had the bare minimum muscle necessary for basic survival, couldn’t even dream of looking like that.

Hell, he couldn’t even admire him without feeling guilty about it.

He should just keep his head down and disappear.

And then—

Ashley turned his head.

Their eyes met.

And Ashley Miller—

—smiled.

Then, casually, he raised a hand and waved.

Koi, who had been subconsciously trying to shrink away into the background, froze. His eyes widened in shock.

Wait... me?

Hesitantly, he lifted his hand and pointed at himself.

Ashley’s grin only widened. His silver-blue eyes crinkled at the corners, warm and familiar.

Koi’s heart skipped.

Ashley Miller... knew who he was?

In reality, they had several AP classes together.

Of course, Ashley was always surrounded by his friends, while Koi sat alone in the back, blending into the background like dust.

And yet—somehow—this ice hockey star actually knew who he was?

Not just that. Ashley had recognized him first.

Well... I guess we do have a few classes together.

Koi tried to rationalize it, watching as Ashley approached.

It had only been a few seconds.

But to Koi, those seconds stretched endlessly.

Ashley’s platinum blonde hair gleamed under the hallway lights. His silver-blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.

And for just a moment—just one brief moment—Koi forgot how to breathe.

Ashley Miller, the most popular guy in school, had noticed him first.

It made Koi’s heart stutter, just a little.

“H—”

He barely raised his hand in a dazed attempt to greet him—

But just then, a gust of wind whooshed past as someone swept by, cutting between them.

Koi barely had time to register the movement before Ashley’s gaze flickered away, his attention shifting effortlessly to her.

"Hey, Ash."

A girl beamed up at him, then leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

She was his girlfriend.

Of course.

She was also, predictably, the captain of the cheerleading squad.

Every school had a golden couple—the star athlete and the head cheerleader.

And now, looking at them, Koi realized his mistake.

He wasn’t smiling at me.

His face burned.

God.

He had actually thought—

Koi clenched his jaw, swallowing hard.

Most days, he told himself he was invisible.

A speck of dust. A forgettable [N O V E L I G H T] shadow in the corner of the room.

And right now, he was so damn thankful for it.

Because if anyone had noticed his humiliating little moment of self-delusion, they’d be laughing at him right now.

Still, even with his face burning with embarrassment, Koi was given no time to recover.

As he turned to leave, one of the guys walking past him muttered—

“Move, dumbass.”

The shove was casual. Thoughtless. The guy barely even acknowledged it as Koi stumbled, smacking into the lockers.

And no one cared.

Of course they didn’t.

Everyone’s focus was on Ashley and his group, watching as they disappeared down the hall.

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Koi rubbed his arm where he’d hit the locker, keeping his gaze down.

Ashley Miller... didn’t know who he was.

Of course not.

Koi was just another nameless student in a sea of faces.

Letting out a self-deprecating chuckle, he raked a hand through his hair and turned back to lock his locker.

Only—

Whack.

Pain shot through his skull as someone smacked the back of his head.

“Ah—!”

He flinched, but the assault wasn’t over.

Another hand swung out, slapping the books straight out of his arms.

They hit the floor with a dull thud.

The laughter came next.

"Pathetic little shit."

"Wake up, loser."

Nelson and his friends cackled as they strode off.

Koi just stood there, staring at his books scattered across the floor.

For a long moment, he didn’t move.

Then, sighing, he crouched down to pick them up.

Class was starting soon.

By the time Koi reached his classroom, most of the seats were already taken.

As expected, Ashley and his friends sat smack in the center of the room.

Their usual group had six members, but today only three were here—including Ashley.

Even so, their presence was as overwhelming as ever.

Koi’s instinct was the same as always.

He headed straight for the back.

He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but the moment he walked past them, their conversation slipped into his ears.

“So what’s gonna happen? Are they bringing in a replacement?”

“Doesn’t sound like they’re changing the routine. I heard they’re looking for someone new.”

“Ash, you hear anything?”

Ashley shrugged, answering lazily.

“They asked me, but who the hell’s gonna join cheer in the middle of the season? It’s easier to just change the routine.”

“And? Ariel’s against it?”

“Says she needs that stunt.”

“What, is it that impressive?”

Ashley sighed.

“No clue. Whatever. If they can’t find anyone, Ariel will just have to drop it.”

He trailed off, turning his head.

Koi, mid-step, felt the stare.

For a fraction of a second, their eyes met.

Then—just like before—Ashley flashed that same easygoing, practiced smile.

A polite, meaningless expression.

Nothing more.

And then he looked away.

Of course.

Koi swallowed the dull sting of disappointment and kept walking.

He sat in his usual corner, tuning out the rest of their conversation.

They kept talking—some game results from last night, a petty fight with a younger sibling, the usual trivial chatter.

Koi ignored it, preparing for class instead.

Soon, the teacher walked in.

The classroom fell into silence.

She set down her things and started the lecture.

Just like every other morning.