slovakian sweetheart

Chapter 1

"CLAIRE WAKE UP!" I open my eyes to see I've fallen asleep on the couch yet again. My little brother Max is leaning over with tears in his eyes.
"Max what's wrong?"
"Look at your phone." He says between sniffles . I pick up my phone which is blowing up, metaphorically. I slowly swipe through my notifications until I see one from the NHL app. Oh no. It has to be a trade, I think I'm gonna hurl.
Trade season has never been my favorite considering I get hopelessly attached to players and hate surprises and of course this year there's been so many. As a Hawks fan I know there will be a lot of trades with our salary cap, but I don't want to lose anyone on the team, they are basically family.
"Brandon Saad traded to Columbus Blue Jackets in 7 player deal." I read aloud. I think I'm gonna pass out. This has got to be a joke. My heart is in my throat and suddenly I'm running up to my room.
I swing open the closet door and grab my Saad jersey. My only Hawks jersey, one that I thought would last me years. I got it in 2013 and it was down to my knees, but I've grown and although still big, I figured I could wear for years to come. I'm not sure whether to cry or scream.
I lock the door and crawl into my bed putting my jersey on. Today went from a relaxing summer day to the worst day of the summer for sure. My favorite player was traded from my favorite team.
"Claire can I come in?" I hear Max whisper as he knocks on the door.
"Yeah." I whisper softly. I get up and unlock the door and he is in his Sharp jersey. Poor kid he knows that Sharp will be gone in a few weeks, it sucks that both our favorites will be gone.
Max jumps into my bed and makes room for me. 8 year old little brothers aren't that annoying I guess. Even though I'm over double his age doesn't mean I don't enjoy cuddling with him. He yawns and we both try to fall asleep and ignore the salary cap hell.

I wake up to my phone ringing and notice Max is gone, I forgot he had hockey early today.
"Hello?"
"Hey Claire, I figured you wouldn't answer me to be honest I'm glad you did." Says my best friend Lily. She's a hockey fanatic just like yours truly. We've been friends since we were 10 and now 7 years later we still are.
"I couldn't ignore you!" I say sarcastically.
"Haha you're funny so anyway I'm thinking we do some research on our new Hawks today, I'll pick you up and we can go to Starbucks and I'll bring my laptop."
"Sure Lily I mean give me some time to get ready though I still have smeared mascara on my face." I hear her trying not to laugh.
"Okay drama queen I'll be there in an hour."
"Don't call me a drama queen, remember Ben Smith?"
"Gosh don't remind me, see you in an hour."
"Later loser." I say jokingly and hang up.
Looking down I realized I can't go out in my Saad jersey I don't need any sympathy from strangers. I dig through my t-shirt drawer and pull out a 2013 Stanley Cup Championship shirt and grab some jean shorts then head into the bathroom.
Yikes my hair is such a mess. I pull it up into a messy bun, I can't deal with my curly frizzy hair right now. I put a headband in and add a little hair spray giving up on it. I wash my face and I decide it will be waterproof this time, in case I tear up a little. Not that I would! Let's hope I'm not a totally baby today. I debate on eyeliner and decide to cause I guess I'll be out in public and everyone goes to Starbucks and I gotta be looking good. After I put some light eyeliner on I get dressed and brush my teeth. I know, it's a weird order.
I look at the clock and see it is 10:45 and I still have 15 minutes to get ready so I get some money and put it in my pocket and check my phone. Man a lot of notifications, way too many. I decide to ignore it all and I turn on the TV and NHL Network is automatically on. After watching some OHL hockey Lily texts me with the usual "here" and I head out ready to learn about our new baby Hawks.