FACE-OFF
Snow crunched under my boots as I walked across the parking lot. This is exactly what we have been trained for. Nothing less, nothing more, and today is the day to prove exactly what we’re worth. It won’t be an easy victory, or at least I know it won’t be, despite what Coach Andrew or the rest of the team say. The Blue Eagles are restless, fearless, and will do anything it takes to take home that trophy. Anything.
“Ey yo, Marcus!”
Well, there goes my peace. I slipped off my headphones and sighed, turning toward Tony, our best Left Wing (LW).
“Tony… what’s up man?”
“You already know bro. Just stressin’ over this damn match. I heard the Red Hawks have been studying our power play all week.”
Tony is the type of guy you would never expect to see even twitch in a stressful situation and yet today he seemed… overwhelmed.
“It’s gonna be alright man, just don’t sweat it will ya?”
“Right…”
I slid my headphones back on, trying to signal in the most respectful way that I needed my space.
Today wasn’t built for silence.
“BLUE EAGLES! ALL ON THE BUS!”
Ugh.
Reluctantly, I walked toward the steps of the bus and climbed them carefully, the last thing we need right now is an injury. I look carefully at the seats left. There are two seats at the back of the bus, and two right in the middle rows. At the back, Blake, Richy and Passy are sitting, in the middle rows, a seat is taken by Tony, and the other seat, taken by Coach Andrew.
Before I can confidently go toward the free back seats, the newbies take the spots. Great. I guess Tony, it is.
“Marcus! I thought you were more of a ‘back row’ type of guy, you know?”
If only he knew.
“Just thought I’d switch things up, see if it brings me luck.” I said indifferently.
I leaned back into the stiff bus seat, the engine humming beneath my boots. The air smelled like sweat-soaked pads and stale deodorant. Tony smelled like he’d just demolished a family-sized bag of Cheetos. Our gear bags were so stuffed full of kits and equipment, then crammed under every seat — it seemed to lift the seats a bit. Somewhere behind us, someone’s skates clinked together inside a duffel creating a beautifully rhythmic beat. Outside, snow tapped against the windows in soft, steady bursts.
“Alright, Eagles! Settle down, we are not little kids anymore!” Coach said, looking straight at Blake, our RW and personal troublemaker, according to most girls back on campus.
“Today isn’t one of our usual games, we are playing against the Red Hawks for fucks sakes! I need everyone to be on their best behavior, especially you Blake! No distractions, you hear me?”
“Yes, coach.” Blake said while keeping his head down.
“Tony!”
“Yes, coach?”
“You keep an eye on Marcus, we can’t have him drifting off between realities, you hear me?”
Ouch.
“Yes, coach!” Tony said confidently.
After Coach Andrew gave us his usual ‘pre-game’ motivation speech I turned to Tony.
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“Listen dude, I know you want to keep in the coach’s good graces but I don’t need a babysitter, hear me?”
Tony nodded. After a couple minutes of silence his voice disrupted the quiet in my brain.
“Marcus… you know the coach only said it because… last game…”
I gulped loudly and furiously met his eyes.
“You know that wasn’t my fault.”
“I know dude, but after what she did… I mean none of us blamed you but-”
My jaw tightened. My hands clenched.
“Tony-”
But he kept talking.
And before I knew it, my hand was gripping his collar.
“Shut your big mouth up, Tony or I swear-”
“Chill, man! Back up!”
My vision blurred. I blinked hard, jaw still tight. Not here. Not now. I let go of his collar immediately. This wasn’t me.
“I’m sorry dude. It’s just… it’s been very hard lately. I still watch her socials and cling to my chair whenever I see him. After 6 years… I had to let her go.”
“But, why? I mean one day she’s watching you practice at the rink with us, then suddenly the next she’s… gone?”
“She…”
My voice was cracking so bad the words were almost inaudible.
“She stopped being there for me. Sure she still cared for me, I mean we grew up together, but she didn’t love me like that anymore.”
I looked down. Things between us had changed long before we admitted it. I had to prioritize my hockey. She had to prioritize her medicine studies. Our lives were simply incompatible. Of course I loved her, and I’d like to think she loved me, because I know she did, I just wish it was all… easier, less painful.
Tony fell completely silent for the first time ever since we met two years ago. And suddenly it was back to engine rumbling and rhythmic beats of the clinking skates inside a duffel and the snow gently tapping against the window. I could finally hear my thoughts.
‘Focus. One game at a time. Feel later. Win now.’
The bus lurched violently, throwing a couple of us forward. The engine made a grinding sound that didn’t belong. God damn it. Not again.
“Sorry guys!” The bus driver exclaimed. “Seems like we’re having some… minor issues due to the snow. I’m going to check it out real quick and we’ll be back on the road in no time.”
“If the fixing is as fast as Blake keeping a girlfriend, we’ll be fine,” One of the boys yelled, instigating a chorus of jeers. “But if it takes as long as him getting over his first love…”
“We’ll be here all night!” A few others chanted, laughing. Blake just leaned back in his seat and sarcastically said: “Ha. Ha. Ha.”
A few minutes went by but still nothing. The driver was still outside trying to figure out if we were a little bit screwed or completely beyond saving. When suddenly bright lights signaled they were stopping right behind us. It was a bus. The Red Hawk’s bus. I peered over Tony’s shoulder to get a better vision through the window. Both drivers were talking just outside. That’s when I read one of their lips.
“So both of the teams are screwed, huh?
I gripped the edge of my seat, heart pounding. Not again.
Fuck.
