For the Love of... Hockey?

Chapter One -

I sat on the edge of my bed for what seemed like forever - I didn't understand why it had to be this way. I couldn't figure out whether my anger outweighed my sadness or vice versa. My thoughts were just too jumbled together and it seemed like they had no intention of sorting themselves out anytime soon. I didn't blame them.

I thought my older brother was just coming for a surprise visit; I should've known better. He never came home unless it was for the holidays. Cyrus played Junior Hockey for the Boston Blades and attended some college classes at the same time, thus putting him on a tight schedule. He wouldn't just "pop by for a visit", like he so claimed when he got here.

They broke the news to me last night. I was leaving Pennsylvania and moving in with Cyrus up in Massachusetts, just as I had started my junior year of high school. Why they were trusting me with my 19 year old brother, I'll never know. I'd been going to Lake Mount High School since kindergarten. I couldn't just leave now.. But I had no choice.

 I had all last night to pack just my necessities and a few extra things I didn't want to leave here, that's it. It was almost like they wanted me out of here. They could've given me a couple days at least. Or weeks. Or maybe let me have a say in what I wanted to do.

It was only 9:00 in the morning and we had a 5 hour drive to Boston, where Cyrus undoubtedly would leave me in his apartment - in a new city - while he went to practice. I really didn't want to go, but at least I had the weekend to settle in.

Alone, probably.

A soft knock came from my bedroom door, forcing me to push myself off my bed and make my way over to it. I slowly opened it to reveal Mom standing with a smile on her face.

How could she be so happy?

"Are you ready, yet?" She asked as she maneuvered her way around me to look at my packing job. "Your brother's downstairs waiting for you."

I sighed, "Mom, why are you making me do this again?" I questioned as I swallowed the lump starting to form in my throat. I refused to cry.

Sitting down on the edge of my bed, she huffed. "Because, honey. The curriculum at Lake Mount wasn't advanced enough for you, you know this. Your father and I have put some serious thought into this and we found that Central High has the perfect curriculum." She stood and picked up the bag nearest to her. "Don't you want to be the best you can be? To challenge yourself? Think of all the new things you'll get to experience while you're there!"

She was right, the curriculum at Lake Mount was simple to me - My lowest grade was a 110%, not to mention I was in all Honor's classes. But that still didn't give them a reason to throw this on me in a day and to not ask for my opinion on what I wanted to do for MYSELF.

Would I have chosen to go to Boston? I don't know, but I can tell you I would've been a lot more open to the idea if I would of had a choice in it. "Whatever, Mom." I said simply, before throwing the remaining bags on my shoulder and bounding out of the room.

As I approached the bottom of the steps, Cyrus was standing there with a big smile on his face. "Ready to go, sis?"

I completely ignored him and went straight for his truck, tossing my bags in the bed. I wasn't in the mood to bask in his happiness. His world was just prefect, huh? Not having to leave the school that he's been at forever. Not having to leave all his friends behind. Not having to leave his room and belongings behind. Fuck him.

I quickly turned and gave Mom and Dad half-hearted hugs. They didn't deserve anything more. "Bye." I muttered, walking back towards the truck and hopping into the passenger seat.

As soon as I was situated and adjusted my seat belt, I dug my headphones out of my purse and shoved them in my ears before plugging them into my Iphone and turning my music up.

 Hopefully my brother would take the hint.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Halfway through the ride, my stomach started to growl. I barely had enough time to get ready this morning, let alone eat. I decided to ignore the panging and turned up my music once more. Maybe if I didn't hear it growl..

Before I could test out my theory, Cryus yanked one of my headphones out.

"What?" I snapped, turning my head to glare at him.

He sighed while he ran a hand through his hair. "Look, Hanna, I know you're upset with me, but I honestly had nothing to do with it. They just told me that you were going to live with me and I had to come get you. They didn't tell me why or anything. I just agreed because you're my baby sister and I love you -so please, don't be mad at me?"

"Cyrus, you don't understand what it's like to be suddenly stripped of everything you've known. I'm not mad at you, I never was. I'm just not in the mood for anything right now."

Cyrus started to laugh as he shook his head. "No, I don't understand. But I do know that you're hungry and you get really cranky when you don't eat. So, let's go through a McDonald's drive thru. Sound good?"

I nodded my head, resting it against the headrest. A McDouble did sound really good right now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the ride to Boston, or should I say home, my mood changed for the better. Whether it was the Mcdouble that was now happily in my stomach or the fact that Cryus told me really funny stories about his team members the rest of the way home, I don't know. And I really didn't care. I was just extremely relieved to be able to stretch my legs whenever we pulled into the apartment garage around 2:30 in the afternoon.

Cyrus helped me unload my bags from the bed of the truck, thankfully. He directed me up to his apartment, which was on the 6th floor, and even gave me a tour of the place. I was surprised because I figured he would have left me to fend for myself.

Once we finished the tour, he turned to me. "I have practice at 4:00," He said as he glanced at the clock. What a surprise there. "But I want you to come with me, so go change into something more presentable and fix yourself up. Try to look nice."

I glared at him. "Are you telling me I don't look nice right now?"

"I'm telling you that you look like you just got home from a 5 hour drive. Wrinkled and such." He explained simply, shrugging his shoulder.

"I hate you, Cy." I said, rolling my eyes and making my way into my new room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

30 minutes later, I came out of my room dressed in my patterned black and white leggings, a slouchy pink sweater complete with a navy blue polka dotted scarf, and my black studded combat boots. I left my long, brown hair straight and my makeup natural. I had also grabbed my navy blue purse with an anchor on it that matched my scarf to pull it all together.

I entered the kitchen where Cyrus was waiting, propped up against the island in the center of the room. His eyes scanned me up and down. "Damn, when did my baby sister get so old?" He said absentmindedly. "You look great, Han."

I smiled. "Thanks. Now you don't have to be embarrassed of a wrinkly little sister."

Cyrus laughed as he grabbed his keys and lead the way to the front door. "I just want you to make a good impression, is all. After all, these guys are like my brothers." He stated matter-of-factly.

Great, and I thought one brother was a handful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

Hanna's outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=76458412

Hey, guys!

I'm sorry this is a little boring, but it's the first chapter and I always hate writing the first chapter! It'll get MUCH better, trust me. (;

I decided to start this series because, well, I love hockey. I grew up with it and I fell in love with it over the years. (: I kind of created this story for girls - possibly guys if they read this - like me, who want a hockey love. I'm still waiting for mine, so in the mean time, I'm going to fantasize through this story. I hope you enjoy!

- G.