Time For Change (Mitch Marner X OC)

Celebration

It is the day after the game. You are expecting a text from Mitch or Ilya. They are planning a team celebration. You are watching your mum make some poutine. She always seems to make it for special occasions. You are a little distracted by the sacrifice that Mitch may be making for you.

"Jay what's wrong," your dad asks. He can see that you are distracted.

"I don't think Mitch would want me to tell you," You respond. You still can't get over the fact that you are referring to your family's favourite player so casually. Speaking of Mitch he has texted you the details of the celebration.

"Hey mum, when we are done with lunch, do you think we could go dress shopping?" you read the text message. Your mouth starts to water at the smell of the poutine.

"Yeah, why?" She responds. You show her the text and she looks you over.

"We will go after lunch," at least you won't be stuck. Your mum dishes up the food and you get to work on eating it. You are still occupied by your thoughts on why Mitch would risk his career for you. You don't eat much because you know you will be eating with the team.

"Thank you mum," You respond. Thirty minutes later you are with your mum at a dress shop. You are struggling to pick a dress. You get the feeling that you are being watched. You will have to get used to it. You settle on a nice modest dress. Five minutes later you have finished trying it on and you are starting to get bothered by the fact that someone is watching. Four hours later you are finally ready to go and you are nervous. You have started to pace around. There is a knock at the door. It's Mitch, Auston and Danny.

"See you later dad," You say goodbye before you leave. You are greeted by a shocked Danny.

"You know Jay you should wear a dress more often," Danny compliments you and teases you at the same time.

"Let's go before the others get bored," You ignore the compliment altogether. Fifteen minutes later you have made it to the restaurant. You start a conversation with Ilya and Frederick. You are talking about the fact that the game yesterday went well.

"It wasn't just me," You respond to the fact that Frederick is complimenting your performance. You are a little annoyed that they are complimenting you when ice hockey is a team sport.

"Either way you scored two of the four goals," Ilya doesn't budge from his position. The team is soon guided to the table. You are seated between Mitch and William Nylander. You can tell that Mitch is admiring your beauty. You decide to have a conversation with William to distract yourself from it. He starts to talk about whether or not it would be a good idea to put you on in defence.

"I think it would be a good idea in a training game but not an actual game," You respond.

"Well we could try one period of a game with you in defence," William responds. You would rather let the current defencemen do their jobs. However, it is a discussion worth having.

"Jay You know you look beautiful," Mitch compliments you for what feels like the millionth time.

"I know," You respond. You are suddenly hit with a wave of shyness. It's moments like this that are the reason why you hardly ever wear a dress.

"Hey Mitch I think she understands that she is pretty," Morgan Rielly comes to your defence. Maybe he actually has a crush on you but he doesn't want to tell you yet. You let out a giggle at the thought. You double-check the menu and you settle on what you want.

"I'm going to get drinks. Does anyone want anything and what's funny Jay?" Ilya asks.

"Mitch wouldn't like what I have to say and I will have some water," you respond. The others let Ilya know what they want. Auston joins him. Two minutes later they are back with as many of the drinks that they can carry. Auston passes you some water.

"Thank you," Thirty seconds and many thank yous later the drinks have been passed out and the waiter has arrived to take the food orders. You go first followed William. After two minutes of the waiter scribbling everyone's orders, the waiter has everyone's orders. He shuffles away.

"I would like to propose a toast," Frederick remarks as he gets up from his seat. There is nothing stopping him. Even the funny looks from other patrons.

"To the good start to the season and the future success of the new players," It is surprisingly quick. Everyone except you and Danny raises their glasses. Frederick takes his seat. Five minutes later everyone has their food. Whilst you are eating William is telling a story. You are in awe of the way he is able to exaggerate every one of his words. He is telling a story from when he was in the youth league. Danny taps you on the shoulder.

"Yes Danny?" you respond.

"It's odd how three years ago you only dreamed of joining the leafs," Danny whispers to you.

"Hey speaking of odd, do you think that Mitch may have a crush on me?" You whisper back. You feel a bit weird bringing up your nagging feeling but you hope you are wrong about it.

"Possibly," He responds. It doesn't help. You decide to ask Mitch because it is bothering you but before you can do anything a semi-drunk Ilya speaks up.

"Mitch, you remember the youth game before Jay and Danny joined us?" He remarks.

"Yeah what about it?" Mitch responds. You can tell he is now uncomfortable.

"My point still stands, you have a crush on Jay," He responds. Now you feel uncomfortable. There goes your chance.

"Why would I have a crush on someone three years younger than me," Mitch tries to deny it but you can tell he is struggling. Hopefully, he is convincing enough for the others. Auston gives Ilya a kick under the table.

"Let's not talk about that now," Auston saves both you and Mitch the trouble of an embarrassing evening. You all get to work on finishing your food. You've decided that you are going to leave the subject until Mitch is ready to admit that he has feelings for you.

"So Jay, what made you choose ice hockey?" William decides that he wants to know you better.

"Well, it is a family sport. My dad played it when he was younger and in fact, that's how my dad met my mum and I guess I felt like giving it a go. Now here we are," It's not much of a story but you tell it anyway. You giggle at the fact that your mum and dad met during a fight at one of his college games.

"Let me guess they met whilst others in the teams were fighting?" William responds. You nod as he starts to chuckle with you. You feel better about being a part of the team. At least they are somewhat accepting of you. After thirty minutes of talking everyone is ready to pay. You get your share ready but you are stopped.

"The newbies don't pay," Mitch remarks. Danny has gotten the same treatment. You put the money back in your clutch bag. Two minutes later you have all made it to the car. It has been a long day but you are glad that the first game went well and you are able to celebrate it with your family and team.