Blades Of Love

01 || slow motion

The sound of the coach's whistle cut through the air, sending a shiver down my spine. The ice rink was alive with anticipation, the fate of twenty players hanging in the balance as only fifteen would secure a spot on the team.

"Listen up, everybody," Coach Barnley's voice echoed across the ice, commanding attention. "We're going to have a silent match. I'll divide you into two teams, and you'll play without calling for each other. You have to be focused on everyone's moves."

The intensity of the game was palpable. Among the players, there was one who stood out—a smaller guy who played with an unmatched ferocity. It was a challenge to get past him, but I couldn't help but admire his skill and determination. He would undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the team.

As the match concluded, we lined up before Coach Barnley, anticipation thick in the air. With a headset still on, he began calling out jersey numbers, each one signifying a player who had secured their spot on the team.

"Number 1," he announced, and I stepped forward.

"Coleman Rhodes," I introduced myself, a surge of pride coursing through me.

"Number 16"

"Maddox," my best friend says as he takes his helmet off

"Number 5"

"Grayson," our goolie and my housemate says

"Number 9"

The coach continued down the line until only a few spots remained to be filled.

"And finally, number 25," he declared.

"Aurora Eve," the gym girl replied, gracefully removing her helmet. Time seemed to slow as I watched her, a sense of awe washing over me.

But not everyone shared my sentiment. Phill, ever the antagonist, couldn't hide his disdain.

"You've got to be kidding, right, coach?" he spat out, his tone dripping with arrogance.

Coach Barnley's response was swift. "Got a problem?"

"Yes, are you seriously putting a girl in my spot?" Phill's disdain was palpable.

But before the coach could respond, Aurora spoke up, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Maybe you're just that bad," she retorted a hint of amusement in her tone, earning a round of laughter from the team.

Unfazed, Phill challenged her to a one-on-one showdown. The tension mounted as they faced off on the ice, the stakes higher than ever. With the blow of the whistle, Aurora sprang into action, displaying skill and finesse as she effortlessly outmaneuvered Phill, sending him crashing into the net.

She was nothing short of amazing.

As Aurora skated back to join the team, a triumphant smile graced her lips. With a pointed glance back at Phill, she delivered the final blow.

"Do you want me to show you the door, or can you find it yourself?" she quipped, her confidence unwavering.

In that moment, Aurora had not only earned her place on the team but had also proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with. And as we celebrated our victory, I couldn't help but feel grateful to have her as a teammate.

🏒🏒

The coach's voice cut through the air, addressing the elephant in the room with a straightforwardness that left no room for ambiguity.

"As you all can see, we have a girl on the team, which means we'll need to establish some locker room rules," Coach declared, his tone firm but respectful. We nodded in agreement, ready to heed his guidance.

"Showering will have to be done in your underwear, and no nudity. No one wants to see it," he emphasized, directing his gaze towards Aurora. "Aurora, if by any chance you feel uncomfortable, we'll try to arrange a separate locker room for you."

"Thank you, but we're all adults here, I'm sure it won't be an issue," Aurora responded confidently, her demeanor unwavering.

With that settled, Coach Barnley dismissed us, outlining plans for upcoming gym sessions and ice practices. We exchanged farewells, excitement buzzing in the air as we anticipated the journey ahead.

I hurried to catch up with Aurora, eager to express my admiration for her performance on the ice.

"Hey!" I greeted her with a smile as I reached her side.

"Hi!" she returned the greeting, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she looked up at me. She was slightly smaller than me, but her presence was undeniable.

"I just wanted to say that you were amazing out there," I complimented her earnestly.

"During the game or when I handed Phill his ass?" she quipped, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.

"Can I say both?" I chuckled, enjoying her sense of humor.

She laughed in response, and I couldn't help but join in, the tension of the tryouts dissipating with each shared moment of levity.

"Well, thank you! I'll see you on Friday!" she waved as she began to walk away.

"See ya!" I called after her, watching her retreating figure with a newfound sense of admiration.

Maddox slapped me on the back, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Already flirting with the new girl?" he teased.

"What? No! I just met her this morning at the gym, and I never expected to see her again for this," I protested, feeling caught off guard by his accusation.

"She was fire on the rink. Can't wait to play alongside her," Maddox remarked, his excitement mirroring my own.

I nodded in agreement, a sense of camaraderie forming as we looked forward to the challenges and triumphs that lay ahead.