the long game -guy germaine

chapter 1

valerie nichols
"Nice to meet you"
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Today is the first day of school. It isn't a full day, we just find our classes and go to the auditorium. It is my second year at Eden Hall, last year was a bit messy... The school has a ceremony in an hour to introduce the new jv hockey team. Personally I've never been a huge hockey fan, if I could skip the ceremony I would. I'm getting a new roommate for the school year... hopefully she likes me!

I grab an elastic and head to the auditorium. I see Jo and Bailie.

"Val! Come sit here!" Jo is waving me over. I quickly walk towards them.

I sit down. I can hear the Varsity hockey team already chirping some of the jvs behind me. The captain of the varsity team is Rick Rylie. He's a dick. But since his dad is part of the alumni, everything he does gets let go.

"You know my brother lost his JV slot when they brought you yo-yos here." Rick is annoying.

"Probably wasn't good enough." A girl with two braids says. I can't help but laugh. The dean is saying something about how we need to welcome the new students.

I'm not really paying attention. My lips feel raw from biting them, I know it's a bad habit but I can't stop. All of a sudden theres a huge crash. Half of the jv team crash through the curtain behind the dean.

"Hi.. We're the ducks!" I've seen these kids on tv last year. They were team USA, the kid talking is their captain Charlie Conway.

Everyone is laughing, Jo looks like she is gonna pee. Everyone starts flooding the halls.
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After the ceremony I head back to my dorm. It's not even 12pm and I'm already exhausted. I flop onto my bed and stare at the ceiling. My parents and therapist say I disassociate so I can't "relive the past"... whatever that means. A girl walks into my room.

"Hi! I'm Julie. Your new roommate." It is the same girl from earlier with the two braids. She brings her bags in.

"Hi, I'm Valerie." I get up to help her bring her bags in.

We decide to decorate our dorm. We fill the walls with posters, a few records, small lights and pictures of friends and family.

I check the time, shit. It's 2pm I gotta get to the rink. I grab my bag. "I'll be back later!" I say bye to Julie and leave.

I run into the change room and put on sheer tights under a small black skirt, a gray long sleeve and white leg warmers. I tie my skates and head to the ice.

"You're late Val." Tanner is in the middle of the ice. I skate to him.

"I know. I'm sorry." I start warming up.

"Whatever. Just don't make a habit of it." Tanner jokingly puts his finger in my face.

"Shut up." I laugh and hit his hand. We start skating laps and practicing new tricks.

Our coach doesn't show up today because she's sick but that isn't gonna stop us from practicing. Tanner and I have been partners since we were really young. Unfortunately that means people think we are dating... but he has a boyfriend!

An hour goes by and we can hear people get on the ice. I'm praying it's not the varsity team. I see Julie! I assume it's the jv's ice time now. Tanner and I smile and leave quickly.