The Puck Bunny

Forty

CARTER:

All through the next two weeks, my interaction with Fraser that Saturday afternoon played in my head. It was now the middle of October and it was finally beginning to get to a nice cold temperature. I had gotten to skate again and was now fully into a routine with skating, classes and making sure I wasn't intruding on the hockey practices.

All week Fraser wouldn't acknowledge me, and I guess deep down I knew he wouldn't. Despite that, he seemed to have no issue sitting with all the hockey guys at meals or sitting next to me in the classes we shared.

The smart choice would be to continue to live my life around him as he did the same and let him go, seeing as he had so clearly done the same.

But then my conversation with Luke plays on my mind, about destiny and my inability to let people go even when they deserve it. Oh well, at the moment he clearly needed space from me and after Saturday lunch, I was more than happy to give it to him.

"Hey" A voice broke me out of my thoughts. I looked up.

"Hey Bennett" Luke sat down next to me at the table I was currently at in the library, trying to work out this creative writing piece.

"What are you doing for Halloween?"

"Halloween is a stupid holiday. And it's October 18th"

"It is not. And I know! It's almost here already. Two weeks to go"

"Whatever, I'm not dressing up to go trick or treating with you" He rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I'm asking"

"Well, what are you asking?"

"I just wanted to know what you were doing. There's going to be a killer Halloween party this year."

"Isn't Halloween on a Thursday this year?"

"Pruitt"

"Sorry, I just don't buy into those stupid holidays. Valentine's day is just as bad."

"Fine, we'll talk about it another time. Are you coming to the game Sunday?"

That's right. It was the Gopher's first home game of the season and the guys had been practising a lot more, which was harder to work my schedule around. Thank god Tyler was as good a friend as he was a captain and allowed me time when and if he could to be on the ice.

"I don't know Bennett"

"Come on, I know how much you're dying to get back into watching hockey and we're finally playing here after three weeks. Please?"

"I have shit due"

"Well finish it"

"Bennett"

"Sorry! Look, when I don't have practice, I can help you study if you'd like? I really want you to come, Pruitt. Lexi's going to be going." I sighed and looked up at him.

"You really want me to go?"

"You're my best friend here, besides Cooper. Yes I want you there more than anything"

"Well you're my best friend here, besides Lexi. So I guess I'll be there" He grinned.

"You're the best! Here, I got you something" He threw a maroon-coloured material at me and I opened it up to reveal a Gopher's hoodie.

"Luke, this is awesome"

"Check the back" I turned it over and saw a big yellow number 21 and the name BENNETT above it.

"Luke-"

"Before you say anything, Lexi has one too. Tate and I did them together, for you two girls because you're the best support to the whole team outside of the team itself. I want you to wear my number because I don't think I'd be on the team without you."