Valerie

14 - Thomas

I hated Friday practices. It was the end of the week and this week had been particularly stressful. What with me inheriting 254 million dollars and a company.  As practice started to end, Coach Hodge called us over. "Okay, listen up guys!"

Marcus skated over to me before we skated over to where Coach was. 

"As you probably already know, we have a huge game coming up in a couple weeks." He said in his Scottish accent. A mutter of agreement sounded. This was no new information. "What you may not know is that this game will also determine for me, who the next Captain will be." This got a couple people's attentions, including mine. 

"Now, unlike other schools, we do not discriminate. We base our decisions off of talent. This means that yes, while there are only three freshman on the team, the Captain position is just as likely to go to one of you." 

"He means you, by the way." Marcus whispered to me. 

"Thanks for clearing up the confusion." I said sarcastically. 

"Always a pleasure." Marcus grinned.

"Now fuck off and get changed." Coach finished and we all skated off. 

After I had showered, I was putting on my grey sweatpants when Marcus said from next to me, "By the way, I invited Mable to the game."

Of course he did. I nodded in response. 

"She's probably going to bring Val." 

This got my attention. I turned to him. 

"Yeah, yeah, I know you don't like me calling her that but it's like free entertainment watching your face turn all grumpy. Well, grumpier than usual." He laughed. 

"My face does not 'turn grumpy'." I defended.

"I think you'll find that it does." Toby replied from opposite us. "It went grumpy when I shook hands with Val."

"Oh look, it's going grumpy right now." Marcus said, laughing.

"Stay out of this, Toby." I actually liked Toby even if he was in the year above. He was sensible and clever and a good guy. Right now though, not so much. 

"It's why I opted for shaking hands. Didn't want to upset you, man." Toby clapped me on the shoulder. 

"Upset me? Why would I get upset?" What the fuck?

Marcus and Toby exchanged looks before it dawned on me. "You told him."

"I did not!" Marcus claimed at the same time that Toby said, "He did."

"For fuck's sake." I sighed, my patience wearing thin. 

"I didn't." Marcus tried again but I ignored him, we both knew that that wasn't true. 

"It's not true. I don't like her." I tried to salvage this situation.

"Sure you don't." Toby said with a knowing smile.

"Fuck off the pair of you." I said, turning away to find my t-shirt. 

"It's alright that you do." Toby reasoned. 

"If I do, Toby. If." 

"It's a pretty weak if. Once Marcus pointed it out, it was kind of obvious. Like painfully obvious. I'd be surprised if she didn't know." Shit, did Valerie know? Did I want her to know?

"It can't be a weak if because I've never liked anyone." I said.

"There's a first for everything." Marcus chimed in because of course he  had to add fuel to the fire.