[Emily’s POV]

My blade guards disintegrate like a relationship built on shared Netflix passwords. One second they’re protecting steel edges from the unforgiving rubber flooring, the next they’re in pieces like someone’s college aspirations after organic chemistry.

“Interesting structural failure,” I tell the scattered plastic. “Very convenient timing for spontaneous mechanical divorce.”

Practice has been running for twelve minutes and already the mean girls are operating at peak efficiency.

They’ve weaponized passive aggression into an Olympic sport nobody asked for. Jenna leads the charge with Carol and Sophie flanking like backup dancers who’ve memorized the wrong choreography.

“Scholarship kids really do struggle with equipment maintenance,” Jenna announces to the air molecules. “Must be hard when you can’t afford quality gear. Very tragic. Someone should start a charity for the skating impoverished.”

“Equipment fails when someone loosens the screws,” I say, loud enough for the entire rink to hear. “But that would require premeditation and access to tools. Very specific conspiracy energy happening here.”

Carol laughs like someone taught her the concept but not the execution. “Maybe if certain people actually belonged here, their stuff wouldn’t fall apart. Natural selection via sporting goods. Darwin would be fascinated.”

Sophie nods with the enthusiasm of someone who just discovered agreeing.

“Taking spots from people who’ve trained their whole lives at real programs. Not whatever strip mall rink produces… this.” She gestures vaguely at my existence.

I set my destroyed guards on the bench with the ceremony of placing evidence at a crime scene. The entire team has stopped pretending to stretch. We’ve become the entertainment nobody purchased tickets for.

“You want to discuss who deserves to be here? Let’s settle it on the ice right now. Skills versus speculation. Unless talking is your only talent?”

The rink goes quiet like someone unplugged the ambient noise machine. Jenna’s face cycles through emotions like a slot machine landing on confusion. “What are you even suggesting?”

“A skate-off. You and your commentary committee versus me. Whoever lands the cleanest program gets to decide who belongs.” I’m already moving toward center ice. “Unless you’re worried your money can’t buy you a triple axel?”

Carol shifts backward like proximity to conflict might be contagious while Sophie examines her nails with sudden archaeological interest. And Jenna’s mouth opens and closes like she’s buffering.

“That’s not how team dynamics work. We’re not twelve having playground disputes.”

“No, you’re twenty and loosening equipment screws like that’s more mature,” I counter, noting how Maddie watches from across the rink. “Very evolved behavior. Your emotional development is truly inspiring.”

Coach’s whistle cuts through the tension. “Back to drills, everyone. Save the drama for reality TV auditions you’ll never pass.”

The mean girls retreat with the coordinated sulking of people who’ve practiced synchronized disappointment. Their resentment radiates at frequencies that could probably power small electronics.

I catch Maddie still watching, her expression carefully neutral like Switzerland during a war crime.

After practice, I wait until the locker room empties. Strategic timing for confrontations requiring privacy. Maddie’s at her locker, organizing things that don’t need organizing, performing busy to avoid interaction.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I don’t bother with preamble. “You watched that whole performance and stayed silent like someone had removed your vocal cords for maintenance.”

She doesn’t even turn around. “Team dynamics are complicated. Captain responsibilities don’t include taking sides in every minor conflict. Very delicate ecosystem I’m managing here.”

“Minor conflict? They sabotaged my equipment and questioned my right to exist in this space.” My voice rises despite intentions. “That’s not minor. That’s targeted harassment with mechanical assistance.”

“Getting involved would undermine my authority.” She closes her locker with unnecessary precision. “I can’t show favoritism or the whole structure collapses. Leadership requires neutrality sometimes.”

“That’s coward’s math and you know it.” I step closer, anger building like interest on an emotional loan. “You’re choosing self-preservation over basic human decency. Very inspiring captaincy happening there.”

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