Time For Change (Mitch Marner X OC)

Travelling topped with some answers

It has been a couple of days since the celebration. You are getting ready for training. You get the feeling that it may be a harsh training session even though the next game is two weeks away. You are going to hate it because it is an away game and you are not used to travelling to the US. You are walking down the halls of the stadium to get to the change room. You are thinking about what Ilya said but your thoughts are soon cut off by a loud thud. A tennis ball comes bouncing off the wall next to you.

"Sorry about that," Jack Campbell the alternate goaltender remarks. He has snatched the tennis ball from the air.

"Don't worry no damage was done," You respond. He is soon joined by Frederick.

"I was wondering where that went," Frederick remarks. He is a little out of breath. You assume it is because they have been chasing the ball as part of their strength and conditioning.

"Hello Jay," He becomes more cheerful. At least he won't be chasing the ball. A minute later you have all made it to the change room. Most of the team is already gathered around coach Keefe. He gestures for you to join them. He starts to brief the team about the game against buffalo. You know the next two weeks will be intense.

"What drills are starting with?" Mitch asks.

"Five goals and suicide," He responds. That means that you will be working on goal scoring whilst the defence does their drills. Five minutes later you are done with getting ready. You have all split up into the various drills.

"Ilya what do you mean a couple of nights ago?" You remark as you slide into place.

"I was only teasing," He responds. You get the feeling that he is not telling you the complete truth. You get lined up for the shot. You take it. It hits Jack in the shoulder.

"I am sorry about that," You remark. You feel bad for hitting him.

"Don't worry it didn't hurt," he responds. After seven minutes of trying to score you have all got five goals in the net. You have joined the others. They are working their speed and control. Danny gets the puck from he then processes to zig-zag between William, Jack, Mitch and Ilya. he finishes in thirty seconds. He then flicks the puck to you and you set off. It takes all of your concentration to keep control of the puck as well as avoiding the others. You manage to beat Danny by two seconds. It has been an hour since training started and you have grown really tired. The others are in the same boat as you because the coach has been pushing you hard for the next game. You are getting ready to go home.

"So Jay are you ready to travel to buffalo tomorrow?" Mitch asks.

"Yes, I am," You respond as you stretch your aching arms. It is the night before the team is due to leave and you are getting stuff gathered. There is a knock on your door. It's your dad.

"I was wondering if you need some help?" He offers.

"Well I need some help with folding some stuff," You decide it would be a better idea if he folded your clothes for you. After five minutes of packing, you are finally ready to go.

"Hey dad are you alright?" you ask because you can tell that he is getting emotional.

"Well It's the fact that my baby girl is travelling somewhere outside of Canada," He responds with a hint of pride. It is the morning after and you have awakened to the sound of your alarm. You turn it off and you unplug your phone. You shove the charger and a pair of headphones into your backpack which has your wallet, computer, It's charger and a spare change of clothes even though you are not going overseas. You quickly get dressed for the day. You gather your three bags and your stick and helmet. You leave your room and your dad makes you put them in the car. You fix yourself some toast for breakfast but you only eat one slice.

"Jay you are going to be fine," Your mum tries to reassure you but your pre-travel nerves are bugging you.

"I know mum it's just I've never travelled to another country before," You explain.

"Anyway, I will see you in a couple of weeks,"

"Good luck Jay," She responds. Fifteen minutes later your dad has taken you to the stadium. You see the team getting ready to board the bus. There are not many of them but you are early. You get your stuff out of the car.

"Goodbye, dad. I will see you in a couple of weeks," You give him a hug before you join the teammates that are here.

"Good morning Jay," you are greeted by Sheldon first.

"Do you mind if I put my stuff on the bus?" You make sure to ask first. He nods and you carefully put everything that you don't need in the cargo compartment. You timidly board the bus. You scan the seats and you place your bag and helmet in the overhead storage above your seat. You sit down and carefully grab your headphones. You play some music whilst you wait for the others. You get so wrapped up in your music you forget that the others have arrived. Mitch taps you on the shoulder. You pause the music and put the headphones around your neck.

"Do you mind if I sit next to you?"

"Sure," You respond. He places his stuff next to yours and he sits down next to you. Now might be a good time to ask him the question that is bothering you.

"Hey, Mitch was Ilya right?"

"Huh?" Your question has caught him off guard.

"At the celebratory dinner, he said you had a crush on me," You clear the air. You feel bad for making him uncomfortable but you need to get to the bottom of things.

"And you chose to sit next to me when you had pretty much the entire bus to choose from,"

"Well the NHL needs to change and that's why I chose you," He is being vague again. Again you decide to leave it. You glance around to the best of your ability. Everyone has made it. Sheldon is talking to the bus driver. He then turns his attention to the players.

"Ok everyone here is the deal we will have an hour and forty minutes on the bus. After that, we will sort the stuff at the hotel " He outlines his plan. You are already bored. You settle in for the trip.

"If you don't mind I'm going to listen to some music," You put your headphones back on. He nods. You start thinking about what the next game has in store for you. You soon drift to sleep because you had the misfortune of setting your alarm too early. You have fallen asleep on Mitch's shoulder. Hopefully, he won't mind. After an hour of travel, you are aroused from your sleep by Mitch.

"Are we there yet?" you mumble as you rub the tiredness from your eyes.

"Not quite but I have something to ask you," He responds. You hope he will ask you to explore with him.

"Do you mind if you, me and Danny explore after we get settled in?" He asks.

"I don't mind but I want to know why you are being so caring," you insist. You get the feeling that digging into his feelings will make it uncomfortable.

"I really do think that the NHL needs to change and yes I do have a crush on you but I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me being wishful," He responds. The penny drops. You can not believe that your suspicion has been confirmed.

"Sorry for bothering you about it but I just had to know," you respond.