It's Never too Late to Try ~ Sidney Crosby

Chapter 12- What?

Sidney

After staring at Scarlet's number in my phone, I finally decided to press the call button. I hesitantly put my phone to my ear and waited. Ring Ring Ring. Nothing... As I was about to hang up, I heard her voice.

"Hello? Sidney?" Scarlet's soft voice came through my phone speaker and I instantly got nervous.

"Hey, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I realized that what I did was so selfish and rude, I'm sorry-" I caught myself rambling and I heard Scarlet take a deep breath.

"I know." That was all she said. Nothing else. I closed my eyes and sighed, tilting my head down. "I hope everything works out for you." She hung up and I awkwardly shoved my phone in my pocket.

I got on my plane a few moments later, and I felt all the hurt all over again. I felt like such an idiot for trying to talk to her, it just made her even more upset with me. As an escape, I put on my headphones and closed my eyes.

~~~~~

After we landed in Pittsburgh, I tried to quietly leave before someone noticed me. I didn't feel like talking to anyone at the moment. I grabbed my luggage and quickly left to go to my car in the airport parking garage. My stomach growled at me as I walked, and it was loud. I guess not eating on the plane was a bad idea...

Once I got to my car, I threw my bags in the back seat and climbed into the driver's seat. I turned on the car and bolted out of my parking spot. My house was about 20 minutes from the airport, so I was thankful I didn't have to drive for a long time. As I drove, I noticed a few fans next to me, yelling my name and smiling at me. I politely waved and continued driving home.

When I got there, I parked in my driveway and dragged my luggage inside. After I unlocked the door, I went inside and dumped my bags in the living room. The first thing I needed was food, so I decided to give Geno a call to see if he wanted to get some dinner. I dialed his number and sat down on the couch.

"Hey, captain. You back?" My goofy, Russian friend answered the call.

"Yeah, I just got home. Do you want to get dinner with me? I have no food here."

"Yes, I meet you at Italian restaurant by you in 15 minute." I could hear the excitement in his voice and it made me smile.

"Okay, see you then."

"Bye, Sid." Geno hung up and I quickly grabbed a pair of black jeans, gray polo, underwear, socks and my white sneakers. I needed to shower so bad, so I went into my master bathroom on the second floor. My bathroom was perfectly clean, as I left it. Green walls, brown accents, and white tile floors. I turned on my shower and let it heat up as I undressed.

I hopped in the shower and washed with my sandalwood scented soap. After I was done, I turned off the water and got dressed fast. I put gel in my freshly washed hair and put my fingers through it. Coming home this time felt strange. I felt lonely. I mean, I live by myself and I expected there to be 2 more people in this house.

I took a quick glance at myself in the mirror and then headed downstairs and out the door. Driving to the restaurant was fast and I got there a little bit early, so I sat in my car. I watched as people walked by until I got startled by my phone buzzing next to me. I picked it up and looked at the caller. I didn't recognize the number, so I opted not to answer. As soon as I saw Geno pull up, I got out of my car and walked over to him.

"Sid!" Geno got out of his blue Corvette and walked over to me, shaking my hand. My stomach growled again, really loud this time. "Why is you stomach yelling?" Geno asked me, looking at me. "Have you eaten, today?" He followed up with another question. I shook my head and he sighed. "Let's get pizza now." Geno started walking inside and I followed right behind him.

Luckily, no one was on line, so I quickly walked up to the counter and ordered two cheese slices. I paid and sat down at the table nearby. I could sense that Geno knew that I was really upset. I didn't want him to know how much I was hurting right now. But, on the other hand -- he's my best friend.

After we both got our food, I devoured my first slice but then I just couldn't finish my second one.

"You not hungry?" Geno pried, stuffing his face with his pizza. I nodded, drinking some water. "I have idea to make you feel better." Geno shot me a goofy smile, finishing his food. I smirked and sat quietly as he finished.

~~~~~~

Geno told me to follow him to his idea of making me feel better. I had no idea what or where that was but I wanted to know. After ten minutes of driving, Geno turned into a parking lot for the Animal Rescue Adoption Center. What was he getting me into? Man, he really thinks I'm lonely. I pulled into a spot next to him and got out hesitantly.

"Follow inside." Geno headed towards the door, and I followed as I locked my car. "Do you like dogs or cats?" He asked me as we walked in.

"Hmmm, cats," I replied with a smile on my face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scarlet

"What a day..." I sighed, dropping my purse on the dining room table. I was at work all day and was exhausted. Also thrown off from the call from Sidney, he sounded so upset on the phone. I quickly changed into my blue striped pajamas and one of Sidney's sweatshirts. It was huge and made me feel comfy but sad; it smelt like his cologne.

Sitting in the living room, I turned on the TV. Eli was at hockey practice and his friend's mom was driving him home. Not that I didn't want to pick him up, I just wanted some time to myself at the moment.

My phone started ringing, so I picked it up to see it was from my sister.

"Scarlet, I think that you need to come here sooner." Becca's voice was strained and tight.

"Why? What wrong?" I questioned, standing up from the couch.

"It's mom..."