chapter one.

"Stephanie, get up now, you're gonna be late for your first day back"
"I know, mom I'm up" I yelled from laying in my bed. The first day back to school was the day I dreaded the most. Everyone had to look their best and for the most part, after doing this my whole life I could really careless. I wanted to just leave this city, it was like a run down Toronto but actually worse. London, Ontario was just so... blah. The only thing good about it was the hockey team.
I got up and straighted my hair. I had showered the night before so I would be ready to go in the morning. I brushed on some make-up, threw on my outfit, grabbed my books and headed out the door. I jumped into my brand new, Ford F150 that my mom gave me after my dad passed away. It still had his scent in the truck, which I loved. It was like he was with me everytime I went somewhere. I blasted the mix cd I had made myself the night before, filled with my new favourites like Eminem and Drake.
Once I got to school, I tried to avoid most of the people of course except my friends. Ally, Christina, Gina and Gabby. We were inseperable since freshman year. Ally met up with he boyfriend Brent Seabrook. He was one of the jocks, since hockey was a big thing in London. As we drew closer to Jordan Eberle, a new transfer student who just joined the London Knights team aswell. Gabby drifted off towards him, she was attached to him since he came here and vise versa, except they just wouldn't make anything offical... yet. It was just Gina and I left now. We walked to our lockers, and past more of the hockey team (which was really the only thing I loved about this school). Kris Letang and Alex Ovechkin started whistling and calling out like hound dogs.
"Shove it" Gina shouted.
"Fiesty kitty" Kris shot back.
"Ya, you wish Kris" Gina snarled, following behind me. Then there was Pat. Patrick Kane. He was the captain of the team and was called upon of being the number one draft pick in the NHL this year. I wouldn't admit it but I had a huge crush on him. The only people who knew of course were my closest friends, but that was it. Plus he was being drafted which would mean he was be leaving, no start of beginning anything right?
"Hey" Pat said approaching me.
"H-Hi" I stuttered.
"First day jitters?"
"Uh yeah, that's it.." I could heard Gina laughing behind and gave her a kick on the shin, but she continued to laugh.
"Anyways, I was wondering if you wanted to come to the game tonight? First home game" Pat smiled.
"I'd love to, but I really shouldn't" Hockey was mine and my dad's thing. After he passed away a year ago, I sort of let the sport go cause I couldn't bare remembering the fun times we had watching the game... they just didn't seem so fun anymore.
"Steph," He said, touching my arm. My eyes followed his hand as chills ran up and down my body. "I think it'd be really good for you to get out of the house, I know you love the sport"
"Pat.."
"Just think about?" He said cutting me off.
"Alright" I said putting on a fake smile. Pat returned the smile, then continued down the hall meeting up with Alex and Kris.
"Steph, I think it'd be really good for you to go to the game tonight" Gina said.
"I don't know.." My voice drifted out, and my stomach got weak just thinking about it.
"Do it for Pat, he wants you there"
"Pat and me are nothing but friends" I said glaring at her.
"Cmon, you guys have liked each other since grade ten. Why don't you give him a shot"
"Because, it's too late. He's be leaving this year anyways"
"Make him worth your time. Trust me, you won't regret it" With that we headed to our classes. I couldn't focus today at all, I was too worried about tonight. Gina was right, I should go for Pat and Pat was right, I should get out of the house.
Finally the last bell rang, and we all rushed out into the parking lot.
"Steph! Wait up" I turned around and Pat's face was pretty much pushed against mine. I took a few hards breaths then realized his hand was cupping my cheek. I back away and turned towards my truck again.
"Wait" He called, "Are you coming tonight?"
"Uhh, yeah. I'll be there" I smiled, that fake smile.
"Oh ok!" He said excitedly with a big smile, then headed off. He was too perfect, he teeth were as straight as ever, he has the biggest blues eyes and the most gorgeous blonde hair. I shook my head and snapped myself out of the haze. I climbed into my truck and once again blasted my cd. As soon as I got home, I showered then got ready to go even though it wasn't time yet. I pulled out my London Knights jersey from the bottom of my drawer that my dad bought me. I pulled it close to my chest and gave it a big hug, I could feel my dad hugging me back.
"Where are you going?" My mom asked meeting me at the door.
"Hockey game"
"With who?"
"Myself..."
"Pat?"
"Well.. he's plays for them"
"Is that why he's in the driveway?"
"What?" I turned around and saw Pat's truck parked behind mine. "I'll see you after the game mom, love you" I said closing the door behind me. Pat jumped out of his truck with a smile on his face.
"You look amazing"
"Thanks I said blushing" I hopped in his truck and he sped off to the arena down the road.
"You listen to Eminem?" He asked?
"Uh duh, I love him"
"Me too" I smiled, but this time it wasn't the fake one I've been wearing for a while. It was real. I wiped it off my face and directed my eyes back to the road, erasing the moment. We got to the arena, I took a few seconds before I walked through the doors, but he took my hand and led me inside.
"It's exactly the same" I said. All Pat did was smile.
"I have to go get ready, you know where your seats are?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Okay, see you after the game" His hand dragged away from mine and I started towards my seats.
The Knights won, 5-2. Pat was two goals, Alex with 3 and celebrating like an ass. Then something hit me. I felt normal again, coming to this game and being back in the rink. It all felt so good. I went out to Pat's truck, and waited by it for him.
"So how'd you like it" He said approaching the truck.
"Loved it." I smiled. We both then got into the truck. It was a quiet ride home except for up rocking out to Eminem's "Cinderella Man", Pat's current favourite song.
"Well, here we are" He said, placing his truck in park in my drive way.
"Thanks so much for this Pat. It felt a lot better to be back there" I said placing a kiss on his cheek. I jumped out of the truck and a smile made it's way on to my face as I walked into the house. That kiss seemed to have felt just as right too.