The Puck Bunny

Seven

Once my mom was up to date on everything skating, I sat in my new chair and began to read The Wind in The Willows. I'd found a copy at a yard sale and had picked it up on a whim a few years ago. I decided now that I liked it even more than I ever had.

By the time I was halfway through the book, I checked the time to find it was nearing 6, which is when dinner would be served down in Pioneer. I placed my book mark in the book and stood, wondering if I should ask Luke if he's going to dinner. He hadn't mentioned it when I'd told him I'd just see home when we left for the party, so there was a chance he wouldn't go as he thought I wouldn't go,

Just as I decided I would, I opened my bedroom door to see Luke there, fist ready to knock on it.

"Oh!" He exclaimed, putting his hand down.

"Dinner?" I asked and he nodded.

"Dinner"

The two of us headed down to the ground floor where Tyler was waiting for Luke no doubt.

"Get your room all set up Pruitt?" He asked and I nodded.

"It looks phenomenal! You should come up after dinner and see it, both of you"

I wanted to throw Tyler off the scent that we'd set it up together. Luke, thankfully, picked up on it and nodded.

"Sure, can't wait to see exactly how many books were in those boxes you made Coop carry up" Luke said, and I rolled my eyes.

"It's not that many".

"Sure sure."

The three of us made our way towards Pioneer, meeting Scott and Tate as we did.

"You're coming tonight, right Pruitt?" Tate asked. I smiled at the thought that they continued their hockey tradition of last names with me. I nodded as I sipped my watermelon flavoured Arizona tea.

"Yeah, I'm kind of excited, it's my first college party!"

The guys chuckled at my excitement, but I ignored it.

"So, Pruitt. Are you weird about people watching you skate?" Scott asked. I shrugged. I could feel the nervousness radiating off of Luke, he had probably told Scott it wasn't something he should mention. Especially given that Luke knew the way I could react. But Scott had clearly bit the bullet and asked anyway. I sensed my shrug relax Luke, as he breathed a small relieving sigh.

"I used to perform. If you bozos want to watch me skate, then you can watch me skate"

They all shared excited grins with each other as we all continued to eat.

"What time are you guys heading to the party?" Tate asked the three of us.

"Around 7" Tyler answered.

"We'll walk with you guys" Scott offered, and the guys just nodded.

"Are you two in Centennial as well?" I asked Tate and Scott. They both nodded.

"Ripley's the only one of the team in Pioneer, but he's very rarely at meals. He cooks most of his own food. Last night was an exception because he sometimes enjoys hanging out with us" Scott said as the others all laughed.

"I think he's a big softy"

The laughing stopping momentarily before they all went at it again, louder this time.

"He's a big. That's it" Tate said, making a joke about Ripley's size, and I shrugged.

"I'm definitely not scared of him"

"You don't have to be, so long as every team we play is"

"I can imagine what kind of person he'd be on the ice"