Pinn - Memories

Chapter 19

Josh's POV

'Number 47 of the Greenfield Knights is approaching number 13 of the Riverside Wolves! Can Number 47 get possession of the puck? He's going for it!', the commentator cheers.

I look around the arena to see several people on the edge of their seat, before sighing and staring at my lap.

I have no interest right now in watching a hockey game. I used to play myself and it's certainly one of my interests, so I'd usually be excited, cheering my brother's team on. Even though I've watched hundreds of his games.

This time is different. The only thing on my mind is how I left Piper in the middle of rehearsal.

'He's done it! Williams has got the puck!'

I've left Piper alone to bear Emily's wrath.

'Oh, Adam's in the perfect position!', my dad cheers. 'Tom had better pass the puck to him!'

I'll be lucky if Emily hasn't kicked me off the duet.

'And the puck glides over to Handy. Now that's handy!', the commentator laughs.

I groan. I've lost count of how many times my surname has been turned into a pun. Yet with every new commentator, the joke becomes brand new again.

I hope Piper's ok.

I grab out my phone. I should message her and see where she's at.

'Josh!'

I unlock my phone and open messages, typing Hey Piper, I'm so sor-

'Josh!', my mum shouts.

'Huh?', I mumble, turning to her.

'Adam's about to shoot!', she cheers, her eyes glued the game.

Dad glances at me and his eyes droop to my lap. 'Adam, get off your phone!', he shrieks. 'For goodness sake!'

My mum scowls.

Immediately, I put it away. I know better than to challenge my parents' demands when it comes to hockey and my brother. If there's anything worse than Emily's wrath, it's my parents'.

I sigh. I'll have to wait until the car ride home to contact Piper.

My gaze shifts to my brother, who takes a shot.

'It's going... it's going... and- oh! It rebounds off the goal post! What a near miss!', the commentator says.

'Oh, that was so close!', dad whines.

I look at Adam who shakes his head in disappointment.

I sit on my seat, straight face, empty, expressionless. I feel nothing. I just want to go back to the studio and dance. Or at least just go home. But I can't. I'm stuck and the game hasn't even been going for 10 minutes.

Piper's POV

As the bus takes me down the highway, my mind begins to wander and my thoughts return to Josh.

Is he ok?

Are his parents going to still be mad at him?

My heart rate accelerates.

My breathing quivers.

No. You just got your breathing under control. Don't let it worsen again!

I repeatedly count out 3 – 1 – 4 in my head, inhaling, holding, and exhaling, as I dig out my phone.

I search my contacts for his name. I get to J.