Peyton came out of her room and walked to the bathroom. “Hey Brooke?”
“Yea?” I called back from the couch.
“Is it ok if I leave you here today? Max wants me to go out with him.” She said.
I thought for a moment before nodding, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah, it’s fine.”
There was a pause before she replied. “I know you had this whole movie thing planned, so I feel kind of bad.”
I shook my head. “It’s ok, really. I got Casablanca and Willy Wonka with me. I’ll survive. Besides I have to get used to the fact that you have a boyfriend and I’m going to die all alone,” I jokingly wept on the last part.
She came out to the living room. “Ok, as long as you’re good.” I frowned. “But tell you what, tomorrow’s Sunday, we can spend the day being lazy. Sound good?”
I took a bite from my bowl of cereal. “Oh Sunday? Sorry, I’ve got to finish my knitting for my cats but after 2 I’m all yours.”
She smiled. “Great.” The door knocked and she went to go get it. Max appeared behind the door grinning at Peyton.
He walked in looking at me. “Hi Brooke,” he greeted.
“Hey Max,” I said not looking up from my cereal.
He turned to look at Peyton. “You ready?”
She nodded. “Just let me grab my jacket.
“So what are you big plans for today?” he asked sitting on the armrest of the couch staring down at the table full chips, chocolate and cold left over Chinese food.
I shrugged. “I’m going to watch some movies. There’s nothing better to do.”
Peyton emerged from her room as Max stood up. “Are you sure you’re going to be ok here Brooke? I can come back early if you want.”
“No don’t. I’m fine, seriously. Go be disgustingly adorable and happy.”
She sighed. “Fine. Ready Max?”
He finished texting on his blackberry fast and looked at her, nodding. “Yea, let’s go.” He opened the door for Peyton. “Bye Brooke.”
I waved to him lazily picking up my cold Chinese food and chopsticks putting a piece of chicken in my mouth.
He was half-way out the door when he looked back at me. “Oh and Brooke? Don’t be so sure you’ll be alone today. I bet you’ll go out and do something with someone.”
I looked up at him confused as he closed the door before I tried to understand what he was hinting at.
--------------------------------
I scooped another spoonful of cookie dough into my mouth just as Casablanca ended. I let out a long sigh and turned off the TV. I looked around the apartment without moving form the couch. I looked down at the stack of DVD’s on the table and picked one up. In the middle of opening the case, my phone rang.
I picked it up. “Hello.”
“Hey Brooke,” Sidney’s voice came ringing through my ears.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Hey Sidney. Uh how did you get my number?”
“Max gave it to me,“ he said sounding anxious. “How are you?”
I placed the DVD back down, curious how this conversation would go and sunk into the couch. “I’m good, just here.”
“Peyton’s not there?”
“No she went off with Max about an hour ago,” I explained.
“Oh. So what are you doing?”
I looked down at the table full of empty bags of chips, half-eaten ice cream cartons, Chinese containers, and some soggy cereal on the table. “Oh just watching some TV.”
“That sounds nice,” he replied. I could hear him moving around his place.
I nodded. “So what are you up to today?”
“Not much. I usually stay home and relax on off days.” He sighed. “Are you doing anything today?”
“No, sitting on the couch is pretty much the highlight of my day.”
He let out a small laugh. “Do you want to do something? Maybe go get something to eat?”
Again I looked at all the food I’d eaten in the past hour. “Uh, sure that sounds great.”
“Ok. I’ll be there in about 30 minutes. Sound good?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you then,” I said hanging up the phone.
I raced around the apartment trying to clean up all the mess managing to make the place look decent. I tripped on my way to the room to change out of my sweats and baggy sweater. I pulled on some dark jeans and a gray sweater. I dabbed some eyeliner and let my hair down. I raided my closet to find shoes and was in the middle of putting on one shoe when the door knocked.
I hopped on one leg still trying to put the other shoe on and opened the door. “Hey Sidney, come on in,” I hopped back to the living room to sit on the couch.
“Hey, are you ready?”
I knelt to the floor to look under the couch. “Uh huh I just need to find my other shoe. I have no idea where it is.”
“What does it look like?”
“It’s plain black with black laces.” I called from under the couch.
He looked around the living room taking only a few steps. “When was the last time you saw it?”
I sat up furrowing my eyebrows. “I’m not sure.”
He ducked his head behind the TV and bent down a bit. “Oh, found it.” He stood back up and handed me the shoe.
I smiled. “Thank you!”
He smiled. “What was it doing behind the TV?”
I shrugged bending down to tie the laces. “Peyton probably borrowed them. She leave’s her
things everywhere.” I stood up and flattened my hair before looking up at him. “Ready?”
He nodded. “Yes.” I grabbed my keys, phone and jacket before turning out the lights.
-----------------------------
“So what do you think about this whole Max and Peyton thing?” I asked shoving a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth.
He finished eating the rest of his ice cream and thought for a moment. “I don’t really know yet. I’ve been so used to them bickering all the time I never thought they liked each other.”
“I know! I thought the exact same thing!” I said almost dropping my spoon.
“But I don’t know, they seem happy together,” he reasoned throwing out his cup.
“Yea they do,” I spoke softly. “But something bad could happen.”
He gave me a confused look. “What do you mean?”
I shrugged my left shoulder. “What if they don’t work out and it becomes extremely awkward
around everyone?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked straight ahead. “Well let’s stop being negative and hope they don’t.”
I nodded slowly finishing my ice cream and throwing it out. “So,” I said trying to change the subject. “What do we do now? It’s still pretty early,” I asked looking at my phone seeing it was only three in the afternoon.
He nodded over at the small park across the street. “Want to go sit down in the park?”
“Sure let’s go.” We crossed the street and began walking into the park. I admired the green color of the trees and the cool breeze blowing.
It had been quiet for a few minutes until Sidney spoke. “So do you?”
I squinted up at him, trying to block the sun from my eyes. “Do I what?”
He pointed to a bench nearby and went to sit on it as I followed. “Do you date?”
I stopped in my tracks right in front of him. “Oh.” I looked at the floor trying to think of an answer. “I don’t know,” I mumbled.
He tilted his head to the side. “What?”
“I don’t know,” I repeated in more of a high panicked voice.
“Oh that’s usually something you know,” he said looking down at his hands.
“I know!” I answered a bit taking in a few deep breaths as I sat down on the bench.
Sidney leaned forward not knowing exactly what to do. “I’m sorry Brooke, I didn’t mean to freak you out.”
I shook my head. “No it’s ok. It’s just,” I paused looking at him. “No one’s ever asked me that before.”
He leaned back placing his hands on his legs. “Oh.” I nodded. “So do you date?”
I shrugged forcing out a laugh. “I guess I don’t.”
“But you used to?”
I nodded slowly staring at the tree in front of us. “I used to date in high school.”
“But no boyfriends?” he asked softly.
“I had a boyfriend junior year but it didn’t work out. I had somewhat of a boyfriend recently but that didn’t work out and I was pretty depressed. I thought I really liked him, guess he didn’t feel the same. Other than that I’ve had a few dates last year but no boyfriends.”
He twisted his mouth to the side before speaking. “Why not?”
“I’m not sure. I think I’ve never given myself the chance to open up to someone to see if I actually like them. I guess it’s easier to be on my own. I have no obligations to anyone. Plus,” I paused sighing. “I guess you could say I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Scared that if I let someone in, they’ll get bored.”
He gave me a serious look. “But you have to take chances in life to know.”
“What if I let someone in and they get sick of me? What if he sees I’m not worth it and that
he’s been wasting his time?” I argued.
I looked back at Sidney who kept looking at his hands. I calmed down a bit smiling slightly when he looked back at me. “But it’s ok.” He looked confused. “It’s ok that I have no one. My life’s not that crazy or exciting. I’m ok with growing old and having a dog and knitting a whole lot. Just no cats. I’ll sneeze way too much,” I smirked softly.
His mouth tugged to one side as he sat up and looked away from me. I smiled to myself and enjoyed the air that sent chills up and down my body. Sidney said nothing else. He didn’t question my reasoning or my wants. He accepted it. It was only then I realized just how much more I liked him. He was caring and listened to me. He cared what I had to say. And yet he was still modest about everything and convinced that he was bound to be alone for the rest of his life.
I couldn’t think anymore without the throbbing pain in my head. I saw Sidney concentrated on the rock under his foot. He didn’t move and seemed almost hypnotized by it. I cleared my throat and spoke. “So, what do we do now?”
He sighed and stretched his arms above his head. He kept his eyes lowered, making me believe he hadn’t heard my question. “You want to go somewhere indoors?”
I nodded. “Sure. Where though?”
He stood up putting his hands in his jacket pocket and waiting for me to get up. I tugged on my sweater and stared up at him. “You ready?”
“Where are we going?”
He shrugged. “I know a place.”
I grinned. “You’re really not going to tell me?”
He shook his head, smirking as I frowned and paid attention to the sidewalk.
----------------------------
“What are we doing here?” I asked staring up at the Consol Energy Center.
“We’re going in,” he said walking to go in through the parking lot.
I jogged to catch up to him. “But isn’t it closed?”
He turned to me and smiled. “Brooke, I’m a player here. I have a key to go in if I want.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I take it you’ve done this before?”
He shrugged. “Once or twice,” he replied pushing the button to the elevator. Once it opened he allowed me in first.
As we waited to be taken up I asked another question. “What exactly are we doing?”
Sidney raised his eyebrows and grinned at me as the door opened. I followed him as he continued to walk and eventually stopped in the locker room. “You want to get a private tour?”
My eyes widened as I grinned. “Are you serious?”
He turned to open the door to the locker room and walked in as I followed. “Here it is. Completely empty.”
I looked around the enormous room. A big circle in the middle with benches around the wall and each player’s stall with their name above it. Fresh gear and uniforms hanging clean and ready to use. Huge fans were spread around the room and were turned off. The smell of sweat was surprisingly gone. The room was cool and overwhelmingly quiet. I turned in circles taking in every aspect until I landed on Sidney.
He sat in front of his stall and laid his head against the wall. His eyes were closed and his face relaxed. He didn’t have his usual tense, concentrated expression. Instead he had a soothing calmness about him. He loved it here. The quiet. Being alone with his thoughts. I could see why he came here. This is where he felt comfortable. This is where he felt like himself. I’d been so entranced in my thoughts I didn’t notice he was speaking to me.
“Brooke? Are you ok?”
I shook my head and forced a smile. “Yea, I’m great.”
He nodded, looking around. He gave me an uneasy look. “Do you want to go skating?”
I had to laugh at his effort to ask. “Do you want to Sidney?”
He sighed. “I don’t mind. I mean if you want to, I’ll accompany you.”
I laughed throwing my hands in the air slightly. “I would love to.”
Within 15 minutes he found a pair of skates to lend me and put on his own. He helped me stand up and put on a cap. As we were walking outside he grabbed a stick and bucket full of pucks. I eyed him curiously. He let out a small laugh. ”Might as well get in some practice.”
I only shook my head as we stepped out into the rink. I looked up at awe at the arena. It was completely empty. Not a soul or noise to be heard. It was so serene and quiet compared to how loud it got during a game. It made me realize how big the place actually was.
“Yea?” I called back from the couch.
“Is it ok if I leave you here today? Max wants me to go out with him.” She said.
I thought for a moment before nodding, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah, it’s fine.”
There was a pause before she replied. “I know you had this whole movie thing planned, so I feel kind of bad.”
I shook my head. “It’s ok, really. I got Casablanca and Willy Wonka with me. I’ll survive. Besides I have to get used to the fact that you have a boyfriend and I’m going to die all alone,” I jokingly wept on the last part.
She came out to the living room. “Ok, as long as you’re good.” I frowned. “But tell you what, tomorrow’s Sunday, we can spend the day being lazy. Sound good?”
I took a bite from my bowl of cereal. “Oh Sunday? Sorry, I’ve got to finish my knitting for my cats but after 2 I’m all yours.”
She smiled. “Great.” The door knocked and she went to go get it. Max appeared behind the door grinning at Peyton.
He walked in looking at me. “Hi Brooke,” he greeted.
“Hey Max,” I said not looking up from my cereal.
He turned to look at Peyton. “You ready?”
She nodded. “Just let me grab my jacket.
“So what are you big plans for today?” he asked sitting on the armrest of the couch staring down at the table full chips, chocolate and cold left over Chinese food.
I shrugged. “I’m going to watch some movies. There’s nothing better to do.”
Peyton emerged from her room as Max stood up. “Are you sure you’re going to be ok here Brooke? I can come back early if you want.”
“No don’t. I’m fine, seriously. Go be disgustingly adorable and happy.”
She sighed. “Fine. Ready Max?”
He finished texting on his blackberry fast and looked at her, nodding. “Yea, let’s go.” He opened the door for Peyton. “Bye Brooke.”
I waved to him lazily picking up my cold Chinese food and chopsticks putting a piece of chicken in my mouth.
He was half-way out the door when he looked back at me. “Oh and Brooke? Don’t be so sure you’ll be alone today. I bet you’ll go out and do something with someone.”
I looked up at him confused as he closed the door before I tried to understand what he was hinting at.
--------------------------------
I scooped another spoonful of cookie dough into my mouth just as Casablanca ended. I let out a long sigh and turned off the TV. I looked around the apartment without moving form the couch. I looked down at the stack of DVD’s on the table and picked one up. In the middle of opening the case, my phone rang.
I picked it up. “Hello.”
“Hey Brooke,” Sidney’s voice came ringing through my ears.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Hey Sidney. Uh how did you get my number?”
“Max gave it to me,“ he said sounding anxious. “How are you?”
I placed the DVD back down, curious how this conversation would go and sunk into the couch. “I’m good, just here.”
“Peyton’s not there?”
“No she went off with Max about an hour ago,” I explained.
“Oh. So what are you doing?”
I looked down at the table full of empty bags of chips, half-eaten ice cream cartons, Chinese containers, and some soggy cereal on the table. “Oh just watching some TV.”
“That sounds nice,” he replied. I could hear him moving around his place.
I nodded. “So what are you up to today?”
“Not much. I usually stay home and relax on off days.” He sighed. “Are you doing anything today?”
“No, sitting on the couch is pretty much the highlight of my day.”
He let out a small laugh. “Do you want to do something? Maybe go get something to eat?”
Again I looked at all the food I’d eaten in the past hour. “Uh, sure that sounds great.”
“Ok. I’ll be there in about 30 minutes. Sound good?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you then,” I said hanging up the phone.
I raced around the apartment trying to clean up all the mess managing to make the place look decent. I tripped on my way to the room to change out of my sweats and baggy sweater. I pulled on some dark jeans and a gray sweater. I dabbed some eyeliner and let my hair down. I raided my closet to find shoes and was in the middle of putting on one shoe when the door knocked.
I hopped on one leg still trying to put the other shoe on and opened the door. “Hey Sidney, come on in,” I hopped back to the living room to sit on the couch.
“Hey, are you ready?”
I knelt to the floor to look under the couch. “Uh huh I just need to find my other shoe. I have no idea where it is.”
“What does it look like?”
“It’s plain black with black laces.” I called from under the couch.
He looked around the living room taking only a few steps. “When was the last time you saw it?”
I sat up furrowing my eyebrows. “I’m not sure.”
He ducked his head behind the TV and bent down a bit. “Oh, found it.” He stood back up and handed me the shoe.
I smiled. “Thank you!”
He smiled. “What was it doing behind the TV?”
I shrugged bending down to tie the laces. “Peyton probably borrowed them. She leave’s her
things everywhere.” I stood up and flattened my hair before looking up at him. “Ready?”
He nodded. “Yes.” I grabbed my keys, phone and jacket before turning out the lights.
-----------------------------
“So what do you think about this whole Max and Peyton thing?” I asked shoving a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth.
He finished eating the rest of his ice cream and thought for a moment. “I don’t really know yet. I’ve been so used to them bickering all the time I never thought they liked each other.”
“I know! I thought the exact same thing!” I said almost dropping my spoon.
“But I don’t know, they seem happy together,” he reasoned throwing out his cup.
“Yea they do,” I spoke softly. “But something bad could happen.”
He gave me a confused look. “What do you mean?”
I shrugged my left shoulder. “What if they don’t work out and it becomes extremely awkward
around everyone?”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked straight ahead. “Well let’s stop being negative and hope they don’t.”
I nodded slowly finishing my ice cream and throwing it out. “So,” I said trying to change the subject. “What do we do now? It’s still pretty early,” I asked looking at my phone seeing it was only three in the afternoon.
He nodded over at the small park across the street. “Want to go sit down in the park?”
“Sure let’s go.” We crossed the street and began walking into the park. I admired the green color of the trees and the cool breeze blowing.
It had been quiet for a few minutes until Sidney spoke. “So do you?”
I squinted up at him, trying to block the sun from my eyes. “Do I what?”
He pointed to a bench nearby and went to sit on it as I followed. “Do you date?”
I stopped in my tracks right in front of him. “Oh.” I looked at the floor trying to think of an answer. “I don’t know,” I mumbled.
He tilted his head to the side. “What?”
“I don’t know,” I repeated in more of a high panicked voice.
“Oh that’s usually something you know,” he said looking down at his hands.
“I know!” I answered a bit taking in a few deep breaths as I sat down on the bench.
Sidney leaned forward not knowing exactly what to do. “I’m sorry Brooke, I didn’t mean to freak you out.”
I shook my head. “No it’s ok. It’s just,” I paused looking at him. “No one’s ever asked me that before.”
He leaned back placing his hands on his legs. “Oh.” I nodded. “So do you date?”
I shrugged forcing out a laugh. “I guess I don’t.”
“But you used to?”
I nodded slowly staring at the tree in front of us. “I used to date in high school.”
“But no boyfriends?” he asked softly.
“I had a boyfriend junior year but it didn’t work out. I had somewhat of a boyfriend recently but that didn’t work out and I was pretty depressed. I thought I really liked him, guess he didn’t feel the same. Other than that I’ve had a few dates last year but no boyfriends.”
He twisted his mouth to the side before speaking. “Why not?”
“I’m not sure. I think I’ve never given myself the chance to open up to someone to see if I actually like them. I guess it’s easier to be on my own. I have no obligations to anyone. Plus,” I paused sighing. “I guess you could say I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Scared that if I let someone in, they’ll get bored.”
He gave me a serious look. “But you have to take chances in life to know.”
“What if I let someone in and they get sick of me? What if he sees I’m not worth it and that
he’s been wasting his time?” I argued.
I looked back at Sidney who kept looking at his hands. I calmed down a bit smiling slightly when he looked back at me. “But it’s ok.” He looked confused. “It’s ok that I have no one. My life’s not that crazy or exciting. I’m ok with growing old and having a dog and knitting a whole lot. Just no cats. I’ll sneeze way too much,” I smirked softly.
His mouth tugged to one side as he sat up and looked away from me. I smiled to myself and enjoyed the air that sent chills up and down my body. Sidney said nothing else. He didn’t question my reasoning or my wants. He accepted it. It was only then I realized just how much more I liked him. He was caring and listened to me. He cared what I had to say. And yet he was still modest about everything and convinced that he was bound to be alone for the rest of his life.
I couldn’t think anymore without the throbbing pain in my head. I saw Sidney concentrated on the rock under his foot. He didn’t move and seemed almost hypnotized by it. I cleared my throat and spoke. “So, what do we do now?”
He sighed and stretched his arms above his head. He kept his eyes lowered, making me believe he hadn’t heard my question. “You want to go somewhere indoors?”
I nodded. “Sure. Where though?”
He stood up putting his hands in his jacket pocket and waiting for me to get up. I tugged on my sweater and stared up at him. “You ready?”
“Where are we going?”
He shrugged. “I know a place.”
I grinned. “You’re really not going to tell me?”
He shook his head, smirking as I frowned and paid attention to the sidewalk.
----------------------------
“What are we doing here?” I asked staring up at the Consol Energy Center.
“We’re going in,” he said walking to go in through the parking lot.
I jogged to catch up to him. “But isn’t it closed?”
He turned to me and smiled. “Brooke, I’m a player here. I have a key to go in if I want.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I take it you’ve done this before?”
He shrugged. “Once or twice,” he replied pushing the button to the elevator. Once it opened he allowed me in first.
As we waited to be taken up I asked another question. “What exactly are we doing?”
Sidney raised his eyebrows and grinned at me as the door opened. I followed him as he continued to walk and eventually stopped in the locker room. “You want to get a private tour?”
My eyes widened as I grinned. “Are you serious?”
He turned to open the door to the locker room and walked in as I followed. “Here it is. Completely empty.”
I looked around the enormous room. A big circle in the middle with benches around the wall and each player’s stall with their name above it. Fresh gear and uniforms hanging clean and ready to use. Huge fans were spread around the room and were turned off. The smell of sweat was surprisingly gone. The room was cool and overwhelmingly quiet. I turned in circles taking in every aspect until I landed on Sidney.
He sat in front of his stall and laid his head against the wall. His eyes were closed and his face relaxed. He didn’t have his usual tense, concentrated expression. Instead he had a soothing calmness about him. He loved it here. The quiet. Being alone with his thoughts. I could see why he came here. This is where he felt comfortable. This is where he felt like himself. I’d been so entranced in my thoughts I didn’t notice he was speaking to me.
“Brooke? Are you ok?”
I shook my head and forced a smile. “Yea, I’m great.”
He nodded, looking around. He gave me an uneasy look. “Do you want to go skating?”
I had to laugh at his effort to ask. “Do you want to Sidney?”
He sighed. “I don’t mind. I mean if you want to, I’ll accompany you.”
I laughed throwing my hands in the air slightly. “I would love to.”
Within 15 minutes he found a pair of skates to lend me and put on his own. He helped me stand up and put on a cap. As we were walking outside he grabbed a stick and bucket full of pucks. I eyed him curiously. He let out a small laugh. ”Might as well get in some practice.”
I only shook my head as we stepped out into the rink. I looked up at awe at the arena. It was completely empty. Not a soul or noise to be heard. It was so serene and quiet compared to how loud it got during a game. It made me realize how big the place actually was.
By the time I looked back down Sidney was already on the ice shooting from a distance. I smiled to myself and wobbled down to sit on the benches. “Are you going to come out?”
I nodded. “Yea, I’ll be right there.” I kept staring at the pucks that went flying from the other end of the ice. Sidney skated faster to the net and made swift movements with the puck and made numerous slap shots. He moved so graceful on the ice as if it were nothing.
After a few minutes he skated over to me and looked down at me and smirked. “Are you going out anytime soon? Or are you planning on sitting here the whole time?”
I forced out an awkward laugh. “I’m going out there. I’m just resting my legs,” I argued fidgeting with my hands.
He eyed me for a moment before coming to sit down on the bench with me. “You have gone ice skating before right?”
I scoffed. “Who hasn’t gone ice skating? What kind of question is that?”
“So you have?”
“Of course I have! Plenty, plenty of times! When the situation has-” I sighed heavily. “No, never. Not once,” I admitted smiling sheepishly.
He moved his head back a bit, surprised. He studied me for a moment before placing his stick behind him and standing up. “Well come on.”
“Come on what?” I asked, confused.
“Let’s go out there,” he gestured to the ice.
“Out as in out on the ice?” I said pointing to the ice.
He laughed. “Yes on the ice. Come on I’ll teach you,” he assured me.
I shook my head waving my hand in front of my face. “No thanks. I’ll pass.”
“Are you afraid?” I nodded not looking him in the eye. “It’s not hard I promise.”
I bit my lip arguing with myself whether I should go. “Oh, uh, I don’t know.”
“Everyone has to try ice skating once in their life,” he continued.
I sighed. “Ok, but if anything happens-”
“Brooke,” he said stepping onto the ice. “You can trust me. I wont let anything happen to you.”
He held out his hand to me waiting for me to take it. I took in a deep breath. “Ok, I trust you.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Alright, lesson one, take my hand.”
I slipped my hand into his, instantly feeling the warmth. ”Ok, check.”
He smiled. “Lesson two, step onto the ice,” he instructed offering his other hand to me.
I nervously placed one foot onto the ice, grabbing his other hand. I slowly placed the other skate on the ice, my grip immediately tightening around his hands. I let out a small laugh. “Check.”
“Lesson three,” he replied. “Relax and try to keep your balance. Got it?”
“I think so,” I said keeping my eye on the skates.
“Now all you have to do is slide one foot in front of the other easily, ok? Don’t force it.” I nodded. “And finally, lesson five, trust me.”
I turned my head slightly and smiled. “Check.”
He smiled getting ready to lead me through the ice. His slid one foot back and moved my right arm forward to pull me. my right foot slid. “Oh my God,” I breathed.
“It’s ok,” he told me. He was getting ready to pull me again when I squeezed his hands and pulled him back.
“Wait!” I protested. “What if I fall?”
Sidney laughed. “It’s ok if you fall.”
I shook my head. “What if I fall on my head really hard?”
“I got you,” he replied softly. He pulled me lightly again as I began skating slowly and kept my eyes on the ice and my feet.
“What if I fall and break my ankle or something?”
“You’re doing fine,” he loosened his grip on my hands. “Look, you can do it.”
“But what if I trip or crash into the wall?”
“Lesson six.” he added quickly. “No more ‘what if’s and buts’. Take a chance Brooke.”
“But!”
“Brooke!” he laughed.
I stared up at eyes intently and nodded. “Ok no more what if’s and buts.”
“Good. Now come on.” He pulled me once again before slowly loosening his grip again. He let go completely and let me skate. I was just about to fall over before waving my hands in the air and balancing myself.
I skated a fair amount before turning and coming to a halt when I stuck out my hands in front of the benches. I let out a sigh of relief and laughed out of joy. I stared back up at Sidney who was smiling at me.
“That was pretty good,” he said smiling down at me. “Ok, now let’s see who can get to the other end of the ice faster.”
“No way! You’re crazy!” I crossed my arms in protest and stood there.
He gave me a look. “What was lesson five?”
I looked down and kicked the ice with my skate. “Trust you.”
“And six?” he asked.
“Take a chance,” I muttered.
He nodded. “Let’s go. I wont let anything happen to you.” I sighed. “Ready? One, two,” he paused making sure I was still standing. “And three.”
I pushed myself of and began skating. The second I got back my balance, Sidney was still standing next to me. I gave him a confused look, which he merely returned by grinning. After a few minutes we eventually reached the other end of the ice. We turned to smile at each other.
I tried to smooth down my hair and reached into my pocket to find a hair tie but found nothing. I frowned trying to shove my hair inside my jacket. Sidney pulled out a cap from his back pocket and handed it to me. “Here.” I smiled thankfully.
He looked at the net and back at me. “Want to try to shoot the puck in the net?”
I gasped. “Yes! I’ll so make it in!”
He laughed. “Ok, but I’m the goaltender.”
I laughed. “Sorry, Sid but you’re not Marc-Andre Fluery.”
Sidney only laughed once more before coming back with his stick and a puck. I skated to the middle of the ice positioning myself. He skated back to the net preparing himself. “Ready?” he called.
I nodded. Slowly moving, I moved the puck down the ice making sure to not lose it. I skated closer to him. As I approached the net, I moved to the side and managed to move the puck back and forth. Sidney kept his eyes on me as I closed in on him. I faked a high shot and slapped the puck in between his legs. He saw it too late and hung his head down.
“Yes!” I hoisted the stick up in the air too hard that I lost my balance and hit the glass with my arm causing me to slip and fall to the ice in one swift movement. I was sitting on the ice laughing hysterically when Sidney came over to help me up.
“Are you alright there?” he asked trying to hide his laughter.
I tried to catch my breath as I nodded weakly. I grabbed the side of the wall and pulled myself up. He took the stick and helped me back to the benches. “Thanks,” I smiled.
“That was a pretty decent goal. Did you plan it?” he asked.
“Not really. I don’t have any skill if you haven’t noticed,” I joked. He laughed sitting down on the bench. “Do you come here every off day?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes. If I’m not busy or relaxing I come here to work out or practice my shooting,” he explained.
I looked back at the ice nodding. “I get it.” He tilted his head seeming confused. “Why you come here,” I finished. “It’s quiet and peaceful. It’s serene and you can actually hear yourself think. No one bothers you here,” I told him turning around so I could see him.
He smiled softly. “Yea.”
I took in a deep breath. “So are you ready for tomorrow’s Lightning game?”
“I feel pretty prepared. I’m trying to not think about it too much. Are you cheering for us?”
I unbuttoned my jacket, taking if off and setting it beside me. “Well, I do sort of have a soft spot for them. I mean Malone and Stamkos are doing real good this season. And St. Louis
as well. So I’d say it’s 60, 40 in favor of you guys.”
“Good to know,” he smiled. “I just hope I can play well.”
“Are you nervous?”
He sighed. “Sort of. I know it seems weird to feel this way with all the games I’ve played. But you can never play too many. I just don’t want to disappoint any fans. They hold me to such a standard that I’m sometimes afraid I wont live up to their expectations. Or mine. I just go out every night and play the best that I can hoping I can produce goals for my team.”
I hummed. “You feel the pressure.”
“Exactly,” he mumbled.
I took in a deep breath. “Just don’t think about it. I know it seems like the most obvious answer, but try it. Forget about the fans, about the media. Forget about their expectations or the pedestal they have you up on in their heads. Do what you do best. Play the game. Play the game for yourself. Ignore everyone else. All that matters is what you want. Do that, and you’ll be fine come game day.”
He nodded seeming humbled by my attempt at advice. “I’ll try.”
“And if all else fails,” I added, shrugging and leaning in a bit. “Try following some of your own rules,” I continued placing my hands on the bench. “No more ‘what if’s and buts’ and take a chance. Don’t second-guess yourself. Go with your gut feeling. Chances are it’ll pay off in the end.”
His smile reached his eyes. “Thank you for listening to me.”
I shook my head. “No problem. If you ever need anything, you can tell me. I wont tell a soul. Promise.” I smirked looking back down at the skates. “We should probably get these off,” I decided.
He nodded getting up. “Yea.” I took off the cap and handed it to him. “Keep it. This way you can always remember the day you learned to skate.”
I nodded. “And the day I scored against Sidney Crosby,” I grinned. He only shook his head starting to walk. “I’m sorry I was joking,” I called already buttoning up my jacket.
He laughed. “Sure you were.”
“I swear! I’ll even wear this cap every time I watch one of your games!” I assured him grinning after. “Oh, look it’s Ovechkin! Hey, Ovie what are you doing here?” I followed Sidney into the hall still talking. “Are you here to score another hilarious goal with a sombrero this time? And what? You’re getting Nicklas Backstrom to help you? Good, cause he’s so adorable! Seriously.”
I could hear Sidney groan from feet away and smirked to myself.
I nodded. “Yea, I’ll be right there.” I kept staring at the pucks that went flying from the other end of the ice. Sidney skated faster to the net and made swift movements with the puck and made numerous slap shots. He moved so graceful on the ice as if it were nothing.
After a few minutes he skated over to me and looked down at me and smirked. “Are you going out anytime soon? Or are you planning on sitting here the whole time?”
I forced out an awkward laugh. “I’m going out there. I’m just resting my legs,” I argued fidgeting with my hands.
He eyed me for a moment before coming to sit down on the bench with me. “You have gone ice skating before right?”
I scoffed. “Who hasn’t gone ice skating? What kind of question is that?”
“So you have?”
“Of course I have! Plenty, plenty of times! When the situation has-” I sighed heavily. “No, never. Not once,” I admitted smiling sheepishly.
He moved his head back a bit, surprised. He studied me for a moment before placing his stick behind him and standing up. “Well come on.”
“Come on what?” I asked, confused.
“Let’s go out there,” he gestured to the ice.
“Out as in out on the ice?” I said pointing to the ice.
He laughed. “Yes on the ice. Come on I’ll teach you,” he assured me.
I shook my head waving my hand in front of my face. “No thanks. I’ll pass.”
“Are you afraid?” I nodded not looking him in the eye. “It’s not hard I promise.”
I bit my lip arguing with myself whether I should go. “Oh, uh, I don’t know.”
“Everyone has to try ice skating once in their life,” he continued.
I sighed. “Ok, but if anything happens-”
“Brooke,” he said stepping onto the ice. “You can trust me. I wont let anything happen to you.”
He held out his hand to me waiting for me to take it. I took in a deep breath. “Ok, I trust you.”
“Good,” he nodded. “Alright, lesson one, take my hand.”
I slipped my hand into his, instantly feeling the warmth. ”Ok, check.”
He smiled. “Lesson two, step onto the ice,” he instructed offering his other hand to me.
I nervously placed one foot onto the ice, grabbing his other hand. I slowly placed the other skate on the ice, my grip immediately tightening around his hands. I let out a small laugh. “Check.”
“Lesson three,” he replied. “Relax and try to keep your balance. Got it?”
“I think so,” I said keeping my eye on the skates.
“Now all you have to do is slide one foot in front of the other easily, ok? Don’t force it.” I nodded. “And finally, lesson five, trust me.”
I turned my head slightly and smiled. “Check.”
He smiled getting ready to lead me through the ice. His slid one foot back and moved my right arm forward to pull me. my right foot slid. “Oh my God,” I breathed.
“It’s ok,” he told me. He was getting ready to pull me again when I squeezed his hands and pulled him back.
“Wait!” I protested. “What if I fall?”
Sidney laughed. “It’s ok if you fall.”
I shook my head. “What if I fall on my head really hard?”
“I got you,” he replied softly. He pulled me lightly again as I began skating slowly and kept my eyes on the ice and my feet.
“What if I fall and break my ankle or something?”
“You’re doing fine,” he loosened his grip on my hands. “Look, you can do it.”
“But what if I trip or crash into the wall?”
“Lesson six.” he added quickly. “No more ‘what if’s and buts’. Take a chance Brooke.”
“But!”
“Brooke!” he laughed.
I stared up at eyes intently and nodded. “Ok no more what if’s and buts.”
“Good. Now come on.” He pulled me once again before slowly loosening his grip again. He let go completely and let me skate. I was just about to fall over before waving my hands in the air and balancing myself.
I skated a fair amount before turning and coming to a halt when I stuck out my hands in front of the benches. I let out a sigh of relief and laughed out of joy. I stared back up at Sidney who was smiling at me.
“That was pretty good,” he said smiling down at me. “Ok, now let’s see who can get to the other end of the ice faster.”
“No way! You’re crazy!” I crossed my arms in protest and stood there.
He gave me a look. “What was lesson five?”
I looked down and kicked the ice with my skate. “Trust you.”
“And six?” he asked.
“Take a chance,” I muttered.
He nodded. “Let’s go. I wont let anything happen to you.” I sighed. “Ready? One, two,” he paused making sure I was still standing. “And three.”
I pushed myself of and began skating. The second I got back my balance, Sidney was still standing next to me. I gave him a confused look, which he merely returned by grinning. After a few minutes we eventually reached the other end of the ice. We turned to smile at each other.
I tried to smooth down my hair and reached into my pocket to find a hair tie but found nothing. I frowned trying to shove my hair inside my jacket. Sidney pulled out a cap from his back pocket and handed it to me. “Here.” I smiled thankfully.
He looked at the net and back at me. “Want to try to shoot the puck in the net?”
I gasped. “Yes! I’ll so make it in!”
He laughed. “Ok, but I’m the goaltender.”
I laughed. “Sorry, Sid but you’re not Marc-Andre Fluery.”
Sidney only laughed once more before coming back with his stick and a puck. I skated to the middle of the ice positioning myself. He skated back to the net preparing himself. “Ready?” he called.
I nodded. Slowly moving, I moved the puck down the ice making sure to not lose it. I skated closer to him. As I approached the net, I moved to the side and managed to move the puck back and forth. Sidney kept his eyes on me as I closed in on him. I faked a high shot and slapped the puck in between his legs. He saw it too late and hung his head down.
“Yes!” I hoisted the stick up in the air too hard that I lost my balance and hit the glass with my arm causing me to slip and fall to the ice in one swift movement. I was sitting on the ice laughing hysterically when Sidney came over to help me up.
“Are you alright there?” he asked trying to hide his laughter.
I tried to catch my breath as I nodded weakly. I grabbed the side of the wall and pulled myself up. He took the stick and helped me back to the benches. “Thanks,” I smiled.
“That was a pretty decent goal. Did you plan it?” he asked.
“Not really. I don’t have any skill if you haven’t noticed,” I joked. He laughed sitting down on the bench. “Do you come here every off day?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes. If I’m not busy or relaxing I come here to work out or practice my shooting,” he explained.
I looked back at the ice nodding. “I get it.” He tilted his head seeming confused. “Why you come here,” I finished. “It’s quiet and peaceful. It’s serene and you can actually hear yourself think. No one bothers you here,” I told him turning around so I could see him.
He smiled softly. “Yea.”
I took in a deep breath. “So are you ready for tomorrow’s Lightning game?”
“I feel pretty prepared. I’m trying to not think about it too much. Are you cheering for us?”
I unbuttoned my jacket, taking if off and setting it beside me. “Well, I do sort of have a soft spot for them. I mean Malone and Stamkos are doing real good this season. And St. Louis
as well. So I’d say it’s 60, 40 in favor of you guys.”
“Good to know,” he smiled. “I just hope I can play well.”
“Are you nervous?”
He sighed. “Sort of. I know it seems weird to feel this way with all the games I’ve played. But you can never play too many. I just don’t want to disappoint any fans. They hold me to such a standard that I’m sometimes afraid I wont live up to their expectations. Or mine. I just go out every night and play the best that I can hoping I can produce goals for my team.”
I hummed. “You feel the pressure.”
“Exactly,” he mumbled.
I took in a deep breath. “Just don’t think about it. I know it seems like the most obvious answer, but try it. Forget about the fans, about the media. Forget about their expectations or the pedestal they have you up on in their heads. Do what you do best. Play the game. Play the game for yourself. Ignore everyone else. All that matters is what you want. Do that, and you’ll be fine come game day.”
He nodded seeming humbled by my attempt at advice. “I’ll try.”
“And if all else fails,” I added, shrugging and leaning in a bit. “Try following some of your own rules,” I continued placing my hands on the bench. “No more ‘what if’s and buts’ and take a chance. Don’t second-guess yourself. Go with your gut feeling. Chances are it’ll pay off in the end.”
His smile reached his eyes. “Thank you for listening to me.”
I shook my head. “No problem. If you ever need anything, you can tell me. I wont tell a soul. Promise.” I smirked looking back down at the skates. “We should probably get these off,” I decided.
He nodded getting up. “Yea.” I took off the cap and handed it to him. “Keep it. This way you can always remember the day you learned to skate.”
I nodded. “And the day I scored against Sidney Crosby,” I grinned. He only shook his head starting to walk. “I’m sorry I was joking,” I called already buttoning up my jacket.
He laughed. “Sure you were.”
“I swear! I’ll even wear this cap every time I watch one of your games!” I assured him grinning after. “Oh, look it’s Ovechkin! Hey, Ovie what are you doing here?” I followed Sidney into the hall still talking. “Are you here to score another hilarious goal with a sombrero this time? And what? You’re getting Nicklas Backstrom to help you? Good, cause he’s so adorable! Seriously.”
I could hear Sidney groan from feet away and smirked to myself.
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