The Perfect Shot

Chapter 3: Off the Ice

 The rink was quiet when I arrived for my first full day of shooting practice. The ice was freshly resurfaced, and the early morning light made the whole place feel almost serene, despite the usual flurry of activity. 

 Today, I was determined to capture the team in a new light—both literally and figuratively.I set up my gear and started to wander around the rink, snapping some photos of the empty stands and the pristine ice. It was a rare moment of calm before the storm of practice and drills began. Just as I was getting into my groove, I heard the familiar sound of skates cutting through the ice. 

 Nico was the first to arrive, his presence as steady and welcoming as ever. He waved at me as he skated over, his movements smooth and effortless. "Morning, Stevie!" Nico called out, flashing a bright smile. "Ready for another day of hockey madness?"

 "Morning, Nico!" I replied, returning his smile. "Definitely ready. I'm still figuring out the best angles for practice shots, so I might be a bit of a roaming photographer today."

 "Sounds like a plan," he said. "If you need any tips on the best spots or anything, just ask."

 "Will do," I said, appreciating his willingness to help. As the rest of the team trickled in, I began to move around, capturing candid shots of the players gearing up and getting ready. Dawson was already chatting with Luke, Timo was stretching with a focused intensity, and Jake was adjusting his gear with a casual ease. 

 Curtis and Erik were engaged in a lighthearted conversation, their laughter filling the rink with a lively energy.Jack, of course, was the last to arrive, striding in with his usual confidence. He spotted me almost immediately and gave me a casual wave. 

 "Hey, Stevie!" Jack called out. "Ready for some more action shots?"

 "Absolutely," I said, aiming my camera at him as he skated towards the ice. 

 "Let's see what you've got today."Jack flashed a grin and skated off, blending into the practice routine. I followed him with my camera, capturing his sharp turns and fast breaks. 

 As I moved around the rink, I noticed how different Jack seemed from the previous day. He was focused, determined, and his playful demeanor was replaced with a serious intensity.During a water break, I took the opportunity to approach Jack. "Hey, Jack," I said, sidling up to him as he took a swig from his water bottle. 

 "You look a lot more serious today. Everything okay?"Jack looked at me, his expression softening slightly. 

 "Yeah, just one of those days, I guess. Got a lot on my mind. Practice is a good way to clear my head, though."I nodded sympathetically. "I get that. Sometimes you just need to dive into something to shake off the stress."

 "Exactly," Jack said, giving me a small smile. "So, how's your first few days been?""Busy but good," I replied. "I'm really enjoying it. Everyone's been so welcoming.""That's good to hear," Jack said, sounding genuinely interested. 

 "Nico's a great guy. He's probably the best person to know around here other than me of course."

 "I've already figured that out," I said with a chuckle. "He's been a huge help."As practice continued, I found myself taking more candid shots of Jack and the rest of the team. There was something about the way Jack carried himself—how he balanced his intense focus with occasional light-hearted moments—that intrigued me. 

 Despite the seriousness of his practice, he managed to find time to joke around with his teammates, offering a mix of encouragement and playful ribbing.When practice finally ended, I stayed behind to get some final shots of the team winding down. Jack skated over, his gear still on, and approached me with a more relaxed demeanor.

 "Got some good shots today?" he asked, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of genuine curiosity.

 "Yeah, I think so," I said, checking through some of the images on my camera. "I managed to capture some great action shots. You've got quite a few of those 'in the zone' moments."Jack laughed. 

 "Glad to hear it. Maybe I'll look like a pro after all."

 "You already do," I said with a smile. "But don't worry, I'll make sure to capture your best side."Jack grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. 

 "Appreciate it. And if you ever need a tip on how to avoid getting run over by a puck, just ask."

 "I'll keep that in mind," I said, laughing.As the team started heading towards the locker room, Nico came over and gave me a friendly nudge."Hey, I'm heading out for lunch with a few guys," he said. "You should join us if you're free."

 I considered the offer, feeling a bit of trepidation but also a sense of excitement. "That sounds great. I'd love to join.""Perfect," Nico said, giving me a thumbs-up. "We're meeting at that new place down the street. It'll be fun."With that, Nico headed out, and I finished packing up my gear. 

 As I walked towards the exit, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of belonging. The team was starting to feel like more than just a group of players I was photographing—they were becoming a part of my daily life.

 For now, I was looking forward to lunch with Nico and his friends, hoping to get to know the team better off the ice. And if Jack's earlier distraction was any indication, the dynamics between us might turn out to be more interesting than I had initially expected.