Pond Hockey • Artemi Panarin

10

I knew that Andrew had told me the truth. But some parts of me doesn't want to believe him. Some parts of me wants the story to be ten times worse than the version he told me. Why? I'm not sure. But all signs of my wanting are pointing towards one person, Artemi. 

One thing I know for certain is that Andrew had decided to stay with Amanda, even after knowing she was in a long term relationship with one of his best friends. I don't know if I can be with someone who can just ruin someones relationship like that. I need to spend some time away from both of them, and make a decision. Which is exactly why I'm sitting on my couch watching replays of my old hockey games. 

As I contemplated whether or not Andrew is worth giving a second chance, I heard a faint knock at the door. My face scrunched up. Who could be coming here during a storm at ten in the evening? I stood up, walking over to the large oak door and gave the handle a tug, not bothering to look through the peep hole. 

I looked up, seeing a face I had promised myself I wouldn't talk to for the next few days. 

"Artemi?" 

"Can I come in?" 

I sighed. I should of known he would show up here. 

"Well any other time I would say no. But with these certain weather circumstances, I'll let you stay inside. Only to explain why you are here." I said, moving over to let him into our living room. I shut the door behind him and locked it, watching as Artemi stood on the rug, wiping off his soaking wet shoes.

"I see you are watching hockey?" He asked, his russian accent filling the quiet room. 

"Yeah...just to pass time...why are you here again?" I asked. The house was getting colder as the conversation went on. Goosebumps had arose on my arms, causing me to cross them over my chest. 

"I never had the chance to explain myself to you." Artemi answered. 

"I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about." I said. 

"You do. I came  here to talk about Andrew. I know you think I'm lying when I tell you this, but there's things he hasn't told you...the reason why he and I are no longer friends-" 

I interrupted him, "He already told me everything...about you him and Amanda. I know the whole story, well at least from his point of view." 

"Well, I'm glad he has finally confessed." 

"And he told me stay away from you." 

"Me?!" Artemis eyes bulged. "I'm the one you should be staying away from? I think the real person you should be avoiding right now is Andrew. He seems to be the ones with the secrets." 

"How could you say that? You have kept the whole entire thing from me since the beginning. You could have told me about him the day he came over a few months ago! But you didn't. You decided to let it come out naturally, and have me left heartbroken." I murmured. 

"Those weren't my secrets to tell!" Artemi yelled, defending himself. 

"Well maybe if you told me in the first place things wouldn't of ended up like this!" I yelled back. I took a step closer to him, fuming. 

"Ended up like what?!" 

"Maybe if you would of told me about him I would of never left the house with him that night...maybe things would of been different between us." I whispered the last part. Artemis eyes softened. 

"Yeah, maybe." He mumbled. "But they aren't. And I'm starting to think it's better that way." Artemi breathed, storming to the door and flinging it open. 

"Do you even know where Andrew is right now?" He asked. 

"We aren't really talking at the moment...but no I don't why?" 

"Why don't you check your phone?" He replied. 

"Why would I do that?" 

"Amanda's back." He paused. "And she's with Andrew." 

***

Sorry for the short chapter! I just wanted to update really badly! The next chapter will be updated soon!! 

15 likes for next chp!! 

So whose side are you on now? Team SLARTEMI or SLANDREW? 

I'm kinda rooting for the Artemi rn;)