𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥?

24 : russ tyler

dinner with the majority of our team was really nice. we all enjoyed one another's company and talked about things aside from hockey.

the recruits who weren't from edina, minnesota, got to learn about all of the stories from their peewee stages. let me just say, there were many laughs shared.

if we didn't have tog et up early tomorrow for another day of training, we could have stayed up much longer talking about anything and everything. we all said goodnight to one another and made our way to our rooms.

i walked in between fulton and dean as the two argued if skittles or m&m's were better during a movie. the two didn't even realized i had stopped at my door as they continued their banter.

fulton looked behind him and saw i was patiently waiting at my door. "sorry bella. dean over here believes this terrible candy is better than the one and only m&m's." dean looked at fulton and shook his head.

i opened my door and let myself in. i held the door open and before i closed it i said, "to end this argument, i am going to have to side with fulton. the savory flavor of salty popcorn and sweet, chocolate m&m's are a better connection. have a good night and don't kill each other."

i shut the door before either one of them were able to say another word. though before i walked away, i could hear the two of them talking outside my door.

"you're just mad your girlfriend didn't side with you this time," fulton said towards dean. "yes i am, but i guess i'll have to respect her." fulton groaned loudly and i could hear him stomp to his room.

i changed out of my street clothes and into my comfortable night clothes. in the matter of minutes, i was out like a light.

the following day was filled with basics, once again. luis also had a drill to stop in front of wall of cans. he repeatedly failed, but kept getting up and trying again.

for now, adam was because of his wrist. he wore a sling on his arm and skated around with coach, watching all of us practice.

as we were on break, someone had picked up the newspaper and passed it to fulton. "look, we're in the paper!" he mentioned to dean.

i peaked over dean's shoulder to see the headline of 'marx bros.?no, bash bros.!' a picture of the two of them were plastered underneath. a smile was now etched onto my face.

we were all back in our rooms when i got a knock on my door. "i am taking a nap for now." the knocking continued and wouldn't stop.

i groaned as i got out of bed and opened the door. charlie stood in the doorway. i looked at him quizzically, waiting for him to explain to me what he needed.

"i need you to get russ. with banks out, we need another player. the team, myself, and yourslef know how good of a player russ is. we could use him!"

the next thing i knew, i was throwing on my converse and running out of my room. i already knew where russ would be with the rest of his friends.

in about ten minutes i got to the schoolyard and saw russ in his rollerblades with a stick in his hands. he was taking some shots on the open barrel since his friends were taking a break.

i ran up to the fence and called out for russ. he came over to me and stopped in front me. "bella, what's going on?" he asked as he could see i was out of breath.

"what do you think of playing for team usa?" i asked him suddenly, not wanting to drag it on. his eyes turned huge and then he looked at me very confused.

"are you pulling my leg or something? i'm telling you now, i really don't like pranks," i let out an airy laugh. "i swear on our friendship this is the truth."

a smile began to creep onto his face. he looked back at his brother who was listening in on our conversation. "go do it lil' bro." they skated up to each other and hugged one another.

soon enough, russ and i were on our way back to meet up with charlie. the entire way, instead of talking about hockey or what was about to happen, russ insisted on talking about dean and i.

"okay look, i do like him. i will admit that. he's cute, very sweet, funny, and i swear i could just," though suddenly i heard an imitation of someone throwing up. i side eyed russ who stood next to me.

"you literally asked about us!" i exclaimed to him as i playfully slapped his arm. he chuckled to himself. "yes i know, i know. you guys do seem to be a perfect match for one another, i have to say. you guys compliment each other in multiple ways."

a smile was spread across my face the entire walk back to the hotel.