#aegan's crash and burn

[nighamore]

— Ⲥ𝙍𝖠𝗦𝘏 𝖠𝖭𝖣 𝘉ꓴ𝙍𝖭. —

𝖺𝗲𝗴𝖺𝗇'𝙨 𝗇𝗼t𝗲𝙨 : dear reader, this story will unfold over approximately 15 chapters, all of which have been meticulously outlined by yours truly (aka me, yes). it’s a slow burn between the characters, filled with a little bit of everything—from scenes not suitable for sensitive audiences to purely comedic moments, and even the classic teenage drama you’d expect from characters navigating this stage of life. 𝗽𝖺𝗂𝙧𝗂𝗇𝗴𝙨 : exchange student ! reader x hockey player ! Matt

y/n's eyes fluttered open to the unfamiliar ceiling of her new bedroom in boston, the morning light casting a soft glow over the unfamiliar patterns of the wallpaper. the journey from her country had left her muscles weary, yet the excitement of a new beginning was like an electric current coursing through her veins. her host family, the millers, had welcomed her with open arms, their warmth a balm to her homesickness.

"morning, y/n! did you sleep well?" mrs. miller's voice was bright, her smile genuine as she peeked into the room, holding a mug of steaming coffee like an offering of peace. the aroma filled the room, mingling with the scent of freshly laundered sheets.

y/n stretched languidly, offering a tired but grateful smile. "morning. yeah, thanks, i did." she accepted the coffee, the warmth seeping into her hands, providing a small comfort in this new world.

"you'll love boston once you get used to it," mr. miller added from the doorway, his tone encouraging, eyes twinkling with the joy of sharing his city. "we'll show you around after breakfast."

the breakfast was a feast of pancakes, the syrup sweet and sticky, contrasting with the crispness of the bacon. the Millers regaled her with tales of boston's hidden gems, from the best places for a hot cup of clam chowder to the secret paths through the public garden. y/n absorbed it all, her senses overwhelmed by the newness yet invigorated by the possibilities.

armed with a map and a sense of adventure, she ventured out into the bustling streets. the city was a whirlwind of sights and sounds, the energy both exhilarating and overwhelming. college students hurried past, their laughter mixing with the shouts of street vendors; professionals in sharp suits navigated the pavements with purpose, while locals moved with the ease of familiarity.

her wandering eventually led her near the local high school, where she'd soon be a student. the school's facade was an imposing structure of brick and ivy, a stark contrast to the vibrant life around it.

it was there she first saw him. matt stood out like a beacon, leaning against a wall adorned with graffiti, his blue eyes scanning the crowd with a piercing intensity. his messy brown hair seemed to defy gravity, and his casual attire—a sports jersey clinging to his lean frame, paired with baggy jeans—spoke of someone who cared more about comfort than appearance. yet, there was something about him that commanded attention, an aura of both danger and allure.

"check this out, guys," matt said to his friends, nate and maddie, nodding towards y/n with a smirk that bordered on predatory. "fresh meat."

nate laughed, elbowing matt, his voice carrying over the chatter. "you gonna mark your territory, sturniolo?"

maddie rolled her eyes, her posture relaxed yet alert. "or maybe she'll mark hers. she looks like she could handle you."

matt's jaw clenched at the suggestion. he didn't like that thought. he was the one who handled things, not the other way around.

the idea of this new girl challenging his status was both an irritation and an odd thrill. he pushed off from the wall, his stride purposeful as he approached her, his friends watching in amusement.

y/n, having slowed her pace to observe him from behind a tree, felt her pulse quicken as their eyes met. his smirk was like a challenge, stirring something within her—a mix of defiance and curiosity.

"who ya starin' at, new girl?" his voice was thick with that unmistakable boston accent, laced with disdain and challenge, the words cutting through the morning air.

y/n, not one to back down, smirked back, her voice steady. "just checkin' out the local wildlife."

matt's eyes narrowed, his smirk turning into a sneer. "you ain't from around here, are ya?"

"no, i'm from where the sun don't just shine, it dances," she retorted, her accent thickening with her confidence, her tone sharp, matching his. her words were a dance, both a statement of her origin and a subtle challenge.

he scoffed, a sound of mockery that echoed slightly in the space between them. "well, welcome to where the sun just grunts and gets to work, babe. i'm matt."

"y/n," she replied, her voice cold, not offering her hand. Instead, she met his gaze head-on, their exchange charged with tension, the air thick with unspoken animosity yet punctuated by an electric charge, a pull neither could ignore.

matt stepped closer, his presence meant to intimidate, to claim space. "so, you're gonna be at our school, huh?" his voice lowered, the proximity sending a shiver down her spine she refused to acknowledge.

"yeah, starting next week. i guess i'll see ya around, then," y/n said, her voice steady but her cheeks betraying her with a flush of color.

"you'll definitely see me around," matt said, his tone carrying a hint of threat, his eyes briefly darting to her lips before meeting her gaze again, challenging her.

back at the millers', watching from their car window, mrs. miller turned to her husband with a concerned look. "she's got spirit, doesn't she? but i hope she doesn't run into the wrong crowd."

mr. miller chuckled, his eyes on y/n as she walked away. "in this city? that's like hoping for no rain in april. but she seems like she can handle herself."

"still, i'll give her a heads up about some of the local... characters," mrs. miller said, her concern genuine but her trust in y/n unwavering.

as y/n walked away from matt, the weight of his gaze was like a physical touch on her back. she felt an odd mix of irritation and attraction, a cocktail she wasn't sure she wanted to drink. she knew this wasn't the end of it. this was just the beginning, the first spark in the shadows of boston's autumn, where the cold air whispered of tumultuous, fiery encounters yet to come.

returning to the millers, who greeted her with warm smiles and more stories of boston, y/n's mind was already replaying her encounter with matt, both intrigued and annoyed by how he made her feel.

this city, with its sharp edges and hidden depths, was already proving to be a place where games were played, and she had just met one of the players she'd have to outmaneuver or, perhaps, learn to play with.

[nighamore]

— Ⲥ𝙍𝖠𝗦𝘏 𝖠𝖭𝖣 𝘉ꓴ𝙍𝖭. —

𝖺𝗲𝗴𝖺𝗇'𝙨 𝗇𝗼t𝗲𝙨 : dear reader, this story will unfold over approximately 15 chapters, all of which have been meticulously outlined by yours truly (aka me, yes). it’s a slow burn between the characters, filled with a little bit of everything—from scenes not suitable for sensitive audiences to purely comedic moments, and even the classic teenage drama you’d expect from characters navigating this stage of life. 𝗽𝖺𝗂𝙧𝗂𝗇𝗴𝙨 : exchange student ! reader x hockey player ! Matt

𝖼𝘩𝖺𝗽t𝗲𝙧 𝟭 here.

the morning in boston was like a fresh start painted in shades of autumn, the air crisp and carrying the scent of leaves and the distant aroma of brewing coffee from a nearby shop. y/n walked through the gates of her new school, the brick building standing tall against the backdrop of the changing season.

her cherry-dyed hair caught the sunlight, a beacon of her uniqueness among the sea of students in their fall attire. she wore her usual mix of baggy shorts and a zip-up hoodie, a statement of both comfort and personality, her vans slapping against the pavement with each step.

her first class, english, was a room filled with the potential of new stories, the smell of old books mingling with the sharp scent of new markers.

mr. henderson, with his wild hair and an enthusiasm for literature that seemed to seep from his every pore, greeted her with a smile. "ah, y/n, you're going to make things interesting here." the class turned to look, their eyes a mix of curiosity and the typical teenage indifference. she found a seat at the back, her accent ready to dance with the bostonian twang that surrounded her.

lunchtime was a symphony of clattering trays, the laughter of friends, and the cacophony of teenage life, the cafeteria a place where alliances were forged over shared dislikes for school food. y/n stood near the edge, feeling like an island in a sea of cliques, when her gaze met matt sturniolo's. he was the center of a small crowd, his hockey jersey visible beneath his open jacket, the number '04' a silent testament to his status on the team. his blue eyes, sharp and assessing, found her, a smirk playing on his lips, a challenge or a greeting, she couldn't quite tell.

"hey, new girl," matt called, his voice cutting through the noise, his thick boston accent like the city's own heartbeat.

"what do you want, boludito?" y/n shot back, her frustration flavored with an argentine insult, knowing it would be lost on him. his smirk only deepened, his interest piqued by her boldness.

"just checking if you're settling in," he said, stepping closer, his presence like a force field, the faint scent of ice and pine from his time at the rink enveloping her. there was an intensity to him, a magnetism that drew her in despite herself.

"i'm settling just fine, thanks," y/n replied, her tone sharp, challenging him right back. she met his gaze, refusing to look away, feeling the heat of his stare.

"you've got a fire in you, huh?" matt's voice dropped to a whisper, his proximity making her skin prickle with awareness. "i like that."

y/n felt her heart rate pick up, a mix of irritation and an attraction she wasn't ready to acknowledge. "don't get too close, you might get burned," she retorted, her voice steady but her cheeks betraying her with a flush.

he laughed, a sound low and almost intimate in the noisy cafeteria. "i'm not afraid of a little heat," he said, his eyes briefly scanning her from head to toe before returning to lock with hers. "but maybe you should be careful, new girl. boston can be cold."

"i'm not afraid of the cold," y/n shot back, her accent thickening with her defiance, "especially not from someone who thinks he's the last cold pepsi in a walmart fridge."

the air between them was charged, electric, like the moment before a storm breaks. matt leaned in even closer, his breath warm against her ear as he spoke, "we'll see about that. i've got my eyes on you, y/n."

she shivered, not from cold but from the thrill of his words, the promise of something more. "keep watching," she challenged, stepping back, needing space to breathe, to think. "you might learn something new."

matt's smirk was all the answer she needed, his gaze lingering as she turned away.

it was when she was going for her lunch that a different kind of laughter caught her attention, one that sounded like it was born from genuine amusement. turning, she saw maggie and oliver.

maggie, with her jet-black hair styled in a way that screamed defiance, her dark makeup a bold statement, her clothes a collage of grunge aesthetics—ripped jeans, a leather jacket adorned with patches, and boots that had seen better days. oliver, in contrast, was a splash of color against the school's muted palette, his blue sweater over a t-shirt with some obscure band's logo, his jeans faded and comfortable.

they were sitting at a table, maggie with her feet propped up, engrossed in a book that looked more worn than her jacket, while oliver scribbled in a notebook, both of them exuding an air of disinterested coolness. feeling drawn to them, y/n decided to approach, her heart beating a little faster.

"mind if i join?" y/n asked, her voice steady but her nerves evident in the slight tremor of her hands.

maggie looked up, her eyes scanning y/n briefly before a smile broke through. "only if you can handle the crazy," she said, her voice like velvet over gravel, gesturing to the empty seat.

"we're discussing the absurdity of our literature assignment," oliver chimed in, his voice soft, his smile welcoming. "care to add your two cents?"

y/n sat, feeling the tension of being the new girl ease away. they talked about everything from the ridiculousness of their homework to their mutual love for music that wasn't mainstream. maggie pointed out matt with a roll of her eyes, "he thinks he's the king of the ice, but he's just another guy off it."

"yeah, unless you're talking hockey," oliver added with a chuckle, "then he's all about that glory."

their conversation was punctuated by y/n's occasional use of argentine slang, which led to laughter and questions. "what does 'quilombo' mean?" maggie asked, her interest piqued by y/n's colorful language.

"it's like saying 'what a mess'," y/n explained, smiling at their curious expressions.

as the school day continued, each class was like stepping into a different world. in history, the musty smell of old textbooks; in science, the sharp tang of chemicals. but it was the moments with maggie and oliver, sharing notes and rolling their eyes at the school's idiosyncrasies, that made her feel less like an outsider.

in the hallways, lined with posters promoting the upcoming hockey games, y/n felt matt's gaze again, this time with a mix of curiosity and something she couldn't quite name. the atmosphere was charged, the air filled with the anticipation of what might come between them.

walking home, the city around her hummed with life, the sounds of traffic and laughter a symphony of urban living. y/n thought about her new friends, how quickly maggie and oliver had accepted her, their shared laughter and the ease of their conversation. and then there was matt, the enigma with eyes like the winter sky, his presence a promise of both challenge and excitement.

"qué quilombo," she murmured to herself, the phrase encapsulating the chaotic joy of her new life. boston was turning out to be much more than just another city; it was a new chapter, a puzzle to solve, with friends and foes alike playing their parts. and as she walked, she felt ready, not just to face the day's homework or the next encounter with matt, but to embrace whatever this new world would throw at her.

the interaction with matt left her with a mix of anticipation and wariness, wondering what twists their story would take.