Ice Breaker - Mitch Marner (2019)

eight

I sat in the Leafs break-room, listening to sad music and playing NHL 18 on their Xbox.
I let out a big sigh as the computer operated Blackhawks shot and scored on my fake Fred Anderson.
"Come on." I muttered, moving the puck around all the players and scoring on the Blackhawks goalie.
"Suck it bitch." I muttered, pausing the game to change the song to a more sad one.

I haven't eaten in a few days.
The whole team thinks I have but I really haven't.
Ever since my fail of a goal in the big game, I haven't been feeling myself.
I know it's not a big deal, it's just got me feeling down for some reason.
I slammed my knuckle on the table in front of me, wiping the fresh blood on my leg.

I un-paused the game right as the door opened. Since I was in the middle of the game, I couldn't hide the blood on my leg or my knuckle.

"What's that from?" Mitch asked, his voice quivering.
"I dropped my controller and while picking it up, I hit my knuckle on the table."
He nodded, grabbing a paper towel and wetting it with water before giving it to me.
I pushed it away.
"I don't need your help." I mumbled, going back to my game.
He took the controller away from me, making sure to pause my game.
He set the paper towel on my knuckle and wrapped his arm around me, our hips practically touching.
He leaned into my ear and whispered, "I know that wasn't an accident", referring to my knuckle.
"Yes it was. Why else would it be bleeding? Now get the fuck away from me."
He seemed un-phased as he got up and patted my leg, before leaving the room.
"I don't know why I love that worthless piece of shit." I muttered, instantly regretting it.

I could hear someone walk away from the door.
"Shit. Shit!"
I turned off the Xbox in a hurry.
"Mitch!" I called, jogging out the door.
"Fuck why did I say that!" I yelled at myself.
Of course I would ruin my life.
I'm so fucking stupid.
"Auston! Where's Mitch?"
Auston seemed surprise I was talking and the fact that I was in a rush caught him off guard.
"He went down that hallway?"
I nodded and rushed down the slim hallway.
"Mitchell?"
I found him sitting on the floor, his head between his knees.
When he looked up at me, his face was completely blank.
"Fuck you." He muttered those two words and stood up.
Without any other sound, he walked away.

I fell to my knees, trying to hold my tears in.
No one has ever said that to me.
It hurts even more when it's someone you love.

"What did I do?"
And at that moment, the tears came rushing out.