The Hockey Bet

Chapter Two

Chance's POV

I stood outside the bathroom waiting for Elizabeth to be done. To be honest, I wasn't very excited about my encounter with Elizabeth, but maybe I was wrong about her. I doubt it. I turned around and noticed Devon walking towards me.

"Hey man, what were you doing with that freak?" He said with his eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't know dude, she spilt her drink on me. I was just trying to be nice. I gave her my sweater and I kinda want it back," I said.

"Oh, well we've got a game of Truth or Dare going. Come on, it's your turn," he said smirking. I followed him over to the lounge room.

There were people sitting sprawled out on the leather couch. Mostly guys from the hockey team and whoever they were dating. I sat down beside Devon feeling out of place in the luxurious living room filled with expensive pottery and decor. 

"Okay, Truth or Dare Chance," Devon said.  

"Um, Dare." They were usually pretty tame when we played Truth or Dare.

Suddenly Devon's eyes lit up. What was he planning?

That's when my friend, Brian, said, "I dare you to kiss Elizabeth Reid."

"What? No. That's too easy!" Devon said chuckling. Were they serious? The whole room seemed amused by the dare.

"I bet you can't get Elizabeth to date you in the next week!" Devon said with a sly smile on his face.

"Ooooo!" I heard multiple people shout around us. The girls that I saw  standing around Elizabeth before seemed to also think it was funny.

"Wait-" I started to protest.

"C'mon man if you can do it I'll give you $5,000!" Devon interrupted. I went silent. I thought he must've been drunk. But then again, these people throw around money like its nothing.

"Why? For what?"

"Anything man, I just want to see if someone can finally get with her." For a moment, I was contemplating turning it down but then I remembered my parents hopeful faces. This money could go towards my College tuition. It was coming soon, and I still didn't have enough money.

"....Fine, I'll do it. And I will win that money." Brian whooped and some people began clapping. "Let's shake on it so I know you'll hold up you're end of the deal," I said. Devon held out his hand and I gave him a firm shake. Shake  bchands firmly, it shows that you're serious and in control, my dad had told me once.

"Alright, Justin Truth or Dare?" Brian asked. The group shifted their attention to Justin but my mind was still on my bet. How was I going to do this? Devon leaned over and gave my shoulder a nudge.

"You should get started on that now," He said.

"I just want to see this first," I said obviously stalling.

"Truth," Justin answered. He was a very close friend of mine. We had played hockey together since we were on the Peewee team.

"Okay. How come you've never had a girlfriend?"

Justin seemed to tense up. His face showing evident anger.

"I guess I'm more focused on hockey. I really want to get into Princeton," Justin replied with gritted teeth. What was his problem? I would have to ask him later.

Devon nudged my shoulder again and told me to find Elizabeth. I got up from my seat and walked towards the washroom. She probably wasn't still in there but I wasn't sure where else to look. 

I knocked on the white door. "Elizabeth? Are you still in there?" No response. "Elizabeth?" I opened the door a bit and peeked in when I didn't get a response. She wasn't in there. Sighing, I walked away from the washroom and to the window to see if she was hanging out on the lawn. Crowds of people were smoking and drinking out on the lawn but through all the people, I saw her white stained dress and her hair glowing under the street lights as she walked towards her car. 

Elizabeth opened the door to her Tesla and started the vehicle. She pulled out of her parking space and I watched as her car became smaller as she drove off into the night. With my sweater.

After a few more rounds of truth or dare I decided I should go home, there was school the next day and I wanted to wake up early to study for the English test that was happening. I said goodbye to Devon and the team then Justin and I headed out.

"Are you sure about that bet you made?" Justin asked me while driving.

"It'll be easy. Plus, I need the money too." Justin didn't know about my situation completely but he did know I needed some more money for college. I trusted him with my secrets, but some were just to big.

"Aren't you worried about... I don't know... breaking her heart?" He said. I opened my mouth to intervene but was cut off by him. "Wait, I know what you're going to say. I know it sounds lame but don't you think that you might hurt her?"

"I didn't really think about that."

"Ya man, you clearly didn't. You know, you can always call off the bet."

"No, I need the money," I said with full certainty. I really did. I wasn't sure what I was going to do if I didn't win.

Justin pulled into the driveway of my condo and let me out. I said goodbye and crept into the house.

I had to be quiet, if my parents saw me they would probably flip out. They want me to focus on my studies so I can get into college and I get that, but sometimes I need a night to not focus on homework.

I moved stealthily and quickly to my bedroom. I shared it with my 10 year old brother, Zach.

When I walked into my room my brother was sitting on the bed waiting for me.

"I knew you were at a party!" He practically yelled. "I'm going to tell on you!"

"Shh shh, quiet down," I told him. I wasn't worried that he was going to tell our parents though, I knew what to do.

"Look, if you don't tell, I'll give you another hockey lesson," I said with a smile.

"Yes!" He practically squealed. I chuckled. I always bribed him with hockey lessons when he caught me doing something I wasn't supposed to.

Even if I was the perfect son and there was nothing to ever catch me doing, I would still give him lessons. He doesn't know that though. I actually like spending time with my little bro and I like that he looks up to me.

I'm going to miss him when I go to college.

"Go to sleep, Zach," I said while turning the light off and hopping into bed.

Before I went to sleep, I thought of a plan for The Bet.

"At school tomorrow I will ask Elizabeth for the notes. When she says yes, we'll start working on whatever is going on in class. After a bit, I'll ask her on a date. She'll say yes, and the money will be mine." I said.

It's a foolproof plan.

I really thought there would be no bumps along the road, but boy was I wrong...