High School Hockey Boys

04

Harper- front left; Delaney- back left; Sophia- middle right; Kennedy- far right
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Sunday had come and gone and it was Monday once again. Graham picked me up, as was the usual now. A few days after our first date he offered to drive Delaney and me to school. I think Delaney could tell I was a little more anxious today than normal. After Friday night, facing Cassandra seemed like cutting off my own foot: impossible. But I mine as well get her taunting and snide remarks out of the way so that it'll be over and done with. Even though I have trouble standing up to her whenever she takes a dig at me, I consider just showing up to school a way of standing up to her. I feel like it proves to her and anyone who hears what she says that her words aren't affecting me as much as they really are.

Graham and I walked into the building hand-in-hand, and Delaney went in a different direction than the two of us once we'd gotten into the main foyer. Graham walked me to my locker, then to class. That's another thing that's become part of the school routine. After first period Graham will usually walk me to my next class if he isn't running late for his next class. It's been nice having him around. Not only because I enjoy his company, but because Cassandra tends to leave me alone when he's with me. I know it's not out of the goodness of her heart. It's because she knows she can't threaten him with being kicked off the team because he's one of the best players they have. 

"Are you coming to the game tonight?" Graham asked.

"If one of the girls are going. I don't really want to go alone." I said.

"Why not?"

"Ever since I was eight me and my dad have always gone to the Ravens games together. But after Friday, I'm  not sure if I'll be able to pretend everything's okay for an hour." I explained. "And chances are, now that I know he's in a relationship with Cassandra's mom she'll probably be sitting with him. And I definitely could not sit through an entire hockey game with her around."

Graham nodded and our conversation faded out into comfortable silence. We stopped outside my classroom and Graham kissed me on the cheek before walking away. I received many curious and a few rather angry looks from the other people in the room. Almost immediately after I sat down people began to whisper.

Finley: you kissed me on purpose

Graham: had to have some way to let people know you're mine ;)

Finley: but I'm not yours. am I?

Graham: fine then. Finley Marie O'brien-Moss, will you make me the happiest guy on earth and be my girlfriend?

I paused and thought for a minute. Did I really want to be his girlfriend? I typed out my message and after a moments hesitation hit send.

Finley: Graham Tobias Walsh, I would love to be your girlfriend

I didn't get a reply, so I put my phone away and tried to focus on what we were supposed to be doing. I'm Graham Walsh's girlfriend. I'm officially dating the Arnam Ravens left defensemen. But there's a slight problem. I'm still crushing on his teammate.

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I walked out of my second period class to be pulled into someone's chest and very publicly kissed on the mouth. I flushed a deep red as the hall went quiet and stared at us. I glared slightly as I noticed Graham smirking at me. He wordlessly grabbed my hand and walked in the direction of my locker. After I dumped my stuff, we made our way to the courtyard to meet up with everyone else. I took a seat between Graham and Kennedy and joined in on Delaney and Harper's conversation.