One in 2330 ~ Connor Bedard Love Story

4. First in 47 Years

~Don't tell me to calm down~

~*~*~

The flight home was crazy! Brady and Emma had dropped me off at the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International and wished me good luck as the US World Juniors hockey team roster would be released while I would be on the plane.

"Thanks guys," I said, giving them one last hug. "I'm gonna miss you."

"We're gonna miss you too, Soph, but I promise you that we will be there when you play in the World Juniors." Brady assured me.

I gave them one last wave before I walked down the loading bridge and found my seat on the plane. Once the plane had taken off and gotten to the designated altitude, I pulled out my computer and airpods and turned on a movie, buckling down for the 4h 31 minute flight back home.

Around halfway through the flight, I had gotten a notification on my phone telling me that USA Hockey had indeed released the roster for this year's World Juniors. A few minutes later, I sensed a large commotion from around me but I decided to ignore it as it had nothing to do with me. It was only when I was trying to exit the plane when it landed that all of the racket was, in fact, because of me.

I was trying to leave my seat by the window near the middle of the plane when all of a sudden, people started crowding around me, people pulling out their phones, taking pictures of me. I had questions fired at me one after another and it felt like it wouldn't stop until a security guard from the airport had to forcefully clear a path for me.

"Thank you very much," I thanked him as I stepped off the plane and made my way to collect my luggage. More security guards had to escort me throughout the airport as there were crowds of people trying to get to me, asking questions and taking photos.

I had eventually made it to the exit where my dad was already waiting for me, so thankfully I didn't have to wait around for a taxi.

"Did you know that you're making headlines now?" my dad asked me once I had hopped into the passenger's seat after throwing my bags into the back of the car.

"I am?" I replied incredulously.

"Soph, you're the first girl in 47 years to ever make the World Juniors, which is an all boys tournament, and you're saying that you didn't know that you were making headlines?" my dad exclaimed.

"I'm gonna have to do interviews, aren't I?" I sighed. My dad, Matthew and Brady had all told me how all of their interviews went, and even though they liked them, I didn't see the appeal. Sure, I was the first girl to ever make the World Juniors, but I really didn't want to share what this meant to me. I just wanted to play hockey because I liked to play hockey. I didn't need all of the fame and glory. Also, I wasn't the biggest fan of spilling my life story to a whole bunch of people I don't even know. I'd rather get to know the person and create a bond with that person before I tell them everything about me. Thankfully, my dad knew this as well. 

"Yeah, you are, but I can try to hold off the interviewers for as long as possible if you want." My dad suggested. 

"That would be great Dad, thank you." I thanked him, sighing in relief. 

*  *  *

I had looked at the USA Hockey website to see who I would be playing with at the World Juniors when I had gotten home and I have to say I was excited for my team this year. My fellow fowards were Jackson Blake, Tyler Boucher, Gavin Brindley, Jimmy Snuggerud, Logan Cooley, Dylan Duke, Cutter Gauthier, Noah Laba, Sam Lipkin, Chaz Lucius, Rutger McGroarty, Red Savage and Charlie Stramel.