WOSO Imagines

Oh, Canada pt. 2 (Jessie Fleming)

Throughout the warm-up, I can't stop smiling. There's a giddiness bubbling inside me, boosting my energy to a level it hasn't been at in a while. I feel like I'm about to have the game of my life, all because I have a date with Jessie Fleming.

"Okay, who spiked Ads' Gatorade?" Emma teases as I snowplow into her. "You're like the fucking Energizer bunny right now. What happened?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," I sing, skating off to take another shot on Masch.

"Ada, cool it, it's just a warmup," Laura calls. "You're gonna bang up our tendie before the puck even drops."

"She's in La La Land right now," Emma says.

Laura raises an eyebrow. "Oh? Why?"

Emma shrugs. "Beats me."

"Might it have something to do with whatever you and Jessie Fleming discussed while I was gone?" Pou chimes in, grinning at me.

"Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. I guess we'll never know."

"As long as she plays a good game, I could care less," Laura says, passing me another puck.

"I need the juicy details," Emma says. "Pou, what happened?"

"Ada was being very awkward before I left them alone, and when I came back, they were all smiles. I don't know," Pou tells her.

"They barely interacted during lunch. Are you sure this has anything to do with Jessie and not drugs?"

Pou laughs. "I really cannot tell."

I convince Jamie Lee to let me take over DJ-ing duties for the night, blasting Tate McCrae's "Greedy" as we wait for the go-ahead to take the ice. I can feel the electric buzz of Brandt Center from the dressing room.

"Ads, you're actually vibrating right now," Emily says. "Are you good?"

"I'm gonna score a hattrick tonight, Clarky," I boast, smiling slyly at her.

She raises an eyebrow at me. "Really? And what brought about this confidence?"

"Freckles."

As we line up in the tunnel, Coach Ryan calls me over. "Change of plans. They want you and Heise to do the puck drop."

There's a tiny tug in my chest. "Why?"

"Something about showcasing young talent in women's sports. Since Fleming is around your age, it made sense. Plus, the drama of ex-teammates facing off. Okay?"

"Okay."

I stand proudly beside my teammates as the anthem echoes through the arena, biting my lip to keep a cheeky smile off my face as I think about being near Jessie again. I am an emotion-driven player, as passionate as I am smart. My heart is as important as my head. When I feel big emotions, I allow it to change the way I play, usually for the better. When the anthem ends, applause ripples through the stands and we tap our sticks on the ice.

They announce Jessie, who waves to the crowd as she takes the ice, wearing a Team Canada #17 jersey with her name on it, her curls bobbing around her face. I can't help but think about how pretty she looks as I skate towards her.

"They let you play Captain tonight, Addy?" Taylor asks as we come face to face.

I laugh. "Would be a poor decision. It's good to see you, Theise."

She rolls her eyes. "I told you not to call me that."

We take our possessions, turning towards the camera to smile. Jessie drops the puck, and the crowd goes wild as I pull it away from Taylor, picking it up off the ice as she shakes hands with Jessie.