Ice In My Veins

Chapter Eight

We all walk silently back into our locker room. It is definitely hard for this loss because I really don't like losing an overtime game, and with what happened this morning, my mental state I just can't handle it. Coach Q gives us a couple of words, that he usually does when we lose a game. We get undressed, I get into a pair of leggings, and a black Blackhawks sweatshirt. The media soon comes in and asks some of us questions.

I stay in my little corner balled up, listening to music through my headphones. I think over the game, and Tyler and I's relationship, the one we had. Tears start to fall unknowingly at first as memories of Tyler and I spent last summer and part of the lockout together. Helping each other for the upcoming season, spending it with his sisters, with both of our teammates. I can't believe it is all gone. 

I sob and sob not caring if the guys hear me or not anymore. I have been dumped for the first time, what else is a teenage girl supposed to do, especially dating him for a year and a half.

When I realize the time, I grab my bag and start to make my way out of the locker room. I ignore the calls of my name that I can hear through my headphones. But I get stopped by a pair of arms grabbing me, pulling me back into the room. I try to shake them off, but they won't let go of me.

When I finally look up, I see Sharpie, Keith, Seabs looking down at me in complete worry. The rest of the team is still here, watching from their lockers. I slip off my headphones letting them rest around my neck.

"What?" I demand as I try not to show my sadness, but all they needed to see is my eyes.

"What's wrong? We aren't blind or deaf, we saw you crying in your corner. Faith, please talk to us." Seabs asks.

"Let me go," I say softly, ignoring his question.

"Faith, just please talk to us, we want to help you. If you're crying about the game, you really shouldn't be, you're an adult now." Keith says. Does he think I'm seriously crying over a game?

"Please let me go," I beg again.

"God damn it, Faith! Tell us what's wrong!" Sharpie shouts in my face. I'm taken aback from it, none of the guys have yelled at me. And it hurts me more because Sharpie is like my second dad. I hang my head down, as more tears fall.

"Patrick, please let me go," I barely whisper, heartbroken by everything. I hope that Patrick can understand what I'm talking about. As soon I feel the fingers loosen, I dart off to my car. I get in my seat, letting out a painful scream, wanting to just let it all out. I control my tears somewhat so I can drive home safely when I reach my room, I let myself cry to sleep.

The next morning, I spend it alone struggling to get it together. When I go to practice later that day, I give the guys the silent treatment. Though none of them come up and ask if I'm okay anyway. Though I do catch them all watching me carefully, wondering if I will explode into tears again. 

Early next morning we are sent off to Boston, having our morning practice there, then the game later that night. And I couldn't be more out of focus for that game, I didn't even score a goal or a point we lost in a shutout, which hasn't happened this year. And once again I am devastated after the game because the Bruins beat one of my personal records.

I grab my bag as I start to make my way out of the locker room. "I'm heading out, see you guys tomorrow," I say to no one in particular.

"Do you think Tyler is going to cheer her up?" I hear Shawzy ask someone. I blow up, hearing Tyler's name, it might not have been his full name but just hearing it breaks my heart. I drop my stuff, making my way to Shawzy, and I did something very unlike me. I slap him. Personally, punching him would be very bad and a bit too much.