Pond Hockey • Artemi Panarin

8

"We need to talk."

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I opened the door for Artemi, watching him closely as he paced around my living room, not quite knowing where to go.

I sat down on the bottom of my steps as he leaned on the wall across from me.

"What do you need to tell me?" I asked.

Artemis eyes dropped from me to the floor, and then back up again.

"It's about—is anyone here?" He interrupted himself, a curious look on his face.

"Uh just me...well, and you now." I responded. I bit my nails as I looked at the blonde haired blue eyed beauty, who stared at me with content.

His happiness changed to nervousness, and then back to his angry like self.

"If you aren't gonna say anything–"

"No, I will." He said loudly. "It's about Andrew."

I sighed. "Go on."

"Well you know how Andrew and I know each other..."

"Yeah..."

"Well, um—I don't really know how to say this...Andrew...he's not who you think he is." Artemi searched for words, but couldn't think of anything to say. He scratched the back of his neck quite awkwardly, and I stood up.

"What do you mean he's not who I think he is?" I asked, my voice raising.

"It's not really for me to say. He's just not a good guy Sloane, and it would make me feel better if you stayed away from him." Artemi spoke.

"What?!" I was now fuming. "You aren't my mom, nor are you my boyfriend, so you can't tell me what to do!"

"Calm down! You know I'm only telling you this because I care about you Sloane. I really do."

My voice softened. "You do?"

Artemi walked closer to me, leaning over me. "Of coarse I do."

"Why?"

"Because..." His hand trailed up to my face, the back of it sliding across my cheek. "Your special."

I stared at him, a giddly feeling in my body.

"You have a girlfriend...your dating my sister...you can't say that."

"Why not?" Artemi asked.

"Just cause." I sighed.

Just cause.

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Artemi left a few moments later, and I went to bed. I still couldn't seem to put together all of the things he told me.

Andrew always seemed like a nice guy to me. I mean—he seems like a nice guy. I really want to know why he isn't who I think he is, or whatever Artemi said earlier.

"Sloane?"

I turned my head, seeing my sister by my door.

"Yes, Anya?" I asked.

"Andrews here."

I nodded. "Can you tell him to come upstairs?"

She called downstairs and he came running up the steps, right into my room. Andrew shut the door behind him, and smiled at me.

I looked at the ground, and Andrew came up to wrap his arms around me. I pushed him off and looked out my window, staring at the pond.

"What's wrong?"

"I–we–ugh. We need to talk." I said.

"What's up Sloane?" Andrew asked, his eyebrows furrowing together.

"I heard something about you, and I want to ask you to tell me what it means." I stated.

"Okay?" He answered, the statement coming out as more of a question.

"Artemi said he wanted to warn me that you were not what I think you are or something like that." I said. Andrew looked at me with confusing. "He said it wasn't right for him to say anything, but whatever you did was apparently bad."

"I don't know what your talking about Sloane." Andrew said.

"Are you lying?"

"God no." Andrew wrapped his arms around me, giving me a squeeze. "He's just jealous I have you. You see...me and Artemi, we go way back..."

"What happened?" I asked.

"Well a few years ago, we both liked the same girl, and we always tried to impress her and stuff. We both wanted to date her. But she ended up going out with me instead." Andrew explained.

I nodded my head.

"He probably just held a grudge, and wants you to break up with me because I 'stole' his girl a few years back."

I shrugged. "He wasn't even dating her."

"Exactly." Andrew sighed. "I have to go. Will you be okay alone?"

"Yes." I muttered.

Andrew grabbed onto my shoulders and kissed my cheek, before walking out of my room.

I collapsed onto my bed, starring at the ceiling.

I'm so confused.

But I know what will fix this...some good ol' pond hockey.

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