Rapture

4

I woke up early this morning and high tailed it out of Jason Rai's house in borrowed clothes. The normally 5 minute drive home took me  around 20 minutes because I was walking.

My mom should be awake but not wanting to risk it I go into my backyard to grab the spare key in the garden. I unlock the backdoor and put the key back. I take my shoes off in the mud room and take the hallway to the kitchen.

In the kitchen I find my mom sitting at the island with a cup of chai in between her hands.
She take in my attire over the rim of her mug and raises her eyebrows.

"Good morning, Kira."

I wince. "I know, I'm sorry. I forgot my phone in Meghan's car and totally forgot." I say in regret because I really did forget.

"Kira. You know I'm trying to let you live your life. But I need to know that your safe. That is a must. You should have called."

"You're lucky Meghan called me otherwise your ass would have been grass this morning." She adds.
I let out a breath and go to pour myself a cup of chai.
"So how was the party?" She asks.

"Amazing. Mom all of our pong practice paid off and I made the last cup with my eyes closed! Oh! And I made a new friend because of it. Or maybe two. I'm not sure yet. One of them is named Jason Rai and he's the one who let me take his last shot in the game. He's super energetic and I might be meeting his girlfriend soon. Wait." I frown and turn to my mom. "What if he doesn't remember anything?"

She sips her tea and then responds.

"Then you'll just have to become friends all over again."

"Right." I say and go to sit next to her.

"And who's clothes might you be wearing? Jason's?"

My mind automatically goes to the image of Oliver's fingers brushing over my skin and I try to hide my smile behind my cup.

"Oh my god. Gross Kira. Is this the second boy you were talking about?"

"Mom. Ew" I laugh.

"On another note... I was on your schools website and noticed something interesting." She says as I get up to put my cup in the sink.

"The hockey season was postponed because of construction on the entrances and lobby area. But now that they are done and it's safe for players and spectators they are starting the season in a week or so."

"And this matters because..?" I say while rinsing out my cup.

"They are holding another round of tryouts Monday morning because the beginning of the year tryouts were cancelled."

"Mom." I pout.

"Kira. Since when are you a quitter. I know you still love it, so don't try and pull that on me."

"I saw Marcel." I say looking for a reaction on her face.

Something flashes in her eyes but other than that there is no change in her mood. My mom is so hard to read. I wonder if I'm like that.

"Who?" She says and I roll my eyes at her antics.
She sighs and asks "what did he say?"

I glare at her. "You knew he was here?! You knew I wanted a fresh start."

"I didn't want him impacting your decision and you were really loving this school. Tell me, would you have chosen this school if you knew he would be coaching here?"

"No" I mumble.

"Exactly. Then you would have lost all the other great opportunities at this school. Including hockey if decided you join. I'm not telling you how to act towards Marcel but you can't deny his ability to coach has been unmatched so far. Other than me of course, your own personal 24/7 coach."

I groan.

"Which brings me back to try outs Monday. You're going."

She sees my mad face and puts her mug down.

"Tell me why you don't want to go."

"Because! My whole life was hockey and I was just figuring out who I was as a person outside of hockey. If I couldn't have hockey, who was I? What if my new friends figure out who I am? They might recognize me or what if Marcel starts telling people he coached me? There goes my fresh start."

"Mhm. Very valid reasons. And how did that year and five months without hockey go?"

"I- I realized I still really miss hockey and I can still like and be a part of it and be myself at the same time because it is a part of me." I sigh. I'm going on Monday.

"Kira. Just take it day by day. You don't have any commitments, I just want the best for you okay."
I nod, and go to head upstairs.
"Get changed we're getting your skates sharpened."
"Yea.. about that." I pull up the sleeve of the hoodie I stole to reveal my bruised wrist.
"What the hell Kira! Put ice on that right now. I'll grab the Voltaren gel to help the reduce the pain." She gets up and leaves the room but not before telling me what I already know.
"You're going on Monday Kira."

I go up the staires and into my room. I throw Meghans dress on my chair and flop on my bed. I should call her later to thank her for covering for me.

I roll around my bed trying to get comfortable.

What if I suck on Monday and make complete fool of myself. What if I forgot how to skate?!

Wow this sweatshirt is really soft. I don't think I'm going to return it.

"Kira! Let's go." My mom yells from downstairs.

I groan. "Coming!"