"Sweet"

Tomorrow is it, the big game. Well- my first game and possibly my first win. I couldn't help but do a little dance as I jumped up from my bed and got ready. As I skipped downstairs in joy as I noticed that my favorite dish was in the dining room table.

"Mamá? You here?"

"Yeah! I went to grab you some juice. I made your favorite, chocolate chip pancakes with a side of fruit bowl"

"Is there something good that's today?" I asked as I took a bite off from the pancake.

"No, I just wanted to make something special for my special baby"

"Thanks, but I feel bad that you're always working and you come home to make food for me while I go to practice-"

"It's a mothers duty to always take care of her child, no matter what. I don't mind this, we are a great, happy family. So don't worry about me alright?"

"Oh alright"

"Don't you have practice?"

"Oh crap! I have to go!" I said, almost chocking on a piece of pancake, I chug the juice and grabbed some fruit "Bye mamá! Bye Nico! Love you both!"

"Hey Luis!" I call out, running towards him "You excited for tomorrow?"

"I was gonna ask you the same thing. You think Coach would worn us out?"

"Probably not. I don't wanna be tired"

"Seriously? You have the most stable stamina, you can last a whole game"

*****

"Alright everyone gather around!"

We all skated over Coach Bombay as he looks around at the team. I couldn't help but feel excited. I was so jumpy that I couldn't stand still.

"You all know I won't worn you guys out. So it's gonna be a easy day"

"You think we'll beat them tomorrow?" Julie asked

"Course we would Julie" Goldberg answered "They can't be THAT good"

"If we work together, I'm sure it'll be easier, right?" I commented

"Nai is right. Team work is the key to victory! Without teamwork, it's not call a team, more like a group. And for that we would play a little game. Robertson you know the drill"

"Wait what drill?" I whispered to Dean

"You'll see. So for now I suggest you start skating. Robertson got an eye for the bullseye"

I was confused, but I knew I didn't wanna be standing around so we all started spreading around the rink as Robertson brings out his cowboy hat and lasso.

"Yee haw! Alright youngsters get ready to get wrapped up like a burrito!"

He started chasing everyone, making them switch directions. Some he caught with his lasso, which made them sit in the middle while the rest of us continue to scatter.

"I understand it now" I thought "It reminds me when Luis and I played tag as kids"

Little by little he started catching everyone. Coach Bombay couldn't help but laugh, he found it funny how we were scattering like rats and trying not to get caught by the cat. It left us with Connie, Luis, Dean and I.

"Get Luis! Get Luis!" Some of the team shouted

"No no get Nai!" Others shouted, but it was mostly Ken

I couldn't help but laugh as the four of us scattered everywhere, trying not to get caught. Robertson caught Connie, leaving the three of us.

"Whoo wee! Next up is the wild animal itself, Nai!" Robertson smiles as he chases me.

I started sprinting as I moved from one side to another. I ducked each time he threw his lasso.

"You're finally caught!" He said as he threw it once more, making me cut to the left "Or not!"

"Better luck next time partner!" I giggled.

He started chasing Dean and Luis, making me quickly catch my breath. I wanted to have some more fun so I skated towards him and ducked, bumping into Dean. I almost lost balance, but Dean quickly grabs my hand as he helps me.

"Whoops! Sorry about that!" I smiled as we chuckled

Robertson had a good eye when he finally threw the lasso, catching both Dean and I.

"You two lovebirds are finally caught!"

"Lovebirds?!" We both said in embarrassment

"Don't play dumb. Y'all be giving each other those heart eyes. Some of us ain't dumb" he chuckles

He let us loose and I couldn't help but look away in embarrassment. Does everyone in the team know about this?

"Luis wins this round!" Coach Bombay called out as we cheered "Alright we're gonna play again. Get a water break and be back in 5!"

Before I could reach my bag, Connie and Julie grab me and we went near the girls restroom. It was like I was getting kidnapped.

"We'll be back!" Julie announced

Coach Bombay looks us confused "Better not take more than twenty minutes!"

"What's going on?" I confusingly asked as they dragged me inside the bathroom

"Don't play dumb Nai! We saw what happened!" Connie smiles

"I have no idea what you're talking about" I lied, playing dumb

"We saw how Portman looked at you" Julie added, giggling

"Who's Dean?" I smiled.

"DAMN IT NAI NOT THAT DUMB!" I thought.

"You're the worst liar ever Nai, and it shows" Julie chuckles

"Ok you guys caught me" I sighed "Let's just sayyyyy.... I might- have a crush on him"

They both squealed and began jumping like little girls, but I quickly shushed them. They giggled as they peeked from the exit, looking around for him.

"Aye! Don't make it obvious! I just wanna find the right time to maybe- Well- " I huffed as I looked away

"Ask him out?!" They whispered yelled in shock

"Yeahhh- got any tips?"

"Ask Connie, she is the dating expert" Julie smiled as she nudged Connie

"Be the bigger person and just ask him out. Pretty much everyone in the team knows you guys like each other- except for Ken and Luis, they are completely clueless"

"Alright... I'll ask him after practice"

"If you guys ever go on a date you better tell us EVERYTHING"

"Ok ok I will" I giggled

LUIS'S POV

"You did pretty good Luis, but next time, it ain't gonna be easy" Robertson said as he pats my back

"I sure hope not. I am more surprised that I won this round than the rest of you guys"

"So Portman, what's up with you? You're more quieter than Russ when the store doesn't have his famous BLT sandwich" Guy said as he took a sip of his water

"Nothing! Why?!" Portman scoffed "Who said that?!"

"Oooohhhh I think I know" Lester hummed as he smiles cheekily "Our friend Portman has a crushhhhh on the new girl in town"

"Lester you moron!" He grumbles as he smacks the back of his head

I almost chocked on my water after what I heard. Dean Portman has a crush on my best friend? I mean yeah she and I are close, but... I never thought it would be Portman that would like her.

"Oh man! Portman has a crush! Portman has a crush!" Ken sang over and over

"Ken shut up or else I'll put you in that trash can for the rest of the night like last time"

"I mean let's be honest here Portman, do you have a crush on Nai?" Russ asked as he cocked an eyebrow

"So maybe I do! What are you gonna do?" He cocked an eyebrow

"Ask her" he smiles evilly

"Don't you dare-"

"Oh Naiiii! I have a secret to tell you-"

Portman grabs Russ as he shushes him. Man, guess he really does like Nai. But let's be honest, who wouldn't like her? She's sweet and funny and caring... even beautiful. What am I saying? I'm dating Connie and I wanted to date her since I moved here.

"So what are you gonna do?" Charlie questioned as he grabbed his stick

"I don't know! I mean seriously it's like a damn love video game I'm in" he sighed as he hung his head low in defeat

"I mean.... you do like herrrrr" Ken mumbled

"Ken, for the last time. Zip it"

"Maybe you should tell her" I recommended

They all looked at me in confusion. Maybe I should've kept my mouth shut, but then, this can help Portman and who knows, maybe they can work out.

"All I'm saying is that you should ask her out. You wanna impress her do you?" I asked him as I took another sip of my water

"Duh, I've been trying to do that for the past weeks" he answered

"Then tell the girl, be the bigger person"

"Luis is right. Girls can be inpatient" Jesse agrees

"When should I ask her?"

"After practice. Better to get it over with than wait" I replied

"All right everyone! Back in the rink!" Coach Bombay calls out.

Before I reached the rink, Portman pushes me aside, making sure no one was around.

"I know you and Nai are close and all, but- is this ok with me and her..."

"Oh! Yeah man, don't sweat it"

"Thanks Luis. Now I know who to ask for advice"

Why do I feel a bit... jealous? Portman is a cool guy even though he's a douche sometimes, but yet I feel like it's not right. Am I starting to get feelings towards her? I can't, I shouldn't. We've been best friends since we were babies and I can't loose that friendship.

"Hey Luis, you good?" Nai asked

"Oh yeah! Just thought about this Friday"

"Me too! Man this week is gonna be fun!"

"Yeah... fun..."

*****

NAI'S POV

"Alright everyone that's a wrap! Make sure to get plenty of rest and don't stay up so late!"

I followed Connie and Julie to the locker room, chatting about tomorrow's game.

"I hope we make it to the championship" I said as I grabbed my stick

"Championship? No offense Nai, but we never really past it to the Semi Finals" Julie comments

"Really? I thought you guys did once. Luis told me it was when he moved here"

They both looked at each other and then looked away sadly.

"That time we did win, but... that was the last time we ever made it to any championship" Connie sighed

"Why? You guys have really good players and good teamwork?"

"Well yeah we have that but... when Coach Bombay broke up with his last girlfriend. He became- what's the word- depressed?"

"He seemed like a great happy guy"

"Yeah but that girl was his everything. The whole team thought they were gonna get married, but they broke up which made him depressed. It took a looongggg time for him to finally be back to the way he was" Connie explained

"How long?"

"Uh- around five months?"

"Five months?! Poor man..."

"Just forget about it! Maybe we can win this time" Julie said as we walked out the locker room "Anyways, so are you gonna ask Portman out?"

"Ohhhh yeahhh, maybe I should do it tomorrowwww-"

"Hey you said today! You don't wanna be a chicken do you?"

"No! I am never a chicken!"

"Now's your chance, he's coming this way"

"Wait what?! I'm not ready! What if I embarrass myself!? Or run away!? Or-"

"Hey Nai, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeahhhhh sureeeee" I smiled as I followed him out the stadium.

I look back at them as Julie gives me a thumbs up, and Connie smiling and waving. It was an awkward silence at first. I have to say I never felt this awkward in my past years of living. I mean seriously?! How do you tell a dude that you like him and ask him out?! Just give him a paper that says 'Congrats! I like you! Now date me'.

"I'm just gonna go straight to it. Do you wanna... maybe... go on a date?"

I couldn't help but blush. At least he told me before I could tell him. I probably would've looked like a total idiot.

"I know it sounds weird coming from me, but I like you a lot" he said as he looked away nervously

"I kinda like you too..." I mumble

"Wait what?"

"You heard me Dean" I giggle "So how's about Saturday? 6:30?"

"Yeah! Yeah that's cool"

"Ok, well I'll see you tomorrow. Big game is waiting for us"

I waved goodbye as I started walking home. Holy crap he asked me out! What should I wear? How should I act? I couldn't help but scream in my bag. Yes, I did that and no I didn't care who heard.

"Someone's happy"

I turned around to see Luis walking up to me. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed... again.

He smirks "He asked you out huh?"

"Wait- did you know?!"

"Duh! He told the boys about it"

"You could've warned me so I could be prepared" I sigh

"Nah, you seemed to be doing just fine" he assured me "So you up for tomorrow?"

"Most definitely! We are gonna crush them! Then make it to the championship!"

"Woah Nai, did Connie and Julie tell you the story?"

"Yeah I heard, but maybe this season could be it! I mean c'mon Luis let's think about this. We have speed, strategies and above all, teamwork"

"That's true, but we haven't won since 5 years ago"

"Luis, you know me better than anyone. I never been in a team and for the first time, I wanna do this with you guys and win. I never played a game before that's true, but who knows this could be our shot to victory!"

"It would be pretty cool to hold a big trophy again" he trailed off

"That's the spirit! But imagine even more in the future"

"Okay okay, I see what you're saying"

***********************************