Milton : A BxB Story

8: Power Play

Chapter Eight: Power Play

Vermont and hockey go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly and maple syrup on pancakes. They might not have enough to sustain an NHL team but the Bruins do in a pinch. Or better yet the teams to the north in Canada. Most kids are on skates before they learn to ride a bike. Most high schools have a hockey rink, because what else are teenagers going to do in winter... except ski, sip hot chocolate by the fire, have sex or trudge in and out to school, always shoveling a path to their cars and dragging themselves in and out of winter clothes.

The Milton Vipers started their season early this year because Coach Jenna's baby was due in December and there was no one set to replace her. So with two games a week and practice in between, hockey took up most of the team's time. Every player had to maintain a 3.0 GPA so they crammed in studying where they could, or bullied or bribed less busy students to help them with homework and cheat on tests.

The Vipers didn't have the best win record. However, in the last four years, they did outmatch every other team in their league for most penalties. They lived up to their mascot and bit, sometimes literally, the opposition.

Case Michaelson knew none of this of course, as he entered the school's rink. All he knew was that there was ice, and guys who used sticks to hit some kind of disc into a net.

Competitive sports were definitely not his favorite activity.

Nor was watching competitive sports. He thought of himself as a more reserved sort of fellow, content walking alone through life, keeping to himself and his family. Quiet being his watchword.

The sound in the rink was echoey and very loud. Players screaming and swearing at each other. Coach Jenna bellowing. The slap of sticks against the ice. The cheers from the small pack of girls in the stands, watching hot guys get sweaty.

"Fabulous," Case said under his breath, winding his way around to the seating area.

The girls were more than surprised to see him there. The new kid. Loosened up a little in a midnight blue hoodie and jeans, but his signature tie peeked out under the collar.

"Hello," Case said to them politely, a small uncomfortable smile, in response to their stares.

They waved with their fingers and most went back to gossiping and ogling the players. One girl, blonde with curly hair, took it upon herself to move over and sit next to him.

"Which one are you here for?" she asked cheerfully, but also a little quietly. Not sure if she should spread his business for all and sundry.

"Excuse me?" Case knew what she meant, but wasn't quite sure how to...

"You came!!!!"

A call that echoed and stopped everyone at practice in their tracks, players, coaches and stadium onlookers.

Reese threw off his helmet, hair sticking up from sweat, grin plastered over his face, skating towards the boards.

"Damn? Snagged the captain.... You must be a rizzler for sure." She nudged Case with her shoulder and went back to her friends, all of them watching avidly as the red head carefully joined his new ... friend.

"I wasn't sure you'd really come. I'm glad!"

Clearly he was happy to see Case. If he was a dog, his tail would be brushing vigorously back and forth. Just seeing the new kid gave him a feeling he needed these days, a break from the stress of ...everything. His parents, his team. School. Somehow Case made it all...not disappear, but like, he was something that Reese could focus on... that made him feel...good?