"do i really have to be here?" you ask your older brother, alex.

"yeah, you need to see the beauty of this sport dude. oh shit, look they have a girl on their team!" alex points at one of the uniformed skaters. you weren't a big hockey person, but you swear you became one when you saw the girl. the only girl on an all boys college team was bound to stand out.

#26, she took off her helmet revealing an auburn mullet and pale freckled skin. you see her take a swig of water and then her eyes lock with yours.

she promptly chokes on the water and turns around, clearly struggling after seeing you.

"dude, did you see that? damn, you can get a hockey girlfriend and i can't?" alex laughs.

after the game you're waiting for him to stop talking to some other dudes he ran into at the rink when you feel a tap on your shoulder. you turn around and see her, #26, now showered and in a hoodie and sweats, smiling.

"hey, i thought i'd come introduce myself, i've never seen you at a game before. i'm ellie, the blocker on the bears." she smiles charmingly but you can tell she's a bit nervous. she had spotted you earlier.