𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓, charlie conway

two; first game

WHEN AUREILA GOT HOME that night, her parents were waiting for her, their faces lighting up the moment she walked through the door. they knew she had a special connection with hockey, a passion that had started when she was just a little girl. her dad had taken her to her first game when she was five, and from that moment, she was hooked.

her mom, still in her work clothes but holding a cup of tea, asked "how was it? how's the team?"

aurelia shrugged, trying to hide the uncertainty she felt. "they're... interesting," she said with a small laugh. "they need a lot of work, but i think they've got potential. it's kind of exciting, you know? like, a challenge."

her dad, sitting on the couch and reading the sports section of the paper, looked up and smiled. "you're gonna whip them into shape in no time. they're lucky to have you."

aurelia smiled softly, a mixture of gratitude and determination in her eyes. "thanks, mom. it feels good to be back."

after a quick dinner and a shower, aurelia headed to her room. she pulled out her old gear from the back of her closet, the familiar scent of sweat and ice rink filling the air. she ran her fingers over her knee pads, remembering all the games they had carried her through. her black sweats were a little snug, but they still fit. she smiled as she pulled on the oversized hoodie with her dad's old college number, number 8, on the sleeves. it was a little faded now, but it still felt like armor.

tomorrow would be her first real game with district 5, and she was ready to see what they could do.

THE NEXT MORNING, AUREILA arrived at the rink early. the air was crisp, and her breath fogged in front of her as she stepped inside. the smell of ice, cold metal, and faintly of rubber hit her, and she smiled.

she was the first one there, so she took the opportunity to skate around the rink a few times, feeling the ice beneath her feet, the cold air rushing past her face. it felt like freedom. she truly did love being on the ice.

eventually, bombay arrived, carrying his clipboard and looking like he hadn't slept well. aurelia noticed the dark circles under his eyes as he stood on the sidelines, staring off into the distance, his gaze fixed on the other team practicing across the rink.

aurelia skated over, curiosity bubbling up. "hey, coach," she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the empty rink.

bombay turned, his eyes softening when he saw her. "aurelia," he greeted her with a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"what's going on? you look... distracted." she glanced toward where his attention had been focused and saw a large yellow flag hanging above the rink. in bold black letters, it read:

"pee wee second place 1973."

bombay let out a long breath, his voice dropping as he spoke. "you see that flag?" he pointed toward it, his tone was bitter.

aurelia nodded, curious. "yeah. what's the story?"

"that's because of me," bombay said quietly. "i used to play for the hawks—the team we're up against today. that flag is from when we came in second place. i missed the final shot in the championship. lost the game for us. my coach... he never let me forget it." his jaw clenched slightly, and aurelia could sense the weight of those memories pressing down on him.

before aurelia could say anything, an older man approached them, "gordon? gordon bombay?"

bombay's entire posture stiffened, and aurelia turned to see a man she assumed must be the infamous coach reilly. he had a smirk on his face, the kind that made aurelia's skin crawl.