Confessions from a Ranger's Roommate

A few weeks had passed and Teodora found herself surprised at how she liked rooming with Michael. Normally one would expect a professional athlete to be expensive label wearing, party going assholes. Michael did like his expensive items of clothes and accessories and did party a bit but he was a harmless goofball. A protective one at that, she smiled to herself. Maybe it was his smaller town boy background that made him so but the San Francisco girl was used to big cities.

As for her first friends, they were of course Marc Staal and Henrik Lundqvist. She learned Marc had three other hockey playing brothers either in North Carolina or Pittsburgh. Henrik, she was astonished had an accent. "I'm Swedish," he laughed and patted her head. "But then again you can't pick up accents from reading lips."

Coach Tortorella was impressed with her studies and took a shining to her immediately. "Feel free to peek in on the doctors if there's an injury," he winked at her. When she continued to see his fiery bench personality during the games and his prickly and mean attitude with the media, it frankly astonished her. "He's passionate," Michael shrugged with a smile on his face.

The boys were the first obstacle to get over upon becoming a Ranger's roommate. No boys flirted with her but seemed to go out of the way to ask if she was okay or if they could help her with something. Her first encounter with the Ranger's captain Chris Drury and Connecticut native had been awkward. "It's not as if anyone is harassing me, quite the opposite!" She promised after Chris demanded to know if the boys were making fun of her when she requested to talk with him for the first time. "But no one needs to treat me like glass."

"I get it," he nodded. "Understandable." With that, the captain kindly clapped her on the shoulder and relayed her request. Soon, the boys changed from treating her like a handicap to being older brothers. Brian Boyle even took up the habit of screaming her name in glee when she tagged along with Michael. Once, he even figured out where one of her classes were and screamed at her from his car as he passed. "Who was that?" Cara demanded as Teodora nearly fell over laughing. "Is he a Ranger's guy? Are all the boys spastic like that?" At that, Cara had warmed up to the roommate idea.

The WAGs were the next obstacle. At first, some of them were frosty and distanced, probably thinking she was out to steal their guys. It was awkward having Marc Staal's girl steer her up to the perpetrators and state firmly: "Really girls. You see how she dresses. How she acts. She is a medical major at Columbia. You honestly think this cute thing wants to steal your guys?"

One formally cautious girl, Ryan Callahan's fiancée Kyla spoke first. "You know. I'll admit I was suspicious at first." Teodora shrugged. "Then I realized how much of a little sister you were becoming to the guys."

"I would say you'd be so cute with Michael, but then again knowing the girls he picks up, you can do better," another one noted as she cringed for her roommate.
As she was thinking about this, it was now time for her girl friends to meet Michael when they picked her up to go to Long Island to check out the music festival.

"You'll like him. He's cool with everyone," she promised as Cara nodded. Feeling a little mean, she strode up to his room and slapped her palm on Michael's shut door three times. "Jesus Teo!" He laughed and clutched at his heart when he opened the door. "Sounded like a shot going off!"

"Sorry," she apologized, but still laughed at his reaction. "Cara, Michael, you know each other." Cara liked the goofy new roommate of Teodora's and greeted him cheerfully. "This is Brandy Knapp, Taeyeon Park and Denise Grant."

"Right," he nodded and started to point. "Microbiology," he said and Denise brightened in surprise. "Environmental science girl from Korea and Brandy you do..." he made a face. "Statistics. Yeah, that's it."

"I am impressed!" Denise nodded in approval and they each shook his hand. "And you are the defenseman for the Rangers."

"Yup," he nodded. "Sometimes I play for the minors team in Connecticut."

Taeyeon bit her lip and said, "Thanks for keeping our Lina secret. I agree she's crazy for going in the province she is in, but no one can say no."

Sighing, he admitted, "Yeah. I feel like I can't say much-hey!" He suddenly cried. "How is your English so, like, flawless and American sounding? She said you've lived in Korea all your life?"

"International school, international school," she giggled, pleased with his compliment.
"So, what do you think about Teodora having Afghan-American as adopted parents?" Brandy asked in an accusing tone and Denise nudged her, shooting her a death glare.

He just grinned. "Haven't really talked to them but her folks seem cool. Teo's fed me some recipes and I've banned the sweet stuff. Too good for this hockey player," he said while patting his very toned stomach.

"Right?" Denise agreed before Brandy could say anything. "I always say that Auntie Z of hers should do Top Chef or something."

"I know. Between her and my Italian chef of a mom," he laughed. "Temptation from every angle."

As he still was smiling, Teodora poked Michael's arm. "You're gonna be late," she said and waved goodbye. "Good luck with Boston. Watch out for that giant Chara guy."

The girls and Michael exchanged pleasant goodbyes as they hustled to the train. As they settled in their seats, Denise narrowed her eyes at Brandy. "Wow. Rude much?" Denise jabbed Brandy in the side. "Way to make a good first impression. I wouldn't be surprised if he thinks you're a stuck up bitch now."

Brandy scowled. "I am sorry. You know Matt's on my side."

"I've already put my stamp of approval on this whole situation, including those teammates," Cara snapped.

To Cara later, she would admit to being warned to keep clear of some Sean Avery character that bounced between the minor team and the Rangers. "Look. He's harmless," Teodora said.

"And gorgeous," Taeyeon admitted as Denise slapped her arm in agreement. "Those dark eyes are a dangerous combination with those eyelashes of his."
Teodora giggled behind her hands. "You girls are terrible. But yeah, he said come to a game anytime."

Denise poked Cara's arm. "Might have shove a blue jersey over this Philly's fan head. I know you have a thing for those hockey players

"Excuse me, that's my cousins, not me! And I don't mind other teams despite the rivalries." Brightly, she said, "Hey, your Marc Staal's little brother is on Pittsburgh. Jordan Staal. Blond kid."

"Yeah!" Teodora confirmed. "I think I'll meet the oldest brother first. Another blond named Eric from North Carolina. From what I've heard, you can't hate a Staal boy." Her thoughts were interrupted when her phone buzzed from a text. Where are you? :'(
When Teodora laughed, Denise took the phone and giggled at the text. "Who just texted you?"

"Brian Boyle," she informed her as Cara immediately burst into laughter. "Yeah. She momentarily met him. He figured out where one of my classes were and screamed at me from his car."

As Teodora texted him back, Cara imitated Brian. "TEO-O-O!" Taeyeon and Denise burst into laughter. "Yup I wanna meet this guy in person."

"He's a riot," Teodora said. "Marc's a chillax guy, Henrik's a sharply dressed gentleman. Brandon Prust is one of Michael's good buddies, like him too. Artem Anisimov poor kid thought I might dislike him a bit cause he's Russian and his former government invaded my adopted family country." Cara cringed and breathed, "Ouch."

"Yeah, had to settle that issue. Callahan looks after everyone-yeah! You'll have to meet them all," Teodora smiled fondly as Brandy pouted an as if face. Denise nudged her, shooting her a glare that clearly read, why did we bring her?

Brandy could be exhausting sometimes. Once, she had rounded Denise on why she wasn't volunteering for a fundraiser for villages in Kenya, her African kinsman, instead of going home to visit her parents in Rhode Island. Denise promptly retaliated by asking why Brandy-a statistics major-supported politicians that stuffed ballots when they were in school. She couldn't help but smile at Denise, her first friend from welcome week. They had quickly bonded when a pompous ambassador's son had boasted about his family's connections, only to have Teodora and Denise snicker at him behind his back.

The thirty minute ride had passed quickly as they went to the restaurant where the boys were waiting for lunch. "Hey girls," Kurt greeted them, stooping to kiss Cara.

"Matt," Brandy smiled but he moved to give Teodora a one armed hug instead. "Yoshi!" She rounded on their Japanese friend instead. "What, you plan on growing an afro with that hair?"

"I'm not cutting it," he said immediately, combing his fingers through his hair. "Mom tried to attack me with scissors again when she visited from Japan."

Teodora sat down between Denise and Johnny as Brandy scored a spot with Matt. "So. Roommate have a day off?" Johnny asked.
"Nope. Boston game at home," she said while unfolding her menu.
He brightened. "My team. Better watch out for Marchand." Oh great. "He's a left winger but he tends to play dirty."
Brad Marchand. She made a mental note to watch that name on the NHL app she had downloaded on her phone. "Okay. I saw that Chara guy. He seemed something dangerous."
"Yeah, he's an All Star," Johnny affirmed and caught Matt's scowl. "Quit bitching Morneu. You and Brandy. Man, I'm the Boston kid and I'm the one having to defend Del Zotto. I met him when he picked T up, he's solid. These girls say so too so shut up."

After chowing down lunch, she walked over to the music festival and started to chat with Yoshi, Taeyeon and Kurt. "So who are the big headliners. Mumford and Sons and Ellie Goulding?" Kurt asked.

"And Owl City!" Teodora chimed in happily. "I wanna hear Fireflies!"

Kurt narrowed his eyes at the snort from Brandy. "And what does the All Knowing Brandy have to say about this particular matter?"

"He sold out," she sniffed. "I refuse to go see him."

Teodora wiggled her fingers in farewell. "Good then. Be by yourself and leave us alone. I'm really done with you jawing off at every single thing that rubs you the wrong way."
Johnny chuckled. "She's just stating her opinion. It's a free country."

"Go with her then," Denise cut in. "We're sick of her attitude so she be alone learn the hard way of keeping her opinions to herself." At that, Brandy burst into loud and noisy tears. Denise threw her hands up impatience. "Yeah, and then when we corner you about it, this happens."

Hiccupping, she protested, "I c-c-c-can't help it! I'm a Leo!"
Teodora made a face and muttered, "I'm astonished she'd believe astrology stuff." Biting her lip from feeling bad, she sighed, "Okay. No more foul mouthed stuff or you're done. Last chance. Got it?"
Drying her tears, she nodded, "Okay."

"Owl City's up first," she noted and they walked off to the stage area where a crowd was already forming. While they waited for Owl City to come onstage, she pulled out her phone to peek at what was going on at the game.

As she read, Kurt and Cara leaned in. "What's the score?"
"Let's see. Goalies are Hankie, looks like a Tuuka Rask. Um, score is 1-0 Boston," she listed and Johnny smiled and noticed her screen flash. "Uh oh Johnny! Uh oh! We got a score!" Kurt and Cara cackled at his panic as Teodora raised a fist in the air. "Brandon Prust! Good job buddy!"
Curiously, Johnny asked, "What's that dude like? Seems like a goofball."
"Loud and funny. Yeah, he's one of DZ's buddy," she smiled and saw the lead singer was now onstage, starting with his famous song.
Teodora smiled, envisioning the more antique themed music video of Owl City's as he sang. You would not believe your eyes/ If ten million fireflies, lit up the world as I fell asleep/ Cause they fill the open air/and leave teardrops everywhere/you'd think me rude but I'd just stand and stare.

Denise nudged her and saw Brandy had pulled out her phone to tape the performance. "Hypocrite," she snickered as he reached the chorus.

"I'd like to make myself believe, that planet Earth turns slowly. Its hard to say I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep. Cause everything is never as it seems!" Teodora screamed, loving the added guitar and drums bit.

After Owl City was done, they went to the other stage to see Parachute and then back to see Mumford and Sons. After the boys band Flogging Molly had finished, they walked back to the trains. "Not usually a punk person, but that was fun," Teodora giggled, still drumming her fingers along to the beat of Drunken Lullabies.

"You sure no one wants to go back to see Phoenix?" Brandy pouted.
Denise made a face. "I'm kinda beat. I missed my afternoon catnap." Brandy giggled as the boys teased her.
"I have lab quizzes to study for," Teodora said and Brandy groaned. "What? Bummed I have to go?"
"No!" Brandy cried. "You're reminding me of all the crap I have to do! Teodora, you suck!"

Kurt tucked his hands in his pockets with a happy smile plastered across his face. "I get to go home. Not too much homework at all," he boasted and tucked himself into a ball to protect himself from hits. Nudging Teodora knee with his, he said, "Wanna share a taxi? Keep Mister Small Towner happy?"

"Sure!" Speaking of which, she pulled out her phone and pouted. "Lost. Quiet Johnny," she ordered over his smirking. When they reached home thirty minutes later, she wondered as she and Kurt walked back to his dorm for his duffel bag whether Michael was hanging out with the team or at home already. Probably not. Michael liked to go out the weekend nights he could.

After paying for her ride, she waved goodbye to Kurt and hiked up to the apartment. "Hello?" She asked softly and heard nothing at first. Kicking off her black flat shoes, she momentarily set down her purse to set her keys down when she heard something. She paused and waited, hearing it again.

There was a giggle. Not from her. Definitely not Michael's. A girl. A date.
Immediately she yanked out her hearing aid, smothering a laugh as she quietly tiptoed to her room. Inserting an ear bud into her better left ear, she turned on Destiny's Child and set out her textbooks and notes.

Deciding she was hungry, she quietly ripped off the plastic covering to her pomegranate seeds and picked up a spoon. The girl sauntered in, a leggy platinum tanned blond wearing lacey pink underwear and one of Michael's dress shirts. Really, she should be shocked but she couldn't help but snort at the sight, like a little kid sister.

Who are you? The girl demanded when she noticed Teodora. What is this? Does that bastard expect me to do a three way? I am so not doing that?
"A what?" Teodora asked and then thought about it. "Ew! No! I'm just his roommate. Don't worry. I'm totally deaf in this ear and I got music in this halfway better one so I can't hear a thing, Just getting a snack and burying my nose in medical stuff." When she squinted, she did admit, "I can read lips but I can't hear anything but my music right now."

Allison walked back into Michael's bedroom as Teodora disappeared into her own room. "You have a roommate?" She demanded.
"Yeah. I do," he admitted slowly. "She should be at school still." She shook her head and pointed to the room where she had walked into. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Teodora flipped the page while continuing to write the notes on her notecard when she saw a shadow flaying around above her. She sat up and faced him. "Think your date's confused."
Did you call me for a ride? Michael demanded.

Pointing towards his bedroom, she scoffed. "Yeah right! Walked to Kurt-Cara's boyfriend's dorm and shared a cab with him since he's going to Connecticut for the weekend."
Arms flaying again, he cried, we talked about this! Do not walk alone at night!
"First off, I was not alone. Second, I am fine," she said and rolled onto her stomach to read some more. Her hair was lifted and he sharply tapped on her shoulder. "Wha-aat?" She whined.
Where's your hearing aid!
"Back pocket spazz," she said and fished it out to put on her nightstand.
PUT IT BACK IN! Scowling, she obeyed and turned it on. "What if there's some kind of emergency, like a fire or something?" He demanded.
As if. She lived through the LA Riots and the Northridge Earthquake. Instead she joked, "Everything's an emergency, so I'm covered." The girl laughed at her response so Michael went to the door.

"Go home please."

Feeling bad, Teodora fished out some dollar bills to give to the now fully clothed girl. Moving past Michael, she smiled, "Sorry about Spazz Pants. Here's for a taxi."
Laughing low, the girl just waved. "No thanks sweetheart."
When the date left, Michael rubbed his face. "I am sorry about all that," he heaved out.
Wrinkling her nose, she demanded, "Why? Your apartment. Not like I could hear anything over PG."
"I know," he made a face. "I just..."

"Christ I'm nineteen! And I'm the one from big cities," she said. "I get what goes on." Deep down, Michael was growing to be like a big brother to her and as the little sister so she decided to tell him her thoughts. "Yeah, I mean, I'm kinda becoming the little sister here, so this is kinda hilarious that I just busted you with a girl-,"

Michael picked up a pillow from his couch and started whacking her with it. "You little punk! I'm getting you back for that one!"

For a bit, Teodora fended herself off from his blows and then escaped back into her room. "HA!" She yelled over his laughing. "Can't get me anymore!"

"Yeah," she heard his voice through the door. "I'm probably interrupted your studying. Sorry."
Teodora almost brought up the game, wanting to say sorry that they lost but didn't. "Nah, don't worry." Opening the door back up, she then walked over to her bed and began to study.

Notes