Meet Me at the Graveyard

acquaintance

MILA'S POINT OF VIEW

Calix and Leon had a fist fight. It was so intense both of them ended up with bruises after the fight was broken between them. I just stood frozen my mind racing with all kinds of thoughts.

Just then, I saw Calix walk out of the ice and I followed him while everyone else was trying to calm Leon. I don't know why I followed Calix but I just found my legs start to walk in the direction he left before I could even think about anything. Maybe it was because I knew him. Out of everyone, he was the only familiar person I knew even though he didn't seem to remember me.

He walked towards the locker rooms and I still followed him there.

"Why are you still following me?"he asked me when he suddenly stopped. I was right behind him now. I wasn't hiding the fact that I was following him though.

"You are hurt."I told him. I didn't have any other excuse about why I was following him. I didn't know why I was following him myself.

He turned around to face me and I winced at the blood flowing from his split eyebrow. Yeah, that definitely hurts like hell. It was quite a deep cut.

"That's a weak excuse, you could have at least said you are following me because you are my coach."he told me now smiling and I blinked. What was happening right now. He just spoke like he was way familiar with me.

"I am not your coach."I told him. I wasn't, that was the truth. I had yet to sign the contract or even make up my mind to sign it.

"Yet,"he said and he was so confident he irked me. Why was he so sure I would want to coach his team?

"I'm not coaching a mediocre team."I told him.

He smiled and damn, his smile was beautiful. Calix was objectively a very handsome young man. He had the model type of beauty. His well chiseled jawline, high cheekbones, full lips, straight nose and almond shaped Green eyes. His eyebrows that one side was messed up were perfectly shaped. His dark raven hair was ruffled in his head. He had on the hockey jersey so I couldn't really tell how his body was but his face was really attractive.

"Are you checking me out coach?"he suddenly asked me and the heat rushed to my cheeks for being caught red handed. Unfortunately, I sort of got distracted for a second there. He had the distracting kind of beauty.

"No...."I denied his claims even if he was right. "Don't flatter yourself. You are way too young for me."I told him. That was right. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea.

He stared at me then he suddenly laughed. What was so funny? "I was younger two years ago."he stated and I froze.

What? He knew me. Damnit, he remembered me. I thought....he made the impression that he didn't remember me or that he didn't know me. I believed him. Maybe I just assumed.

"Why do you seem shocked Mila?"Calix asked me closing the distance between us. Seeing that, I took steps back with every step he stepped forward. Well, I stepped back till I couldn't anymore. My back hit the wall and Calix didn't stop. "Are you going to pretend that you don't know me?"he asked standing inches away from me.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I don't remember you."I lied. My heart was beating like crazy. Why was I getting nervous?

"I know you do Mila. Stop playing with me."Calix said obviously knowing I was lying. I was silent and he just stared at me. "How are you doing?"he asked and I raised my head to see his face. He was pretty taller than me even if I wore heels and the fact that I was five feet six tall without the heels. He had to be at least six foot five, more or less.

"I don't think we are close to acting like acquittances Calix."I suddenly told him standing straight.

"We do know each other you know."he remarked.

"Yeah, but not well enough."I told him. "We just met by accident that day Calix. Whatever happened between us happened that same day and that was it. There were no strings attached and if I could have known your real age, nothing would have happened."I told him my voice turning serious. "I should actually apologize for being stupid that day. I didn't mean to....."he cut me off.

"I was twenty one years. You are speaking as if I was underage."he told me.

"And I was seven years older than you. I was irresponsible. I'm sorry."I told him.

"I was not a kid. I wanted to do it so stop trying to make this situation as if I didn't know what I was doing. I knew and I did it anyway."he told me his voice laced with anger.

I sighed. "It doesn't matter."I said my hand on my forehead stressed. "It's all in the past now. I am married anyway."I said locking eyes with him. I didn't even know what we were arguing about. Calix and I didn't know each other enough to be acting like we had something. We had nothing. It was one stupid mistake that happened. I moved on. I got married six months ago.

"Congratulations I guess."Calix told me taking a step back. His face was back to the cold one. "I'm leaving."he said turning around but before he could take another step, I held his hand.

"You are bleeding."I told him and he half turned to look at me.

"I know."he told me.

"You should take care of the wound before it gets infected."I said.

"I know."he said again.

"If you know where the first aid kit is I could help you clean the wound."I added in case he wanted my help.

Calix stared at me then he sighed. "Follow me."he instructed and I let go of his hand.

"Where are we going?"I asked although I was walking behind him following him.

"I said follow me so maybe you should just wait till we get there."he said and I pouted but I didn't say anything else.

He led me to the nurse's office. "If you were going to take me here you could have just not bothered to let me tag along."I told him. I mean, there was a nurse to take care of the wounds.

"The nurse is out. She won't be back till next week."he told me and I just followed him as he opened the door. He got in first then I followed suit.

"Sit down. Let me look for a first aid kit first."I told him as I went to the drawers without waiting to see if he listened to me or not. I looked at all the drawers and finally I found the red box written emergency kit with a red cross on it.

I turned around to go to Calix and he listened to me. He sat on a chair at the nurses desk facing me. I stood next to him and placed the kit on the desk and then I opened it.

"Fighting with that Leon guy was stupid."I told him while I wore the gloves.

"And following me wasn't?"he asked back. "Why did you follow me Mila?"he asked the same question he asked earlier.

"I don't know. I think I was worried because I kind of knew you. Out of everyone, I knew who you were."I told him coming clean.

He was quiet and so was I. I just quietly helped disinfect the wound. "You don't feel the stinging pain?"I asked after I dipped the disinfectant on his eyebrow. I knew it had to sting especially because it was a fresh wound.

"Of course I do but it's bearable. I can't be dramatic about it you know. I'm a man."he told me and I just chuckled. Toxic masculinity. Who said men shouldn't show vulnerability just because they are men? Before they are men, they are human first and they should feel pain and emotions just as any human being would.

"You can't go fighting people Calix. That's unprofessional."I told him. "Your team is quite privileged I must say. Maybe that's why you are all mediocre. A team like that can't produce results. You should get your acts together and start working hard if you all really care about hockey."I told him.

He just hummed. "Don't waste an opportunity that others wish they had because it's not fair."I added glancing at his eyes to let him know I was talking about him buying the position.

"I didn't buy the position."he told me.

"Oh really?"I asked back. I wasn't confused. "Your teammates think otherwise."I told him.

"What do you think?"he asked me.

"I have no thoughts about that. I mean, I have never seen you play so I can't really say anything. I never even took you as a guy who plays hockey?"I shrugged putting a small bandage on his split eyebrow. I blew a relieved breath. "It's done." I smiled.

Calix stared at me unblinking and I held his gaze. "Then be my coach and I'll show you something extraordinary. I'm a good player. I can prove to you that I deserve this position."he told me and my heart skipped a beat.

I averted my gaze away and stepped aside to put the first aid kit away. I was done with it. "You don't need to prove anything to me. I'm not that important. I'm just a woman looking for a career and I landed a coaching job."I told him walking back to the drawer to put the kit away.

"You and I know that's not true. You are Mila Novikava, the ice hockey champion. You are the best."he told me.

"I'm no longer playing so...."he cut me off.

"So what if you are not playing. It doesn't change who you are. I want someone impressive like you to be our coach so accept to be our coach."he stood up and walked towards me.

"Your team doesn't want me."I told him.

"And I don't care."he said with finality. "All you have to do is accept being our coach. There is nothing they can do about it."he said then he shrugged. "Besides, you are the best, if they want proof, you just have to prove it to them."he told me now standing in front of me.

"I'll think about it."I told him. "I have a flight to Russia in a few hours so I guess I need time and space to see if you are really worth it. I have to speak with my husband about this if I do accept it. I have to move and come to New York. So there is a lot I need to do."I told him stepping away from him.

"You belong here."Calix suddenly told me.

"Because my Dad is from New York?"I asked him.

"Because his grave is in New York and...."I cut him off as I shifted uncomfortably.

"Let's not talk about that. I need to go."I told him.

"I'll be waiting Mila. I hope you accept to coach us. I promise we are not as mediocre as you think. I'll keep my team in check. We'll be worth your time."Calix told me and since I was facing the other direction from him, I smiled. He was really good at convincing someone.

"I'll think about it."I told him as I walked out of the door with a smile on my face. I had already made my decision.