The tension in the arena was palpable, the air electric with anticipation as Elmridge Elite Academy (EEA) faced off against West New York Academy (WNYA) in the state-level high school hockey championship. The stands were a vibrant mosaic of school colors, with students from each institution filling the arena with an uproarious cacophony of support. On the right side, close to the glass panel, Ava, Candace, and Vickie were perched on the edge of their seats, their eyes fixed on the ice, particularly on Fred, EEA's star player.
The game was deadlocked at 2:2, with both teams displaying a level of skill and determination that matched the stakes of the championship. The third period was winding down, each second ticking by adding to the intensity that had built up. Fred, with his exceptional skill and keen sense of the game, stood out on the ice, a beacon of hope for the EEA supporters.
Ava watched with bated breath, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She knew the sacrifice and the relentless hours of practice that had brought the team to this moment. Her heart raced for Fred, for his dreams, and for the victory that felt so close yet so far with the scoreboard reading 2:2 and only a minute remaining.
The crowd's roar crescendoed when Fred, in a moment of brilliance, intercepted the puck from a WNYA player. His acceleration was a blur, his skates carving a determined path toward the opponent's goal. The EEA side of the arena erupted in cheers, their voices a united force willing him forward.
Fred weaved through the opposing team's defense with agility and precision, a testament to his talent and the countless hours spent honing his craft. But just as he was about to take the shot that could seal the game, a player from WNYA, in a desperate bid to stop him, collided with Fred in a manner that was unmistakably foul.
The collective gasp from the crowd was almost instantaneous, a sharp intake of breath that mirrored the tension on the ice. Fred's shot went wide, the puck skittering harmlessly away from the goal as the final seconds ticked down. But the referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling the foul and awarding Fred a penalty shot.
Silence descended on the arena, a stark contrast to the cacophony that had filled it seconds earlier. The weight of the moment was palpable, every spectator holding their breath as Fred positioned himself for the penalty shot. Ava's hands moved to cover her mouth, her eyes wide with anticipation and fear.
Fred took a moment, his gaze fixed on the goal, the entire game, the entire season, boiling down to this single shot. The referee gave the signal, and Fred moved. There was a grace to his approach, a calmness that belied the pressure of the moment. He launched the puck with precision and power, a clean strike that flew past the goalie and into the net.
The arena exploded into cheers, the sound deafening, as EEA supporters leapt to their feet, their voices merging into a triumphant chorus. Ava, Candace, and Vickie hugged each other, tears of joy streaming down their faces as they joined in the celebration. Fred's teammates rushed onto the ice, engulfing him in a mass of jubilant bodies, their cheers echoing his name.
Fred looked towards the stands, locking eyes with Ava for a brief moment, and in that glance, there was gratitude, triumph, and an unspoken promise of celebrations to come. The victory was more than just a win; it was a testament to their hard work, their unity, and the unbreakable spirit of the team led by a player who had become a legend in his own right at Elmridge Elite Academy.
As Fred emerged from the locker room, his pace quickened, driven by the anticipation of seeing Ava. Moments earlier, as he scanned through the congratulatory messages flooding his phone, Ava's words stood out, informing him she'd come to the locker room after the game. The thought alone spurred him into action, hastily changing out of his gear with a speed born of eagerness.
However, the sight that greeted him momentarily caught him off guard. There was Ava, his lifelong friend, laughing and talking with Kyle—the team's newest member. The ease between them, the way Ava's smile reached her eyes in a way Fred seldom saw with others, stirred an unsettling sensation within him. It was a mix of surprise and something else, a discomfort he couldn't immediately name.
Then, Kyle's voice broke through the hum of the crowded hallway, revealing his intentions with a nervousness that belied his usual confidence. "Ah, Ava... Uhm, I know we've just really started talking and all," he began, scratching his head, a clear sign of his unease. "But, uh, I was wondering... maybe, if you're okay with it, could I... ask you out sometime?"
Ava, visibly surprised by the question, hesitated, searching for the right response. It was then that Fred intervened, not fully understanding his own rush of feelings but compelled to reconnect with Ava. "Avaline! There you are," he called out.
Ava and Kyle both turned towards him, their reactions painting a vivid picture of the shift in dynamics. Disappointment washed over Kyle's features, a stark contrast to the bright, unmistakable joy that illuminated Ava's face upon seeing Fred.
For a fleeting second, it seemed as if Ava had forgotten Kyle's presence altogether, her attention captivated by Fred. The warmth in her smile, reserved just for him, tugged at something deep within Fred's chest, a realization dawning that was both thrilling and terrifying.
"Oh, Frederick, you were amazing out there! Congratulations on winning the championship," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride and excitement.
Fred felt a sense of grounding at her words, the earlier tension melting away under her genuine admiration. "Thanks, Avaline. It means a lot to have your support. It wouldn't have been the same without you cheering us on," he replied, the depth of their friendship reassuring him despite the swirl of new emotions.
For a moment, Ava seemed to forget Kyle was even there, her attention fully captured by Fred's presence. The brightness of her smile, the way her eyes sparkled at the sight of him, struck a chord in Fred's heart. It was a look he'd seen countless times, but now it held a new significance, awakening a realization he wasn't prepared to confront.
Kyle, sensing the shift in focus, took a step back, his earlier boldness fading. The moment between Ava and Fred, charged with an unspoken connection, made it clear where her attention truly lay.
As Ava moved towards Fred, leaving Kyle behind, Fred couldn't help but feel a surge of relief, though the reasons behind it remained tangled in his mind. The sight of Ava's smile, directed solely at him, somehow righted the world, even as he grappled with the unexpected emotions Kyle's question had provoked.
"Do you want to stay for a bit?" Fred's offer hung in the air as they found themselves alone outside the bustling energy of the locker room.
Ava hesitated, caught in the warmth of the moment. "I just wanted to see you—to congratulate you, Frederick. But I should really be going," she said, her voice a delicate balance of regret and resolve. "You have plans for tonight, right?"
"Yeah, actually, Eric's hosting the celebration at his place tonight. His parents are out of town, so he's throwing a party just for the hockey team," Fred replied, a spark of excitement visible in his eyes at the prospect. He glanced at his watch, a hint of concern crossing his features as he realized how late it had gotten. "It's getting pretty late, Avaline. Let me drive you home. It's the least I can do."
Ava offered a polite, albeit slightly wistful smile. "That's very sweet of you, but Candace and Vickie are waiting. They'll take me home." Inside, part of her yearned to accept, to spend a few more quiet moments with Fred, but she brushed aside the thought. "Go, celebrate. You've earned it," she insisted, her laughter tinged with sincerity and a hint of sacrifice.
Fred, however, wasn't swayed, his protective instinct kicking in. "Come on, you think I'd let you go off this late without making sure you're safe? It's a two-hour drive to the Hamptons, and Nate and your dad would never let me hear the end of it if something happened and I wasn't there. Give me a second to grab my bag, and we'll head out," he declared, the decision made before Ava could protest further.
When Fred returned, he wasn't alone; the locker room had emptied its contents into the hallway. Eric and Troy, ever the jesters, were already draped over Fred's shoulders, their boisterous laughter a testament to the team's high spirits. "You're not skipping out on us after this, right, Freddy? You owe us a round of celebration!" Troy chided, nudging Fred closer to him.
As they all shared a light moment, Eric turned his attention towards Ava, his expression brightening. "Hey Ava, thanks for coming out to support us today. Really means a lot."
Ava couldn't help but chuckle at the scene before her—the trio's camaraderie was infectious. "Congratulations to you all. You guys played amazingly well," she replied, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
"Thanks, Ava!" Eric and Troy chimed in together, their synchronization a comical reminder of their close-knit bond.
Troy, never one to miss a beat, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Just make sure you send Fred back to us, okay? We can't let him off the hook that easily for the celebration." His tone was light, but the glint in his eye promised a night of relentless teasing for Fred should he return even a minute late.
As the moment to depart neared, Fred reassured his teammates, a grin spreading across his face, "Relax, I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone. Wouldn't miss our victory bash for anything." His words were met with a mix of cheers and playful warnings about the swift return.
With one last round of goodbyes, Ava and Fred stepped away, leaving the laughter and light-hearted threats behind.
As Fred and Ava reached the parking lot, they found Candace and Vickie waiting near the cars, their anticipation palpable. When Fred announced he'd be driving Ava home, the reaction was instant; both girls exchanged knowing looks, their grins wide as they turned their gazes towards Ava.
This wasn't a new arrangement by any means. Fred had often driven Ava home, a routine born out of convenience given their neighboring houses. Yet, to Candace and Vickie, privy to Ava's unspoken feelings for Fred, this simple act was loaded with significance.
"Looks like you're in good hands, Ava," Candace teased, her eyes dancing with amusement. Vickie nodded in agreement, her grin matching Candace's as she added, "Drive safe, you two!"
Ava, caught between embarrassment and the warmth of friendship, managed a playful roll of her eyes. "See you guys Monday," she said, her tone light despite the flush of color on her cheeks.
Fred, oblivious to the undercurrents of meaning assigned to his gesture, simply smiled and nodded at Candace and Vickie. "Will do," he assured them, his focus on ensuring Ava got home safely, unaware of the depth of the stories being woven around their friendship by their observant friends.
As Candace and Vickie drove off, still chuckling and whispering to each other, Ava and Fred settled into the comfortable silence of their ride home. The night air, the shared history between them, and the unspoken thoughts of their friends filled the space, adding layers to a relationship both simple in its form and complex in its potential.
The drive home was unusually silent for Fred and Ava. Fred had just come off an intense hockey game in Manhattan, and now, behind the wheel on their way back to the Hamptons, exhaustion seemed to weigh down his usual chattiness. Ava, sensing his fatigue and the long drive ahead, opted for silence, letting the soft hum of the radio fill the space between them.
As the miles stretched on under the steady hum of the engine, the radio DJ's voice suddenly broke through the quiet. "Alright, folks, buckle up because we're about to take you back with a non-stop Backstreet Boys marathon! This next hour is dedicated to everyone who, like me, can't get enough of these legends. And what better way to kick things off than with one of their classics?"
Fred and Ava exchanged a glance, a spark of excitement lighting up their tired faces. As the familiar strains of "All I Have to Give" began, their shared look turned into broad smiles.
Fred, with a playful nudge, reminisced, "This takes me back to the middle school talent show, huh? Our big debut as the unofficial Backstreet duo."
Ava laughed, nodding. "How could I forget? We were so off-key, but we felt like superstars."
Without missing a beat, they both started singing, their voices filling the car, playful and joyous. Fred took the lead, mimicking Nick's parts with exaggerated enthusiasm, "But my love is all I have to give... Without you I don't think I can live..."
Ava chimed in, not bothering to hold back her amusement at Fred's performance, taking over the next line, "I wish I could give the world to you... but Love is all I have to give!"
The DJ chimed in during the instrumental break, his voice animated, "You're listening to the Backstreet Boys marathon! Don't be shy; sing along! We know you know the words!"
Emboldened, they sang even louder, their rendition full of joy and a hint of nostalgia. "To you...Hey girl, I don't want you to cry no more - inside," they sang together, their spirits lifted high by the music and the memories it brought back.
Fred and Ava's drive transformed into a vibrant celebration of nostalgia as they sang and jammed to the classic tunes of the Backstreet Boys. With each song, their energy and enthusiasm only grew, filling the car with laughter and the timeless melodies of their favorite band. They belted out the lyrics with a joy that only shared memories could invoke, each song a reminder of their long-standing friendship and the countless moments they had spent together, united by their love for the music.
Their spirited sing-along continued, the miles passing by unnoticed, until they finally arrived in front of the Greenwood Mansion. The grandeur of the mansion stood in stark contrast to the warm, joyful atmosphere inside the car.
"Here we are..." Fred noted, easing the car into a gentle stop on Ava's driveway. Their eyes met, and he offered her a smile that was nothing short of charming. "Thanks again for coming to my game, Avaline."
Ava returned his smile with one just as warm. "I wouldn't miss any of your games. You know that," she chuckled softly, a hint of affection lacing her voice. "So, what's next for you? Heading straight to Eric's house, or stopping by your place first?"
Fred's home was only a short distance from the Greenwood mansion, where both of them had grown up and forged a friendship as tight as any could be, right from their earliest days. It was a house filled with memories of a time when his family was whole and joyful, before the divorce that sent his father back to Canada and left him and his mother in their Hamptons home.
"Yeah, I need to swing by and change before I head to Eric's. I'm all sweaty and gross right now," Fred admitted with a light chuckle, the ease between them unmistakable.
Ava's response was paused by a moment's hesitation, her gaze lingering on Fred as if contemplating whether to prolong their time together. Yet, perhaps sensing that the night was drawing to a close and not wanting to impose, she slowly unfastened her seatbelt. "Well, I guess I should head in then. Goodnight, Frederick," she said, her voice carrying a reluctant note, hinting she might have wished for a few more moments in his company. But with a gentle smile, she decided it was time to say goodbye for the evening.
The air at Eric's place buzzed with an energy unique to a night of celebration. Nestled just a brisk twenty-minute drive from the Hamptons, the house had quickly filled with the hockey team's victorious spirit, transforming into the ultimate party zone. The living room was alive with the latest hits, the speakers pushing out a bass so deep it felt like a second heartbeat under the skin. The scene was set with rows upon rows of beers, forming an almost ceremonial lineup for the evening's festivities.
In the heart of this revelry stood Fred, already absorbing the vibe, a wide grin plastered across his face as he greeted teammates. The house, packed with over twenty bodies, echoed with the sort of raucous laughter and cheers typical of a boys' night.
"Fred! You've got to join the beer pong table!" Eric hollered over the music, gesturing towards the crowded corner where a makeshift beer pong setup had become the center of attention.
With a laugh and a mock salute, Fred made his way over. "Hope you're all ready to lose," he joked, the challenge sparking a round of good-natured jeers.
The game kicked off amid a chorus of cheers and playful trash talk, the intensity of the match mirroring that of their games on the ice. Each successful shot was met with roars of approval, each miss with exaggerated groans. Fred, with a precise aim and a steady hand, quickly became the evening's beer pong hero, his final shot sailing smoothly into the cup amidst a storm of applause.
"Looks like we've got our beer pong champ right here!" Eric exclaimed, draping an arm around Fred's shoulders and raising his cup in a toast. The room erupted in cheers, everyone raising their drinks in a salute to the night, to victory, and to moments like these.
As the laughter continued and the music swelled, the party cemented itself as one for the books. Challenges were thrown, jokes were made, and the spirit of camaraderie filled the air. It was more than just a celebration; it was a testament to the team's bond, a night where the thrill of the game spilled over into the thrill of friendship and unforgettable memories.
As the night unfolded, the celebratory chaos inside Eric's house took on different forms—some teammates were locked in a competitive pool game, others tested their strength in arm-wrestling matches, and a few were engrossed in the latest video games. Amidst this jubilant disarray, Fred found himself outside on the patio, a cold beer in hand, alongside Troy and Eric. They were a little removed from the noise, basking in the cooler air, their conversation meandering from the thrill of tonight's win to the anticipation of college life just a few months away.
"Man, I can't wait to hit college," Troy said, taking a sip of his beer. "Meeting new people, especially college girls, is going to be a game-changer."
Eric nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Yeah, high school's been great and all, but college is where the real fun starts. New experiences, new faces."
The conversation flowed easily, a mix of excitement and nostalgia coloring their words. It was a rare moment of quiet reflection for the three, a break from the high-energy celebration inside. As they discussed future plans and the adventures that awaited them, the topic subtly shifted gears, led by a curious prompt from Troy.
"Speaking of new faces," Troy began, glancing at Fred with a mischievous grin, "have you ever thought about, you know, changing things up closer to home? What's going on with you and Ava? You guys have been super tight forever, but lately, it seems different... more intimate. Everyone's noticed, man."
Fred's smile faltered slightly, caught off guard by the sudden shift. He had always been open about most things, but his feelings for Ava were a landscape he navigated with more caution.
Before Fred could muster a response, Eric chimed in, "Honestly, it'd be pretty cool to see you two together. You've both been through everything side by side. And since Hallie... Well, you haven't really been interested in anyone else."
The weight of his friends' words hung in the air, a tangible presence amidst the joviality of the night. Fred, caught in a moment of introspection, couldn't help but marvel at the notion his friends proposed. Ava, his rock, his constant through every high and low life offered, more than a friend? The thought felt as foreign as it was intriguing.
With a laugh that cut through the tension, Fred brushed aside the suggestion. "Guys, come on. Ava and I? We're just friends. She's been my sidekick since we were kids. I can't even begin to picture anything beyond that," he said, his laughter an attempt to deflect the unexpected turn their conversation had taken.
Troy, ever the provocateur, wasn't ready to let the topic go so easily. "You might laugh it off, Fred, but to the rest of us, it's as clear as day. You love her, man. And it scares you to admit it."
Fred's response was a mix of amusement and skepticism. He took a sip of his beer, his gaze drifting to the night sky as if searching for the words among the stars. Shaking his head, he let out another chuckle, this time laced with a hint of cynicism.
"Love? Please. I don't buy into that. Love's just... it's like a fog, you know? It clouds your mind, blurs your vision, makes you do all kinds of stupid things without a second thought. No, thanks. I'd rather see things clearly, keep my head on straight. Friendship's one thing; it's solid, real. But love? That's just a distraction," Fred articulated, his words painting a picture of his stance on the matter as definitively as he could muster.
Troy and Eric exchanged a glance, neither fully convinced by Fred's vehement dismissal of love. It was then Troy, with a knowing look, decided to press a bit further, leaning into the conversation with a pointed question.
"But if you're so set on just being friends, how come you're always running interference with any guy who tries to get close to Ava?" Troy's eyebrows rose in challenge. "Ava's stunning, and it's no secret half the guys at school would jump at the chance to ask her out. But they can't. Because every time someone even looks her way, you're there, scaring them off or ruining their chances. What's up with that?"
Fred was momentarily taken aback, the question hitting closer to home than he'd anticipated. A brief silence fell over them, the night air thick with unsaid thoughts.
"You've got it all wrong," Fred started, yet even as he spoke, a part of him began to question his own motives. "It's not like that. I'm just... looking out for her, that's all. Ava's my best friend; I know what's best for her, who's serious and who's not. I don't want her getting hurt by some guy with the wrong intentions."
Troy and Eric exchanged a glance again, the kind that spoke volumes without a single word being uttered. Their smiles were knowing, almost conspiratorial, as they took in Fred's emphatic denial. No words were needed in response; their silence was laden with an unspoken understanding. In their minds, it was clear that Fred's fervent dismissal of love, his attempt to rationalize his feelings with logic, was nothing more than a veil—a thin, barely there shield against the truth they all saw simmering beneath the surface.
Their grins widened, not out of mockery, but from a place of affectionate amusement. They knew their friend well, better than he might know himself in this moment. To them, Fred's elaborate explanation wasn't a reflection of his beliefs about love but rather a sign of his internal struggle, a battle between his heart and his head.
As the night air hummed with the distant sounds of celebration, the topic gently dissolved into the backdrop, leaving an unspoken agreement hanging between the friends. There was no need to push, no need to probe further. They knew, with the kind of certainty that comes from years of friendship, that Fred was, perhaps, the last to recognize what was already evident to everyone else—that his connection with Ava transcended the boundaries of mere friendship.
The conversation moved on, ebbing and flowing through various subjects as the night wore on. Yet, even as they left the topic behind, Troy and Eric's smiles lingered, a testament to their belief that, in time, Fred would come to see what was so clear to them: that sometimes, the heart understands what the mind refuses to accept.