seven

I skipped down the basement stairs, assuming my brother was there.

I was looking for a video of me skating that he had taken; my coach had asked me to analyse it and try to find the mistake since we didn't have practice.

"Can I borrow your phone?" I asked,

He didn't look up from the game and replied, "Sure."

I grab his phone, put in the passcode, and go to his photos and videos. The most recent picture pops up, and I skip past it but then do a double-take.

It was taken last night. My head was on Hayden's shoulder, and his head was on mine. We both looked so peaceful, and it looked like we were together.

"Why do you have this?" I blocked the TV screen with the phone so he could see it.

He shrugs and answers, "My two favourite people were getting along. I thought it was cute."

Ian goes back to his game, and I scroll on his phone, trying to find the video. I stumbled across another photo of Hayden and me in a similar position. It was from movie night when I fell asleep on him on the couch and Dylan filmed a story on Ian's account.

I wasn't sure if Dylan took this to blackmail us or if Ian took it with wholesome intentions. I hoped it was the latter, but it wouldn't matter because the photo couldn't be used as blackmail anymore.

I swiped some more and found the video, sending it to myself.

"Thanks," I say, getting up and turning on my heel.

"No problem. By the way, the boys are coming over to play Hockey 21." He informs me.

I would roll my eyes, but I kind of wanted to see Hayden. Plus, watching them all play the game was fun.

~~~

I hear the doorbell ring; it was probably Ian's friends.

"Ian!" I called. They were his buddies, so he should be the one to open the door, but I don't get a response, and the doorbell rings again—it was probably Dylan; he was too impatient—so I opened it anyway.

"Hey Annie Lisa." Dylan greets me.

"Nope." I reply to his nickname that he came up with on the spot.

I let him in, and the rest of Ian's friend group followed, including Hayden.

We go down to the basement, where Ian was finishing up a game, and talk about perfect timing.

The group and I get settled on the couch and on the floor, and the game begins. They didn't waste any time when it came to virtual hockey matches. They were just as serious as real-life ones to them.

They play as gracefully as they do on ice, with great teamwork, and win 3-1. The boys jump up, celebrating by fist bumping, high-fiving, and dapping each other up.

"Snack time!" Dylan calls, looking straight at Hayden. That was why he was always the one getting the snacks.

Hayden shrugs and turns to me. "Wanna come?"

I nod, and we head up to the kitchen.

I search for chips while he gets some drinks. I was sure they were in the high cupboard. I stood on my tippy toes to reach it, but I couldn't. I turned around to get a chair and faced Hayden instead.

"Need help?" He asked the way he did when we were younger. I nodded, and he opened it, grabbing the chips. "Anything else?"

I grab some gummies, and we go back down, careful not to spill anything. Both our arms were full of snacks.

We set the stuff on the table and started snacking as they started a new game. They chose a different team and players to switch things up a bit.

By halftime, they were already winning by a lot; they were just unbeatable until Hayden got a penalty.

"Aww, come on!" Dylan whines at them for losing their best player for a few minutes.

"God forbid I actually get on the ice and score a goal," Hayden complains.

"Gosh, Mac." Ian puts his hand on his shoulder and says, "We're already winning."

"I know, I'm just tired of this."

"It won't be like that when we go to the academy." Ian reassures him, "As long as we're on the same team,"

"Same team," Hayden repeats, and they do their handshake. The handshake was made in their first year of hockey together when they were little, and they still did it often.

He gets released from the penalty box and continues to play. They finish the game and win again. 4-2.

Hayden leans back, grabbing a bag of chips and offering it to me. I couldn't help but grin. It was nice to have Hayden back as a friend. I gulped, not wanting to think about it, and took a chip.

The boys start talking about hockey. Their favourite teams and clubs they would join if they could, and I notice Hayden gets quiet. He takes my hand, and I freeze, not knowing what to do.

I looked up at him, but he was too focused on my hand. Then I realised why. He was examining the cut, making sure it was okay.

"It's good now, right?" He asks, turning my hand in his.

"Yep." I replied, "Thanks to your amazing first aid."

He laughs, "Yeah, I used to accidentally cut myself with my skates all the time."

"But your skates aren't as sharp as mine," I argue, wondering how badly he could have cut his hand.

"Whatever," he brushes it off, crunching another chip, not letting go of my hand.