A Jersey, A Smile, and the End of a Dream

Chapter One

A Jersey, A Smile, and the End of a Dream

Ezuri stood outside Ogres Place, the cold air biting at his cheeks as he checked his phone for the third time. The arena glowed behind him, pulsing with anticipation. Tonight was the big game—Edmonton Coilers versus Calgary Lames. But for Ezuri, the real event wasn’t on the ice.

She was coming.

She wasn’t an idol. She wasn’t famous. But to Ezuri, she was someone who made his heart race like the final chorus of a Starlight⁺ concert. They’d met at a fan event for the idol group months ago, bonding over rare photocards and handshake ticket strategies. Since then, they’d messaged, traded merch, and finally—tonight—they were meeting outside of fandom.

She arrived five minutes late, breathless and apologetic.

“Did you wait long, Ezuri?”she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear..

Ezuri smiled, brushing it off. “No, I just got here too. I like your outfit today.”

She glanced down at her coat, slightly wrinkled. “I rushed. I thought you might be waiting already.”

They walked through the gates together, swallowed by the buzz of the fans and the scent of the arena popcorn. It was her first live hockey game.

“Have you ever been to one?” he asked.

“Nope. First time,” she replied, eyes wide.

With twenty-five minutes until puck drop, they wandered into the merchandise shop.
Ezuri hesitated, then held up a navy Coilers jersey.

“Do you want one?”

“I’d love to wear that,” she said, smiling.

He bought it. No hesitation. It wasn’t about impressing her–it was about sharing something special.

As they walked to their seats, the arena came alive–-cold air, smoke machines, booming speakers.The Canadian National Anthem played, and Ezuri sang along, louder than he meant to. She giggled.

The game began. Twenty minutes period, fifteen-minute breaks. During the second intermission, Ezuri braved the food line and returned with pizza and cola.

“Sorry, the line was insane. Here–pizza and cola.”

“You didn’t have to,” she said. “ You already bought me a jersey.”

He shrugged. “ I wanted to.”

The Coilers crushed Calgary 8-1. The crowd exploded. Frod Hall was packed with fans,
Chanting and cheering. Ezuri instinctively pulled her close so they wouldn’t be separated.

“Why are there so many people?” she asked.

“ It’s always like this. Win or lose.”

Outside, in the Ice District Plaza, the night was colder now The buzz of victory hung in the air.

“Want me to drop you home?” Ezuri asked.

“I’m fine. I’ll wait for the bus.”

Then she said it.

“You didn’t offer me a jersey or food because you liked me, right? I’ll say this once–we’re only friends.”

Ezuri froze. The words hit harder than any hockey puck ever could.

Ahhh…how did I end here?
Why am I always getting rejected?

He crossed the street.lost in thought, replaying every moment. Every smile. Every hope.

Then–pain.

A flash of movement. A Shout. A homeless man, wild-eyed, lunged. Ezuri staggered,
Clutching his side.

The world blurred.

Not from the wound–but from the realization.

Even when you give your all, sometimes the ending isn’t applause. It’s silence.

Next day.

The hospital room smelled faintly of antiseptic and stale coffee. Ezuri lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the rejection over and over like a broken loop of his favorite idol performance.

“We’re only friends.”

He’d heard it before. But this time, it came after a jersey, pizza, and a near-death experience.

The pain in his side was dull now, but the ache in his chest lingered.

Then came the envelope.

Inside: a Starlight handshake ticket.

And a note........