Unknown Beginning

Part 1

"C'mon Riley, we're gonna be late!" Kenny called from the living room. Kelsey Kennedy, affectionately called 'Kenny' by her roommate and best friend, Riley was thrumming her hand on the counter impatiently as she waited. Kenny's long, slightly wild red hair existed in contrast to her petite frame and sweet personality. Kenny was the even-tempered calm one in this duo. Her roommate, Riley, was less striking physically yet often described as weird or more politely 'quirky'. Riley was just above average height at 5'5" with an athletic build, brown hair, and blue eyes. Riley felt there was nothing particularly remarkable about her appearance and often complimented Kenny on her striking green eyes, the freckles that speckled her face, and of course, her vibrant hair.

Riley and Kenny had not known each other long and yet became fast friends. Living together had not been planned and instead was pure luck. Riley had just transferred to this small university in Maine after leaving Harvard following the completion of her freshman year. Riley had been scouted by Harvard to play Division 1 soccer there and was offered a full ride as a Junior in High School. Other schools had made similar offers yet the proximity of Boston to her brother and her hometown in New Hampshire, made Harvard an easy choice. Except Riley had not factored in the city life that came with it, nor the intensity of being a Division 1 athlete.

After researching and reaching out to other schools in New England, Riley had settled on this school in southern Maine where she could play Division 3 soccer instead. Although Division 3 schools couldn't offer a full ride for sports, her academic status combined with other scholarships and financial aid meant this school was also completely covered for expenses.

When all of those details had been straightened out, all that was left was to move in. Which is what had brought Riley and Kenny together. Riley had been placed in the upperclassmen dormitory that most athletes on campus lived in. The suite layout meant all four girls had their own rooms with 2 separate shared bathrooms. Riley and Kenny's rooms were on one side of the suite and shared a bathroom while Steph and The Other Kelsey (Kelsey Rodgers) lived on the opposite side. The Other Kelsey, as Riley referred to her, and Steph both played soccer with Riley. They were nice enough but Kenny and Riley had just clicked.

Kenny had randomly been thrown into this suite too when her friends, third-years, decided at the last minute to live off campus instead. Kenny played hockey which is how she ended up placed in the athlete dorm with Steph and Kelsey despite not knowing them. Kenny was normally fairly shy but knowing Riley was new to campus had prompted Kenny to show her around and invite her to open skate and the hockey rink on campus one day. Kenny hadn't known that Riley used to play on her high school's boys hockey team and that colleges had scouted her to play hockey as well. It wasn't until Riley joined Kenny on the ice that Kenny learned briefly about Riley's history with hockey and came up with the brilliant idea that Riley should join the women's hockey team too.

"Riley! Coach V said she'd only be in her office until 3pm! We need to leave!" Kenny tried again.

"Yeah yeah yeah I know. I'm here! Let's go." Riley hurriedly replied as she pulled a green hoodie over her head. "Your coach hasn't even seen me play, she's not going to let me join without trying out, Kenny."

"I told her your name a couple weeks ago and she said she'd look you up. Maybe she found some footage of you or something and now she wants to offer you a spot" Kenny said hopefully.

Riley rolled her eyes, slinging her backpack further onto her shoulder "I don't think it works that way."

"Well she asked you to come see her so we should at least find out what she wants" Kenny explained.

"Sure sure but don't leave me alone with her, ok?"

Kenny bumped her elbow into Riley playfully "She's not gonna bite you know"

"Yeah I know but I'm still nervous. I don't know why she wants to see me" Riley said, anxiety tinting her voice.