Collision // Freddie Andersen

ii

The group of five chatted idly as they made their way through the game day traffic to meet Brian, Ema and Bre at the restaurant. Alex and Lydia couldn't help but giggle when Mitch would whine about being squished seeing as he was sitting between Freddie and Auston in the back seat. "Mitchy shut up," Auston groaned, rolling his eyes as Alex laughed. "Lyds this is a nice new ride, I'm assuming from your dad?"

Lydia thought about being a little secretive considering neither Freddie or Mitch knew anything about her home life but she found she surprisingly didn't care that much. "Yep, wants me to meet his new fling next week, but this definitely is not winning my approval."

"I love you Lyds but man your dad is a dick," Auston scoffed, always having been a little protective when it came to Lydia and her family.

"You've got that right," Alex interjected as Lydia pulled her car into a parking space. The group hopped out of the car and headed inside, spotting Brian, Ema and Bre and heading over to their table. Lydia ended up seated between Freddie and Alex, with Auston across the table.

"Thank you," Lydia whispered, smiling at the Dane as he pulled out her chair for her.

"Anytime," he returned her smile as he sat in his seat and grabbed his napkin. The group held some nonsensical conversation as they placed their drink orders and then ordered their food.

"Lydia," Ema practically shouted excitedly down the table, making Lydia nervous as to what the Latina wanted to bring up. "Have you decided anything about PT school?"

Lydia suddenly felt nervous, because yes she had made a decision. But she had not discussed it with anyone except for her own mind. "Um, I think I did, but that really just depends on you guys reactions." She looked and saw all of the Matthews family watching her expectantly, as well as Mitch and Freddie. "So, I actually got a full scholarship somewhere, and I already have a paid internship lined up too that would work around classes, uh."

"Lydia come on," Auston interrupted. "Spit it out."

She glared at the boy as he smiled sweetly before looking back at Ema. "So it's actually a little bit away, uh, the University of Toronto?" (A/n: does toronto have a PT school? Idk but for the sake of my story it does!). Ema looked like she could cry, Bre was already pouting and Brian looked proud. Surprisingly, Alex didn't look surprised at all. "Why do you not look like this is news to you?" Lydia narrowed her eyes at her best friend. 

"I went through your mail," Alex shrugged with no remorse. 

"I hate you," Lydia half heartedly complained, before looking to Auston who also did not look surprised. "And why don't you look surprised mister?"

"Alex called me after she went through your mail, to threaten me to look out for you," Auston smiled brightly. 

"Oh mi amor," Ema stood up to come over and hug Lydia. "That is so exciting!" Ema returned to her seat and Brian laughed softly as she dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. "Do you have somewhere to live? If not I'm sure Auston could help you look-"

"Speaking of that mama," Auston interrupted his mother, ignoring her glare as the boy reached into his jacket to grab something and put it on the table. "This is yours," Auston gestured to Lydia to grab the small, haphazardly wrapped box. 

"Listen Aus, I know when you were 4 I told you we could get married but I wasn't serious," Lydia spoke warily as she began to disassemble the wrapping paper. 

"God Lyd's no," Auston groaned as Freddie and Mitch began to roar with laughter. "Just open it." Lydia sharply looked at the boy as she got the box open finally. 

"What is this?" Lydia asked, unsure whether to be mad yet or not. 

"So, you're coming to Toronto. I live in Toronto. I have a huge place and a spare bedroom. Therefore, roomies!" Auston tried to play it off as Lydia looked at him with wide eyes and Alex laughed at her best friends face. "Listen that's why Alex called me, because you're going to be new to the city, and we can look out for each other like we always have." Lydia brought a shaking hand to her mouth, astounded at the throught her two best friends had put into this. 

"And you may be going to school for free, but Toronto is still not a cheap place to live so, its really a win win-" Auston was cut off as Lydia shoved herself from her seat, darting around the table to hug the boy tightly. "Ow Lydia that hurts," he whined as the girl held back her tears. 

"Thank you Aus," she spoke into his suit jacket as the boy smoothed down her hair and dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

"Anything for my favorite sister," Auston teased, laughing as he heard Bre and Alex grumble in protest.

x

"So," Freddie stalled as he and Lydia watched Mitch and Auston tease Alex ahead of them, walking to the hotel entrance where the team was staying. The blonde tugged her jacket closer to her body (and by her jacket she meant Freddies jacket he had offered when he noticed her shiver after dinner) and looked up to see the man staring at his feet. "I was wondering if I could get your number? You know just in case you have any questions about coming up-"

"Freddie you don't need an excuse, give me your phone," Lydia held her hand out expectantly as she watched a light blush cross the gingers face. She typed her number into his phone, adding a smiley face next to her contact before she saved it, handing the phone back over and slipping his jacket off her shoulders. "Thank you again for your jacket," she smiled almost shyly up at the man as he nodded with a grin. 

"It was no problem," he surprised Lydia by leaning down and wrapping her up in a warm hug. "It was so nice to meet you and put a face to the name Auston mentions so much." 

"Yeah you too," she beamed brightly, ignoring Alex as she began chanting her name from outside the car. "And you have my number, use it." Lydia turned on her heel and practically skipped back to the car, hearing Freddie's laugh trail after her. 

"Oh you're in trouble," Alex giggled as Lydia blushed, starting the car and pulling off.