Chapter 20
With their most recent win, the Chillers are just a few games away from qualifying for the playoffs and Division 1 nationals. The Bernard Saints were one of their greatest adversuries–which, I highly doubted that, considering how the Chillers swept them.
But Alex sat me down and taught me how the point system works, showing me past games. No, the Bernard Saints were a high–pality team. The Chillers were just better
Still, even after surpassing their greatest opponents, there’s others that could give them a run for their money. Therefore, the Chillers amp up difficulty of their training
I’m not sure how he does it, practicing hockey four days a week and still finding time for our play. The coach even moved practice to early morning rather than after school. Sure, it’s to reduce other scheduling conflicts, but 5 AM is still so early.
Worried he won’t keep it together, I decide to try to help. Maybe if I make him some snacks, he can eat them and stay energized! So, I use some of my allowance to buy food and look up a manmated grilled chicken tutorial online.
my first time cooking something like it, but it turns out great! I’m sure he’s gonna love it, though he’ll definitely owe me for having me get up so early, too.
As I park in the back parking lot near the clubs and sports arenas, though, I hear the approach of blaring sirens rushing down the street. I expect in to continue down the road. But instead, it turns into the same area, coming to a stop right outside the visitor entrance to the rink
My heart sinks into cold sand
Quickly leaving my car, I go over, keeping a safe distance as see players start filtering outside. They’re still mostly in–gear, only having taken their skates off. Their expressions seem grim.
I happen to catch a glimpse of Gunther, so I go up to him.
“Guntherrr. uhm, what. Happened?”
He turns toward me. Then, his expression contorts a bit, and that only worries me more.
“Alex” Isss–hf. Is Alex okay?”
His expression immediately lightens. “Huh! Oh, yeah. He’s good. Sorry, thought you were gonna, I mean.erh..” Then he becomes awkward, looking away.
Before I can ask what he means, 1 hear some people demanding more room.
e presses a
The paramedics have a player strapped down on a stretcher as they roll him out. The entire right side of his face is coated in red as he cloth to his face, whimpering in pain.
Oh God, I didn’t know it could get this bloody
I need to see Alex now.
I’m sure he’s still inside, so I slide past Gunther and make my way in. The lunch box I parked feels warm against my chest as I clutch it, quickly filtering through the concemed faces.
My senses latch onto Alex, finding him squinting as he watches the player leave.
He blinks, then realizes I’m there.
any of that?”
“Ah, shit… Did you see any
I nod stiffly, and he moves in, hugging me.
“Don’t worry. He’ll be fine.”
“What happened?
Alex’s brows scrunch. “Oliver slipped while playing. When he fell, his skate sliced into Henry’s face. He’s gonna need stitches, but not sure he can keep playing at all even after duc”
1/3
Chupicy Un
The siglo, but caller than exasperated, he arrin happy
There’s ten pours at the mitofthe work,
since I have time, I go to balls. The one Friday night isn’t an had. It’s the one on Saturday
by that makes
un upon Alex
Khan li le as iluan glirling a toss the ice, Ales can barely get anywhere while someone from the other team blocking lam. It’s a contact game, so
Ticks, I’m sure they wor
would.
Hi fech as though they be outright attacking bins. If they were allowed to hit him with their sticks,
re’s plenty of other six–foot players, some of whom are stockier than he is.
He fights lack as much as possibile wälinn hurting anyone despite his clear irritation and impatience. His jaw clenches during a short pause, but he
That then, one of the opposing players outright slam into his side, shoving his face against the glass. It’s hard enough that it displaces his helmet.
I aluno to my feet the instant I see blood tim
from the top of his nose.
Tie tot the only one who sees it,
teammates for the rink looking over. After the pack makes it into the opposing net, he skates up to one.
offer player fisses luck, and the next thing I know, fists are flying.
in yell and cheer the brand, buit 1 just stare bit she k.
The players in their se
gloves and lichimets to fight muincumbered.
omes a iness of has and wrestling on für jer. Some even throw off their protective gear, removing
Allough the referees are quick to act, somehow, Alex is even quicker. Hut not to make the figlit worse,
of his teammates off an opposer and stan
for the others to stop.
As puls kly as the fighting starts up, it comes to an end. There’s some whistle blowing and callouts from the referees, demanding bor remaining
Eventually, the adrenaline rush runs out, and the players obey as requested. A few others now have blood dripping from their faces, and it looks like Alex got hit again, bleeding more than before. The refs call for a break to get players patched up before continuing the game.
I plojs down into my seat,
Continuer Although people are bleeding, they’re going to keep going?
Judred, they do, though the referees serin more stringent than before.
The game is close, but even with Alex held back, the Chullers padi through. This time, the post–game celebration seems muted, full of still -j frustration they can’t let out on each other.
Cher mir prople have left the ea, I head back to the locker room. Most of the other players have already gotten patched up, but Alex took the
After emoting the guys who left, I digrin, finding Alex changing into a dean shirt.
“Oh beyo,” he gren
reets, andling despite the bandage over his nose.
no apparently more timid than usual, and he sighs, sitting down on the bench.
Chapter 20
“C m’over here. I’m not an invalid.”
Not convincing. With your hands, and. Nose. Wrapped up.”
Still. I go in, scrunching my nose upon smelling a bunch of sweaty boys. He laughs at my expression, but calms when he sees the look in my eyes.
“Seriously, I’m fine, Cynth. This’ll heal in no time.”
“But uhm.” I look down at his hands, knowing that part is my fault. “Why do all of that? Fighting”
“Eh, it’s just part of the game. We get amped up on adrenaline and go wild. Blowing off steam, you know? Don’t take it too seriously and, ah, it doesn’t happen all the time. So you can still come to games without seeing fights”
I can’t help but squirm.
“But..uhm. He waits patiently as I try to speak. “Why fight so hard: To bleed. To win a game?”
Alex hams then, tilting his head in thought. Then he smiles and leans toward me.
1 guess you could say hockey is my drama club.
“I
Somehow, I immediately get it. It just sort of clicks to me,
that
Drama is my everything, and I would face the idea of bullies and getting beat up if it meant I could be somewhere near a stage. For him, it was th he’d face the same thing if it meant that puck could make it into a goal.
I’d never thought of it like that. I can’t help but think I’ve been shallow about this,
From now on, I’ll put more effort in his interests, 100.
3/3
