Pucks and Pirouettes

Chapter 23 | Game on

I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed, but I could still feel the pre-game anticipation brewing in my stomach.

It was still quite early, but I was used to waking up at this time, given that I'd usually find myself sitting on a wooden bench in church in about an hour.

How I had missed games on Sundays. It was the only time when my mother let me get out of church without a second thought. Not even when I was sick did I get a free pass this easily.

I grabbed a pair of leggings and a hoodie from my closet and made my way over to the bathroom.

I was met with my face reflected in the mirror the second I walked in. Despite my general portrayal at high school, I was not the girl to get lost in her own reflection, picking at every little thing that didn't look right.

I had always been quite nonchalant about myself, thanking the universe for the fact that I didn't have to put a lot of effort into my appearance to look exactly like the popular high school girl was expected to look.

As usual, I just gave myself a quick look up and down before moving on and turning on the shower, but the second I laid eyes on my upper body, I had to stop in my tracks, and it took a lot from me not to let out the scream I could feel building in the back of my throat.

I stepped forward, moving my hair out of the way to check that I was, in fact, not hallucinating, but even at a second glance, there was no mistaking it.

There, on my right shoulder, close to my collarbone, sat a small, purple hickey.

I moved my left hand and let it trail softly over the bruised patch of skin.

I couldn't believe it. Or rather, I couldn't believe her.

I hastily put the hoodie on over the top I was wearing and was about to go back to my room when my mother turned the corner coming towards me. Of course, the woman was known for her impeccable timing.

"Good morning, Holly.", she said with a smile, but then added in a sterner tone, "Why are you not dressed yet? I know you are not coming to the service with us today, but that doesn't mean you have to be tardy.".

"Sorry, Mom. I just got distracted. I'll be ready in a minute.".

I made my way to my room and remembered just in time not to let the door slam behind me.

I spotted my phone on my bedside table and quickly grabbed it, unlocking it to find Becca's chat still open from last night.

I saw that she had already sent me a good morning text, but I didn't care. I needed to be stern about this, especially because my heart was way too happy about her little present to my body.

Becca

Morning, Hol

Holly

Evans, are you being serious right now?

Becca

Still on Evans? I literally sent you a good morning text.

Holly

Do you mind explaining this to me?

I sent her a one-time picture of my shoulder, and the three dots appeared and disappeared for a while before I finally got a reply.

Becca

Umm, I might've gotten a little bit distracted there.

I'd say, I'm sorry, but ...

Holly

You are unbelievable.

Despite my words, I couldn't stop myself from smiling, and it grew even wider when I looked back into the small mirror on my desk.