Page 19 of Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“Could you come here, please?” He asked, amusement lacing his voice.

Reluctantly, I turned around and made my way towards Mr. Jamison’s desk. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of my embarrassment was dragging me down. As I approached him, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at the rows of empty desks, my classmates now long gone, leaving me alone with this whirlwind of humiliation.

As I walked up, I glanced at the chalkboard at the front of the room. It was still covered in neat handwriting from the day’s lesson and, with a sinking heart, I realized I didn’t recognize any of it. How quickly had I fallen asleep?

Mr. Jamison looked up from his papers, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his lips. His eyes were surprisingly kind and understanding. He gestured for me to take a seat in the chair opposite him, which I did slowly.

“Now, Bri,” he began, leaning back in his chair, “Falling asleep in class is not something I typically condone.” His voice was gentle but firm. “But,” he continued, raising an eyebrow, “I couldn’t help but notice how tired you’ve been the last few weeks. Is everything all right?”

I looked down at my feet, dragging the toe of my shoe along the wooden floor.

“Everything’s fine, sir,” I mumbled.

Mr. Jamison let out a small sigh, the sound reverberating through the empty classroom. “Bri, I’ve been teaching for quite some time, and I’ve learned to read between the lines,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “Something tells me that ‘fine’ isn’t exactly the truth.”

I glanced up at him, my eyes meeting his in a moment of vulnerability. When I looked up, I saw the concern in his eyes had intensified. Part of me wanted to pour out my troubles, to let someone in and release the weight of my burdens. But another part of me resisted, not wanting to tell anyone what was going on, but especially not a teacher who would have to tell my parents.

Sensing my hesitation, Mr. Jamison leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You know, Bri,” he said softly, “sometimes it helps just to talk about what’s bothering us. It can be a relief to have someone listen.”

His voice was soft, compassionate, and it made me feel as though a weight was slowly being lifted off my shoulders.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought to keep them from spilling over. How could he see through the mask I had constructed so perfectly? I nodded, unable to meet his gaze any longer.

Taking a deep breath, I began to speak, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been having trouble sleeping,” I admitted, my words hanging in the air like a fragile secret. “It’s like my mind refuses to shut off at night, and I lie awake for hours, trapped in a whirlwind of thoughts and worries.”

Mr. Jamison nodded understandingly, his expression filled with empathy. “Is there something specific that’s been keeping you up?”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to open up completely or to give just a glimpse of what was troubling me. In the end, I decided to take his advice, but share only part of what was bothering me. It felt safer that way, as if I could dip my toes into vulnerability without fully immersing myself.

“Well,” I began slowly, carefully choosing my words, “there’s just been a lot going on lately. Between the figure skating team and my classes and everything... I guess I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

Mr. Jamison nodded slowly. “I understand, Bri,” he said, his voice tinged with sympathy. “It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed from time to time. However, when that overwhelm starts affecting your ability to sleep, it might be worth exploring some relaxation techniques or seeking help.”

“I’ve tried every relaxation technique known to man,” I said bluntly. “And I don’t really want to talk to someone. Not yet.”

Mr. Jamison leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment before speaking again. His smile had faded slightly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. “Bri, I understand that reaching out for help can be difficult,” he said, his voice filled with understanding. “But sometimes, talking to someone can offer a fresh perspective or bring solutions that you may not have considered.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle deeper into my bones. “Thank you, sir, but I really think I don’t need it. If it continues... I’ll consider it.”

Mr. Jamison nodded, accepting my response with a gentle understanding. He wasn’t pushy or insistent, but his concern remained evident in his eyes. I could tell that he genuinely cared for his students and wanted to see them flourish, not just academically, but also emotionally.

Mr. Jamison’s eyes softened, his gaze filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. “All right, Bri,” he said gently, “I won’t push you. Just remember that I’m here for you whenever you’re ready to talk. Whether it’s about your struggles with sleep or anything else that may be bothering you. Sometimes, it can be hard to open up, but it’s important to remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

Though my heart ached with the weight of my secrets, I appreciated Mr. Jamison’s unwavering support. It was comforting to know that there was someone in this chaotic world who genuinely cared about my well-being.

* * *

“You’ll never guess what I did in class today,” I told Adelynn when I walked into our room after class.

Adelynn raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Do tell,” she said.

A mischievous smile played at the corners of my lips as I settled onto the edge of my bed. “Well,” I began, relishing in the suspense, “I fell asleep during Mr. Jamison’s lecture.”

Adelynn gasped, a mixture of surprise and amusement coloring her features. “You fell asleep? In class?” she exclaimed, unable to contain her laughter. “How on earth did you manage that?”

I shrugged sheepishly, a blush spreading across my cheeks. “I don’t know. One moment, I was listening intently to Mr. Jamison’s soothing, Australian voice, and the next... I was waking up at the end of class and having a conversation with him about why.”

Adelynn burst into laughter, her joy filling the room and momentarily lifting the weight from my shoulders. We both knew that falling asleep in class was completely out of character for me, even with my sleeping issues. Adelynn was always there to balance my seriousness with her infectious laughter.

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