A full week passed.
Gabriella and I share one class period and she sits on the opposite side of the room, thank God.
The biggest problem is that it’s my Physics class. My class with my favorite people and she’s in it. She just had to be in that class.
Scarlett and I stopped talking as much. But I have been so busy with practice, I can’t complain.
I am complaining though. I miss her more than I should.
But maybe this kind of space is good.
Like I was getting too attached for my own good.
Now it’s game day.
Game freaking day.
“Welcome to West Hampton High School!” The announcer’s voice finally filled the stadium. Varsity games play and practice in the full sized arena. JV plays in the mini. That’s just how it goes. “This is our first hockey game of the season, as well as our Senior night.”
They cheered.
Our student section is huge. It always is. Since the girls hockey team actually wins games, people cheer for us.
I am dead last to go. Wilson.
Jordan Arnold. Her mom is a teacher here. We all call her JJ because her middle name is June. She’s our goalie. Damn good at it.
Jenny Hallin. Right defenseman.
Riley O’Connor. Left Winger. She and Anna switch. Anna’s a Junior.
Hannah Price. We call her Rose because that’s what she prefers. Left defenseman.
Daniella Rodriguez. Right defenseman.
Lilian Shwab. Usually a right winger but her defense is crazy.
Isabella VelÃisquez. Damn good player. Right winger.
Veronica Williamson. V. Left defenseman who knows how to defend.
Then me. Center. Always center. I’m the captain and I know the plays and I am really, really good at scoring.
I have it memorized because I’ve played with these girls since elementary school. That’s what makes me a good captain.
I can continue down the list. All the Juniors. Our three sophomores. And our single freshmen. I know them all.
I make sure I know them all.
Because no girl is getting left out on my team. Ever.
“Lilian Shwab, being escorted on by her parents, David and Miranda. She wants to attend-“
The only reason I have ever dreaded Senior night. The parent portion. He isn’t gonna be here. Especially today. He always locks himself in his room on this day.
“Natalie.” Anna came into the locker room, “Coach says to get out here now and be ready. And your dad is waiting for you.”
My head shot up. “What?”
“Coach wants you out here.” She furrowed her eyebrows together, “And your dad is looking for you.” Then she left.
I stood up and looked in the small mirror.
Sydney braided my hair into two french braids.
We got new uniforms this year. White is home. Red is away.
And I fuck with the red.
It’s so good.
So clean.
I brushed myself off and looked at grabbed my skates, and slid on my regular shoes.
“Natalie.” Sure enough, my dad was standing there. And he was holding flowers. And wearing a suit.
“What are you- I mean you’ve never-” I furrowed my eyebrows, “What are you doing here?”
“It’s your senior night. And I figured, you know, your mom would want me here.” He looked at the flowers, “I don’t know your favorite flower and that made me upset so I thought really hard and I remembered when we were in the car, on the way to the lake, we bought you some pansies and I was hoping you still liked them.”
Who is this man?
“Yeah. I like pansies, Dad.” I looked at the yellow and purple flowers in the small but beautiful bouquet. My favorite flowers are pansies. And he did know that.
“Natalie Wilson!” I put my arm around his and we slowly walked onto the ice, “Being escorted on by her father, Julius Wilson. Natalie is attending the University of Minnesota to continue her hockey career. She wants to study business and open her own company. Give it up for our captain, number 13!”
Dad walked me off the ice and I pulled him under the bleachers, “What the hell is going on?”
“I just wanted to come to your game.” He shrugged as if this was a normal thing.
“I hate to burst your bubble, but you haven’t been to any of my hockey games since I was, like, 13.” I shook my head, “So what made you come today? What made you think ‘Oh, I’ve been the world’s shittiest father. Let me come to one game, walk her out, and things will go back to the way they used to be. News flash, Dad, you’re an asshole. And I have been holding this in for so long but you have finally set me over that edge. Thanks for the flowers, thanks for letting the school believe that my home life is fine, but I don’t want you here.”
He nodded a few times, a calm look on his face. Then he cleared his throat, “I see her in you everyday. You both look more like her than me. And it hurts me so much because I love my children, but I miss my wife. And I had a dream last night and realized how much of an asshole I really am. So I bought you your favorite flower. I dragged Melly all the way here. I talked to Sydney.” He looked at his watch, “I want to talk to you and apologize and explain but you have to go play your game.”
“Dad-“
“Look, it takes a lot for a grown man to say stuff like this. I love you, kid. I’m so sorry for everything I said that made you feel small or weak or unimportant. Because I am those things to you. I’m a man who took out his grief on his kids and I want you to forgive me after this game.”
I felt a tear roll down my face, “Thank you.”
He put his arm on my shoulder, “Malachi and I are in the front row of the family section.”
“I’ll look for you.”
He squeezed my shoulder and I walked back to our bench.
“You okay?” Kitty looked up at me as she stretched her right leg out in front of her, reaching for her toes.
“Great, actually.” I sat next to her and started stretches.
“You notice how fucking big the student section is this year?” Izzie nodded behind me to the bleachers.
So I looked.
And it looks two times bigger than last year. And that’s saying something because, again, people like us because we win.
I scanned the crowd and found Mobius, Yoda, and Sydney. All wearing Warriors merchandise. Supporting the girls hockey team.
But Scarlett was there too. Her whole cheer squad was there.
And she was wearing my hoodie.
________
The last few minutes of the game are always fun. We are up by two goals but you never know what can happen.
“Alright,” I looked around the group of girls. Most of the seniors that are playing are tired. Too tired to actually win our game. I know they’re gonna be mad at me for pulling them out. “Allie and Reign go in for Jenny and Izzie.”
Izzie raised her eyebrows, “Reign in for me.”
I glared at her telling her to shut up. “We have 6 minutes left in the game. We need our defense pumped up.” I looked between the Sophomore and Freshman. They look scared as hell. “You guys made it here, you can play.”
Allison Winsmark is our only freshman. And she is so fucking talented. This kid is gonna be better than me and I hate admitting that.
“High on defense.” I put my hand in the huddle, “Warriors on three. 1! 2! 3! Warriors.”
Everyone threw their hands up and rushed back on the ice.
I fixed my mouth guard and got into position next to the girl playing for Taylorsville. Their mascot is the Devils. I think it’s cool as fuck because their uniforms are black and dark red.
I took a deep breath and looked to my left. Riley was staring intently at the girls playing for the Devils. Hannah Price is behind her.
On my right, Reign in Izzie’s spot. Allie is right behind her, ready to play.
I looked back at the girl in front of me. She’s very ready.
I shook off the nerves and bent lower, ready for the ref to put the puck down.
Breathe.
In.
Out.
The puck hit the ice and I immediately hit it to Allison. No one would expect me to pass to a freshman playing the first game.
But she’s ready.
She hits it left to Hannah.
I race up the ice right past the Devils, circling around the goal.
Hannah notices that and hits the puck right to me and I circle the goal again.
Number 6 is coming right to me and I see Reign slide right behind her.
“Reign!” I hit the puck between her legs and Reign grabs it with ease, hitting it straight to the net, barely missing.
It was a good shot. Almost impressive.
We’ll work on that.
The Devils right winger gets the puck and hits it to number 6 who starts racing down the ice.
I’m flying now, ready to throw myself at her.
But Allie gets there first, knocking the girl into the wall.
I come up behind them and take the puck they were fighting for, flying down the ice towards the net.
Allie should get this goal.
I glance behind me and notice her still fighting with number 6, it turning more into a real fight versus one over a puck.
Shit shit shit.
“Hannah!” I pass to Hannah who is partially open but Reign and Riley are right next to her.
I turn back and head towards the commotion.
But they’re done.
Allie is heading right back over.
I glance up at the clock. 3 minutes left.
I look at coach.
And he calls a timeout.
We glide back over to the bench.
I take out my mouth guard and put my free arm around Allie, “Next time someone roughs you up against the wall like that, aim for the shins.”
She looked at me, wide eyed, “That’s like, totally against the rules.”
I shook my head, “Your stick got trapped between you and the other girls and you accidentally hit her while trying to get free.”
“Does that work?”
I smiled at her, “Like a charm.” I turned to the girls and took my helmet off.
My hair is sweaty and matted to my forehead. It’s running down my back. And I know this compression shirt under all this is making it worse. I know all the girls have the same problem.
They’re nice shirts though. Red with our numbers and last names in white. We got a long sleeved and short sleeved one.
And a shit ton of other gear but that’s because our school funding is insane.
“Listen girls, we are doing good. So far, we’re winning. But I need our heads strong. I know we’re tired. And we’re so ready to fight someone.” I shook my head, “We can do this.” I pat Reign on the back, “Grab a drink.”
I squirt water in my mouth and sat on the bench, holding my helmet in my hands.
I glanced at the bleachers. The family section.
Malachi and Dad were still sitting there. Dad was looking intently at the scoreboard and Malachi’s eyes were on me.
I waved at him.
He hit dad in the arm and waved at me.
Dad waved too.
I waved.
Then I looked away.
Sydney, Mobius, and Yoda were still in their seats. Mobius had red and white on his cheeks and had a 3 painted on his exposed chest.
Yoda was matching him but with a 1 on his chest.
13.
That’s so sweet, how did I just notice it?
Sydney was wearing my jersey from last year and had one of those pointer fingers on her hand, waving it around in the air.
The refs blew the whistle and I put my helmet on.
I stole a glance at Scarlett as we went back onto the ice.
She’s still wearing my hoodie. Obviously.
And she’s actually watching.
She’s looking at me.
I waved to her, deciding against the voices in my head telling me not to.
Her smile brightened and she waved back.
And that’s the moment I knew I had to score again.
We’re resuming in our left face-off circle. Because we called the timeout.
I bent down, focusing only on the puck.
The ref dropped it and I scooped it to Hannah. “Red!”
The ‘Red’ play is a play all of the girls know. I can only call it once and I always save it for the end of the games.
Usually I’ll call a blue play though. Get the puck to the other end and focus on scoring.
Orange is defense.
Yellow is more defense.
Purple is an attack.
Red is make me open and get me the puck.
It’s a selfish play that makes me score.
But I am the best scorer on this team. Besides Allison Winsmark and Isabella VelÃisquez.
“Red play!” Reign repeated to the girls behind me.
Hannah passed the puck to Allison then knocked one of the Devils into the wall.
Reign and Riley raced ahead of us and blocked the other girls the best they could.
I looked back at Allison.
She nodded and passed me the puck.
Number 6 was on my back.
I circled around their net and took a deep breath as I shot the puck into their goal.
I made it right as the buzzer went off.
Then I saw 6 coming straight for me.
She knocked into me and I swear I did a backflip.
I was on the ground and my shoulder was hurting like a bitch.
The whole crowd, Oooed and then went completely silent.
I jumped up and looked at her.
My teammates had already rushed over, looking to see if I was alright and potentially about to start a fight.
I put my hands up and shook my head. My right side is hurting really fucking bad but it’s not worth a fight. I’m gonna be the bigger person.
I said that in my head, repeating it like a manifestation.
But number 6 had a sly grin on her face.
And I lost it.
“You think that hit was okay?”
“I think it was good. You fucking deserved it.” She got in my face.
“I deserved getting hit because I’m better than you?”
She snarled, “You guys cheated.”
“Oh, you’re sad because you lost.” I faked cried, “You lose every year. Go cry about it on your shitty bus back to your shitty little town.”
“Yeah how ’bout you go cry about that shoulder to your mommy.” She laughed.
Before I could even stop myself, my fist connected with her jaw.
She knows about my mom. That’s why she made that comment.
Usually, I’d be polite. “My mom actually passed when I was younger.”
But not today. Not with number 6.
Everyone started shouting and fighting each other.
I felt her hit my eye but I could care less.
I was sitting on her chest, hitting her in the face, hitting anywhere my fists could reach.
Until someone pulled me off her.
“No! You don’t know what she said.” I tried to pull away from them but I couldn’t. I feel like crying. God I feel like crying right now. “You don’t know.”
“I don’t but I don’t need my best player getting suspended over this.” Coach W. “We need ice on your shoulder and eye now.”
“It isn’t even bad.” I shrugged away from him and walked into the hallway towards the lockers room.
“Yeah but it is. Your face is busted.” He stopped in front of the locker room door, standing a respectful distance away, “You know better.”
I glared at him, ignoring the rest of my teammates coming down the hall, “No one talks about my mom and gets away with it.”
He looked at me, “I’m sure she didn’t know-“
“She knew.” I walked into the locker room and threw my pads off and into the locker.
It’s bullshit.
We won but that’s the worst first game I’ve ever had.
As if my head wasn’t fucked up enough with school and Scarlett. But Dad had to show up. Then that ugly bitch had to say that stupid thing about Mom.
I could’ve held it in.
I kicked the bottom of the locker, “I should’ve held it the fuck in.”
Kitty put her pads inside her locker next to mine, “I would’ve hit her if you didn’t. She was fucked up for that comment.”
“And you got her pretty good.” Allison sat across from us, “I mean, she was a sore loser who clearly needed to get humbled.”
“Yeah but I made a fool out of myself.”
“Are you kidding me!?” Izzie threw off her pads onto the floor, “The crowd was going crazy. I can see the WarriorsRecaps post right now!” She pulled out her phone, “I bet they’ll post it in the next 5 minutes. Jason and Henry Skutt are here.”
“They’re the ones who run it!?” Allison stood up, “No way.”
“Senior secret so keep your mouth shut.” I smiled at her then looked back at Izzie, “You really think they were chill with it?”
“Coach wasn’t.” Riley untied her skates and slowly look them off, “But everyone else was going crazy. Even your dad was cheering.”
Huh. That’s interesting.
“Go Wilson!” V came into the locker room with Lily right behind her.
Lily pat my back, “I’m impressed. Usually V is the one starting fights.”
V elbowed her as she moved past us, “I do not.”
“You do.” Izzie, Riley, and I said at the same time then burst out laughing.
I slid the rest of my gear off as we talked and then Allie and Kitty assessed my shoulder.
Allie’s lip went up, “It’s already purple.”
“Hints of green.” Kitty shook her head, “Not looking good, cap.”
I walked over to the mirror and looked at my side where they were talking about. It was a nasty bruise. But not as bad as my eye.
I touched the side of my eyebrow where the bruise had spread.
I have a black eye. Me, Natalie Wilson, has a black eye.
“You should see Gertie.” Kitty smiled and shook her head, “She’s probably mad her name is Gertrude and takes her anger out in hockey.”
I snorted, “Good one, Kitty.”
I took a quick shower and decided to hurry and get dressed because my friends were no doubt waiting for me.
I looked around the room as I slid a clean shirt over my head. Most of the girls have gone home. There’s still water running in the showers and some movement on the other side of the room but everyone in my row is gone.
Almost everyone.
Allison was sitting in front of her locker, staring at her phone.
“What’s up kid?” I adjusted the way my gear bag was sitting on my shoulder.
She looked up at me, “My mom doesn’t get off until 9 so I was just gonna wait till she could get here.”
I looked at my phone. It’s 8:19. No way her moms work is close. She’s not gonna sit here for another hour.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“You don’t have to-“
“Come on, Allie.” I gestured to her bag, “Grab that and come on.”
She nodded and picked up her back and stick, walking close behind me.
“I’m gonna say hi to my friends.” I looked back at her, “You wanna come?”
She nodded again.
She’s shy outside of the rink.
I was like that too.
I’ll make sure to try and help her with that.
“Hey guys.” I walked up to the small group of people, a few cheerleaders and people I haven’t actually talked to mixed in with my own friends.
“The end of that game was absolutely insane!” Mobius looked at the corner of my eye, “That’s nasty.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.” I looked at Sydney and Yoda.
They were all over me in a matter of seconds.
“Are you okay!”
“We were so worried when we saw it happen!”
“Let me kiss it better!”
I swatted them away from me, “It doesn’t even hurt.”
“It looked cool though.” Scarlett crossed her arms over her chest.
It looked cool.
I could moan.
“Did it?”
“Yeah.” She smiled and nodded slightly.
“Well good game.” Mobius’ smile wasn’t from our conversation. No, he knows my secret and he thinks it’s just so funny.
“Great game, Natalie.” Gabriella patted me on the back, “Great to see you still have an angry side.”
I glared at her and shrugged her hand off, “Thanks.” I looked back at the group, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I looked at Allison, “I’m gonna tell my dad bye.”
“Do what you need to.”
I scanned the large crowd, desperately wanting to get away from that circle of seniors. Their eyes on on me, thinking about the end of the game and over analyzing the interaction between Gab and I.
Finally, I found my dad, “Dad!”
“Hey!” He looked at me eye immediately, “That’s all she did? You should see her face.”
“Was it bad?”
“Horrible.” Melly pat my shoulder, “Great goal at the end though. I’m taking notes.”
I smiled at him, “It’s my favorite play.” I glanced at Allison. She smiled at the inside joke.
Everyone on the team knows the red play is my favorite. That’s why we have the once a game rule.
“You sleeping at home tonight?” Dad got my attention again.
“I think so.” I nodded, “I’m gonna give Allie a ride but I’ll be there in the next hour.”
“Fine with me.” Dad hugged me then looked at Mal, “We’re leaving now.”
“Me too.” I looked at Allie, “You wanna talk to anyone?”
“No, I’m okay.”
Yep, she’s gotta come out of her shell this year.
I’m gonna help her.
“Nat! Oh my God.” Mobius ran up to us in the parking lot. Sydney and Yoda right behind him.
I was so close to my Volkswagen. I can see her parked right next to Sydney’s Jeep. I could run over there if I wanted to.
But I’m too tired.
And sore.
And these are my best friends.
“What’s up?”
He pulled out his phone and showed me what was so important.
WarriorsRecaps posted.
They posted me.
WarriorsRecap
(liked by sydney.wyatt and 422 others)
WarriorsRecap Natalie Wilson, our 3 time state winning hockey captain, was in a beat down with Gertrude Purdie. She nailed a total of 6 punches to that poor girls face. Gertie, a 5 foot 6 inch gremlin, only landed one. This altercation proved Natalie’s wonderful defense on the ice and in a more physical way. For everyone who missed the 9-7 winning game, you’ll be out of the loop for weeks to come. What a game! What a punch! Watch the official WarriorsRecap replay now!
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I looked up at him, “What the hell does he mean when he says ‘you’ll be out of the loop for weeks to come?'”
Sydney smiled, “People are gonna love this, Nat.”
I shook my head, “It’s not gonna be a big deal.”
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