❁ ~ J.H

Chapter 5

Hockey practice was soon and Elle found herself not wanting to go. Ever since the incident with her mother she was even more paranoid than she already was. The past few practices were the easiest she has ever had in her life. Elle has been easily outshining every single girl on the ice and this didn't go unseen by the coaches. Playing with boys her whole life had been demanding and she likes it that way, it was the only way she learned.

Now playing with girls was a new world to Elle, one she didn't like. Of course as soon as her father had found out he had made some calls and in the snap of a finger, Elle was playing with the Varsity boys.

Elle made her way to the girls locker room since she couldn't exactly change with her teammates. Passing by the boys locker room she heard the music coming from inside and could practically smell the foul odor from a mile away. Once reaching her destination and swinging the door open she was met with very curious eyes. Making her way to the locker she claimed as hers she started to take her gear out when she was interrupted.

"What? You too good for us eh King?" a blonde named Lara that Elle wasn't too fond of asked her. Elle gave her a look that indicated she wasn't in the mood.

"Now you're too Hollywood to answer me? Wow I guess the daddy's money has really did gotten to you huh?" the locker room erupted into laughter and Elle clenched her jaw trying her hardest not to say something she'd regret. As soon as she was done tying her laces Elle left as fast as she could. Unfortunately for her, her entire day had been revolving around the fact her mother could show up any time she had wanted and the thought kept Elle on edge and the lanky blonde was in for a rude awakening if she thought Elle would let anyone talk to her like that.

"Where you going King? Ah I guess running away really does run in the family," Lara said that with full offense, a jab directed straight to her mother. Elle froze in her tracks, the rink suddenly going quiet. Elle forced herself out of her thoughts and stalked towards the girl and once close enough pushing her onto the wall with her forearm on her neck.

"Go ahead say something else, just warning you though my fist is going to go fly straight to that pretty little nose of yours and we wouldn't want 50 grand to go down the drain now would we?" Elle let out the secret the blonde was so desperate to hide and she couldn't feel more prideful. Lara's eyes visibly widened and she looked around to see who exactly knew now, only to realize the entire boys varsity hockey was there. Elle took a step back letting Lara go running straight back to where she came from.

Elle let her eyes go to the big mass of boys that had seen the little interaction she had with Lara and among the faces she recognized a few from the airport.

"You are my new best friend," a tall dirty blonde who Elle recognized as Trevor said. He proceeded to put his hands on Elle's shoulders and lead her to the ice.

Just as quick as that Elle felt relieved. The sound of her skates slicing through the ice was enough to make her forget what she was stressing about. It was calming to say the least but it didn't last long.

Elle was soaked in sweat and though she absolutely loved the burn she felt after working out, sweat was just a big no. The boys didn't go easy on her because she was a girl, which she was thankful for. She was sure she'd had a few bruises and she felt her muscles aching with each step she took but she wasn't complaining.

"Who's that?" one of the boys asked while pointing at a petite women with long wavy hair standing at the entrance. Elle's heart dropped as she snapped her neck to see who exactly her teammate was talking about.

"Shit," Elle muttered. She pushed her way through the mass of sweaty boys and made her way to the lady.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Elle asked her as calmly as she could.

"I wanted to see-,"

"I told you not to come, I told you I didn't want to see you." Elle stood there exasperated and nearly shaking in anger.

"I'm your mother-,"

"NO YOU'RE NOT!"

A loud slapping noise was heard and Elle was left with a bright red cheek. Everything went silent for what felt like years.

Security rushed in and started to escort Marianne out of the rink when she soon started yelling.

"DO NOT TOUCH ME! GET OFF!"

Elle stood there in shock not knowing what to do. She was use to this but she hasn't seen her mother in years and she wasn't prepared in the slightest.

The adrenaline Elle felt easily made the slap feel like nothing but she was left embarrassed and even though she had her back turned to the rink she could feel everyone's eyes on her. The coaches rushed to her side and shielded her from the prying eyes that followed her. They entered the locker room and while she could still hear the commotion going on outside she was still in shock over what just occurred. Elle wanted to cry right at this moment but the pit in her stomach that dictated that decision was gone and all she felt was numbness.

"Holy shit dude," one of the boys said.

Jack had seen the whole scene play out and he saw the way Elle looked completely shocked. He had wondered if this had anything to do with the occurrence in the dining hall, he was assuming it did. The whispers of the boys had snapped him out of thinking and one of the Coaches had yelled out for them to go change and go home.

The assumptions his teammates were making seemed outrageous but of course he didn't know anything about what  happens behind closed door in Elle's family. He was never one to be caught up in drama or to even have any say in any matter that included people he barely knew. Trevor hadn't said anything about his "new best friend" and neither had Case, Jack guessed it was out of respect to her and her privacy.

"You ready?" Trevor asked since him and Jack always went back to their dorms together. Jack nodded and grabbed his equipment. As the two boys stepped out they were hit with the refreshing wind and they both visibly sighed.

"I feel bad for her," Trevor vocalized his thoughts on the situation. Jack seemed confused at first but he quickly caught on what his friend was talking about.

"Yeah- yeah I guess I do too. I wouldn't know what to do if I had a mother like that," Jack kind of felt like and ass hope for saying that but he didn't want to say Elle's mother was mentally ill thought he was sure she was.

"I don't know man. I mean I would have never thought that she had that much shit going on you know? She's just so quiet," Trevor said that and soon the two fell into a comfortable silence.