"Hey Claire," Artemi got my attention while we were sitting in Grant Park one day. "So the All Star Break is coming up."
I nodded. "A lot of guys are going out of town, what are you doing?"
He put a hand on my thigh. "That's what I wanted to ask you. I wanted to go to Miami, do you want to come with?"
I thought about it. "I want to go Artemi, I really do. But I'm not sure if I have classes that day."
"Come on, you always go to class. Missing three days wont kill you," he tried to persuade me.
"I can miss a lot in three days," I mumbled.
"You don't want to spend time with me?" Artemi asked, looking a little hurt and confused.
That made me feel even worse. "No no Artemi, it's not that. I just don't want to miss any of my school work since I've been working so hard for this it would feel weird to take a break now."
He looked down and nodded. "Okay. I guess I understand. I would be the same with hockey."
I sighed in relief. I was glad we weren't having some huge fight before he left, that would be bad. "I'm sorry. I really do want to spend time with you but I can't."
"It's okay," he assured me, wrapping me into a tight hug. He kissed the top of my head lightly. "Maybe this summer we can go on a trip together?"
I grinned and looked up at him. "Sure. Where to?"
He shrugged. "I don't care. As long as I'm with you."
I rolled my eyes and blushed. "When did you get so cheesy?"
"Just yesterday. Pat told me to say that. He says you will love it."
I shook my head and laughed. "Of course he did."
We got up and walked slowly through the park, then onto the sidewalk. "What's one place you've always wanted to visit?" I asked him, swinging our hands back and forth.
He thought for a minute. "Germany or France."
"Why those countries?" I asked curiously.
Art shrugged. "Well I too German in school so it would be cool to speak it there I guess. And France just seems like a beautiful country. What about you?"
"I dunno, I want to go to France as well. Also Finland, I hear that's supposed to be beautiful."
"What, no Russia?" He nudged my shoulder jokingly.
I laughed a bit. "I wouldn't mind going to Russia. I like to travel."
"Maybe one day I can take you to Russia with me. It will be fun, I can show you where I'm from."
I leaned further into his side. "I would love that."
"Good," he replied. "You want to go out to dinner tonight?"
"I can't tonight, I'm hanging out with Chaunette. What about tomorrow?"
"Sounds like a plan." He dropped me off at my apartment. "See you tomorrow." Artemi leaned over and kissed me.
"Bye," I smiled and got out of his car.
---
it's only been like a week without hockey and I already miss it so much help
