Contents
Forty-Eight | Nathan
Overview
Nate comforts an anxious Anastasia on the morning of nationals, then captains his team to a 9–3 win over UCLA. UCLA’s captain reveals Aaron’s injury wasn’t Nate’s fault, exposing Aaron’s deception. Choosing not to derail Anastasia’s focus, Nate drives to San Diego, watches their spotless short program, and sees Aaron kiss Anastasia on the ice, heightening personal and professional stakes.
Summary
At Anastasia’s place, Nate wakes to her competition-day anxiety; she vomits, as she warned he should expect. He soothes her, promises support, and leaves so she can focus, secretly planning to drive to San Diego after his own game. They exchange texts en route, Nate reassuring Anastasia despite her nerves.
Back home, the hockey house is chaotic, but Nate shifts into captain mode at the arena. Maple Hills plays its best game of the season, beating UCLA 9–3. Afterward, UCLA captain Cory O’Neill congratulates Nate and casually reveals Aaron’s Halloween wrist injury happened during drunken beach football, not because of Nate.
The revelation detonates Nate’s understanding of the past months: Aaron knowingly let Nate be blamed and benched. Furious but protective of Anastasia’s big day, Nate decides to postpone any confrontation to avoid disrupting her competition. He drives in silence to San Diego, resolving to support her first.
At the crowded Spirit Center, Nate finds a seat as Anastasia and Aaron take the ice for their short program to “Kiss Me.” He’s riveted as they execute a flawless, elegant routine, nailing every element. As the applause swells, Aaron grabs Anastasia’s face and kisses her, shocking Nate and raising the emotional stakes on and off the ice.
Who Appears
- Nathan (Nate) HawkinsHockey captain; comforts Anastasia, wins 9–3 vs UCLA, learns Aaron lied about his injury, chooses to wait, witnesses Aaron kiss Anastasia.
- Anastasia (Stassie) AllenAnxious before nationals; performs a flawless short program with Aaron; is kissed by him at the end.
- Aaron CarlisleAnastasia’s partner; secretly responsible for Nate’s benching lie and publicly kisses Anastasia after their skate.
- Cory O’NeillUCLA captain; reveals Aaron’s Halloween injury came from beach football, clearing Nate.
- Robbie (Robeska)Assistant coach figure; pushes Nate to focus pregame and get in the zone.
- JJTeammate; drives Nate’s car to the game and jokes with the group.
- HenryTeammate; part of the pregame house antics.
- MattieTeammate; joins the goofy “floor is lava” pregame scene.
- RussTeammate; part of the house crew before the game.
- Coach FaulknerHead coach; allows Nate to skip postgame review to drive to nationals.
- BradyFriend in Anastasia’s carpool to nationals; lightens tension with music.