~Soft Skin~

I slowly sat up as the bright sun hits my face, what happened yesterday? Oh right, I was offered to join a team. At least I have something to do other than stay at home.

"Morning mamá" I greeted her as she handed me a plate of pancakes.

"Morning my love. Just for the record, are you sure you're gonna be okay while I'm gone? I can make some changes-"

"Yes mamá" I assure her "Everything will be under control"

She sighs of relief "I know, but sometimes it can be hard and all-"

"Don't worry about me. I'll take care of Nico and clean the house. Just like I did back in Miami"

"Alright, I better get going. There is some money in the kitchen counter in case you want anything. I'll see you later"

As she closes the door behind her I quickly ate my pancakes and cleaned the house. I was always used to this, because it made me independent. I also liked cleaning for some reason, but that's not the case. I poured some food for Nico while I grabbed my hockey stick and skates.

"Bye Nico! I'll see you later" I smile as I closed the door behind me.

I started to run to the same park from yesterday. Luckily I was able to remember my way in just a day. As I reached the park, I quickly search for them, but I didn't see Goldberg or his friends anywhere. 

"Might as well play some games with random people now that I'm here" I thought as I put my skates on.

I always loved to play with random people, mostly because I love to see the way they skate. Some will be clumsy, some reckless and others smooth but careful. They were unique in their own way, and I enjoyed that.

Surprisingly, people actually wanted to play with me. Most of them heard about me from yesterday and wanted to see how I played. I found that quite amusing. I started in a simple game, three on three, up to five points.

It went by fast, I had fun with the random people, some of them were really nice to chat, play along and against, but weren't my type to be around with.

"There she is! Hey Nai!" Goldberg shouted as he, along with his friends and another man is behind him.

"Oh, hey Goldberg!"

"Coach, this is the girl I'm telling you about. She's got skill and a lotta guts"

"Coach?" I questioned.

There stood a brown haired man with bluish-green eyes and a jacket that has a duck embroidered in his upper left chest. He looked as if he was in his mid thirty's, I couldn't tell since he looked pretty young.

"Names Coach Bombay" he greeted himself "Goldberg and the rest of the boys told me you have some skill"

"Y-Yes sir! I've been playing since I was able to walk perfectly and hold this bad boy" I smiled as I held my stick with pride

"How's about you come with us and watch us practice? Maybe even join us?"

"Really?! But, I'm a girl and I usually never seen a girl practice with boys, or even join a team?"

"Don't worry. We also have a few girls in our team with a heart for playing, just like you"

Him saying those words made me feel happy. I imagined girls like me wanting to join a team, but never seeing a girls team.

"C'mon Nai! It'll be great! You'll meet new people and maybe join the team!" Lester said.

"Well if you say it like that, then count me in!"

I followed Bombay and the rest of the boys to their skate rink that they had. I was speechless... it was ginormous! It was like this rink came out from a dream I had a long time ago.

"You seem shocked" Coach Bombay chuckles

"Back in Miami, we don't have rinks..." I paused, and looked back at him "Well, like this. As far as I know- so we played street hockey instead"

"You're from Miami?" He repeated

I nod "Yeah, born and raised"

"Huh, maybe you'll meet someone from there. There are some extra pads and a pair of ice blades in the locker room, you can try them out if you want. The team will be practicing"

I didn't know what he meant when he said I will meet someone from Miami, but it probably meant good news. I put that thought behind me and went to the locker room to try on the blades and pads. They fitted me a bit big, but I didn't care because I was finally able to play. I went over to the rink as I saw a group of kids my age, practicing and shooting.

"It looks like it fits you a bit big" Coach Bombay said as he examined the pads.

"It's ok" I smiled "So what now?"

"Just a minute" He says as he calls everyone to join him "Alright everyone listen up! We MAYBE got a new member in the team. Why don't you introduce yourself"

I nervously fix my shy posture and waved at everyone "Y-Yeah! Umm... My name is Nairobi Cortes, but you all can call me Nai for-"

"Nai?!"

My name echoed through my ears, like a bell when it rings. I felt bottled up emotions when I finally saw him. I wanted to scream, or laugh, maybe even cry. I stood there in shock as I saw my best friend since childbirth, my teammate, Luis Mendoza.

"L-Luis?!" My voice shook a little, shocked as I couldn't believe he was in front of me

He beams "It is you!"

I skated over to him as I jumped and gave him the tightest hug. I started to tear up, but I didn't cry. I felt his arms wrap around me as he warmly embraces me.

"Wait... you guys know each other?!" Goldberg asked, a bit shocked

"Yeah!" We both said at the same time as we pull apart.

"She's my best friend! We've known each other since we were babies" Luis noted

Bombay softly smiles "Lets give them some space, let them catch up. The rest of you guys go practice shooting on Goldberg"

I couldn't help but have a smile plastered on my face. Luis and I headed to the penalty box as the rest of them went to shoot on Goldberg.

"Wow... I don't know what to say" he breathed

I giggled "Say anything"

"You've grown a few inches"

"You bet! The milk keeps my bones strong and makes me taller!" I giggle "Take a look at yourself, I almost didn't recognize you. I remembered I was almost taller than you, how's the weather up there?"

"Pretty cloudy, with a slight hint of breeze" he chuckles "What can I say? It's in a boys genes to be taller than a girl"

"Yeah..." I smiled "I didn't think you will come and move here"

"Yeah, at first it was kinda awkward, but once I joined the team I felt like I was at home" he chuckles "Sucked that I couldn't go back to Miami to see you"

"I'm just glad that we are reunited again"

He gently pats my back "Just like the old times. So how's your mom? And dad?"

I paused. I never liked to talk about what happened to dad. I couldn't even keep a conversation with mom about him without feeling a lump on my throat. But this is Luis, he should at least know.

"Yeah about him" I took a deep breath "He passed away a year after you left. Cancer"

His eyes widen, he seemed to be more in shock than I was when I found out he had cancer "I'm sorry Nai. Why didn't you tell me? You know my mom and I would've went back to Miami to see you and your mom"

"I know, but I didn't wanna bother you" I assured him, I need to change the subject "My mom is doing really good though! She found a great job here that paid her more than her last job at Miami" I explained looking down "Things weren't the same when you left..."

"I hated leaving. I kept telling my mom why but she would always tell me her same answer 'There are better opportunities here'" he sighed

"But I'm here now. We can go back to playing hockey like the good old days" I smile as I gently punch his shoulder

"Yeah! You'll definitely fit in with the team. They are really fun and caring people. Like a second family"

The sound of him talking about them seemed to persuade me to join. For once it was actual team, and not just one with only boys, but a mixture. A place where both of us can play and make memories.

"Sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment.... BUT RIGHT NOW I'M KINDA GETTING ATTACKED BY PUCKS SO CAN YOU HURRY IT UP?!" Goldberg begged as he fell to the ground

Luis gets up as he helps Goldberg up "What do you say Nai? You up for it?"

"I was born ready Luis"

****

I was both tired, but relaxed after having practice with Luis and his team. The girls there looked a bit intimidating, but they really were just sweet and funny girls. The team liked me and to be honest, it was just like what Luis said, it was like a second family.

"So does that mean Nai is in the team?" Lester questioned

Coach Bombay looks back at me "Yeah, yeah she's in"

"You're finally a duck!" Adam cheered as he pats my back.

"Welcome to the team" Charlie added.

"Thank you" I smiled "Although it was fun while it lasted, I should be going home now. See you guys tomorrow!"

"See you Nai!" Everyone waved goodbye

"Hey Nai wait up!"

"You seemed to be in a rush Luis" I commented as he finally catches up to me

"Where do you live?" He huffed "So I can tell my mom that you're in the city so that she can talk to your mom"

"Oh right! It's this way"

We talked as we headed to my place. He started talking more about the team and that he joined the ducks about 3 years ago. They were at first, not really connected until Bombay helped him along with a man name Hans. Since then they have been a pretty good team with a heart of gold.

"Now that you're in the team you might be our best player yet!" He babbled

"Uh- well I wouldn't say that Luis" I blushed "Charlie is pretty good and so are the bash brothers-"

"But not as good as you" he mumbled

I laughed nervously, I couldn't be that good, right? "We're here. Wanna come inside?"

"Yeah!" He smiles "I mean, sure"

We went inside as Nico walked over to us, purring as he liked Luis. Luis bends down, scratching Nico as he brushes his tail off from his hand.

"Hey there little guy, what's your name?"

"That's Nico. We took him out from the adoption center two years ago when he was a little kitten"

"Nai! Is that you?!" Mom called out from the kitchen

"Yeah mamá! Guess who's here?" I called back

"Is that-" She pauses as she cries out in joy "Luis?! Oh my goodness it's so good to see you!"

She walks up to him and gives him the tightest hug, he looks at me as I began to laugh.

"It's good to see you too Ms.Cortes"

"You know you can call me Melanie sweetheart, and look how big you are! It felt like it was just yesterday you and Nai were running around the front yard chasing butterflies and now look at you two, all grown up! Are you hungry? You two must be starving from being outside all day"

"Actually, my mom might be wondering where I'm at right about now. I should tell her about you guys so we can have dinner sometime"

"Of course! Tell her I said hello"

"You bet, well I'll see you tomorrow Nai"

I gave him a wave goodbye and watch as he leaves the house. I look back at my mom as she stares at me with her bright eyes, smiling from ear to ear, and having some suspicion towards me.

"What?"

"You know what my love. Now that you and Luis are reunited you guys can go on a date!"

"Mamá! Luis is just a friend!" I blushed as I looked away nervously

"Oh come on Nai, you guys have been side by side since child birth. Don't you ever think about the day it will truly happen?"

"Mamá, you know I love you and all, but what you are saying is absolutely unnatural"

"His mom agrees with me" she smiles

"You know what, I'm just gonna go eat. Have that thought to yourself ok? And don't think about telling Luis about this conversation"

After I ate dinner I went to my room to take a shower. I hung my towel up as I walk over to my bed. I laid on my comfy mattress, just thinking about what mom said. Luis is just a friend. He wouldn't see me like that... would he? What am I saying?! He's my best friend and we never even once discussed about us being together!

"Maybe it can work out" I thought. Great, now I'm becoming like my mother and wondering the same thing. I mean, yeah Luis and I do have a lot in common, plus he is cute... actually handsome... but he it wouldn't work out. If it did someone better pinch me.

"Ignore what I just thought" I groaned as I covered myself with my pillow.

I decided to go to bed since I had enough of these thoughts....

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