The Biggest Game is Life

Chapter 5 (Lumberjack)

The school day was over so I decided to go hang around the mall. I hadn't really been out and about for a while. I was in my usual jeans but this time I tried a little bit harder with a nice red flannel.

"Hey lumberjack!" I turned around and it was Sydney. This time she had less makeup on and her hair was in a messy bun.

"Hi Sydney!"

"Well what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Just out and about. Actually needed to stop by tractor supply and the mall was in the same direction so I stopped here first."

"Ah I see." Sydney replied.

There was a slight silence.

"So again I'm sorry about Mason. He has a lot more problems now anyways."

"Oh don't worry. Its not your fault. Yeah I heard he's a future baby Daddy."

"Oh man so everyone knows?"

"I think so. I mean Claire kind of told every one of her friends. And she has a lot."

"I don't understand how people get so many friends." Which was extremely true. I just didn't get it 

" Well a few good ones is better than ton."

"Wish I had a few of em'" I mumbled. I don't think Sydney heard me which was probably for the best.

"Well Benny, why don't you walk around with me a bit  I just came with a friend but she's hard core shopping for a dress for some wedding. So I left her for a bit."

"Ah... Um sure." I knew this was not going to go well. I was already running out of things to talk about.

We started walking for a bit. Talking about the different stores. How she likes to shop at American Eagle. I started to zone out when she decided to talk about how many different kind of Uggs there were.

We finally sat down on a bench.

"I'm sorry Benny, I'm boring you to death."

"No, I'm just not sure what to say really."

"Me either. I get really nervous around people like you."

"Like me?"

"Like... People I kind of like."

"Oh." I thought for a bit. Oh no. She likes me. Crap. Normally you would think this would be good but now there's zero chance for me to be even the slightest bit cool.

"I mean thanks. Well I mean. You're nice. And I'm nice. Im sorry."

She laughed. Her nose piercing slightly moved with the wrinkle of her nose.

"Its okay. Im supposed to be the nervous one silly."

"Just yeah." I said trying to avoid eye contact.

I don't even know why I was nervous. I didn't even think I liked Sydney. As a friend sure but there's just something you feel when you really like someone and I just didn't feel it with her. I needed more time and I was worried she wasn't going to give me more time.

"Look Sydney I just I'm not trying to friend zone you I swear. I just need to get to know you. Like we should hang out some more. You know?"

"Oh yes, what did you think was gonna happen?"

"Um..."

"Well silly here's my number." She grabbed my phone and put in her number.

"See ya." She said as she left.

That felt very weird to me, I don't understand girls.

____

It was Wednesday night. More practice. I arrived and got ready.

Out on the ice everything felt strange. Levi was gone and so was Mason. Cam skated over.

"Where the hell is everyone?"

"No idea." I said while switching my stick back and forth.

"Well Levi said he broke up with Kennedy." Cam replied.

"Really? How come he only told you?" I felt kind of hurt.

"I don't really know. He just called and said that and that was it. Said they just couldn't be together."

"Huh interesting." I said.

"Wanna hear my theory?"

"Sure." I said ready to hear something insane.

"Kennedys Ex wanted back. So he fought Levi and while they were fighting Kennedy realized it was her ex she really wanted to be with."

"Actually doesn't sound like all that bad of a theory." I said while thinking about it.

"I can be smart and reasonable sometimes."

"Ha. Sometimes." I laughed.

Practice began without both of them. It was weird going through certain routines by myself and without Mason. I really hope Claire isnt pregnant. Then it'd be like this more often.

Coach seemed a bit angry at the two no shows. We could tell as the drills seemed longer and harder. Luckily I do get to go off on my own most of the time.

I looked over and Cam was sweating up a storm. Paisley looked just fine however even smiling every now and then.

"Dumb ass." I mumbled and then heard a pair of skates stop on the ice in front of me.

"Who's the dumb ass?" It was Paisley.

"Mason. And Levi too actually."

"Oh yeah I heard about Mason. This is why girls are no good."

"I guess."

"Do you got any special lady?" Paisley asked.

"Not really. Haven't been big on the whole girlfriend scene here lately." I said but thought here never.

"That's okay. Like I said girls only bring you down. Hey I heard you had a horse?"

"I do."

"I'd love to see your horse one day."

"Yeah maybe. She does love company."

"Great sounds good. How about tomorrow?"

"Um I mean why don't we wait until later on. Once I get to know you better, just my dad."

"Oh of course. Sorry I'm moving so fast. I just really want to feel apart of everything and to really know you guys especially you."

"Yeah its all good." I said. 'Especially you'. What what this guys deal. First he stares at me weird and now he wants to see my horse. Strange things are happening.