♦️ Chapter 21 || Beginners Luck ♦️
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* * Nicole's POV * *

"He did what?!" I scream through the phone.

My mind swirls... I can't believe she just said that... did I hear her correctly?!

"Asher asked me out!" Bridget screamed through tears of joy.

"I called it! I totally called it!" I cheer.

Bridget laughs, "I'm going to the movies with him later today!"

"Christmas eve! How romantic!"

She nervously laughs, "I just can't believe this happened. He is the most gorgeous, wonderful and amazing human being on earth!!"

There was a pause "How did I end up with him?!"

"It's because your absolutely amazing Bridget!" I shout.

"OMG he is face timing me now what do I do?!"

"Answer it!" I shout.

"Okay okay byeee! Wish me luck!"

"Good luck!" But she already hanging up before I could say it.

I looked at the time, what am I going to do all day without my family and teddy. I've never spent one holiday away from them!

Never!

With a sigh, I grab my laptop and start watching Christmas movies. Rudolph is my favorite so watch that first.

Hours later I start scrambling for more Christmas movies. I managed to watch frosty and The Santa Clause.

I pulled out The Grinch next but  the door swung open.... speak of the devil.

"Did you take it?!" Jake spat in a rage.

"Take what?" I said in a panic.

Jake just broke into laugher.

"What's so funny?" I said practically shaking.

"You should have seen your face!! PRICELESS!!"

I cross my arms and stick out my tongue, "What are you doing in here?"

That's when it hit me.... Jake was shirtless.

I tense at the sight of his muscles.

OMG

"You can stop staring" he laughs and I blush.

"Anyway, I came to get my hockey stuff from the attic which is above you." Jake says while gesturing to the door in the ceiling.

Oooo "I didn't know you played hockey."

He chuckled "I don't, but when the pond freezes over me, Dan, Dylan and Asher go to play. But since Asher has been abducted by your friend we lose a player for today."

"Hey! She did not abduct him! He asked her!" I protest.

"If you say so babycakes." Jake pulls down the latter and climbs up. His muscles flex in the process and I can not stop staring. His abs, back and arm muscles are so defined. WHAT AM I DOING? Snap out of it!?

I start playing the Grinch as Jake rummages through the attic.

"Are you watching the Grinch?" He shouts.

"Yes" I shout back.

"Good movie" he says, "aha there you are. Hey Nicole can you give me a hand?"

"Mhmm" I say as I get up from the bed and to the ladder.

"Catch this" He stats but it was too late, he let the puck and the stick fall right on top of me before I could even look up leading to me ungraciously fall to the ground.

Jake on the other hand found this highly amusing. I push the junk off of me and shake my head, "Ouch"

Jake jumps down from the latter and sticks out a hand, I stupidly reach out for it only for him to let go and me to fall once again.

"Stop that Jake. You're going to give me a concussion." I say rubbing my head.

"If you don't have one already then I am utterly surprised." He chuckles with a grin.

He sticks out his hand again.

I stare at it like it was an alien before trying to get up myself. I roll over onto my hands and knees and push myself up, the way up is a little wobbly but I am steadied out by two arms that wrap around my waist.

"Who knew my arms could literally wrap around your waist twice?"

I struggled to get out of his grip, "C'mon Jake"

He turns me around to face him, "C'mon what?" he raises an eye brow "I see... you want to make out"

"NO!" I literally scream in fear, "Let me go" but low and behold he doesn't.

"I just want to watch my movie in peace."

"You know it must stink."

"What?"

"Having your parents ditch you on Christmas"

I stop struggling, did Jake really get that low.

"Th-They didn't ditch me" I say weakly.

"Riiiiight"

"They went on a business trip" I say avoiding his gaze.

"Mhmmmm" He lifts me up and throws me on the bed.

He grabs his stuff and as he exits he spits out with a wink "Oh btw I know you were gawking at me as I was climbing the ladder."

I groan and open my laptop to play the Grinch.

"Later babycakes"

Why does he have to be like that, they did not ditch me, they had no choice... they couldn't bring me with them.

Maybe I'll call them... yeah that's a great idea.

I dial my mom's number but it goes right to voice mail. I try my dad's but the same thing. They must be in a meeting.

"Hi Dad, Hi Mom. I miss you guys. Merry Christmas Eve. Things are not the same without you. I wish you were here." I sigh "Alright, call me when you get a chance. Love you, bye."

A tear falls down my cheeck, I need you guys.

UGH why did Jake take Teddy?! That jerk! Teddy did nothing to him! I cannot believe he took the thing i treasured most... I know Jake is horrible, mean, and self centered but doesn't he have feelings for others? Doesn't he?

I cuddle into a ball and play the Grinch. The theme song to The Grinch begins to play and I start to quietly sing along, "You're a mean one Mr...."

"JAKEEEEEEE!!!!" I hear Jill scream from across the house at the most perfect timing and I can't help but fall off my bed and laugh. Yup, he deserved that. Definitely deserved that.

When the song ends my marathon craving of Christmas movies stop so I haul myself out of bed and charge to the closet. I throw on a thick pair of jeans that actually have a super fuzzy inside lining to them, a long sleeve shirt with ice cream on it, and a white fuzzy sweater with matching white fuzzy socks. I get absolutely freezing in the winter and I hate it.

I shuffle out of my room with a quest to make nice warm Lipton soup.

I reach the kitchen to find a still very shirtless Jake lying on the couch with his phone in his hand.

"I thought you would have left by now" I accidentally say sounding a lot meaner than I should have, but Jake has been so ridiculous lately and I still have not forgave him for teddy so i'm steaming.

"You're definitely in a angry mood. You only speak when you're going to blow" He chuckles "It's adorable babycakes."

I literally growl and narrow my eyes, he smirks.

"What is with that name?" I pry.

"I like it. It suits you." He says looking into his phone.

I grab the supply I need for soup as I ask "And how is that?" I choke on my words, "You know what... I don't want to know. Don't tell me."

He chuckles with that stupid grin as he states "Anyways, Dan can't find his things so he is running around the house like a mad man. It's kinda funny."

He sits up and walks over to me, "See" He places his phone in front of me as I turn the stove on and I see a crazy Dan through face time literally running around the house trying to find his stuff. I can't help but laugh a little which I quickly cover up with a cough. He pulls the phone away silently.

"Are you cold?" He says gesturing to my layers of clothes.

"Freezing" I turn around to grab the soup packet when trickling hot water is poured over my head. I let out a shriek of pain followed by Jake's devilish laugh. I bend my back so the water doesn't travel to my clothes, which I successfully do which I gratefully sigh because I don't have to change.

"There you go, Nice and warm" Jake declares as he leaves "Don't forget to clean up your mess"

I grab a towel, dry my head, then dry the floor. I can't believe him sometimes. If that was any hotter he might have burned me really bad.

I refill the pot and put it back on the stove. What a meanie.

The soup soon finishes and I sit at the table and begin eating away. The warm liquid rushes down my throat warming my body immediately. I finish the bowl, and eat the rest of the soup in less than 10 minutes which ultimately leads to me rushing for the bathroom.

"Jake! Where are you going?" I hear Jill yell.

I exit the bathroom and start putting away my soup mess.

"I'm going to the pond with the guys to play some hockey. I do it every year." Jake says as he zips up his jacket.

"Only if Nicole is going with you. Remember you are still in exile." Jill declares, "If Nicole is going you can go. Nicole are you going?"

I turn around frantically, I looked back and forth between Jill and Jake. Jake had his eyes narrowing in on me, his hands clutched into fists. I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat and said "I wasn't going to go. Jake has been very... mature lately. I was thinking that he should spend Christmas eve with his friends playing hockey. Plus I don't know how to play so I would just be a burden."

Jake's eyes relax after my shaky monologue.

"See there we go. Now bye." Jake says getting ready to storm out of the house.

"Hold on a minute. Nicole that is very sweet of you to think of Jake and his friends like that..." Jill begins to say.

"Yes it was. Thank you..." Jake adds.

"But..." Jill adds.

"But?!" Jake's mouth drops open.

"You won't be a burden at all. Jake won't mind teaching you how to play. I also heard they are loosing a player today so you can be the fourth member and make it even. I would also feel very bad if you were to spend Christmas Eve all alone in your room..."

I hesitate, "No really it is no problem."

She smiles "I insist go with Jake. If you go I might rethink his punishment."

I look at Jake who low and behold is steaming with anger.

Oh god, what do I do?

"It's okay if Nicole comes with you Jake, Right? You don't have a problem with it do you?" She cheekily says.

He groans and forces out "It's no problem"

"You will let her participate and teach her to play, Right?"

He nods with anger.

Jill claps her hands with a wicked mom smile, "Go get ready dear."

I stand frozen looking at Jake who is already at the door. He is going to kill me.

After grabbing my huge winter coat, snow boots, gloves, hat and scarf I run out the door and into Jake's car.

"We aren't going to the Antarctica, just down the street" He laughs with a hint of anger.

I know how pathetic I look but I hate the cold, "I know. I just don't like to be cold."

We arrive at the pond in minutes. Jake hops out of the car, opens the funky door for me, grabs his things and runs to the group by the pond.

I stay frozen in the car. It's okay Nicole, just keep your distance and don't participate. Everything will be okay.

I slid out of the car and carefully shut the expensive car door.

I look over at the pond and see the boys already playing. I shuffle over, sit on a tree stump and watch.

I wonder what it would be like to be a fish right now, I mean isn't it freezing under the sheet of ice? What do fish do under there? Do they migrate to Florida? Wait, how do these fish get to Florida if its a closed pond not connected to a stream or lake? Do they just die?

"Hey Nicole!" I hear Dan shout breaking me out of my weird thoughts.

I wave back shyly "Hi"

"Come join us." He gestures to the pond, "We have extra stuff and can use an extra player."

I look at Jake who is avoiding looking at me.

"I'm good. I'll just sit here and...."

"Nonsense, get over here. Don't make me tell Jake to put you over his shoulder and bring you here."

Not like he would do it anyway....

I stand up and slowly walk over to the pond. When my feet reach the rim of the ice I carefully shuffle on it.

"Great I am now officially 100 years older" Jake states.

Dylan chuckles as he shoots into the net.

Dan grabs a stick and hands it to me, "it's not hard. Jake will teach you to play, cause I can't do English right now"

Dylan laughs again, "You can never speak right, give up English already!"

I let out a small and unnoticeable laugh.

Jake gilds over to me with a groan.

"Look I'm so so sorry Jake" I silently say when he nears me.

"Just shut up" and I do.

He throws the puck on the ice in front of me, "This is the puck. What your holding is a hockey stick."

I put my hand on my hip, "I know what they are."

"Do you want to learn or not?"

I shut my mouth and listen.

"Now put your right hand on the top of your stick and place your left hand under it. Your right hand provides all the control and power."

I nod and grip the hockey stick as he says.

"Good. Now hit it into the net." He demands impatiently.

I strike the stick against the puck and the puck goes flying but no where near the net.

"Almost there Nicole!" Dan shouts over Dylan's laughter.

"Stop laughing at me" I say to Jake who is trying to not laugh.

"You have great power on the right hand. We just need to fix your stance." He shuffles behind and and places his hands on my waist and turns me ever so slightly. Shivers trail up and down my spine, especially where his hands are touching me. He moves his body closer to mine and fixes my position more accurately and my heart rate increases, "Loosen up. You're so stiff."

How can I be loose when you are so close to me!

I nod and try to relax.

"Good." I can feel his breath next to my ear as he fixes my stance and arms. Once he is done he backs away and says "Dan get in the net."

"Okay" Dan immediately slides into the, and I mean literally slide... like full on belly slide on the ice into the net, causing it to topple over onto him.

I let out a laugh and break my position.

"That's not what I meant you idiot!" Jake shouts with a face palm.

"But you still love me" Dan laughs as he fixes the next, grabs his stick and plays goalie.

Jake groans at Dan then looks at me "You moved!"

I stop laughing and try to go back into position. Jake comes over and again places his hands on my waist and fixes my position, "Now you see that net" I nod "Shoot that puck into that net."

"But how can I do that with Dan in the way" I confidentially say.

Jake groans "He is the goalie. I'm not going to let you get a free shot. You have to earn it."

"That's so unfair I can't do that!"

Jake devilishly laughs as he walks away to watch next to Dylan, "She is never going to make a shot" He says to Dylan with a smirk.

I narrow my eyes and tense my muscles.

Dan in the goal is practically dancing around waiting to stop the puck. He keeps shifting to the left so I presume the low left is his strong point. His body is fairly low so he must be expecting a low shot.

"What's the hold up? Afraid?" Jake taunts

"Me? Afraid? In your dreams?" And with that I shot the puck at the net high and to the right. Exactly where I wanted it. The puck goes flying past Dan and into the net at great speed.

Dan turns into the net and picks up the puck, "What the f**k!"

I look over at Jake who was completely dumb founded.

"I call her on my team!" Dan shouts, "Dibs!"

"$**t, She is better than Asher." I faintly hear Dylan tell Jake.

"Beginners luck" Jake adds with anger, "Some aspects of your shot needs some work but other wise it was a good first try."

"A good first try?" I say in protest, "That was awesome! I have never done that before!"

"Looks like we have a natural athlete. Thank god she's on my team." Dan slides over to me and puts his arm around my shoulder, "We are going to kick your a**."

They set up for a game and I stay quietly on the side avoiding everyone.

"Ready partner?" Dan asks as he gets ready to put the puck on the ice.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I say hesitantly.

"Don't be nervous! You're great! I believe in you." Dan reassures.

"She's not a f**king fairy! Lets start the game already!" Jake shouts.

I get in the stance Jake showed me when he put his arms around my waist and was so close to me. Snap out of it Nicole!

As I shake my head I see the puck slide right by me and into Dylan's possession.

"Told you she was useless!" Jake shouts to Dan.

"No she isn't! Don't forget you can steal the puck from someone." Dan says kindly as he steals away the puck from Dylan.

"Got it." I move closer to the net and see Jake coming to the net to make a shot.

I quickly slide next to him, stick my stick in his way, steal the puck from him and pass it to Dan who scores a clean shot.

Dan gives me a high five. "Not so useless now big guy" Dan says as he punches Jake's arm.

Jake walks by me, his shoulder bumps into me as he walks causing me to fall onto the ice.

"Don't let him bother you. He is just trying to get in your head." Dylan says as he helps me up.

I nod and brush my self off.

I stay in the same spot and wait for the next round to start. I hear something that sounds like branches snapping so I turn around to see who was behind me, but no one was there.

I shake off the noise and get ready.

The puck hits the ice and is in Jake's possession.

I hear the noise again, I turn around and no one is there.

"Nicole here!"

I turn around to have the puck pass to me. I quickly shoot it at the net.

The branches breaking sound continued, after I hit the puck I turned around. A huge wind broke causing my eyes to shut and the feeling of freezing cold to emerge from every angle of my body. My body was so cold that I couldn't move and when I finally opened my eyes all I saw was black.

• • •

What happened to Nicole?

New Chapter coming soon!!

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Alyssa Rose