Annabelle stood in Yost Arena, following the rest of her teammates off the ice. Most of the girls were talking with the hockey team, as they exchanged places since their practice was starting right after theirs finished.
Just as she stepped over the edge to exit the ice, she felt her skate get caught on the edge and fell. Annabelle mentally killed herself, being totally embarrassed.
" Seriously?!", she quietly said to herself before a hand gripped lightly onto her arm.
" Are you good?", a deep voice said to her as she stood up,
Finally putting a face to the voice, it was Ethan Edwards. He was an alternate captain for the hockey team, and was in his senior year, just as she was.
" Yeah, I'm good. Thanks", she smiled
The boy stared at her for a bit, before giving her a small smile and skating onto the ice with the rest of his team. Annabelle looked back, watching him as he joined his friends.
Just as she was about to look away, she saw Luca, staring at her. He gave her a smile, the girl just turning around and heading into the change room.
She seriously needed to talk with him. And after that interaction with Ethan, which by the way, made her feel more feelings in her body that Luca ever has, she had to break it off with him.
" Anna, come on! Car is leaving", Lila joked as her three housemates waited for her.
Once the group of girls arrived back at their house, the four sat in the kitchen as Megan made dinner, like she usually did. Annabelle was trying to figure out what she was gonna say to Luca to break off, whatever they had.
" You okay, Anna?", Sofia asked as she drank from her water bottle.
Annabelle shrugged, " I need to break it off with Luca, but I don't know how. He's super sweet and nice, but I just don't see him like that. I thought he got that, he doesn't, and I don't blame him. I've lead him on, but I just don't know how to tell him",
The three girls hummed, all of them thinking of all the experiences they've had with guys, and how they could help their friend.
" Honestly, just be straight up", Megan shrugged, " Just tell him, that you're sorry for leading him on, but you just don't see anything with him going forward",
" Yeah, and hopefully, if he's mature, he'll understand and still be friends with you", Sofia nodded
Lila agreed, " That's what I would do",
" Was there anything else that helped you come to this decision?", Megan said, raising her eyebrows
Annabelle laughed, " Not really. I've felt like this for a bit",
Her friends all nodded, patiently waiting for Megan to finish the pasta.
" But, I did have an encounter with Ethan Edwards today when I fell", the blonde laughed, " I never really payed attention to how cute he was",
Sofia nodded, " He's super cute. Actually, Mark told me a little while ago that Ethan thought the girl that Luca has was super attractive, but, bro code",
Annabelle rolled her eyes at the end, " Bro code isn't a real thing if I never even dated Luca",
Lila and Megan agreed, the four taking their bowls and sitting at the small round table.
" I say, just tell Luca the truth, and maybe chat more with Ethan",
Sofia did make a good point. Annabelle just had to be honest with Luca, but it was a lot easier said than done. He was so nice, that she would feel terrible. And also, even though it sounded wrong, what if Ethan did really believe is ' bro code'? Then part of her felt like she was ending things with Luca for nothing.
But she knew that wasn't true, since she was thinking about this way prior to what happened getting off the ice.
Now, she just had to find the right time to do it.
