"July"

"You're not going to eat?" Mom asked as she makes herself a cup of coffee.

"Not today!" I responded as I grab an apple for later. "I have a lot of hard work to do"

"Alright... see you later. And please, don't overdo it!"

"I won't!" I called back as I ran down my steps.

I wanted to call Luis and the others to practice with me, considering it'll help us fix our mistakes, but after yesterday I decided to not go forward with that decision as I felt like they needed some space.

"I should've brought a thicker sweater, it's fucking freezing! And it's barely 8:30!" I thought as I continued walking

It barley came into my mind that all the doors were going to be locked. I recalled Bombay saying we won't practice until Monday. Guess it was some tough luck thinking it would be unlocked.

"Guess I'm gonna have to go with plan B" I said to myself as I went around.

LUIS'S POV

"Yes Connie I know, but you can't just mope all day" I began "Personally, it gave me a reality check on what I need to work on"

"It just sucks you know? I'm mostly worried about Nai, she kept blaming herself for everything" she continued

"The look on her face said it all" I sighed "She shouldn't be doing that"

"Yeah... can I call you later? My parents want me to go out with them for some family time"

"Yeah, sounds good. And don't let it get to you either" I said as I hung up.

I laid back down on my bed, my eyes focusing on the ceiling. My thoughts were all going in different directions, it goes from hockey, to Connie, and seeing the look in Nai's face when we lost.

"Quieres comer mijo? (Do you want to eat son?)" My mom asks as she slightly opens the door

"I'm not really hungry" I responded as I grabbed a magazine that showed the latest hockey games

"Not hungry? You always munch on something even before breakfast" She raises an eyebrow, sounding worried "Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing mom. Just kinda a bit bummed out after yesterday" 

"I know you, Nai and your friends are upset. Hell even I thought the game was stupid"

"More like a shit show" I commented

"But there are gonna be plenty of games in the future for you to play" she assured me "You're still young"

"I just got a lot on my plate right now"

"I'll leave you alone. If you're hungry, just come downstairs ok?" She softly smiles

"I will" I smiled back

As she leaves my room, I wondered how Nai was doing. She took it harder than all of us considering it was her first lost, but also the fact that she is afraid of failing. I should've been used to it, considering I've been with the Ducks longer than her, but since it had been a while since we actually made it to the championship, I had hope that we had a chance.

"Maybe I should call her" I said as I dialed her number, hearing it ring from the other side

There was no answer, maybe she doesn't wanna be called. But then, she always did answer the phone, even if she was upset. I decided to call one more time, maybe she will pick up this time.

"This is Nai's mom"

"O-Oh, sorry Ms.Cortes-"

"Luis! It's good to hear you! Is something wrong? Do you need anything?"

Her worried tone always made my heart warm. It was as if I was talking to my mom originally. Nai felt the same with my mom. It was like I have two moms watching over me.

"I was just wondering if Nai was around?"

"She actually went out. Said she needed to practice?"

"Oh, alright. I just wanted to check up on her. Sorry that I bothered you"

"Nonsense mijo (son)! Should I come over?"

"If you can. I think I'm gonna go join Nai with her practice. My mom would probably be lonely here"

"I'll be there in 10! See you then!" She giggled as she hung up.

So she was out huh? She might've gotten a reality check as well. I quickly changed as I grabbed my bag and stick just in case, quickly going downstairs.

"Que paso (what happened) Luis?" Mom asked

"I thought of what you said and it really influenced me to practice right now. I'm gonna meet Nai and Melanie is gonna come here so you guys can chit chat" I answered as I opened the door.

"Oh, alright. Be back at the usual time ok?"

"I will don't worry!" I reassured her as I walked out.

Nai could be in two different places, one is the basketball court and the other is the stadium. I decided to check the park, since she usually does play with other random kids other than the team.

I looked around the court as kids were playing, minding their business as they played hockey.

"Have any of you guys seen a girl, probably around 5'4 that plays hockey with you guys?" I asked some kids

"Oh, you mean Nai!" A boy with glasses smiles "We haven't seen her since yesterday. We heard about your teams loss"

"Yeah, but it's alright" I nervously chuckled

"Nai always bragged about how good you guys were. We all wondered if she was gonna come today, but guess she needed some time for herself"

"She does huh? I should be going now. See you around!" I waved as I started walking to the stadium.

A thought suddenly came by "Crap! I forgot Connie was gonna call me! I'll just tell her what happened. She'll understand"

I reached the stadium and looked around for Nai, she wasn't around. Maybe she realized that the doors are locked and went home. There was a loud thud from the side of the stadium, making me curious if someone was there. I slowly walked over as I peeked at the side of the wall.

"Nai?" I thought as she climbs inside the window.

I wasn't sure if this was a good or bad thing. She wouldn't do anything that'll ruin her life. She once told me that she was terrified of seeing her mom get upset. Hell, even I wouldn't want to see that. She's intimidating as is.

"Just go talk to her and then go back home" I said to myself as I walked towards the window.

Although I was tall, it was still pretty high to reach the window. I threw my bag and stick over first and jumped up to the window, struggling to pull myself up and landing on some empty boxes.

"Janitors room?" I wondered as I looked around the shelves filled with papers and soaps.

I grabbed my things and went to the rink, looking down at it as I watch Nai play with a puck.

NAI'S POV

It felt like a different atmosphere. It honestly bothered me on how quiet it was. It was like I can hear my own heart pounding and my breathing. It also gave me that eerie noise from my ears, as if someone was going to jump out a scare me.

A familiar voice called out my name, making me jump a little and look around. I ignored it until I heard my name the second time, this time more clearer. I thought I was going crazy until Luis jumps out from behind, making me scream.

"It's a bit odd seeing yourself here when this place is closed" he commented

"Luis you asshole!" I cussed out as I punched him in the arm "I thought I thought I was going insane"

"Well you were- just for a moment"

"Shouldn't you be talking to you girlfriend?" I asked as I stood up

His brows slightly rise "And shouldn't you be with your boyfriend?"

"Good point. So what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing" His eyes focusing on the rink "This seems more like trespassing"

"It's not trespassing Luis" I scoffed "I'm just entering respectively. Besides, I met a nice fellow. His name is Hans"

"So you finally met him" He said as he started putting his blades on

"He's a really sweet man. It was like I was talking to my dad" I wondered off, taking a seat as I wait for him

There was a moment of silence, the leather rubbing against each other when he tied his shoes was the only thing making it less awkward. I looked down at my hands, gently rubbing each finger so they can stay warm.

"I'm sorry" I spoke up

"Sorry? For what?" He asked, slightly hearing a chuckle pass his lips

"Everything. I was a bit rude wasn't I?"

"But we were all upset. You can't just blame yourself, it's like what my mom says 'It's not healthy for you" he said as he mimicked his mom's high pitch voice, making us both laugh

"Still, I made you guys lose hope for bringing your spirits so high"

"And you brought us hope" He added as he stood up "You faced what you were afraid of and got back up. If anything, that's inspiring enough"

"Did anyone ever tell you how motivating you are?"

"I sound pretty amazing don't I?" He smiles

"Never mind, you ruined the moment" I grabbed a puck from my bag

"At least I tried!"

*****

"Let's do the play again!" I called out

Luis and I both looked like we were exhausted, to a point where one of us could collapse to the ice. But every time I looked at him, his face said it all: he wanted to continue, no matter how exhausted we were.

I followed him down the rink, sprinting as my legs began to burn, but that didn't stop me nor him. We crossed each other as he quickly passes the puck to me. I make a sharp stop and passed it to him again, making him shoot straight at the goal.

"That.... that was good" I panted as I dropped my stick.

My legs started to get weak, maybe I shouldn't have overdone it. My legs couldn't take the weight of my body anymore. I laid my body on the middle of the rink, staring up at the bright ceiling.

"You alright?" Luis panted as he skated towards me, staring down at me

"Never been better" I answered

He joined me as we watched the faded clouds coming from our mouths. I slowly closed my eyes as I felt the air of the cold floor through my whole body as my warm cheeks soon cooled down.

"Man is my mom gonna kill me for doing too much" I chuckled

"You and me both, but at least we have a pretty cool move to show the team and Bombay" He smiles "Let's get out of here, I'm starving"

"Next time, we should ask Bombay for the keys instead of sneaking in. I was barley able to get inside the window"

CONNIE'S POV

"Mom is it okay if I go see Luis? I just want to have a chat with him" I begged

"Alright, but make sure to stay warm, it's been freezing lately"

Luis sounded a bit depressed when I called him this morning, so maybe some sweets that I made can cheer him up. After all, I have to be there for him the same way he is there for me.

"I really hope he likes it" I thought.

Lately, I've been wanting to spend time with him. I felt like we were getting distanced and I don't want that to lead to us breaking up. It's key to have communication in a relationship, as well as appreciate the little things your partner does, and that's what I plan to do.

My thoughts come to a complete stop when I noticed Luis waiting for someone. I was curious and hid behind somewhere for him not to see me. It was then when I realized the person he was waiting for was Nai.

"What are they doing together?" was the first thought that came to my mind. It made me second guess about coming to see him. I felt an overwhelming anxiety. They wouldn't do the things that I'm thinking of.

"They're best friends" I reassured myself, stepping away from the tree "And I shouldn't be snooping. It's rude"

The thought of Nai made me wonder if I was jealous of her. She had a strong woman's confidence like no other, along with a smile that made most of the boys from the team adore her looks until Portman began dating her. Still, I know they are head over heels with her. With those two together, Nairobi was a powerful woman that can wrap anyone in her finger.

But Nai wasn't like that. She was sweeter than any cookies I've ever made. She would care for others as if they were her sibling and always put people first. She blamed no one other than herself if something went wrong. She honestly reminds me of a princess, angelic but can put her foot down.

It's all those positive reasons as to why I'm jealous of Nairobi Cortes.

NAIROBI'S POV

"Shit, I should've brought a thick jacket!" I shivered, my arms trying to warm myself

"And who's the dumbass that did that?" Luis asked "I'm living the life with my warm jacket"

"I thought it wasn't gonna be this cold!" I whined

He shakes his head as he goes through his bag, handing me an extra jacket he had. You can say that he had always been prepared because me being an idiot I am I would do the opposite of what my mom says.

"You better wear it or else you'll catch a cold" he said as we continued walking "Otherwise it's bye bye to hockey until you are better"

"Wow, never knew you can be so caring" I said sarcastically

He mouth curls into a smile as he gently pushes me "You should return the favor"

"Depends, what are you asking for Mendoza?"

His head shifts towards me "You know what I want Nai and no I will not give you hints"

"Now it's obvious, you want my moms strawberry shortcakes?"

His mouth slightly opens, almost as if he's drooling and his eyes sparkle "Even you saying the name is making my mouth water"

"Is food the only thing you think about?"

"Gives me strength, and says the one that likes my moms food"

We both laughed at the thought of that. Both of our moms are talented chefs that makes us crave for the things that they only can make.

My smile soon fades, my brows connecting "This time Luis, we are gonna win"

"I like that confidence and I promise you, we'll win for sure"

We both come in a halt as Connie stood a distance away from us. Her eyes were glued to the sweater that I was wearing as she clenches a box she was holding.

"Hey Connie" I spoke, breaking the awkward silence between us

"Hey..." her eyes shift towards Luis "I was looking for you, I thought you will be home but I saw you here first with... Nai"

Her eyes once again stares at the jacket. It's as if she's hinting something: "What are you doing wearing my boyfriends jacket?". Her eyes alone says it all, anger.

"Connie it's not what it looks like" before Luis can explain himself, she takes a step back

"Just friends I know" She smiled "I just thought I should give this to you since you sounded a bit depressed when we talked on the phone"

I couldn't help but feel bad for her. It's my fault that she's in this situation with Luis. I wanted to go back in time and do anything to not be in this situation.

"I'll be going now, see you guys"

Her pace went faster when Luis will call out her name. Her body language said it all, she was upset. I didn't know if she was upset with me, or with Luis.

"I'm sorry Luis, maybe I should take this off-"

"No no! It's ok, she probably had a bad day or something" He reassured me, unsure if that was the right answer

"I don't know, girls can detect other girls feelings and I can tell she wasn't having it"

"I'll call her later. Plus, I haven't hung out with you as much ever since I started dating her and you began dating Portman" he sighed "Speaking of him, you two ok?"

"It's like a roller coaster. I can't help but feel bad for him and wish it was me who got kicked from the game"

"Portman wasn't at fault in that situation. Cooper was and the ref. Thankfully Portman did what we all wanted to do"

"I couldn't tell if we were arguing or something" I groan as I sunk my face onto my hands "Dating is so complicated"

"It's not a walk in the park Nai"

"I wished it was. Along with sunshines and rainbows"

"More like sunshines, rainbows, rain storms, and a huge hurricane one day"

*******************************************
Heyyyyyy, heyyyyy.... how y'all doing😀 ok ok ik I pretty much went on a hiatus but I'm back now. I'll probably start to post more so don't worry