Chapter 003

Lena's POV 

I slapped my self mentally before running off with my bags. I made my way to the bakery, hoping my boss wasn't too pissed off to see me. I had missed three days in a row and i didn't even reach out to her.

It wasn't crowded when I arrived just like I expected, it was Friday. I pushed open the door with a grin on my face and bumped into someone.

"Hey, I'm sorry" I apologized turning to see who it was. 

"It's okay" came the reply. I knew that voice. He bent to pick a note and stood back up. 

"It's you" I grinned, recognising him, he was the guy who helped me stand and gave me the hockey gear.

He smiled back as he placed his books on the closest table. "Lena. Right?" He asked stretching his hands to me 

I grabbed it and smiled wider, he knew my name. "Yes, Lena and you're?" 

"Collins. Funny to meet you here. How're you doing?" 

I chuckled and was about to answer when my boss came in, she looked surprised to see me but it turned to relief as she pulled me into a hug. "I was worried something had happened " she whispered to my ears.

I hugged her back tightly, "I'm fine, I'd explain later" 

She nodded and released me. Collins pulled out a chair and I sank into it. We spoke about a few things before he had to leave, he gave me a card and told me to save his number. 

It felt so good to have someone want to be my friend and for days I was happy.

If only I knew what awaited me.

The next week, trainings were more intense, a letter came in by Wednesday that week implying we were to compete with another school, it was a big one and everyone was pretty excited. That meant hockey players were excused from classes that week to train well.

Coach Lucien didn't help like he said he was going to, instead he avoided me completely and the only time I felt seen were when he had to chase me off the rink. 

I sought collins for help instead of giving up and we took a few hours to practice after trainings. He was gentle for someone that played such a violent sport.

The first time we rehearsed, he has pushed me really hard, I slammed into the board, it was so bad I almost passed out. He held me to keep me from falling and apologized till the end of practice.

"I keep forgetting you're a girl. I'm sorry" he said again as we walked together.

I smiled and shook my head, "You're doing me a favour, it's okay if I survive a few bruises". 

"I've never had to play with a girl, Kiera plays like a boy so I don't have to worry when we're on the rink but you're fragile unlike her...." He paused and turned to face me with concern written in his face. "Why do you want to play hockey? You can get hurt." 

His concern touched me and I looked away to stop myself from explaining. "I want to. .... That's enough for a reason. Right?" 

He smiled sadly and resumed walking, "you don't even like the sport, Have you seen the way you look when you're not on the ice? Like you can't understand why we'd sign up for something like that. So it makes no sense that you're still in the team, you have enough reasons to leave. The coach hates you" 

"He just doesn't like me, isn't hate" I replied casually. I didn't want to seen as someone that was hated. 

Collins shook his head sadly, he opened his mouth to talk but was interrupted by a lady's pitched voice. I looked up and groaned when I realised who it was .... Kiera. 

"Let's continue tomorrow...... See you in school" I said and walked away, passing Kiera but completely ignoring her.

"Don't tell me you're friends with that pitiful puppy" I heard her say as I left. I was going to change that, I wasn't pitiful, that's why I didn't tell Collins about the scholarship, I didn't need pity I just needed to win.

The next day was Thursday and it was the last training before the competition, I had gotten to the rink very early hoping to train a bit but I met some of the players, Collins and his friends..

I waved at them and walked off to get dressed, Coach Lucien wasn't anywhere to be seen, probably slept in late, not an impossibility even for someone as cold as he was.

Kiera joined me as I sat to strap on my skating shoes. "You shouldn't be here. It's a training for those playing tomorrow" 

I snorted, ignoring her. I wasn't about to get myself worked up, I was an additional to the team which meant the had enough to represent them, my chances of playing were low, someone had to be absent or injured before I get a chance to play. I was just trying my luck 

"Don't make me do something I don't want to!" She snapped, as she kicked my helmet off the bench. I stood up gently, reminding myself that I already had my skating shoes on. I glided gently towards the helmet, picked it and made my way to the rink, as I passed her, I whispered "I'd like to see you do your worse" 

She scowled, clenching her fists beside her. 

I didn't look back even though I itched to annoy her more. 

The training had started when I got there, Coach Lucien now present was clocked in a black top and pants motioned for me to join in, Kiera also joined moving closely behind me 

The training went well, I had gotten better, I caught Coach Lucien eyes widened occasionally as I passed the puck. Was it pride? He looked happy.

It must have gotten to me cause the next thing I knew I was facing Kiera, she had that mischievous smile on her face, I passed the puck to her and she passed it back, I made to pass it to someone when she lifted her hockey stick. I froze, something in my head yelled at me to move but I couldn't.

I watched as the hockey stick descended, I shifted and it landed on my neck, missing the helmet and landed directly on me, I heard a pop as the pain overwhelmed me. Everything became black and I felt my body drop to the floor.

The ice was cold and I couldn't breathe.

Was this the end ?

My lungs seemed to forget how to work, somebody held my hands and I felt warmth seeped through my thick pants.

"Lena! Stay with me" someone yelled, it was the coach and he sounded worried. I couldn't decide if it was a good thing or a bad thing before I passed out.