Kids in Love // Nolan Patrick

Chapter 1

September 7th, 2017

"Are you positive you want me to help you out today?" I asked my older brother, Shayne.

"I'm positive, Reags. The team loves you."

The two of us unloaded the car, our hockey gear in hand as we headed into the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey. We arrived at the locker room, and Shayne rudely barged in.

"Wow, great use of manners, guy," I said sarcastically as I followed him into the room.

"Ghost! Little Ghost!" Voracek said, his voice full of excitement.

"Hey guys," I replied, scanning the room, seeing faces both familiar and not.

"I'll meet the team on the ice in a few minutes," I added as I left the locker room.

The Flyers gave me my own little locker room where I could get away from the boys if needed. There, I changed into my equipment, and headed out onto the ice. Hakstol said they needed me in net today since Neuvirth was sick or something. I was the first one on, as usual, since the team takes forever. And they say us girls take longer in getting ready. I threw a bunch of pucks out onto the ice, and did my usual two laps around the rink. I settled into my goal crease and started stretching and getting my positioning just right. After what felt like an hour later, even though it was only like 10 minutes, the boys skated onto the ice, all of them excited for the first practice as a whole team. They did their usual skate as Brian Elliott came up to me.

"Hey, how're you doing?" I ask as I engulfed him in a hug.

"Pretty good, Reag. How 'bout yourself?"

"Not too bad. Glad to be back on the ice."

"That's good," Elliot said as Sean called him over to the other net. "Looks like I gotta go. I'll catch up with you later, shortie."

"Alright. See ya later, Moose."

He skated away as the defense set up right in front of me.

"3 v 2's," G yells, signaling the start of the drill.

Giroux, Voracek and Couturier were the forwards, with Provorov and some guy named DeHass were my defense. Alright. Couts passed to Voracek, who went behind the net. Provy defending him. Voracek passed to Giroux who one timed it glove side. Easy save. I snatched it out of the air as the whistle sounded for the next group. 64, 70 and 68. Three numbers and faces I didn't recognize. I had Sanheim and Hagg as my defense. I knew both of them and knew they worked well together. 70 passed to 68 who cut across the ice to go left behind the net, like Voracek did. 64 was right in front of me, trying to do a typical Wayne Simmonds: crowd the net and deflect. 70 was along the blue line. 68 passed it up 70, who shot to my right. 64 deflected the puck, but I swatted it down with my stick. The 3 v 2's went on for a little while, and then the team was put to the test with suicides. Since I wasn't officially part of the team, Hakstol released me from practice. My brother waved goodbye, even though I would see him after he's done. I looked to the rest of the team, and saw 64 and Konecny whispering about something and pointing in my direction. I ignored it and went to my locker room.

I took my time getting showered and changed, since I knew the boys were still out on the ice. I got dressed, then headed to their locker room, where I knocked. A series of "come in"s greeted me. I opened the door, to see the guys laughing and having fun. I walked over to Ivan and started talking to him.

"Hey, really good defense out there. Nice hit on Voracek."

"Thanks, I was just trying to do my thing, getting the puck away from the net." Provorov replied.

I nodded my head in agreement as Provorov turned to get changed. He was like an older brother, always looking out for me and making sure I didn't get into anything too stupid. Provorov turned back to face me, and looked at Nolan Patrick.

"Hey Ivan," Nolan starts "Who was in net today? I know Elliot, but I couldn't figure out who the other person was."

"That would be me," I said with a grin. "Reagan Gostisbehere, younger sister to that doofus over there." I pointed to my brother.

"Wow, you two look, uh..." He trailed off.

"Nothing alike? Yeah, I know." I say for him.

It was true, Shayne had brown hair and brown eyes, compared to my blonde and blue.

"Anyways, you were incredible in goal." Patrick said.

"Thanks, Nolan. I usually play center so it's a little weird to be in net." I smiled.

"Reagan, c'mon let's go." Shayne said, rudely interrupting our conversation.

"Coming." I replied, looking to see Shayne obviously annoyed I wasn't ready to go. I turned back to the boys. "I'll see you guys later." I hugged Ivan and waved goodbye to Nolan.

My brother and I walked out of the building anddrove home.