AAOOOSC! Wheatie Bits!

E. 8. "The Game of Juniors" (8/8)

After the game, the defeated team is munching on hamburgers in their depressed mood. Kale, Brett, and Jake are sitting in the restaurant's outdoor seating area, away from their team, under the bitter Michigan night.

"We had to go to Michigan to lose," Brett spits out with his hamburger by his mouth. "We played on USA Hockey ice and lost. This is so humiliating." He tears a piece with his teeth.

Kale turns to him from his left. "It would've been worse if we lost at home." He picks up a French fry from the tray of French fries and pops it in his mouth.

Carter has a downcast look on his hamburger. "If only I didn't let in those pucks," he mutters.

Brett swallows and rolls his eyes. "If only I scored more."

"I know, we all have regrets," Kale exclaims with meaning. He gazes at his two teammates. "But take it as a learning experience and apply it to the World Juniors. Those are coming up pretty soon." He throws another French fry into his mouth.

Carter takes in a shaky breath with his wide eyes glued on his hamburger. "We have to get gold," he states forcefully. "I refuse to get silver like last time."

"Better than bronze." Brett takes another bite of his hamburger.

Kale knits his eyebrows at a fact about winning bronze. He swallows. "Anyone's happier winning bronze than silver, which is strange."

The goalie breathes in deeply, straightening his posture. "At least we can redeem ourselves in the World Juniors."

Kale's eyes light up at him. "That's right!"

They then fall into silence as they sense a presence of two people approaching them from the other side of the railing that divided the restaurant from the sidewalk.

"Hello, fellow Canadians," Kailer calls out to them with a small smirk, peering down at them.

Brett slides his sharp eyes up at him with his hamburger by his mouth. "You're the last person I wanna see right now."

Jake throws his hands in the air. "BRETT!" He hops over the railing and scoops his bestie into a tight hug, lifting him from his chair and causing him to drop his hamburger back on its tray.

"Aw, you don't know how I long I wanted to hug you!" The goalie rubs his cheek against his head.

Brett immediately relaxes, closing his eyes with a small smile and wrapping his arms around him. "I never knew I needed this," he murmurs.

Kale peers up at the small skater with a French fry in his hand. "Great job on the win." He pops it in his mouth.

"Why, thank you." Kailer nods at him in respect. "You men did well on the ice."

Carter replies by scoffing and rolling his eyes before taking another bite of his hamburger.

Kailer then turns to the defenceman and asks lowly: "Have you been keeping him in check?" He throws a glance at the goalie.

Carter swallows and narrows his eyes at the forward. "I'm right here."

Kailer raises his fine eyebrows at him. "I am aware of that."

"Yeah, he's been doing well." Kale nods his head.

With frustration filling his face, Carter slams his hands on the table and pushes himself to his feet. "Maybe if you guys didn't strap me down and told me to 'get my act together,' we could've won."

"More the reason to hold you back," Kailer states matter-of-factly.

Kale gawks at the goalie like as if he's insane. "What? No, that doesn't make sense! We lost so much sleep on that!"