Back to You

Ethan

After our win in the Frozen 4, the team went out to celebrate to our normal bar, the one where Mia use to work. The drinks were flowing constantly with people buying us drinks all night. I limited the number I had as I know we have another game, the championship game in 3 days and if we want to win that, we need to be better.

I'd had lots of messages from friends saying congrats on the win but I kept looking for one from a specific person but it never came. I'm not sure why I was even waiting for it. She might not have even watched the game, I know she sent one before and why was I disappointed when I never got it. I'm still angry at Mia for leaving how she did and keeping everything about her ex contacting her a secret.

For the next couple of days, it's all about getting prepared for the championship game. Coach is working us extra hard making sure our timing and combinations are working to their best. We need to be at the top of our game to win this and we all want to win this especially the seniors in the team.

Walking down the stairs to the kitchen for my typical game day breakfast, I only find Jake in the living room and he's on the phone. I catch part of his conversation as I make my way into the kitchen to start cooking.

"... I'm so glad that you can make the trip down tonight and that you don't have to work......... No, he doesn't......... Not sure, guess we'll see this afternoon." He sounds hesitate with his last few answers and when I look over at him, he's already looking at me "Anyway I've gotta go. Hope you can stick around after the game...... Understand Alright Bye."

"Ready for the game?" Jake askes me as I start to get all the ingredients out of the fridge.

"Feeling good today but I'm sure the nerves will hit closer to the game" I answer as I get out a pan to start heating up while I start to cut everything up. "So, who's coming down to watch?" I question him about the phone call he was on before. He hesitates and looks like he doesn't want to answer.

"Just an old family friend I haven't seen in a while" not sure whether I believe him but I'm not sure why he'd lie to me, so I just continue cooking. Alex and Sienna walk into the kitchen as I'm about to dish up our food. I grab an extra plate and share the food amongst us. We talk about the game a little but not too much as I don't want to overthink things this early before the game. Sienna then pipes up cheerfully "I can't wait until tonight to see..." and she just stops talking. I look up and she continues "Raya". I give her a questioning look. "Didn't you two spend the day together yesterday?" I question.

"Um yeah but she's going all out with the school spirit for today's game. I just can't wait to see how she looks" A little odd, as Raya normally just wears a jersey and maybe some ribbons in her hair never anything outrageous.

Jake breaks me from my thoughts "Anyway, we better get going for the skate. Can't keep coach waiting" We clear our plates and Sienna says that she'll clean up while we're gone. Skate goes well, coach has the whole team focused on the task for today's game and that's win.

Walking into the arena feels surreal. It's the last time I'll be walking in for a game at college and I'm doing it with my 2 best friends. Trying to stay focused on the game, I put my air buds in and start to play my pregame playlist. These songs just seem to clear my head and get me ready for the game. The crowd is electric tonight, again being at our home stadium is a dream. Skating out for the warmup and the crowd goes absolutely wild. The noise is indescribable, I have never heard it this loud before. It makes me think about what it's going to be like in the NHL next season.

Deep into the 3rd period and the scores are tied at 2-all. We have dominated in this game, but their goalie is phenomenal and has made some great saves. I'm currently sitting on the bench watching our second line try to penetrate their defense but it's just not happening. Coach calls for a line switch and I'm over the rail in no time, I'm just itching to get back out on the ice to finish this game. Receiving the puck from one of our defensemen, I skate towards to side of the rink to give the other guys some space in the middle. I manage to get past one of the opposition guys but can see another 2 headed straight for me, I make the pass to Alex before getting slammed into the glass. But this wasn't just a normal hit, I can feel a sharp pain in my side. I drop to the ice grabbing at my ribs knowing that they could possibly be broken.