𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥?

6 : the arrival

as soon as i got on the plane, i was already nervous. i have only been on a plane two other times, but i was with family of course.

luckily i had the seat next to the window and the seat next to me was empty. i set my backpack down in the seat.

it was a two hour long flight from colorado to california. i gladly would not be having to spend forever on this plane.

two hours passed by way quicker than i expected. the first hour i either was writing or reading and the second hour i slept.

as soon as i arrived, i took in all of my surroundings. california was a beautiful place and i always have wanted to visit.

i looked down at the little paper marie gave me which had her number and the hotel i was having to stay at.

the coach said he wanted all of us recruits down in the lobby at 5 p.m. right now it was 10:30, so i had a lot of time to spend.

i first dropped off my bags at the hotel and checked in and did all of that. i called marie to let her know i made it and that i was okay.

"we already miss you bella!" she told me. a sad smile approached on my face. a few minutes later, i ended the call.

i took some of my money marie had given me and took the bus to the downtown part of the city.

i came across this group of african american's playing street hockey in this little courtyard. i leaned on the fence and watched them play. someone must of noticed me.

"you trying to come play?" he asked. i shook my head. "nope, just watching." i told him. he smiled back at me.

after a few minutes he came up to me. "i'm russ tyler." he said as he held out his hand. "i'm bella rose." i told him while shaking his hand.

we talked for a minutes about hockey. him telling me he's been playing street hockey ever since he was like 7 and i told him how i've been playing for 6 years and i'm here as a recruit for the usa team.

"hey do you know any good restaurants around here?" i asked him as i heard my stomach grumble. "yeah. i'll be done in a few minutes and we can go." he told me as he then skated off.

i smiled. i was here for literally two hours and i've already made a friend.

he soon opened the gate and walked out. i stood up and we began our way to this restaurant.

it only took us minutes and as soon as i was walked in, i was in love. it was a pizza place and the smell of fresh dough filled my nose.

we sat down and ordered a few slices for ourselves. then we talked and introduced ourselves more.

"yeah i'm staying over at the hilton hotel on olvera street." i told him as i took a bite of my pizza.

"oh yeah, i used to live over there with my brother." he told me. i nodded my head as i took another bite of my pizza.

for about another hour we sat there talking, but mostly laughing. i then saw it was about 1:30 and insisted i needed to head back.

"well, it was great meeting you russ." i told him as he shook my hand. "same to you ms. rose."

and with that we were off on our separate ways. as i was walking back i found this little jewelry shop and walked inside.

they had these small rope bracelets and i knew i had to get one. i paid at the cash register and made my way out.

i soon arrived back to the hotel and made my way over to my room. by now it was 2:30.

i decided to take a nap until 4 o'clock and then until 4:50, i just read one of my books.

i made my way down to the lobby and could see another girl with blonde hair wearing a montreal hockey sweatshirt was sitting on one of the chairs.

i made my way over and sat on one of the other chairs across from her.

i decided to speak up since there was awkward silence. "are you a recruit for team usa?" i asked her.

she nodded her head. "i sure am. and you?" she asked. i nodded my head with a smile. she then sat up.

"julie gaffney from bangor maine." she told me, now holding out her hand.

"bella rose from louisville colorado." i said as i shook her hand.

we exchanged a few words before a few boys came down and sat around us. i looked at the clock to see it was exactly 5.