Hockey Fights and Restless Nights

The Long Bus Ride

As the weekend ended, our team received a group-me text alerting us that we had to be at the school on the first day of February break, this Monday, to get on the bus. The message also included that the camp was 5 days long and that we had to pack appropriately. The ending of the message was what caught me by the biggest surprise, "make sure to say a great goodbye to your parents because  your phones will be taken away upon arrival of the camp." I don't know how Im going to go 1 day without my phone let alone 5.

I still haven't received any texts or snaps from Caleb but I tried to put it behind me because this week was about more than that. I hate to admit it but coach was kind of right, our team is going to come out better and stronger than ever. With college decisions and commitments running wild throughout my school it has really had me thinking about school and that fact that I really want to play college hockey, and hopefully get an offer because of it.

As my mom dropped me off at the school I saw all of my bed-headed teammates hug their parents before walking over to our school bus. After hugging my mom goodbye I took my coffee and loaded myself into the bus, sitting in the middle with my junior friend, Brett. Soon after, Caleb walked into the bus and looked straight ahead as he passed me to sit in the last seat alone. It was hard to not look at him, he was wearing sweatpants and clearly no underwear and a big oversized hoodie.

When everyone had filed in coach came on the bus and gave us all the rundown. It was a 3 hour ride, we would stop for breakfast in 2 hours. Once again he informed us about how we need to work better together and blah blah and all love eachother so so much. He also informed us that coaches weren't allowed at this camp so that he would be far away in a hotel and wouldn't been seen until the Friday when we leave.

The two hours rushed by, mainly because I fell asleep on Brett while listening to my music. But ge didn't care, just like everyone else on the bus he was alseep too. We arrived at a Waffle House around 730am and were all woken up to the smell of bacon and waffles. The whole team including Bret hopped up and ran inside to throw their orders in, claim a booth, and go to the bathrooms. Thinking I was alone and the last one or "rotten egg" as Brett put it, I stood up from my seat and looked around. Clearly I want the last one because there was Caleb walking towards the front of the bus.

"Good morning." He said in a raspy, deep, tired voice. "Nice hair" he said as he ran his hand through my hair, fixing it.

"So we're talking now?" I asked.

"A man can't say good morning... what has the world come to?" Caleb said jokingly whilst exiting the bus. I followed behind and we sat down at the waffle house bar with the other seniors and I put in my order of bacon, coffee, and pancakes.

About an hour and a 300 dollar bill later we were back in the road. Eveyone was wide awake now as we came to our final hour of our bus ride. Forests and mountains swarmed our car as we approached the camp.

The camp was surrounded by forest, a lake, and other New England essential elements. No hockey rink in site. We took our things and hopped out of the bus. "Good luck fellas, and I'll see you at the end of the week, hopefully as a new and improved team." Coach said before closing the bus door and leaving.