The Perfect Shot

Chapter 1: The New Photographer

   Stevie's POV

  I took a deep breath as I stepped into the rink, the chill in the air a stark contrast to the bustling city outside. Today was my first day as the official photographer for the New Jersey Devils, and I could barely contain my excitement. I had dreamed of this moment for years, and finally, it was here.

 I walked with purpose towards the bench, my camera bag slung over my shoulder. The players were already on the ice, their skates carving up the surface with practiced ease. The familiar sounds of the rink—the whoosh of skates, the clink of sticks—felt like music to my ears. I loved this atmosphere, the energy, the passion. It was exactly why I had fought so hard to land this gig.

 As I unpacked my gear, adjusting the lens on my camera, my attention was drawn to Jack Hughes. He was effortlessly weaving through drills, his movements smooth and precise. Even in the midst of practice, he radiated a kind of charisma that was hard to ignore. Jack Hughes—the golden boy of the Devils. 

 I'd heard so much about him, and now, here he was, right in front of me.

 I focused my camera on him, capturing a few shots of his impressive maneuvers. Just as I was getting into my rhythm, Jack skated over to the bench, stopping a few feet away from me. He flashed a casual grin that seemed both confident and curious.

 "Hey," he called out, his voice cutting through the noise of the rink. "You must be the new photographer."

 I looked up from my camera, meeting his gaze head-on. "That's me. Stevie Lawson."

 "Jack Hughes," he said, extending a gloved hand. "Nice to meet you."

 I shook his hand firmly, my grip steady. "Likewise."

  Jack's eyes flicked to my camera. "You've done this kind of thing before?"

 I nodded, trying to keep my tone as professional as possible while still conveying a touch of warmth. "Worked with a few teams, but this is definitely the biggest gig. Looking forward to capturing you guys in action."

 "Biggest gig, huh?" Jack echoed, leaning on his stick with an easy charm. "Well, welcome to the Devils. We're not too bad."

I couldn't help but smirk. "I've heard. I'll make sure you all look good."

 Jack chuckled, then glanced around the rink. "Just remember, I've got a lot of good sides."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "If you say so."

 He smirked, clearly entertained. "You're quick. I like that."

 "Good to know," I replied, turning back to my camera. "Now, if you don't mind, I've got some shots to get."

 Jack raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Don't let me distract you."

 As he skated back onto the ice, I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. Jack Hughes was exactly what I expected—confident, maybe a little too much, but not unbearable. I wasn't here to be impressed, though. I was here to do my job, and I was determined to do it well.

 I spent the rest of practice snapping photos, capturing the intensity and focus of the drills. Every so often, I found myself catching Jack's movements, his smirks, and the way he seemed to glance over at me, curious if I was watching. It was both distracting and fascinating.

When practice wrapped up and the players started heading off the ice, I packed up my gear, feeling a sense of satisfaction with the shots I had taken. But the day wasn't quite over yet.

 The assistant coach called out, "Alright, guys, gather around! Quick introduction before you hit the showers."

My heart skipped a beat. Public speaking wasn't exactly my strong suit, but I wasn't about to let that show. Confidence was key. I straightened my shoulders and prepared to introduce myself.

 The team huddled near the bench, some still catching their breath, others casually chatting. Jack stood toward the front, his helmet off, his hair a sweaty mess but still looking effortlessly cool. 

 As I walked over, I caught a glimpse of Nico Hischier making his way to the front of the group. Nico, the team captain, had a natural presence that commanded respect and attention.

"Everyone, this is Stevie Lawson," the assistant coach announced. "She's our new photographer. Treat her with the same respect you do everyone else on this team."

 Nico's eyes lit up when he saw me. "Hey, Stevie!" he called out, stepping forward with a friendly smile. "Welcome to the team. I'm Nico Hischier."

 I felt a wave of relief wash over me at his warm reception. "Hi, Nico. Thanks for the welcome. I'm excited to be here."

 Nico gave me a reassuring nod. "Glad to have you. If you need anything or just want to grab a coffee sometime, let me know."

 "Definitely," I said, feeling genuinely grateful. "I might take you up on that."

 Jack, who had been standing nearby, leaned in slightly. "Nico's the best ."

 "Good to know," I said, giving Jack a quick smile before turning back to Nico. "Thanks for the offer, Nico."

 Nico waved it off with a chuckle. "No problem. We're all here to make sure you feel welcome."

 As the introductions continued, the rest of the team offered their greetings. Dawson Mercer, Luke Hughes, Timo Meier, Jake Allen, Curtis Lazar, and Erik Haula each had their own unique personalities, and the camaraderie among them was evident. 

  Dawson's friendly demeanor, Luke's reserved approach, Timo's quiet confidence, Jake's relaxed attitude, Curtis's supportive pat on the back, and Erik's easygoing nature all added to the welcoming atmosphere.

 Jack, who was still nearby, gave me a quick nod. "Seriously, Stevie. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

 "I'll keep that in mind," I said, appreciating the support.

 With the introductions complete, the team began to disperse, heading toward the locker room. Nico stayed behind for a moment, giving me an encouraging smile. "You did great. I'm sure you'll fit right in."

 "Thanks, Nico," I said, feeling a genuine connection with him.

 As I packed up my gear, I couldn't help but reflect on the day. The team had been welcoming, and Jack's earlier cocky attitude had softened. Nico's friendship was a reassuring anchor, and I felt optimistic about what the future held.For now, I was focused on doing my job and proving that I belonged here.