Guide Me | N. Robertson

1| Dinner

There was a haze that hung over the city of Toronto. The entire city was in a funk this Thursday morning. Thursdays weren't very busy in the city aside from the routine commuters. The entire day would be spent reading and noting several lectures and textbooks. It was my one day off to get a bunch of work done. I had a small group of friends, mostly from school. I also had a family friend in town. He travelled a lot for his job, but his heart was here in Toronto. I talked to him often. I knew I could rely on him when I needed. He was a big deal to the city of Toronto, but to me he was just Morgan. A piece of Vancouver for me that was here in Toronto.

Morgan was a few years older than me, but our families were great friends. Morgan has been my older brother basically aside from my actual older brother, Drake. Morgan lived just down the street in front of the rink. He grew up playing hockey. Our families would go see him play. Then he was drafted to Toronto and has lived here ever since. I haven't been able to see him as much as I'd like. I missed him while I was still in high school. Now I moved to Toronto for school where I study Political Science. I am an aspiring lawyer.

I liked hockey and knew how to skate, but I never stuck with the sport. I would golf with Morgan when he was home during the summers, but he mostly stays in Toronto now during the off season. I knew a few other people from his team. Morgan had played with Alex Kerfoot in BC, so I knew him. Other than Alex and Morgan, I've only met some of the other players a few times. I'm more on the quiet side at first when I meet people. Rarely do I make the initiative.

I was busy studying when I felt the vibration of a text.

Morgan: "Hey, the season starts in two days. I was wondering if you'd like to grab some dinner?"

Me: "Hey, uh yeah tonight?"

Morgan: "I know school keeps you busy, so if you can't or don't want to it's not a big deal B."

Me: "No, I'd love to! Tonight actually works out perfectly"

I look at my schedule and realize that I have some open space tonight. I know that if I don't say yes I don't know how long it'll be before I see him again. I get back to studying for a test, when Morgan calls me.

"Hey Brooks, I- uh, is it okay if I invite a few guys from my building?"

"Hey Mo, yeah that's fine. Where are we going?"

"I was thinking that Italian place you love, the one on Avenue I think?"

"Yeah okay I like that, sounds good."

"Okay, I'll meet you there at 7?"

"Sure, I'll see you then." I hung up the phone and knew that the restaurant was fancier than most. This meant that I would have to shower and put on some better clothes. I ended up putting on some jeans with black heeled boots with a black turtleneck. I hoped that Morgan wasn't going to dress up too much. I pair it with the Louis Vuitton crossbody Morgan had gotten me as a graduation present and head out the door. I check my straightened hair as I step out the Uber. Morgan had told me that they were all sitting down. I walk into the restaurant and greet the woman at the door.

"Hi, I'm here with the Morgan Rielly reservation." The lady takes me to the back corner and I see a table of people. There's Morgan sitting with Alex, Mitch I think, and 2 others I haven't met before.

"Brooks! You made it! Come and sit beside me." He pats the seat between him and Mitch.

"Hi everyone." I sit down to realize Alex is in front of me and I don't know anyone else here.

"Morgan said he was bringing a girl. I thought this was some kind of date situation." A blonde said. I immediately start laughing in response.

"Oh no" Morgan laughs, "This is Brooks, my—, uh" He looks at me "Basically my sister" He manages to come up with.

"Oh. Nice to meet you." A warm smile was directed to me from across the table. I'd never seen this guy before. He looked younger than the rest of the guys. He had a warm smile and brown hair. "I'm Nick." He looked nice.

"I'm Travis, Mo's d-partner." The blonde says from across the table. What started out as an awkward dinner, actually became more fun. We had all ordered. I could tell that Nick was different from the rest. He was more quiet.

"So Brooks, how's school?" Morgan asks

"Uh yeah um school is busy all the time. I'm glad I got to see you and meet you guys before it all gets crazy for everyone."

"You'll have to come to one of our games sometime. We've got some new guys like Nicky out there." Alex says.

"Yeah I'll definitely have to come sometime." I can see Nick smile a little. We get our dinner. During dinner Mitch is telling us all about their first few games of the season. I quickly learn that they are going to Calgary and playing the Flames first. As dinner finishes and we are left sitting at the table enjoying conversation, I can sense that Nick is warming up a bit more.

"What are you in school for?" Nick asks creating conversation between just us as Travis is talking about his off season travels.

"Uh yeah I'm in school for political science. I want to be a lawyer." Nick's face explodes with expression. He seems intrigued in my career choice.

"That's so cool." Nick said. The conversation had gone back to awkward silence as we both listened to the other conversation at the table. We had moved from the table to waiting outside the front for our Ubers. Morgan's building was close to mine. Just across the street, so I rode with him.

"Y'know Nick seemed to be interested in you Brooks."