Chapter 3: Under the Spotlight
626 Words
The first buses arrived.Players hopped off with hockey bags nearly as big as they are, wheels rambling across the pavement,sticks pocking out their sides.
"Not again,"James shouted as he returned to the bus.
Tyler waited for him.
He came holding a tape."I forgot this."James said.
Both the coaches and trainers waited under the entrance for check-in.After that they headed to their cabins.
Later, they all gathered at the main arena.It was louder than expected.Players from different teams filled the arena.
The head coach stepped forward, voice echoing."This isn't a vocation.This is where we become a team!"
Zane adjusted his gloves.John and Leo his closest friends and teammates were standing next to him."Ready for today ?"John asked.
"Yup."Leo answered.
Zane nodded.
They begun doing the warm ups.Tyler kept looking left ,right and center."Dude , looking for someone?"James asked.
"No!"He said.
"He's behind you,at your left."James said.
"What! "Tyler said.
James left laughing.
He turned,their eyes met.
He turned away quickly.
"s**t !"He said quietly.
It wasn't just practice.It was pressure.
Every movement being watched.
The whistle blew."Mixing drills!"The head coach shouted.
He called out everyone's partners.
"Zane and Tyler,you are partners."He ended with that.
Tyler tilted his head."What! You've got to be kidding me."
James patted Tyler's shoulder and smirked."You've got this!"He said.
"Don't touch me.What the hell is wrong with you!"Tyler said.
Zane sighed .
Start moving .The coach said.
"Hey captain!Try not to slow me down."Tyler told Zane.
The drill begun.
At first it was chaos.They kept arguing.Tyler pushing forward.Zane refusing to follow orders.
"You are skating slower than my grandmother!"Tyler told Zane.
"Ouch!I guess she's damn terrifying!"Zane pretending to be shocked.
A pass went wrong.Another missed opportunity.Their teammates were already watching.
They continued arguing when suddenly an opponent rushed in.Without thinking ,Zane cut left and intercepted the pass turning into defense passing it to Tyler.
Tyler caught it instantly and charged the net with full speed.
For a second, everything silenced.
A perfect goal.
Then cheers erupted.
"Okay ,,,"Coach muttered.That was the worst teamwork."
Zane looked at Tyler.Their eyes met.
They stared for some time.
Tyler gave him a salute and winked at the same time, smiling.
Zane smiled and looked away.
To them it was great.
****
Later that day,the media zone crowded outside.All the team captains were present.
They begun to be questioned.
A reporter stood in front of Tyler.
"Tyler Knox,Wolves Captain .
One question for you.Who is the most difficult player you've ever faced?"She asked.
Tyler smiled."Unfortunately,,,him."He said pointing at Zane.
Zane did not hesitate."Same answer."He said.
The reporter leaned in.
"Interesting ,then tell us what do you admire about your rival?"She asked.
Tyler blinked ."Nothing."
There was silence.
Tyler grinned,and looked down."His shot is decent."He said.
Zane scoffed,"His passing isn't terrible "
The reporter smiled and the crowd explored in cheers.
Zane walked away and Tyler followed him ."You do admire me.." Tyler said.
Zane stopped and turned,"No It was a compliment."He said.
"Mmh,, okay."Tyler said.
"Don't get too excited."Zane said but the corner of his mouth twitched.
****
That evening the tournament board was revealed in the main hall.
All the teams gathered around as the names appeared on the screen.
Wolves
Eagles
Titans
Falcons
Then,,,,
Wolves vs Falcons
Eagles vs Titans
And finally,
A bold line flashed across the screen
Wolves vs Eagles -Rematch confirmed
The room went silent.
Tyler and Zane stood on the opposite sides of the hall.
Tyler smirked slowly."Looks like we meet again."He said.
Zane opened his water bottle and gulped,then looked straight into Tyler's
eyes.They were green and medium.
"Be prepared then,there won't be a tie."He said.
Tyler gave him a salute and winked one eye at the same time."Okay captain."He said.
"Do not look at me like that,"Zane said and off.
- Writer
