Jules Martin
The air in the locker room was tight, seconds before going out on the ice. I was new, freshly transferred from Toronto a week ago, and I could feel the rest of the team wasn't so stoked with me already playing at the first game, arriving so late into the semester. The lack of conversation said enough, but trust me, I didn't mind because I do not like to talk. Especially not when I'm nervous and right before a game I always am so it was best for me to keep my mouth shut.
"You okay man?" Zander, our captain, knocked his hockey stick against my helmet for attention.
"Y-y-yeah." I stuttered terribly. Fuck! Not now! Told you, I hate to talk when I'm nervous, it's when it gets worse.
"Relax Julia, that puck isn't going to eat you." Zander said, rolling his eyes a little before walking towards the exit of the locker room. Julia? Really? Asshole!
"Ass." I whispered after him, deciding not to say anything else. Fucking stutter. I scoffed at the fact my stutter made me come across so damn insecure when that was definitely not the case. People always saw me as a hotshot until I opened my mouth and the words didn't quite seem to match the image.
I followed the stream of players towards the rink, instantly feeling relieved as soon as my blades touched some ice, a feeling I couldn't live without, not even after the accident. Only minutes into the warm-up I found myself rolling my eyes one time after the other when I saw Zander doing trick shots... Such a show-off. Rolling my eyes, I caught a glimpse of someone in the audience and my gaze instantly froze on her. My always certain focus before a game wasn't so certain anymore when everything around me froze as I watched her talk to her friends. Time didn't even seem to be passing as something about her was magnetizing, like she was the only person really present here. Focus Jules...
I tried to get a grip, but even all grip around my stick was gone when I saw her, really see her. She was frowning, bugged about something her friends were obviously teasing her about and I couldn't hide the smile, caused by her rather angry expression. Her icy blonde hair stands stood out next to her beanie, and I had to give it to her that she looked adorable in that varsity hoodie. Damn... Stop staring at her.
I tried to shake away the magnetic field that was drawing me in more than I wanted, as I went for another round on the ice, but as much as I tried not to look back up again I did. She was looking down, smiling at someone and much to my annoyance it there was Zander mouthing something to her. Of course... I almost gave myself another concussion with all the head shakes, rolling my eyes at Zander's presence on the ice. Fuck my life... I groaned at the thought of him warming her up like that, mouthing sweet nothings or who knows what, and suddenly I disliked him even more. I knew I shouldn't be bothered about a cute blonde in the audience, but something about her was different, like I said, as if she was real opposed to everyone else.
As soon as the game started I tried to keep it together. Not even once did I strain to look at her even though I really want to, except for one weak moment. It was a big mistake as one second of not paying attention caused me to get checked, pain instantly shooting through my right arm, slamming the ice hard. Before I knew it, Zander was by my side, helping me to my feet. My ears are ringing but not loud enough to cancel out the sound of his request.
"Make a scene, he'll get a penalty." He whispered silently. Go fucking wank yourself in the penalty box.
I instantly frowned at that. Who the fuck does he think he is... I'm not going to pretend I'm hurt enough to sit on the bench for the rest of the game. No. "No!" I muttered in anger, not even stuttering as I never do when I'm angry.
"Make a fucking scene Martin, or I'll make sure you won't play another game this semester, hell this year even. I don't care how good you are." He gritted through his teeth while grabbing my arm. He was captain by far the shittiest and foulest captain I had ever played with and that's what you get when daddy sponsors the team. Fucking privileged dick. I rolled my eyes and much against my will and values I started to act unstable on my skates all the way to the bench where a ripped my arm away from Zander. The guy who checked me into the boards got a two-minute penalty on which Zander looked at me with a smug smirk on his face. So not fucking worth it.
I rubbed my arm, cussing into the air while my anger reached its climax. How is someone like him fucking captain!I grabbed my helmet, throwing it in front of me against the boards, still cussing out loud. Out of all the guys... Why would she fall for him. My thoughts reminded me of the fact that the cute blonde was only sitting a few rows behind me. Do I look? I want to... I want to see her just one more time. Before any other thoughts could stop me, I was already turning my head and to my surprise her gaze met mine. She's definitely not just any girl... At the soft look on her face all of my anger floated away, melted, as my heartbeat hammered in my throat when she didn't look away. It was so cute, the way making eye-contact made her blush and I bet she didn't even know how bright red her cheeks were. My hands were shaking with nerves before the game, now they were quivering. Dammit she's perfect. I'll never be able to talk to her when she makes we this tense. I can't and don't want to hold back the smile on my face, my heart rate now dangerous. I wanted her to smile back, but all she did was nervously tear her eyes away from me, trying to hide it by biting down on her lip. FuckingCute. I felt myself smile more before returning my gaze to the game, knowing that after seeing that pretty nervous expression on her face, I wouldn't able to get her out of my head. I'm fucked.
I thought that maybe the after-party at our frat house was a good way to get her out of my head, just maybe, or maybe not. The party wasn't too big since Delta Tau Delta was having some sort of early Halloween party across the street and you guessed it, Halloween theme, so much more popular than ice hockey.
I left my room after changing into some jeans, a black T-shirt and my navy blue cap, twisting backwards on my head while I made my way downstairs to meet the guys, some of them weren't so bad. If I didn't make the effort to hang out with them, I was sure they were going to treat me like the Canada Kid even more. I inwardly scoffed at the nickname someone called me earlier in the locker room. I mean, I'm Canadian, yes, but I'm here to finish my biomedical major with a hokey scholarship... I got scouted at the first practice of the year and then, well my plans changed and I moved.
I joined the guys in the living room where they were playing beer pong as this turned out to be more like a gathering than a party since everyone seems to like Halloween better. I observed and mostly keep quiet, sipping my own beer as Zander and Ezra, our goaltender, played against Kai and Levi, two other guys on the team. They were kind of nice, not the typical showoffs like you know who.
Zander was about to throw the little ball at the cups when his eyes fell on someone entering the room and by the size of him smile, I bet it was her. For the love of god, don't let it be her. If they're the clingy type of couple, I'm out. I don't even know why it bothered me so much, I didn't even know her... All I knew was that there was this unexplained attraction towards her and it was the weirdest thing to ever happen to me. "There she is!" Zander raised his voice with a wide smile on his face and she walked up to his side, not hesitating to throw his arm around her and pull her close. "Hi, baby." He said, pulling her against him to sloppily kiss her. Uugh, he's drunk. The way he kissed her put me off, and I rolled my eyes at the way he claimed her, instantly feeling taken aback when I see who noticed my lovely gesture. She saw... Fuck. I nervously fidgeted with my beer as she didn't look away, her gaze fixated on me once more and damn right we had another moment like the one at the game. I doubt I'll touch another puck in my life if Zander sees me smile at her.
Under the bright lights I could grasp the lightness in her eyes, just like her hair. They're clear and bright, like ice, a beautiful and mesmerizing shade of light blue. Fuck, she's stunning. Even frowning she looks... Wait, why is she frowning at me. Maybe it's because of the indifference on your face opposed to the nervous smile you gave her earlier. I teared my eyes away from her, feeling uneasy as she tried to read me, but I briefly look at her again, watching her through my eyelashes. She scrunched her nose and all of a sudden looked really annoyed, until Zander pulled her in again, snaking his arms around her waist from behind. Clingy fucker. Pushing the beer pong ball into her hands, he whispered something on which she smirked. The smile on my face was caused by nothing other than the smirk in hers, finding it the cutest little thing. No matter how much she seemed to light up my day I contained myself, holding back any interest.
"Alright let's do this!" She said, smiling face wide, while making the shot. Zander held her from behind, but her eyes were on me, the tension between us clearly present and I could only hope I was the sole soul aware of it. Her shot was a winner, much like the smile on her face when Zander picked her up, everyone cheering her on like she won the Super Bowl, players howling her name through the living room. Yeah no shit, I better back away now, before I get turned on by her ball skills. I inwardly scoffed while her intense gaze kept me standing there longer than I needed to. At least now, I know her name. Pfff Luna didn't even look at the cup... I half-rolled my eyes at myself for the fact she made the shot even though her eyes were on me. I turned my back to her before things got awkward and walked into the kitchen to get another beer...
Once in the kitchen, I could finally breathe again, sighing again while I put my empty bottle of beer on the kitchen counter. Why is she so intriguing? Maybe it's the eyes, maybe the hair, maybe that stupid little smirk... Who knows. Luna! I said to myself when I turned around and was met by blue eyes squinting the shit out of me.
She just stood there observing me, instantly making me nervous. I bet if I open my mouth now, I'm all stutters and mutters. That's the thing, I never cared, because girls never made me nervous... Because was usually only for one night and then I never saw most of them anymore, but her... I just didn't feel like opening my mouth to her, so she could judge my book by my stutter.
All of a sudden her stare faded as she looked down, stepping closer to the other side of the kitchen island from where I was standing. "Martin, right?" I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the fact she just asked me a question.
"Jules." I blurted out, because it was the one thing I confidently could say without you know... While she took in my rather unusual name with this part of the country I noticed she was no longer wearing that varsity hoodie and traded it for a white button-up t-shirt, showing some skin just above the hem of her jeans. Dude, you're not supposed to notice that stuff. Taken, remember... Imagine it written on her forehead, if that helps. It kind of does. "I'm thirsty, you?" She smiled, nodding towards the fridge and I just nodded back, not wanting to say anything else than my name, but I might get to a point where I don't have a choice anymore. On my lack of words I saw her bend over, grabbing two beers from the fridge before handing me one and somehow the cold glass feels soothing, my skin hot by her presence around me. She leaned her elbow on the counter, swallowing while she looked at me again. "Are you okay? You know, you got boarded quite hard earli-..."
I was kind of relieved as her question was interrupted by loud voices coming from the hallway, one loud one in particular causing her to frown. Zander, great... Her boyfriend was loudly talking to Ezra, silhouettes clear while they walked past the doorway. I could tell she was trying to hear what they were saying as she stared into the wall in front of her. "Ezra, I don't know about you but the adrenaline of a game always gets me worked up." I frowned while I watched her expression quickly change. Zander watch what you're about to say... I know what you're talking about but don't say it man.
"I know! I always make sure to call my friend after the game... She usually takes good care of that little problem." Ezra laughed, on which Zander scoffed.
"Mine's not little... I'm fucking horny." And there it goes... You idiot... I get it, you're a walking tube of testosterone right now, but do you really have to brag about that... I wanted to huff, but that just wasn't right when the one taking care of his big problem that night was standing right next to me, something about the expression on her face telling me she just heard the Loch Ness Monster really exists.
"Good thing your girlfriend is staying over." Ezra laughed once again and her face seemed even more stressed out than before.
"Fuck yes! I really need to g..." We heard both of their voice disappear from the hallway, but she seemed to be lost in thought, her eyes still boring holes through that brick wall. I really wanted to say something, see if she was okay because she really didn't look the part.
Just when I thought she had turned to stone, her icy blue eyes widened, looking startled as fuck. "What?" She muttered when she snapped her head at me, her eyes scanning the expression on my face. It suddenly phased me that I was staring at her with concern, probably judging the situation. "Woah, could you be more judgmental." She squinted her eyes at me, her nose scrunching up. I had to bit my lip in order to contain a smirk as I have never felt so soft for a girl with an attitude. "You don't get to judge me... I mean, us..." She hesitated for a second. "Stop looking at me like that." Like what? She scoffed, annoyed, yet she made sure to still have me in her line of sight. For the sole purpose of getting on her nose to hear her scoff some more, I decided to turn around to find the beer opener. "Dick." I heard her grit through her teeth and I almost laughed at her bold choice of words since she'll definitely see that part of her boyfriend tonight. When I turned back around she had her back turned too, but I got a glimpse of how she pushed her beer to the side and leaned down to search under the counter for something, coming back up with a bottle of vodka and I somehow want to stop her. Not your girl, not your problem.
She lightly slapped her cheeks before taking a monster of a breath, opening the bottle and taking a big sip. "I'm so fucking horny, boohoo the adrenaline is rushing through my veins." She mocked Zander with a low and whiny voice. Sorry, but I really had to bite lip to hold back my laughter. As she continued to make fun of them, I leaned against a counter on the other side of the kitchen, her back still facing me, but I surely didn't mind, the view from behind not bad at all as her jeans really fit great around her... Stop... And on top of that she was hilarious. "Poor you..." She scoffed, putting the bottle back down with a thud. "Yeah, your girlfriend is staying over, you're going to get laid dude." She mimicked Ezra's deeper voice as if she was alone in the kitchen"Yeah, well Zander I guess you didn't tell your friends your wild girlfriend is still a virgin." A what? My eyes instantly widened, thinking I misunderstood. "Jules, you didn't hear that!" She rushed before holding up her index finger, another gulp of vodka going down her throat. Pardon me...? Uhm yeah, I heard and now I can't pretend I didn't.
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I edited this entire chapter so the inline comments are gone, sadly but true. Thank you to everyone commenting on it, I love it. (I decided to edit chapter 1 to 7 as writing in past tense just fits me better and because I felt we were taking too much of a slow start.) <3 Hope it's better now.
Hi Loves! Me again! So the double update, what are your thoughts?
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