Rules and Roses (Hockey)

4

   Just as if they were children, the boys simultaneously shouted multiple "ohhhhs."

   "She really got you there," one of them hit fourteen's arm.

   She waited until they quieted down before speaking again, "Before I go, I think I should make a group message."

   "She's just trying to get your phone number, Connor," another player said to fourteen.

   "I most definitely am not," she rolled her eyes and shook her head. She had some leftover pieces of paper, so she started the list. "Write your first and last name, along with your phone number. There better be eighteen names on here when I get this sheet back."

   She handed it to the boy closest to her. She had also given him a pen to float around with the list.

   "Why do we even need a group chat?" the first boy who wrote his name and number down asked. "We already know our schedule. It's every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."

   "Just in case. What if practice is canceled? Who tells you?" She stayed standing but put her weight in one leg.

   "Coach Lawson."

   "Exactly. It's not his job anymore. It's mine," she shrugged her shoulders. "Plus, y'all need to be doing extra training on your off days."

   "Some of us do."

   "Not enough," she laughed a bit. "Come on, boys. It's not that bad to have a girl around here."

   "Yeah, it is."

   "Oh? Do you not like women?" She turned her head to look at the player who answered her question. "I'm very proud of you for coming out to all of us tonight. Would you like a rainbow flag for the front of your locker?"

   "Hell no."

   "It's okay to be gay. No need to panic. We're all accepting, right?" She asked them collectively.

   "Yeah, totally."

   "Thanks for letting us know of your, uh, 'condition,' Campbell."

   "Yeah. I guess he lives up to his name!" a boy with dirty blonde hair spoke up loudly.

   "Oh god..." Campbell put his head down.

   "I mean, it just makes sense. 'Dick Campbell loves dick,'" he spread his hands across the air as if making the new name appear.

   "Shut up, Sam. How are you saying I'm the one who likes boys when you care so much about your hair?" Campbell sneered at his teammate.

   "Just because a guy doesn't use three-in-one doesn't mean he's gay. Are you openly admitting to bad hygiene?" Alia spoke before the boy being interrogated could.

   "Hey! My hair is what keeps the ladies coming," Sam brushed his hand through his slight curls. "Maybe if you started using what I am, girls might be around you more. You won't have to be gay at that point."

   "That's it. Y'all have a good night," Dick held his hand up to wave. He stood up and left.

   "So, since we're here and not queer, tell us about yourself," Sam made eye contact with Alia after he wrote his information down.

   "What do y'all want to know?" She moved to an open spot to sit.

   "I don't know. Basic stuff? How old are you, what's your favorite color-"

   "Are you a virgin?" one of them interrupted.

   "I'm nineteen. I love the color grey, and the last question is none of y'all's business."