High School Hockey Boys

03

It's been two weeks since Graham and I went on our first date. We've been hanging out a lot recently, but I just can't help but to compare him to Eli. I know it's wrong, not mention extremely rude. Speaking of Eli, I've been trying to stay away from him for the past few days. I think Cassandra found out about the night at the diner, and even though nothing happened she'll find some way to make me regret going. Like right now.

"Finley!" Cassandra was stomping her way down the hall toward me. And she did not look happy.

"What do want Cassan-" My head snapped to the side as her hand connected with my cheek.

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't find out about your little dinner date? You're even more of a slut than I thought you were. What, is Graham not enough for you, so you go after the entire team? That's pathetic, even for you." She snarled. I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off when she slapped me again.

"Don't bother trying. They wouldn't go for you, they have at least a little respect for themselves." She said. She left after that, and I slid down the wall with a hand to my mouth to muffle my sobs. Nothing even happened, and it was two weeks ago. Why does she even care? I grabbed my bag and got up from the floor once I'd calmed down. I walked to the nearest bathroom and tried to make my cheek look normal. A bruise was forming, and it was pretty swollen since Cassandra hit that cheek twice. I stayed in the bathroom for the rest of the period, and after the dismissal bell rang I practically ran to the parking lot. My dad got back from his trip yesterday, and he asked if I wanted to stay over this weekend even though I wasn't supposed to.

I tossed my bag into the backseat once I'd sat down and smiled at my dad.

"Hey kiddo. I have some news." He said as he pulled onto the street.

"What is it?" I asked. He paused for a moment, as if he was considering not telling me.

"We're having guests over for dinner tonight. One of whom is, very special to me."

"Who?"

"You'll see." Was all he said.

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I set the last placement on the table when the doorbell rang. I could hear my dad greeting whoever was at the door. To occupy myself and delay meeting these people, I checked to make sur all the food was perfect and started to set in on the table. I nearly dropped the bowl of salad I was holding when I saw who our guests were.

"Finley. What are you doing here?" Cassandra asked with fake politeness.

"This is my dad's house." I said. Cassandra turned to her mom with a confused look on her face.

"I thought you said we were having dinner at your boyfriend's house." This time I really did drop the salad, but someone caught it just before it hit the floor.

"Thanks." I muttered. Eli nodded at me and set the bowl on the table. This is not happening. This can't be happening.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh it was definitely happening. I kept my mouth shut most of the night. But I couldn't stay in the house when he pulled a ring out of his pocket. Nobody paid attention to me when I left the dining room. I was out the front door and running down the street as fast as my legs could carry me.

"Finley!" I pushed myself to run faster when Eli called my name.

"Finley stop!"

I continued to run, but trying to outrun a hockey player with extremely long legs isn't exactly a good idea. As soon as Eli got ahead of me he turned around and grabbed onto my shoulders.