~Pucker face~ Charlie Conway

Twenty-two: The Letter

Time had flown by since we'd won the state championship, and we'd had a bit off from the team because the season was then over. Some kids started practicing with their summer teams, but I decided to stick with my summer team from back home, so more often than not, I trained by myself. It was a date when Charlie decided to help me out, so those sessions turned into make-out sessions when nobody else occupied the ice. It was usually followed by dinner at the diner and a stargaze on the roof.

The weather was getting warmer and school was wrapping up we only had about a month left. My summer plans were shaping out and I couldn't wait to go home and see my family. Keith was coming to pick me up from school rather than my parents, and we'd planned to stay in Minneapolis and hang around for a few days before going home. We were going to stay in the city and explore more than I had ever gotten to, and go shopping with Keith's money. I was excited, but I still needed to get through the next month.

🏒🏒🏒

April 29th.

"So Guy and I were gonna head out to see a movie Friday night with Julie and Dean and I was wondering if maybe...."

Connie trailed off in silence for at least 30 seconds, just staring at me. I was sorting through the mail in my box, which mostly just consisted of my magazines and a few returned papers from teachers. I turned to her and she just smirked.

"What?" I laughed. "Continue your proposal, Con, I don't have all day."

"Don't have all day because you're going to go practice with Charlie later?" She teased, stepping beside me to find her mail.

"Maybe, maybe not." I smiled, "I know you guys think it's so weird, but we're going on about a month and a half now, it's not new."

"So you're officially his girlfriend?"

"Yeah? I mean we are dating, going on dates and everything. We do...other things too." I felt my face get hot as I said that, looking around to see if anyone else was around to hear. Luckily, we were the only two in the room.

"Other things?" Connie burst out laughing. "I won't ask that's just- that's too good Sloane. You get anything good today?" She asked, looking through her few pieces of mail.

I sorted through my stuff,
Magazine, magazine, junk, a letter from Mandy, a letter from Aunt Leanne...

Letter from Boston Athletics Academy.

The last envelope ran a chill through my body. My name and address were neatly hand-written. This wasn't some marketing scheme, this letter was for me, and only me.

"Uh- no. Nothing spectacular, just the usual. You know..." I answered, tucking the letter underneath the rest of my mail. There was an odd feeling in my chest as Connie and I walked back to the dorms, but I was trying to push it away. I'd see what it said later, I'm sure it wasn't anything to worry about. Maybe it was just an invitation to join their team's summer training camp.

Connie broke me out of my thoughts as we got to my door, "so, what's the deal?"

"Huh?" I looked over at her, slightly nervous.

"About Friday, the movie? Me and guy, Julie and Dean?"

"Oh! Yeah, yeah. I can probably do that, I'll talk to Charlie about it tonight."

"Cool. I mean, like no pressure at all. I just want you guys to get out more together."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, unlocking my door and walking in, pushing the door open for Connie.

"Well, just that you guys don't show that you're even like with each other around other people, so this is a good time, no?"

I thought it over for a second. She was right. My feelings were growing for Charlie every waking moment I spent with him. I didn't think it was going to get even better, but it always did. He made my heart flutter, which is something I thought was incredibly stupid, but when he was around it always just happened. All because of him.