No Hockey Players

Layla’s POV “Oh my God, I’m late”, I said running around Gerald university campus. It was my first day of school but somehow I was already late. My art portfolio was slipping from my arms, my bag kept hitting my side and I’m trying not to fall on the wet pavement. “Bree, wait!” A voice called out to me from behind.I didn’t turn around instead I ran faster. I finally reached the building. I pushed through the doors and realized the person who called out to me was Sophie. “You made us late on our first day.” I said panting. “Girl I only did a bit of makeup, I didn’t know we were going to be late.” Sophie tried to fix her hair. “My hair looks bad, right?” “We are late and you still care about how your hair looks?” “I need to look good on our first day, Layla.” Before I could respond l checked the time. I had only three minutes to get to class. “Oh, I am so doomed.” I rushed into the lecture hall. I got to the lecture hall in exactly three minutes. “Hi, I’m Layla Bree.” I introduced myself as someone who wants a quiet freshman year. I’m here for only one thing, my art. No drama, no distractions, especially no hockey players. My brother, Sean, is already well known on campus because he’s on the hockey team, so I know exactly what kind of guys surround him. Every seat is taken, except one. I sighed and walked around it. I didn’t notice who was sitting beside it at first. I dropped my bag and then a voice said “You still take forever to make a decision.” My heart stopped for a second. I slowly turned around, it was Daniel Collins. The boy I haven’t properly spoken to since high school, the boy who used to pull my hair, break my crayons, steal my things, annoy me just because he could. And now he’s sitting there completely comfortable. I picked up my bag and wanted to leave. Sean blocked my path “miss me?” “I would rather fail this class.” The professor started teaching. I had no choice but to sit near him. I tried as much as possible to ignore him but he kept annoying me quietly. He steals my pen, I take it back. “Your drawings are so mid.” He said, trying to touch my portfolio. “Shut up, you dumbass.” My eyes fixed on the professor. I didn’t look at him, not even once. He smiled, “Just say you miss me already.” I kicked his shoe under the desk. He kicked mine back. The professor immediately noticed and suddenly stopped talking. “ Is there anything you’d like to share with us Mr. Collins?” Daniel looked completely innocent. “No professor.” I glared at him and he whispered. “Still angry, Bree?” I whispered back “I’ve been angry at you since I was six.” He smiled. “ I know,” that line made me pause. Because he remembers. every pain, every embarrassment, Everything. And he wasn’t remorseful. After class, I escaped the room. I thought I was finally free, then I saw Daniel waiting outside. He’s with Sean. I froze. Daniel smirked, “Layla perfect timing.” I made eye contact with him for several seconds. I walked up to them and Sean said “You remember Daniel right? He’s my best friend .” He casually introduced us as if we haven’t known each other for years. My stomach dropped. I had no idea they knew each other. Daniel knew. and judging by his expression… he knew I didn’t know. That night, Sophie convinced me to attend a freshman party. “What do you say?” Sophie said. “I am not know about this. You know I hate parties.” I replied. I didn’t want to go at first but I ended up going. I got to the party and I saw Daniel. Of course he’s surrounded by his hockey teammates, including Noah. He caught me staring and Instead of looking away, he smiled. I rolled my eyes. “Sophie I don’t like this, I want to go home.” I folded my arms. “The party is just starting, let’s have fun.” She danced away till I could no longer see her. Almost immediately, Daniel walked up to me. “Who do we have here?” He tried to touch my hair. “Can you just leave me alone for one day?” I said, stepping back. “You’re stuck with me Miss Bree, isn’t it a coincidence how we both always end up in the same place?” He winked. I walked away from him to a quiet room and he was right behind me. He closed the door behind him. “Am I interrupting?” I froze. “Daniel, leave.” “This isn’t your place so you don’t get to call the shots,” he walked slowly toward me. “ Don't tell me you’re still angry.” I tried to lean back as he came forward but I was at the edge of the wall. “Leave me alone, don’t come any closer.” He kept coming till he finally got close to me. Too close. Neither of us moved. Then- he kissed me. My eyes widened. For one second I kissed him back then I pulled away. “That didn’t happen.” He looked at me, licking his lips “whatever you say, Bree.” I ran as fast as I could back to my dorm. “It was nothing, it was just a stupid kiss.” I paced around the room, my fingers touching my lips.” It was one stupid mistake. I got into bed so then my phone buzzed. Unknown number: “you really don’t remember me?” My heart drops. I sat up from bed. Who sent this message?. Another message appeared. “First grade. Red crayons. You hit me with one.” I stared at the messages for several seconds. Only one person could know that. Daniel. But then another message comes through. “ There’s something you never knew about what happened between us.”