Page 16 of Treacherous
“They do.” Cami and Jaz say in tandem.
I shake my head, reaching for a glass of water sitting in front of me. I take a sip, contemplating my response.
Jay seemed serious when he said he didn’t want anyone to know about that day. I don’t know if that is embarrassment about the first kiss aspect or that it was me, he was kissing.
“I don’t kiss and tell. Besides, it happened years ago and willnotbe happening again.” I grit my teeth. “Let’s move on to someone else’s love life. Jaz, Athena, anything to say?”
Based on the glares I receive, my deflection barely works but everyone drops the subject. Jaz and Athena gush as they tell us about Theo and Austin.
A smile pulls at the corner of my lips. I love that they are happy and the boys are treating them like the queens they are.
Personally, I’ve had one serious relationship, which was a mess in itself, but that isn’t the biggest flaw of my dating life. The situationship with my teammate last year ranks as the worst decision I’ve ever made and it was my fucking heart's fault.
After spending my life surrounded by boys due to hockey, I know most of them think the same way. Except for my new friend, Cooper Powell. I’m taking that sweet, naïve boy under my wing for purely selfish reasons.
Consider him a pet project. Not that I really have time for one of those, but for Cooper, I’ll make the time.
The five of us order food and coffee, and it arrives as the conversation flows into future careers. I flick my eyes to the platein front of me, focusing on my avocado on toast rather than the conversation at hand.
“The goal is to go to the Olympics for figure skating, but other than that I’m studying media and communications.” My sister says.
Cami has wanted to win a gold medal since she watched figure skating at the Winter Olympics in 2010, when she was seven years old.
Our parents tried to push both of us into figure skating, but that didn’t look like fun to me. I took one look at hockey and knew it was the sport I wanted to play.
“That’s amazing,” Athena says, before continuing: “Well, I actually have some news.”
“You’re not pregnant, are you?” Sofia asks.
Athena blushes but quickly shuts it down. “No, of course not. Austin and I are safer than that. It’s about my book.”
All of us turn our heads towards her. I didn’t know much about Athena last year, but Jaz has since told me Athena has been writing a romance book series since freshman year, which is fucking crazy, trying to write and complete university at the same time.
“My agent reached out to me, and a publisher is interested in releasing my books.”
The four of us scream, excitement laced in our voices. We ignore the strange looks from others at the restaurant, congratulating Athena on her achievement.
“This is amazing. Everything you have worked for it happening.” Jaz says.
“I know. Austin was with me when my agent called and he held me while I cried. It was the best moment of my life.”
“Well, if we are continuing with the happy news, I may as well jump on the bandwagon,” Sofia says, pausing for what I can assume is dramatic effect.
“You know how I told you guys about how well my internship with Cassidy Emeralds went last year. She has offered me a job once I finish my degree. She needs more designers in her Chicago office, which is crazy since she only opened it five years ago.”
The excitement continued as we finished brunch. All these girls are accomplishing so much, even my sister, who has just started freshman year, has visions of the future.
I’m trying to take senior year one day at a time, the uncertainty of my future hanging like a storm cloud over my head.
I’m praying that by May next year, the clouds will clear, showing me the direction I need to follow post-graduation. But as the days dwindle, optimism seeps from my body in pounds.
My chest tightens and I force myself to inhale. I smile, hiding the true extent of the thoughts lingering in my head.
***
My body temperature drops as I walk through the doors of Lakewood Centre, with my duffle bag slung over my shoulders.
Our hockey team, the Hawks, have had success over the past ten years, allowing for a new arena to be built. Although it was named after the university with the main purpose to have a state-of-the-art facility for players, community groups and the figure skaters at Lakewood also use the space.
