Westdale was a large school, there was no doubt about it. You could graduate with someone yet never see them around the school. To get noticed, you had to be popular. Go to parties, do sports, have friends. It was the only way. Benjamin “Ben” Fletcher wasn’t extremely popular yet he wasn’t not known. He was known for his curling skills along with his big personality. Ben was a loud person. He stepped into a room and everyone saw him. He had a way to control a room yet while also fitting in. It was an odd thing. It was gym class. One of Ben’s favourite classes depending on what they were doing for a unit. Since it was nearing Christmas break, the main focus was on winter sports. At the moment, it was hockey out on the makeshift rink out in the back of the school yard. Ben was with some of his mates in the class. They weren’t his friends yet they were good to hang around during gym. Ben was standing to the side of the rink, tapping his hockey stick on the ice in no certain rhythm. “I never understood hockey.” Ben spoke up to his friends as he watched one of the players, Miguel, slam into someone so he could make a goal. Matthew, who stood next to Ben, chuckled. “It’s football and soccer mixed into one on ice.”

Ben just shook his head as he chuckled along with Matthew.