Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Two

"You ready for today Kolby?" It was a week later and my dad, Lily, and I had arrived in Pittsburgh last night. We were staying with my uncle John at his place for a few weeks until we figured everything out. Today was my first practice with all the players and to say I was nervous was an understatement.

I had already sent my hockey sticks ahead and my helmet so they could use it to make me a new one with the logo on it. Along with those, I had given them my sizes of skates, shorts, jerseys, and other things they'd think I needed. I was going to keep my protective gear the same because that wasn't a big deal.

"No. What if they don't like me?! I want this but I don't know if I'm ready for all the media attention and what not." I ran my hands through my hair before shoving them into my jacket pockets.

"It's a little too late for that. You're going and you're going to have fun. Now come on." Uncle John picked up a half asleep Lily and started pushing me to the door. "Justin, grab her bag please."

The ride to the Consol Energy Center felt like hours. My anxiety was getting worse and worse the closer we got. When we finally got there we went around the back too where the players entered. I sat in the car for a few minutes trying to calm myself down.

"You'll be fine Kolbs, I promise. If anyone gives you a hard time I'll come teach them a lesson." I cracked a smile and shook my head at my dad. He may be old and a little out of shape but I wouldn't doubt his fighting skills on or off the ice.

"I'll be fine. Thanks guys. See you later." Getting into the building proved to be harder then it looked. No one would let me in no matter what I said. I would've thought someone would have told them too let me in. I was lucky Coach finally came out and yelled at them.

"Sorry about that Kolby. They get a lot of random people always trying to sneak in."

"Oh no, it's fine. They're just doing their job." I followed him into his office and went to set my bag on the floor when someone grabbed it from me.

"Here, I'll take this and set your stuff out in the locker room." I hesitantly handed my bag over to the guy I now recognized as their equipment manager, Dana Heinze. I had nothing to hide in my bag; I was just a very organized person and liked my stuff put out a certain way.

"Uh thank you." He nodded his head and was out the door the next second. I sat in the chair that Coach Johnston pointed too and nervously wiggled my fingers.

"Okay we're just waiting on-" I didn't turn around too see who it was, to scared to face whoever it was. "Here's the man of the hour. Sid, take a seat. I'd like you to meet Kolby Bair."

I hate my full name because it sounded like everyone was just called me 'Kolby Bear' as a nickname.

"Kolby, it's nice to finally meet you." Finally meeting Sidney's eyes, I shook his hand. My throat felt like it was closing, not allowing me to say anything back. "Coach has been telling the team about you for weeks now." He sat in the seat next to me as Coach let out a laugh.

"I have to say, I've been waiting for this day for a month now. Kolby is a very talented player and I think she's gonna bring something new to the ice for our team."

"Thank you, Coach and nice to meet you too Sidney."

"Alright, let's go over a few things so we can get you settled into the locker room."

For the next 20 minutes Johnston and Sidney went over everything with me; from what lines I was going too be trying out to what games are coming up and which ones they want me to play in. My team skates and Jerseys were already at my spot in the locker room and they decided that the sticks I sent over before, would work. I was able to keep my number, 78, since no one else had it on the team.