Ace's pov:
Sophia isn't awake yet. I notice her legs wrapped around my waist while her face is resting on my chest. Lost in her embrace, holding her closely, feeling her warmth and gently placing my arms around her waist, I whisper ''good morning beautiful''. Her eyes flutter open, she yawns and grumbles a low ''good morning''. Just as I'm about to offer her breakfast my phone rings. I pick it up, It's Josh and he sounds mad. ''Where the fuck are you man? Our team has been waiting for you for over an hour.'' Oh shit, that's when I realize I have practice today. I'm completely fucking pissed off with myself. What am I doing here? I need to be focusing on my team. I need to get to practice right now. ''I'll be there as soon as I can'' I say frustrated. Sophia turns to me and asks what's going on. I tell her I have practice and storm out. I'm so mad at myself, we have a huge trip next week to play against another school and I'm late to practice.
I arrive at practice and my teammates look angry but after the first hour of practice they let it go, I mean I'm never late to practice so they're not as mad as I presumed. Just because they're not mad doesn't mean I'm not. I've been distracted lately and haven't been focusing on my main priority which is hockey.
Practice is over and Josh comes over to talk to me. Clearly seeing I'm mad he asks me what's wrong. ''What's wrong is I've been too distracted lately. I need to just focus on hockey and nothing else until our trip.'' Josh looks at me anxiously, ''What about Soph?'' As much as I love being with her, I need to focus on hockey. I've known her for a month but hockey, it's always been in my life. I tell him that I need to focus on hockey and will worry about my relationship with her later.
A week later:
This week has been busy. I've excelled in hockey and am leaving for our big trip today. Honestly I really miss Sophia, this week has felt dreadfully long without her but hockey needs to be my main focus no matter how much I may miss her. I've received numerous texts from her throughout the week;
Sophia: Hey, sorry for making you late for practice. I'm sure you'll do amazing and your teammates will understand.
Sophia: Hey, are you okay?
Sophia: I'm really sorry, I know I've been taking up a lot of your time.
Sophia: Did I do something wrong?
Sophia: I miss you. Be safe on your trip and good luck, I know you'll do great.
My heart fills with sadness. You didn't do anything wrong, this is all my fault.
If I hadn't overreacted she wouldn't be sad. But it's too late and I don't have time to worry about this.
5 minutes before the game:
Josh walks into the room and notices my dejection .''I really think you should just call her man, she clearly misses you and you miss her. The longer you prolong this the worse it'll get. There's nothing wrong with liking her or spending time with her. You don't have to be scared, have you seen the way she looks at you?'' I get up without responding and head out onto the ice. The game commences and you can really feel the pressure. First period they score a goal which leaves us on edge. Second period we're tied 1-1. There is now 30 seconds to the last period and I have the puck, my teammates quickly matching my speed and defending me from any other players in the vicinity. 5 seconds left, 4, 3 ''GOAL!'', 2, 1 and we win! My team skates over to me and we all cheer gleefully. Even though I'm ecstatic about our team winning I can't help but feel something or rather someone missing. Sophia, I need to see her. As I exit the building in a hurry I notice a big group of sketchy guys. I try to go around them but they stop me. ''So your Charlies boy huh?'' how the fuck do they know my father? ''What do you want from me?'' I roar. They don't instantly respond, they simply chuckle. ''Your fathers caused us a lot of trouble and we regret to inform you but you'll be the one to pay for it.''. Before I can even think they jump me, I attempt to fight back but it's impossible. I'm outnumbered. 20 Minutes later they decide they've had their fun and leave. Groaning on the floor I try to reach for my phone to call Sophia but I'm interrupted by my team exiting the building. When they see me they rush over asking what happened. I look at Josh and without even saying anything he knows exactly what happened. My team insists on taking me to the hospital but I refuse. ''Please. Just take me to Sophia'' I plea to Josh. He hesitates but finally caves.
After what feels like the longest ride of my life we finally reach Sophia's. Josh helps me out of the car as I can barely move.
I'm in front of her door and knock a few times but lean on the door as I can barely keep myself up.
The door opens..
