famous last words | s. crosby

3; black is the new black

Elliott's POV

When I managed to get settled into my car, I instantly pulled out my phone. I looked down at the screen, which illuminated every few seconds, notifying me of the various messages coming in from my coach and Anna, one of my best friends, roommate, and, training partner on and off the ice for as long as I could remember.

Anna: where'd you go?? you left at like, 6, this morning.

Me: checked out the rink

Anna: first day after we move in?? ..not surprised
Anna: no, but in all seriousness, we need to unpack. the couches are coming in tomorrow.

Me: can't tonight. i'm busy.

Anna: busy?

Me: busy.

Anna: with what? you don't have a social life 

Me: ouch.

Anna: is it a date?

I left Anna on read and texted Sid my information before finally leaving the parking lot. We'd only been in Pittsburgh for twenty-four hours and I had already scored myself a date; Anna would be shocked, considering she's much more social than I am.

As I drove down the streets, I tried my best not to lose myself. One, because I was in awe at the beauty of the city; the rivers, the buildings, the fans just left me wondering how one place could be so captivating. Lastly, when I had driven to the rink that morning, I had made what should've been a thirty minute ride almost two hours because of my god-awful sense of direction. I eventually gave in and got my GPS to help.

When I finally managed to get back to the apartments, I trekked up the staircase and fiddled with the apartment keys until the door finally swung open. I was greeted with a sprawled-out Anna hovering over a bowl of half eaten ramen noodles— she'd only plugged in the TV, propped it against the wall, and was busy watching the newest season of Orange Is The New Black.

Pausing the show, she flipped around to look at me, "So, mind explaining what you're so busy with tonight?"

I paused for a second as I placed my bags against the wall, "Mmmm. Nope."

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed some blue Gatorade out of the fridge and leaped onto the countertop, watching as Anna made her way over. She leaned against the wall, "C'mon, I tell you everything about every date and every guy I've ever been with. Just this once?"

Raising my eyebrows, I shrugged my shoulders, "It's just a sympathy date. The guy made me bust my ass at the rink this morning and he told me he wanted to make it up to me. So, we're going out to dinner tonight."

"Well? What's his name?"

"Why? So you can scout out his single friends?"

"No— well— yes— maybe— that's besides the point, Eli," She rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh, "Do you always have to be so damned difficult?"

I laughed, "Mhm. It wouldn't be much fun if I just told you, now would it?" I hopped down off of the counter and started to make my way to the shower, "All I can say is that I have a very elegant date in about six and a half hours, so I have to find something equally as elegant to wear. Y'know, for the extra wow factor."