The Exchange

Chapter 38

Just before we all had to go back to school after Christmas, Matt and Viktor had one last hockey game. The team was still high on a perfect season so far, and with a chance of still getting into the Minnesota Tournament, I had to do everything in my power to make sure it happened, especially now that Matt and Viktor had an audience.

In all honesty, there wasn't much I could do besides criticize the shit out of every little detail of their games, but it never hurt to have a bird's perspective on what was happening. I definitely knew a lot more than I ever did before with the hours and hours of research I put into getting Viktor back on the ice in the first place.

Surprisingly, Viktor never got his feelings hurt by what I told him, even when I went on and on about how his shot was sometimes halfway to Canada instead of on goal. Matt, on the other hand, did not take my help very well. Apparently, when constructive feedback came from one's sister, that was just because she was annoying and didn't know what the fuck she was talking about and a just trying to be an ass.

But maybe that was just because I told him that I could probably forecheck better than him with my eyes shut.

He ended up buying ice cream for Viktor and me after that, which was cool.

Before I could round up Arti and Blaine and force them to go to the game with me, Mom stopped me in the kitchen with two cookies in my hand.

"Have you been practicing for the ACT? I think you're signed up for February, and it's important that you do your best," Mom said.

Gross, standardized testing that placed a number on my worth to colleges. "I mean, I haven't recently, but I'll start as soon as we go back to school. I just didn't want it to ruin my break, you know?"

She shook her head. "Just make sure you start preparing. You'll do really well if you study. But that's not the main thing I wanted to talk to you about."

My heart dropped into my stomach. As far as I knew, I hadn't done anything wrong for a while, and I was getting along with Viktor pretty well since I promised him I would mind my own business, so that only left she was mad at me for arguing with Matt.

I could live with that.

"Your report card came today, and you got an A-minus in Spanish. I'm proud of you," she said.

Proud of me?

I smiled. That exact feeling was the one that I decided to give up on Lukas for.

My heart swelled with pride, and it must have snuck up into my eyes somehow. There were plenty of moments she got irritated with me during the previous few months, but there was nothing more satisfying than living up to what she wanted from me.

What fucking crybaby gets emotional because her mother is proud of her? When did we let this happen to us, Candy Cane?

She let out a laugh. "Amanda, you always make me proud. Don't forget that. But I'm extra proud right now. I guess all that work you've put in with Viktor is starting to pay off, huh?"

This was in no way a Viktor achievement, but I decided to let her have her moment of pride with herself. After all, she was the mastermind who forced us to work together instead of letting me stab him.

33. Teamwork makes everything unnecessarily complicated and way too people-y, but it also makes the dream work, and we're no exception, my friend.

34. I will edit out the "my friend" part from the last point on the list at a later time. That was not necessary. I apologize. Actually, no, I don't. I'll keep it. But I'm not saying that shit out loud. Can you imagine how pissed off Matt would get?