Shooting Star

Chapter 26

If I can pull of the GWG, I thought to myself, then no one will remember the goal I gave to the other team. But that's not looking too good.

I wasn't kidding either. No one had scored in the third, and there were only, hmm, let's see here, 20 seconds left.

Actually, I'm being pessimistic. There are 23.1 seconds left. Like there’s any difference.

"On, Miller," Coach Hiller snapped.

I climbed over the bench and skated to center ice where Kylie took the face-off.

With a quick flick of her wrist, the puck glided across to Alyssa, who charged. With a quick deke of the defence, the puck was then on my stick and I headed on goal.

I could see the fear in the goaltender's eyes.

I tried not to get cocky, and checked for incoming players before winding around the net.

The crowd chanted, "10, 9, 8, 7..."

When I got to the other side of the net, I wrapped the puck between the goalie's skate and the goal post and snuck it into the net.

The buzzer went off.

"GOAL SCORED BY BRIANNA MILLER, NUMBER 29, WITH 0.0 SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK," the announcer called.

My teammates swarmed me, cheering, 

When I finally pulled myself out of the crowd and skated back to the bench, waving at the crowd, I noticed Annabeth was leaning against the boards, her lips tightly pursed.

"Thanks," I heard her mutter before she turned and disappeared into the locker room.

I didn't get what Annabeth's deal was. Like, seriously, she was being so stupid for acting jealous.

"Nice goal," Coach said, slapping me on the back. Hard.

I stumbled forwards. "Thanks."

"Just in time too," Alyssa shouted, throwing her arms around me as we trooped into the locker room to prepare for OT.

"I'm so glad we didn't lose," Kylie said. "We're still in this thing!"

Everyone cheered. Even Annabeth, grudgingly.

"Guys," I said, smiling. "Thanks so much. But we have to end this soon. It's been way too long of a ride to get here to lose now. We need to win. So, anyone have any ideas?"

"Get the top three the puck," Kelsey suggested.

"I have one," Stephanie countered. "If you have the puck and see and opportunity, go for it. Don't second-guess yourself and pass to someone else. Then the opportunity is gone. Remember, if the puck is stolen when you try to pass to someone else--" We all glared pointedly at Annabeth-- "then they have the upper hand and it's not going to be so good for us."

"That's a good plan," I said. "Nice job, Steph."

"Thanks," Stephanie replied. 

"Okay, girls," Coach Hiller said. "We have 10 minutes. Use this time to get in the zone."

The locker room fell silent as we all stopped talking.

The reason we'd glared at Annabeth was because we'd eventually taken a 1-0 lead earlier in the game, and she'd just left the puck lying on the ice when Kelsey had passed to her. Annabeth didn't do anything as the other team seized their chance and grabbed the puck. Then they scored, tying the score. When they scored again, it was like being stabbed in the back, because we all knew who's fault it was.

Annabeth Fowler's.

Stop brooding, I told myself. It's not going to help you win the game. You've gotta push Fowler out of your head until the game is over and we're headed to the finals.

Then a horrifying thought occured to me. "Fowler," I said. "Cut the bull right now. Did you or did you not help the other team score in the first period?"

Annabeth's cheeks glowed. "Maybe," she mumbled. "By accident."

"A star player on the varsity squad does not just leave the puck lying on the ice," Kylie snapped at her. "Answer Bree's question."

"Yes," Annabeth's answer was so soft we barely heard it.

"Why?" Coach Hiller demanded.

"Because my cousin and I set it up that way," Annabeth admitted. "I would have the puck while she was on the ice, and then she would steal it from me and score."

"That doesn't explain why you let her do it," Ruby said.

"It's complicated," Annabeth mumbled.

No one spoke. 

I cleared my throat. "Anyways, I just wanted to clear that up." I glanced at Annabeth, who was staring at the floor, quite embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," Annabeth said. "I really am. I shouldn't have done what I did."

"No, you shouldn't have," I said. "But I wanted to make sure that wasn't going to happen again. Am I clear?" I asked, glancing at her.

"Yes," Annabeth mumbled.

"Fowler," Coach said sternly, "if you're planning to hand the victory over to the other team, you're not playing in OT."

Annabeth matched Coach's face with a stone-hard and cold expression. I know that look, I thought. She's planning something.

I have to do something about it.

"Coach?" I asked. "As team captain and for the sake of our team's survival in these playoffs, I think Annabeth should be benched for the time being."

"I agree," Kylie said immediately.

The locker room was suddenly filled with agreement.

Coach glanced at Annabeth, who was turning steadily redder by the second. "Fowler, you're benched. You've lost your chance to play. Next time, think smarter."

"Yes Coach," Annabeth mumbled.

We heard the buzzer go off again, signalling the fans to return to their seats.

Coach looked at us grimly. "Let's go, ladies."