The Girl Behind Number 17

Chapter 2: Opportunity in Disguise

The beep of the hospital monitors drowned out all sound.

Ava sat in a chair next to her brother's bed, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She hadn't slept at all. Every time her eyes closed, she saw Alex lying unconscious on the parking lot, blood pooling around him, his Number 17 jersey torn. She saw his worried eyes staring back at her, the look on his face saying it all - this was not a good place to be.

Her mother paced anxiously in the room as her father spoke with a doctor in the next room. When the doctor finally came in, he was carrying a clipboard.

"How is he?" her mother asked anxiously

The doctor gave a sad look at Alex's unconscious form. "He has a concussion, a broken wrist, and some bruised ribs."

Her mother looked horrified. "Will he be okay?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes."

The family let out a breath of relief, but it was short lived. The doctor cleared his throat before speaking again. "However, he will not be able to play hockey for a while."

Ava felt her heart sink. "No," she whispered. The doctor gave a sympathetic look. "His wrist will take a few weeks to heal, and even then he will need physical therapy."

Her father frowned. "His season starts next week."

"I'm aware," the doctor said. "But he cannot play."

The words struck Ava like a blade. All those years, Alex had worked so hard to get on the Ridgewood Falcons team, and now it was all being taken away from him.

The doctor gave them all final instructions and left the room. There was a heavy silence in the room as the news truly set in. Alex wouldn't be playing hockey this year. Ava's dream was shattered - along with her brothers.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Coach Harrison walked in, his usually stern look softening as he saw Alex's unconscious form. This was the first time Ava had ever seen the intimidating coach look so helpless. In fact, he looked almost disappointed.

"He looks awful," Alex muttered.

"Yeah, me too," the coach replied sarcastically. He sighed before continuing. "The team roster will have to be adjusted."

Ava hated the way he was talking like Alex wasn't even there. Like his dream wasn't being crushed, too. "I understand," Alex said quietly.

The coach gave a sad look at Alex's form. "You earned your spot on this team, and what happened to you was unfortunate." The man looked away, his jaw tightening. "You should have been there today."

Ava looked at the departing figure with new eyes. Not fair.

That was one word to describe the whole situation. Someone had hurt her brother, and they were still walking around free. No one knew who, though.

Hours later, their parents finally left to get more medicine and to fill some of the paper work out. For once, Ava and her brother were alone. They both knew what the other was thinking. Finally, Alex spoke.

"You look worse than I do."

"I don't think that's possible," Ava replied, giving a small laugh.

"Okay, maybe possible," Alex said with a grin, wincing in pain afterwards. For a moment, the only sound was the whir of the hospital machines. Then, Ava looked away. "I hate this."

Alex studied her face for a moment. “I’m sorry, Alex.”

"Of course I am," she replied.

"No, I'm upset because hockey is gone."

Ava froze. Alex really did know her so well. "You've wanted this your whole life."

She swallowed hard. "Doesn't matter," she said quietly.

"It does."

"No, Alex." Ava stood up and walked to the window, staring blankly out into the city. The busy streets were filled with cars and people, everyone going about their daily lives. Meanwhile, her dreams were crumbling away around her because she was a girl. It didn't matter that she was one of the best players. It didn't matter that she had the skills or the passion for the game. It all didn't matter because of one stupid rule that said girls couldn't play. Behind her, Alex gave a heavy sigh. "You know what makes me angry?"

"What?"

"The fact that you're better than half the guys on the team."

"Half?" Ava asked, giving a bitter laugh.

"Okay," Alex replied with a smile. "Most of them."

She managed a small smile at that. However, it soon faded away as she realized something. "You should be playing."

“You’re upset for me.”

"I'm not."

"You are. You know what makes me angry?" Alex repeated, his eyes lighting up with mischief. "The fact that you could always pretend to be me."

Ava gave a startled laugh. "That's your solution?" he asked teasingly. "Why not?" Alex replied.

"Because that's insane," Ava said, shaking her head. "Alex, I'm serious."

"I'm serious, too." He paused to give a lopsided grin. "You are concussed, after all."

"That's insane," she stated, her voice firm.

"Is it?" he asked innocently.

"Alex."

"I'm serious, Ava." He gave a small smile. "Think about it."

Ava shook her head. "No one would believe I'm you."

"They'd be surprised," Alex said.

"Alex, we're fraternal twins." Ava gave a small laugh.

"Still twins," he shot back.

Ava laughed again, but it was weaker this time because her brain was already processing his words. Alex picked up on this and grinned broadly. "Oh no."

"What?" Ava asked, giving him a puzzled look.

“Well, I’m not.”

"I'm not."

"You are." Alex gave a big grin. "I'm not."

"You absolutely are." Ava tossed a pillow at her brother's head, but he caught it with his good arm, and soon enough, the two of them were laughing. The moment of levity passed quickly enough, but the idea of pretending to be Alex was still there, lurking in the back of Ava's mind. Hours later, Ava arrived back home. Everything looked the same, but she felt different as she trudged upstairs. She passed by her parents' room, then her brother's, and finally her own. She walked past her skates in the hallway, and stopped in front of the practice room in her basement. Her skates were in their usual spot, along with a familiar looking hockey bag. Curious, Ava crouched down and opened it, revealing the black number 17 jersey that Alex had worn for the Ridgewood Falcons.

She carefully took out the jersey, feeling it's weight in her hands. Her heart pounded as the reality of the situation washed over her. The impossible dream seemed to be slipping away from her grasp. However, as she looked at the number 17 jersey, another thought popped into her head. Her brother's teasing words about pretending to be him echoed in her ears. “You’re considering it.” The idea was crazy, but at the moment, that was all she had. You could always pretend to be me.

Ava gave a small smile as she looked at the number 17 jersey. That was all she needed to pull off this crazy idea. Suddenly, the idea wasn't so crazy after all. It was exciting, actually. The thought of going undercover and pretending to be her brother for a chance to play the game she loved so much filled her with a mix of determination and fear.

Ava quickly put the jersey back in the bag, her mind racing. The plan was crazy, but it just might work. She could barely believe it herself, but this was her only option. After all, no one knew she was a girl - not even Alex. They were twins, after all.

Then, suddenly, she heard a car door open. A moment later, her phone vibrated with a text message. She opened it, revealing a message from Alex. Still think it's a crazy idea? Ava looked down at the number 17 jersey in her hand, and gave no answer.