Matt, the physician, turned out to be a pretty nice middle-aged man, he has his hair buzzed short and has this kind vibe to him, but he is sure as hell intimidating.

Coach even more so.

He holds authority, and I'm sure he screams a lot to his players. I'm sure it is, so they stay focused, but I don't like it.

People call him coach like that is his name, even though I'm pretty sure it's not. I think it's a sports thing, some players going by their last names like Milan does—I like his first name more, but apparently, he goes by Taylor.

"During the training, there is not much to do since they're pretty calm and easy, but the games can get rough. So be prepared for that," Matt explains.

I nod and gulp in response.

I hope I will survive the games. I've seen hockey on television before, and the way some players are mauled into the wall is quite scary.

Not soon after, the boys come out to get on the ice. When I'm not paying attention, I feel two arms wrap around my shoulders from behind and someone towering over me.

"Kiya, darling, you made it!" I hear, and when he lets go, I come eye-to-eye with Taylor.

I'm surprised by Taylor greeting me like that.

"Sure did," I smile at him. I like Taylor. I had expected the whole team to have forgotten me after that party, "now get on the ice. I'm dying to see if you're any good."

"I will surprise you, darling." He smirks and then gets on the ice.

I watch him as he skates around. He shows off some tricks trying to impress me. His attempts at figure skating have me raising my thumbs to him, and I smile at him.

I recognize some of the other boys from the party on the ice now. Some I even know by name. In my freshman year, Tamara would never shut up about some of the juniors on the team—who are now seniors.

For the first time, I see Del on the ice and get to experience up close how good he is. I know he is a junior but managed to get the captain position on the team, which sounds promising, but I've never actually seen him play.

I watch as he skates. I wouldn't be able to say anything about his technique as I'm a bit clueless about everything revolving around hockey.

I have never actually skated myself, for some reason I never did it even though I've had the opportunity. I guess I was too self-conscious about everyone looking at me if I were to fall which I for sure would.

Maybe one of them can teach me.

The training is quite enjoyable to watch. I focus on Gabe and Taylor the most as I consider them my friends now. However, I can't help to let my eyes go to Del every once in a while, the power his shots at the goal have, and how he masters the ice.

I need to ask Gabe later if something is going on between him and Del. There had to be a reason for Del to act the way he did when I was talking with Gabe.

Del didn't show any interest in me before, so why now? I thought he didn't like me.

When practice is over, the boys go back to the locker room. But Taylor and Gabe quickly stopped by me first.

"How about you come to another party this weekend? We all loved having you there," Taylor says.

"Oh um, I don't know... I have to see." I say, a little unsure. Another party? The last time was fine, but parties make me nervous in general.

"How about you come and get dinner with a few of the boys first and then the party," Gabe offers.

I think that might be better. Just because one party was a success doesn't mean I'm some girls-gone-wild party girl now. It took a lot of commitment to go to the first one already—twice in one week is pushing it.

I can catch dinner with them, and then I can dip out before they go to some party somewhere over at the frat houses.

"Okay, I might, just text me the details, and I will let you know," I say, "You have my number, right? Otherwise, ask Oli if he has it." I tell them.

"Alright, bye. Kiya, we'll see you Wednesday at practice." Taylor says and gives me a brief hug; Gabe follows suit throwing his arms around me, "Bye Ki," and then they leave.

Coach and Matt tell me to just go home. I thank them once more before I turn to leave the arena, I find my way to the exit without trouble. Turns out it isn't that hard to find your way around the arena if you just follow the signs.

I push through the doors and reach the cold of the night. It's well after 9 pm, darker and colder than when I came here.

As I am about to start my journey of walking back to campus, I hear someone behind me push through the doors.

"Kiya!" at the sound of my name, I turn back around and see Del standing there on his socks.

"Uhm, did I forget something?" I ask, confused to see him here—apparently, in a hurry to see me judging from the lack of shoes.

It must be urgent if he didn't even have time to put on shoes. He is still in his hockey uniform as he is now standing here outside with me. He looks a bit sweaty from the hard effort he put into the training just now.

"Oh no, that's not it. I just wanted to offer you a ride back to campus since we live at the same building, and um... I don't think it's safe for you to walk home alone in the dark." He says, and I think that's sweet of him.

I don't sense anything suspicious in his offer, so I think he is genuine.

"Oh, okay." I say before quickly adding, "thank you," with a small smile on my face.

He smiles back when I agree to his offer.

"I will quickly go grab my things, and we can get out of here. I will take a shower at home, so you don't have to wait for too long." He says and quickly turns around to go back inside as he leaves me standing here.

While I wait, I take in the surroundings and study the arena building. The arena is quite far from the dorm buildings, and even though I walked here earlier—which was fine—I'm happy not having to walk back home.

I have to admit it is not safe to walk outside alone at night as a woman but I've never been one to be scared of something like that even though I shouldn't be. I might be naive but I always have this mindset that it won't happen to me, which is not good, I know that.

It will also give me a chance—to maybe, just maybe—figure Del out. I don't understand him. First, he wants nothing to do with me, but now he is suddenly nice again. Something changed, and I don't know what it is, or he has massive mood swings.

Before I know it, Del is back. He has pulled on a hoodie and a pair of track pants, but he looks good. He always looks good—he is one of the best-looking guys in this school.

He moves his hand through his brown hair and smiles as he walks up to me.

"Let's go, ice baby," he says cheekily, gesturing me to walk to the parking lot.

Ice baby? Is he calling me that again?

I frown at the nickname, "why do you call me that?" I ask him.

He shrugs, "it came to mind earlier, and I thought it was suiting," He smirks, "Why? You don't like it?"

"No, no, it's fine. I just thought you um... didn't like me." I say, sounding insecure.

"Look, if this is about how I acted at the party, I'm sorry." He says, and we reach his car.

His chivalry shows as he opens the door for me, so I get in.  He climbs in on the other side of the car.

He then continues with what he was saying.

"That day in the store when you snapped, I just thought you were a bitch, and then at the party, I was having an off day so I outed my feelings to you. I know that was uncalled behavior, and you are joining the team, so I want to try again. Maybe we can be friends."

"Okay, yeah I know I acted like a shit person at the store, but like I already said that was just my insecurities talking for me," I say and look down.

Del pulls out of the parking lot and we start our way back home, "I know, I thought back later to what you said but at that moment I just wasn't able to comprehend that. But can I just say you have nothing to be insecure about. You are beautiful," He says and I feel my cheeks heat at the compliment.

I don't dare to look at him, not wanting him to see me blush. But when he puts his hand on my leg to catch my attention, I can't help but snap my head at him. He squeezes my thigh before retracting his hand.

My skin warms at the place he touched me, and I want to squirm.

"Believe me, I've always thought you were pretty." He tells me with sincerity.

"Okay white boy, that's enough." I brush the compliments off.

I might be the worst person taking compliments; I sometimes even like to argue against them. But I just let this one slide. I liked how it sounded coming from his lips.

"Okay, okay, so then tell me about you. Who is Kiya?" He smiles.

Something else I'm bad at is talking about myself.

"I am nobody, or at least I try to be. I don't care to have all the attention on me. I get nervous from the attention."

"You know, before I got together with Tamara, I always saw you two together. She tried everything she could to be popular, so it's ironic that you were friends with her." Del says, bringing up the person I was just thinking of.

I hadn't expected him to bring up his ex. I always thought that speaking about your ex would taste like acid on your tongue. There is a reason I never bring Bodie up.

"Why did you break up with her?" I dare to ask.

"We weren't a functioning couple. We often fought about the dumbest things ever. I think that she was too insecure. Always too focused on being the best and the most popular—I didn't like that—she needed validation from other people to feel good, just me telling her that wasn't enough." He explains.

"How did she take the break up?" I ask. In our friendship, she never dared to show insecurities, and it was me that needed her validation.

"Well, I wouldn't know. When I broke the news, she didn't dare to harm her pride by crying or showing any emotion, and I haven't seen her since. Do you know by chance?"

That sounds more like her. However, does he think we're still in contact? I was sure he would know about us not speaking after they got together.

"Oh no, we haven't been friends for a long time now..." I trail off.

"Let's not talk about her anymore, okay?" He says, sensing that both of us don't like talking about her, and I agree with him, "Did you grow up around here?" He then asks as he changes the subject.

"No, I didn't. I'm from Pennsylvania, but I got a good scholarship here, so I took the offer and moved my shit up to New England." I smile.

"Your parents are still there?" He continues to ask.

"Uhm, my mom does. She is in Pittsburgh, but my dad lives in Spain," I tell for some reason I don't mind sharing it with him. Normally I would.

My dad lives in Europe, my parents divorced several years ago and after that, he went to Madrid to work there full-time. The last time I physically saw him was at my high school graduation. I was grateful he was able to come though, I know it's hard for him to get time off work.

"That's far. You see him often?" He asks.

"Not since high school graduation. It sucks, but dad wants me to go there over Christmas. I'm not sure if I'm going, it's so far away. I don't want to leave mom alone, and I also don't think she is up for it to go over there." I tell him honestly.

Sadly, I don't see him often. Dad and I used to have a pretty good relationship. It has watered down now—we rarely talk. I take the money he sends me, and then I shoot him a quick 'thank you' text.

"Must suck. My parents live in New York, which isn't too far from here. So I can go there sometimes." He says, and I watch his mouth turn up a little when talking about his family.

"New York? Did you grow up there?" I ask, astounded. That sounds like a dream, to be honest.

"Yeah, I did. My mom owns a bakery, and dad used to play for the Rangers, so that's how I got into hockey as well." He explains and, that makes sense with how driven he is. I feel like he might want to reach his dad's level.

"Did he push you into it?" I ask, hoping that's not the case, but I know a lot of kids are pushed into something because their parents are passionate about it.

"Kinda, I've been on the ice since before I could remember. Dad was very driven and wanted me to be the best. He coached my hockey team in high school for years." He says, and I can't guess the emotion behind it.

"Do you like it? Hockey, I mean."

"What?" He asks, genuinely confused—almost as if I have offended him, "of course I love it, I breathe hockey. I know it may seem like something I am just doing because of my dad, with the back story you now have, but I love hockey, and I plan on going pro after college."

"Well, if you enjoy it, that's all that matters." I smile at him and receive a smile back.

Our conversation ends as we also arrive at the dorm's parking lot.

Del gets a spot closest to the building, and then we both get out. We walk up to the building in comfortable silence as I enjoy the night scenery of our campus.

Del pulls the door open and lets me in first. We walk up to the elevator, and he presses the button to call the elevator to go up. When we get in, Del pushes the button for his floor first. When I go to press mine, it's already selected.

"You live on the same floor as I do?" I question him, surprised.

"Apparently," he smiles but not seeming to be surprised about it, he sees it more as an opportunity as he says the following, "gives us more reasons to hang out. We're practically neighbors, so what do you say want to go out for coffee tomorrow? We don't have practice."

"Is that a date?" I ask, forgetting about him living on the same floor as me.

"If you want it to be, if not we can just go as friends. I would like to get to know you." He offers.

"Okay, sure," I say, then the elevator bings, and the doors open as we have reached our floor. "I need to go this way," I say, gesturing to the left.

"I'm the other way," he says, meaning this is where we will split our ways. "So is it a date or not?" He asks hopefully. But I don't plan on answering him.

"That's for you to figure out," I smirk and then turn around to go to my room, "you can get my number from one of the boys," I say a little louder and then turn the corner leaving him standing there.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" I hear him scream.

I smile. I might like Del.

//

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