[aidenreyesx]

"Do you get the feeling that something feels off and you don't know how to describe it? Because that's how I woke up feeling." @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

"You're well aware of where we live, right?" Emettt looks at Aiden. "Like we have a mayor that nobody knows anything about and they seem to be as rich as a millionaire."

[notviviennemoreau]

"Alright, thank you for coming to drink with me at my place." Viv smiles at the person who came to her place. "Seriously, I needed a good ass drink and some good ass company." @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

"You're welcome, thank you for inviting me over to drink." Emmett smiles at her and chuckles. "Well, I'm glad you consider me good company."

[milajmonroe]

Mila looked around abit as he did and followed with what he was doing and leaned forward with him. When he mentioned the baby it was like her heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t hide it anymore and people were going to find out sooner or later.

Mila leaned back and exhaled as she shook her head . “It’s crazy that I can’t just be on my period and want food? Damn, well yes…yes I’m with child ,” she said with abit of a pout as she crossed her arms.

[emmettxhills]

"You can be, but I know too many pregnant women." He chuckled. "Congrats, Mila. I'm happy for you. I know you'll make a great mom."

[rivercaldwell]

"Thank you, Emmett." He yawned. "You're the best." He added as he slowly sat up and rubbed his face. "What time is it?"

[emmettxhills]

"Oh I know I am." Emmett jokes and looks at River. "It's just after 12PM." He adds and looks at his watch and then back at River. "You really got fucked up last night, huh?"

[damonxhenderson]

Damon shook his head. "That's extremely pathetic on the parent's end and I always feel bad for the children that are put in those situations because it's never fair to them."

[emmettxhills]

"It's not, but those types of parents don't care at all. They just want results, and it impacts the children more than they care."

[emmettxhills]

Uder the Sun Challenge - Hope Island District

It was dangerously hot, and Emmett hated every second of it.

He had never been one for the heat. He preferred the cold—the sharp bite of winter air, the chill of the ice beneath his skates. It was why he spent as much time at the hockey rink as he could. Out there, the cold made sense.

This heat didn't.

The relentless California sun hung over Hope Island like a punishment. Roads shimmered beneath the blazing sky, homes trapped the suffocating heat, and every hour that passed brought another report of rolling blackouts, dwindling water reserves, and residents suffering from heat exhaustion. Tempers were rising just as quickly as the temperature.

Today, hiding away at the rink wasn't an option.

People were counting on him.

As district representative, Emmett knew there wasn't going to be a decision that made everyone happy. Every gallon of water distributed meant there was less for someone else. Every neighborhood that kept its electricity meant another would lose it. The burden of choosing who would receive help first weighed heavily on his shoulders, but refusing to decide would only cost more lives.

His first order of business was opening every public building that still had reliable power as emergency cooling centers. Schools, community centers, churches, and even the hockey arena opened their doors to anyone needing relief from the relentless heat. Volunteers were organized to distribute bottled water, electrolyte drinks, and simple meals while medical staff monitored those most at risk of heatstroke.

Water rationing followed soon after.

It wasn't a popular decision, but it was necessary. Every household would receive enough water to meet basic needs, while nonessential usage was temporarily prohibited. Public parks were closed, decorative fountains were shut off, and irrigation systems were suspended so every available drop could be redirected toward drinking water and emergency services.

Electricity proved to be an even harder decision.

With the power grid stretched to its limit, Emmett authorized rotating outages throughout Hope Island. Hospitals, nursing homes, emergency shelters, and neighborhoods with large elderly populations or medically vulnerable residents remained on the priority grid. Everyone else would experience scheduled outages until demand could be reduced.

The decision sparked immediate outrage.

Business owners accused him of sacrificing their livelihoods. Families questioned why their neighborhoods had gone dark while others remained lit. Social media filled with criticism from residents convinced they had been treated unfairly.

Emmett understood their anger.

If the situation had been reversed, he might have felt the same.

But leadership wasn't about making the popular choice—it was about making the one that gave the greatest number of people the chance to survive.

He visited each cooling center personally throughout the day, helping hand out water, carrying supplies, and speaking with families who had lost power. He answered every difficult question himself rather than hiding behind press statements or emergency alerts. When residents voiced their frustrations, he listened. When they needed reassurance, he stayed.

The heat continued to bear down on Hope Island, and the crisis was far from over. There would undoubtedly be more criticism before it was finished.

Still, as the sun finally dipped below the horizon, the cooling centers remained full, hospitals continued operating without interruption, and the district had avoided the loss of life everyone had feared.

It wasn't a perfect outcome.

There never was one in a crisis like this. 

But if carrying the weight of impossible decisions meant one more family made it safely through the night, Emmett would shoulder that burden every single time.

@rededgecitycouncil

[lucaknight]

"Hey, I was wondering when you'd show back up here." He teased as he handed his friend their favorite drink at the bar. "You know the first one is always on the house." @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

"Well thanks Luca." Emmett smiled as he sat down at the bartop and took his drink. "What's been new with you man?"

[rivercaldwell]

"I'm sorry, what are you doing in my house? What time is it?" He looked at the person who was in his house. He clearly had gone all out the night before and was very much hungover. @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

"Coming to check on your hungover ass, and I brought greasy food since I know you need it." He threw the bag of food to River and looked at him. "You smell like the floor of your bar."

[shanenichols]

"How long do you think it'll take them to realize that just because they said that they used to be captain of the football team in high school, doesn't mean that anyone actually cares?" He looked at his friend after the asshole that had been talking to them walked away. "What a fucking tool, you okay?" @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

"Guys like that will never realize, at all and I know this becuase the majority of the dads that I coach are just like that."

[milajmonroe]

Mila bit her lip and thought for a moment before putting her menu down " Andd tell me Emmett...what would I be going to the doctor for?" she asked him, wanting to make sure they were on the same page. She then leaned forward abit " But good to know that you'll be my designated ass kicker," she chuckled.

[emmettxhills]

He looked around to make sure that no one was paying attention to them or could hear them, but not wanting to take any chances, he leaned in and held up a menu in front of the two of them, so they would have extra privacy. "For the baby that you're carrying, Mila." He whispered and leaned back and smiled. "Of course I'll be your designated ass kicker." He added as he put his menu down. "That's what friends are for, after all."

[damonxhenderson]

"They do know that there's a very slim chance that that will actually happen, right?"

[emmettxhills]

"Yes, but they do not give a fuck." Emmett said with a laugh. "Especially now with how popular hockey is becomming with all the hockey romance books." He shook his head. "Some parents are just way too delusional for their children's own good."

[tylerxdupont]

"Oh that is very much the plan. I cannot handle anymore shitty dates with shitty people."

[emmettxhills]

"So stay single for as long as you can, the only real pressure to date and settle down comes from society." Emmett looked at her. "Are you happy being single, Tyler?"

[emmettxhills]

Emmett's look for the event

@rededgefashion

[milajmonroe]

“ huh-what?” Mila responded,acting very confused. “ Why would I need to see a doctor ? I’m just very hungry,” she nodded to him with a forced smile.

[emmettxhills]

"Uh huh...and I'm a vampire." He said sarcastically. He took a bite of food and said, "I won't force you to do anything, you are an adult, but just know, if you need help kicking anyone's ass, I will gladly do it on your behalf."

[damonxhenderson]

"Wait, really? There's not like a set like month or two that you're teaching and then you have time off?"

[emmettxhills]

"That's for like four year olds and younger." He laughed. "These parents want their kids to grow up to be like pros."

[damonxhenderson]

"I know the school year is almost done because these college students are acting out more than usual." He laughed. "They're like kids on Christmas Day." @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

Emmett laughed. "That's how the kids I teach skating are acting, but they don't get a summer break, or a break, really, unless their families go on vacation."

[milajmonroe]

"I've just been eating and eating non-stop and I want everything on the menu. I don't understand it," MIla shook her head as she teared up talking to herself at the table in the restaurant. Then looked up when she notice her friend standing above her. She blinked uncontrollably to try and stop her tears from keep going. " Oh that's embarrassing. How long ya been standing there?" she asked as she quickly smiled and wiped her tears away. @rededgerpstarterblog

[emmettxhills]

"I feel like I am the most awkward person you should tell this to. Have you seen a doctor?"