Rinkside Romance

TWO

The next morning, Mason woke up to the sound of seagulls squawking outside his bedroom window. He stretched, feeling the familiar ache in his muscles from the previous night's practice. His room was a shrine to hockey, with posters of his favorite players on the walls and trophies lining the shelves. He glanced at his alarm clock and realized he had just enough time to grab breakfast before heading to school.

Downstairs, the kitchen was a hive of activity. His mom, Layla, was bustling around, making breakfast while his dad, Edward, sipped coffee and read the newspaper. Evan, Mason's eleven-year-old brother, was engrossed in a video game on his tablet.

"Morning, Mase," Layla greeted him, placing a plate of toast and eggs in front of him. "How was practice last night?"

"Good," Mason replied, digging into his breakfast. "Coach had us doing some pretty intense drills."

Edward looked up from his newspaper. "You'll need all the practice you can get if you want to impress the scouts next month."

Mason nodded, trying to push the pressure to the back of his mind. He had always felt the weight of his family's expectations, but he loved hockey too much to let it overwhelm him.

"Any plans after school?" Edward asked.

"Not really," Mason said, thinking back to his conversation with Annika. He couldn't get her out of his mind. "Might just hang out with some friends."

Edward nodded approvingly. "Good. Just make sure you're home in time for dinner."

Mason finished his breakfast and grabbed his backpack. "See you later, guys."

As he walked to school, the crisp Blackpool air filled his lungs. The town was alive with the sounds of tourists and locals going about their day. Mason's school, Blackpool High, was a large, old building with ivy-covered walls and a sprawling campus.

In art class, Mason found himself absentmindedly doodling hockey sticks and pucks in the margins of his notebook. His mind kept wandering back to Annika and the way her eyes had lit up when she talked about her drawings.

Annika, meanwhile, was settling into her new school, trying to navigate the unfamiliar hallways and figure out where she fit in. She missed Oklahoma, with its wide-open spaces and familiar faces, but there was something exciting about Blackpool that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

During lunch, Annika found a quiet spot under a tree in the school courtyard. She pulled out her sketchbook and began to draw, losing herself in the process. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice Mason approaching.

"Hey, mind if I join you?" Mason asked, startling her out of her concentration.

Annika looked up, surprised but pleased to see him. "Sure, go ahead."

Mason sat down beside her, glancing at her sketchbook. "You're really good, you know that?"

Annika smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thanks. Drawing helps me relax. It's been a bit overwhelming, moving here and starting over."

"I get that," Mason said. "I moved here when I was younger. It's tough at first, but you'll find your way."

"Where did you live before?" Annika asked, curiosity piqued.

"Burford," Mason said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It's a small town, nothing like this place."

"Do you miss it?" Annika asked.

"Sometimes," Mason admitted. "But Blackpool has grown on me. There's something about this town that feels like home now."

They fell into an easy conversation, sharing stories about their families and their lives before Blackpool. Mason learned that Annika's dad, Cameron, was a former hockey coach who had taken a job in Blackpool to be closer to his family in the UK. Her mom, Porscha, was a writer who worked from home.

"What about you?" Annika asked. "Any siblings?"

"Yeah, I have a younger brother, Evan," Mason said with a smile. "He's eleven and completely obsessed with video games."

Annika laughed. "Sounds like my little cousin, Lucas. He's thirteen and can't get enough of them either."

The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Mason stood up, offering Annika a hand to help her up. "We should do this again sometime."

"I'd like that," Annika said, her heart fluttering at the thought.

As the days passed, Mason and Annika grew closer, finding solace in their shared love for hockey and art. They often met after school at the local rink, where Annika would sketch while Mason practiced. Their friendship deepened with each passing day, the connection between them growing stronger.

One afternoon, as they walked home from the rink, Mason turned to Annika. "You know, my birthday's coming up next week. I was thinking of having a small get-together. Would you like to come?"

Annika's eyes lit up. "I'd love to. When is it?"

"July 12th," Mason said with a grin. "We'll probably just hang out at my place, maybe watch a movie or something."

"I'll be there," Annika promised.

The day of Mason's birthday arrived, and Annika found herself feeling unexpectedly nervous. She had picked out a small gift for him - a sketch she had done of him on the ice, framed and wrapped in simple brown paper. She hoped he would like it.

When she arrived at Mason's house, she was greeted by the warm, welcoming chaos of the Ridge family. Layla was in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on a birthday cake, while Edward was setting up a projector in the living room. Evan was running around, excitedly showing off his new video game to anyone who would listen.

"Mason's in the backyard," Layla said with a smile. "Go on through."

Annika found Mason outside, tossing a puck around with some friends. He looked up as she approached, his face lighting up. "Hey, you made it!"

"Of course," Annika said, handing him the wrapped gift. "Happy birthday."

Mason took the package, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. He carefully unwrapped it, revealing the framed sketch. His expression softened as he looked at it, clearly touched.

"This is amazing, Annika," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Thank you so much."

"I'm glad you like it." Annika said, feeling a warm glow of happiness.

As the evening went on, Annika found herself feeling more and more at home with Mason and his family. They laughed, shared stories, and celebrated Mason's birthday with a warmth that made her feel like she belonged.

As the sun set and the party wound down, Mason and Annika found themselves sitting together on the porch, watching the stars come out.

"Thank you for coming tonight," Mason said softly. "It means a lot to me."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," Annika replied, her heart full.