One in 2330 ~ Connor Bedard Love Story

6. Meet the Team

Hanging out with Jack and Luke in New Jersey was fun, but it wasn't the same as Ottawa. Probably because I had created connections with so many of the guys in Ottawa due to me being there so much. 

It was finally time for Luke and I to head out to Canada and I was stressing out! What if they realise that choosing me was a mistake? What if I wasn't actually allowed to join? What if the team didn't like me? What if I was absolutely terrible? All of these questions swirled around my brain and I was a mess.

"Sophie! Calm down. You're gonna be fine." Luke said, grabbing me by the shoulders.

"H-how do you know that, Luke? What if I completely mess this up?" I sobbed, tears falling down my face.

"Because I've known you my entire life and I know that you're gonna be great out there. Just breathe and you'll be okay." Luke assured me, pulling me into a hug.

"Thanks, Luke," I sniffled, wiping away some tears. 

"Of course, Soph. Now, come on. We have a flight to catch!" Luke cheered, making me chuckle slightly. 

I gave Jack one last hug goodbye before Luke and I headed to the airport for our flight to Moncton, New Brunswick, where we'd be staying for the next few months. 

*  *  *

Have I ever said that I hate flying on planes? Luke and I's flight to Moncton was worse than our flight to New Jersey from St. Louis and my flight back from Ottawa combined. We had people swarming us, firing questions one after another, people climbing over seats to try to talk to us, it was chaos. The situation had gotten so bad that some security guards on the plane had to take us to a free first class seat so we could escape. 

"Thank you so much," I said once Luke and I had entered the room.

"Of course. I'll be right outside if you need anything." the security guard told us before he closed the door.

"I thought you said you were gonna get first class tickets this time." I teased.

"Yeah, well... I forgot..." Luke replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. 

*  *  *

Luke and I were the first ones off of the plane, and almost immediately after we got off, news reporters surrounded us, asking us questions about the World Juniors.

"Luke! How does it feel to be playing with your best friend in the World Juniors this year?"

"Sophie, are you surprised that you made the World Juniors?"

It was question, after question, after question. They just never stopped. Thankfully, USA Hockey had arranged for us to have our very own security with us while we were in Canada, so they immediately rushed over to us and started moving the reporters out of the way so Luke and I could grab our stuff. 

"How the hell do you and Jack manage to deal with this all the time?" I asked Luke after we had gotten into a limo that would take us to our hotel. I didn't really understand why the limo was necessary, but who was I to complain?

"Believe me when I say, we haven't. It's honestly really annoying, but I guess we just tune it out." Luke shrugged. 

Once the limo had pulled up to the hotel, Luke helped me out of the car, pretending to act like a British gentleman.

"M'lady," Luke said, bowing slightly, arm extended. 

"Seriously, Luke?" I chuckled, unable to keep it in. This was just too funny. I accepted his hand and he helped me out of the limo.