It's one of the most importand hockey games for your highschool, for your friend James.

He needs to leave a good impression as the multiple university representatives are attending. And James for sure hopes somebody will pick him. And how could they not? He's the best player on the team.

Even though you know James is a good hockey player, you also know that his mind isn't fully focused on the game.

A week ago you came clean about your reasons why you left the swimming team. The truth how your brother Chris, likes to beat the shit out of you just to cool down.

You'd never forget James' face when he saw your bruised body and since then you had stayed at his house. No one minded that, you were there all the time anyways. Your mom, working two jobs, never being home, probably hasn't even noticed that your bed has been empty for the whole week. And for your brother, you didn't care much of what he'd think. You were just glad that you didn't have to see him face to face.

What made you worried was how James eyed your brother, his teammate, but you were glad that the secret of your brother's doing was kept secret.

Game whent on, James did great. Until it came to the last five minutes of the first period. Out of nowhere hockey puck was in the air, flying right at your brother's helmet. Then came James, pushing your brother into the arena's barrier. Hard. You even thought that you could hear a bang when your brother's back smashed against it.

A fight was picking up. Helmets and gloves were flying around as punches were thrown. It wasn't an unusually thing for hockey games but no one expected the fight to break out between teammates.

Both of them were seperated and that was it for James. The game for him had ended. He was sent back to the locker room even without a chance to watch the game. That was a goodbye to his opportunity to play for one of the best university teams.

Walking in the locker room there he sat. Bloody nose, bloody knuckles.

"I'm sorry." He tilted his head up to look at you.