𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥?

22 : new coach

from playing schoolyard puck with russ and his friends, we had learned quite a lot. aside from how to properly check someone, russ showing us his famous shot, the "knuckle puck," and even kenny learning how to properly fight someone, hockey wasn't all about winning.

as we walked away from the schoolyard, i felt a tap on my shoulder. i turned around to be faced with russ. a smile appeared on both of our faces.

"i've been watching your games, of course, and see you never play," he paused before he continued. i looked down at the ground, embarrassed of myself.

"but watching you play here today made me see how much true potential you have." i picked my head up as he continued talking. "and i hope your coach doesn't oversee it."

i held out my hand for him to shake. russ took it willingly and a smile appeared on my face. as i was about to walk away, russ spoke up again.

"one more thing," i turned around to face him one last time. "make sure you give chicago boy a chance." he sent me a small wink and walked back to his friends.

we all loaded on to our bus and were headed back to our rooms. i took a seat next to fulton and a small sigh left my mouth. "i am so exhuasted," i said aloud as i yawned.

"i second that," fulton replied as he rested his head on my shoulder. a small smile made its way onto my face. fulton made me feel safe, he felt like an older brother to me.

the thought of an older brother made me think of ethan and my mom. a small smile appeared on my face. i thought of them everyday and missed them so much.

we didn't have much time back at our rooms. we had about half an hour to rest, then pack all of our stuff for the game tonight, and then head over to the rink. we all were getting dressed in the locker room when i tapped on dean's shoulder.

he spun around and looked at me. "do you see coach anywhere?" dean looked over his shoulder. he turned his head back at me and shook his head. i carried on with getting ready for the game.

after our warmups, we all were on the bench somewhat arguing with one another. nobody knew where coach bombay was and we would have to forfeit our game if we didn't have a coach on the bench in the next five minutes.

suddenly, a voice was heard from the stands. "hey team! hey team! we're gonna be great today, right?" it was don tibbles, the man in charge of mostly everything.

"where's gordon?" he asked us as he realized there was no sign of him on the bench. "you tell us," luis replied back to the man. i rolled my eyes as i looked around the stands, trying to see if coach bombay was anywhere in sight.

"team usa, i'm sorry," a referee suddenly said as he skated up to our bench. "without a coach behind the bench, you'll forfeit the game."

"you can't do that," adam spoke up to him. we were all disappointed and didn't know what we were going to do.

charlie suddenly spoke up saying, "we have one." everyone looked at him quizzically. "do you think charlie might be on something, or is that just me?" i whispered into dean's ear which caused a small chuckle to fall out of his mouth.

charlie went skating over to the boards and was talking with miss mackay. we all looked towards them, not knowing what they were discussing, but hoping she'd be willing to be our coach.

"what are you waiting for, the ice to freeze? let's play!" miss mackay suddenly said. we all cheered in excitement; happy we wouldn't have to drop out of the tournament.

i skated on the ice with beads of sweat dripping down my face. we were needing a change up now; germany was beginning to throw their weight around.

"change it up!" miss mackay had yelled onto the ice. the five of us came onto the bench, trying to catch some air. i took off my helmet and splashed some water on my face.

it was late into the period when suddenly a loud duck noise came from the crowd. i turned around on the bench to see it was coach bombay. "the devil has arrived," i mumbled under my breath.

as coach bombay didn't stop with the duck call, we all stood up to face the man. dean looked back at me with a confused look written on his face.

he ran down to the bench and joined the rest of us. "come on in! let's go, come on," he called to the five on the ice. we all circled up around him, waiting to hear what he was going to say.

"team, guys. i was wrong and i'm sorry. i forgot about the team and the team is all i have. all i want is another chance. just one more shot. i'm back, okay?" he looked towards all of us and then his eyes landed on me.

"believe me."