“Marisa, I need daddy to sign off on these ASAP! Now, I have to go. If you need me I have my cell. Emergencies only!” I yelled as I walked out of the office and towards the elevator. I didn’t take a breath until the doors shut behind me.

I parked my car in the staff parking lot which put me right next to Nicole’s car. I walked into the school and checked in at the Athletic Director’s office only to find out he was headed to the French room.

“There is something seriously wrong with that man.” I heard Nicole mutter. I take it Brandon had come and left before me.

“You have no idea.” I smirked from the doorway. “What are you doing, mon amie?” I said in a mocking voice. I walked over to her desk and sat down on top of it.

“I was trying to correct some homework, but that is impossible now seeing as all of the papers are covered by your extremely large butt.”

“Hey! My butt isn’t ‘large’! It’s really cute. Everyone tells me so.” I smirked.

“Yeah, everyone that’s trying to get into your pants… What are you doing here so early? The Hawks aren’t showing up until one.”

“Blackhawks,” I glared.

“Whatever…” She rolled her eyes at me.

“My client canceled her appointment. My morning is now completely free. I thought I’d drop by; see what mind-numbingly dull thing you’re doing here at school.”

“Just because you hate school doesn’t mean everyone else on Earth does.”

After a little conversing for a while about nothing in particular one of her students walked in.

“Natalie, what are you doing here?”

“Class is going to start in a few minutes, Madame,” she mumbled.

“Oh, wow. I lost track of time completely.
“Katie, why don’t you go to your office and come up with some new plays? Some of us have classes to teach.” I scoffed.

“Uh huh. Au revoir, Madame,” I teased before walking out into the hallway.

“Coach!” I heard from down the hall. I turned to see Sam.

“Hi Sam.” I smiled, turning on my heel.

“Are you here for the jersey thing?” He asked.

“Yeah, I’m accepting them for the JV team and the Varsity coach is accepting theirs. Apparently they’re really cool looking.” I smiled.

“Do we still have practice tomorrow or did you cancel it?” He asked.

“It’s still on.” I laughed.

“Alright.” He rolled his eyes.

“Scamper on to class, no ditching.” I pointed my finger at him.

“Scamper?” He scoffed/laughed while walking down the hall again.

“Yes. I saw your grades from last quarter. You better watch it!” I glared. He nodded and waved, running off to class.

Halfway through last year the JV hockey team coach quit. They were on a losing streak and he just didn’t have the time to coach so I volunteered. No other teacher wanted the job and I had the time. When I’m not spending my time with the boys I’m working as a shoe designer for Nike. I hate it. I wish I could quit but my dad is the head of my division and is conditioning me to take over. I’ve been trying to break into photography, but no such luck yet.

I decided I didn’t want to walk around the school for another hour or so I’d just go sit in the back of Nicole’s class. I opened the door when she was writing something on the board.

“What’re you doing back here?” She asked.

“I didn’t want to walk around the school so I’m just gonna chill here. Hey class.” I smirked, sitting down at her desk. She rolled her eyes and went back to writing stuff down.

“Hey Coach!” I saw Jeremy in the back of the room.

“Hi.” I laughed.

“Pay attention to your lesson, I saw your French grade from last quarter. I’ll help tutor if you want.”

“Please, you couldn’t speak French even if you tried. Your mind isn’t complex enough.” Nicole rolled her eyes. The class ‘ooh’ed.

“Yeah? Well I can play hockey. You couldn’t skate if you tried.” The class ‘ooh’ed again.

“Want to bet?” She asked.

“I never back down from a challenge.”

“Bring it short stop.”

“You bring it, short bus.” We got in each other’s faces.

“Ahem…” We turned to see a man at the door.

“Are you the sub?” He nodded. Nicole introduced him to the class before dragging me with her down the hall towards the parking lot.

I stood off to the side with the coaching staff as we watched the bus pull up and the captain stepped off first, his team following. Nicole and him shook hands. Oh snap, I know that look in her eyes.

Frenchie has a little crush on the capitaine.

“And this is the Athletic Department. Mr. Fitzpatrick is the coach of the Varsity hockey team and Ms. Levassure just became the head coach of the JV hockey team.” Nicole brought the Captain over.

“Jonathan Toews.” He shook my hand.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I smiled.

As Nicole moved down the line of Athletic Directors I noticed #88 staring at me. He smirked a little, which weirded me out. I gave him a freaked out look before turning to talk to the varsity coach.

“Your team lookin’ good?” He asked.

“Yeah, they’re shaping up.” I smiled.

“Yeah… It’s a far fetch, those boys just aren’t great.”

“Excuse me?” I asked. “My boys could wipe the ice with yours.” I turned fully to face him.

“Right…” He laughed. “Want to bet?” He smirked.

“Yeah. I do.”

“You’re on. Two weeks from now. Before the first game of the season we’ll have a scrimmage.”

“It’s so on.” We shook hands.

What did I just do? Why do I keep making bets?

He walked away and I turned in the opposite direction.

"So... coach?" I heard someone say. I turned to see #88.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be staring at you." He had this smirk on his face. "I heard your little bet." He crossed his arms.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, and if you want I can offer my services. I am, after all, a hockey god." His smirk widened.

"Right..." I nodded. "I'll get back to you on that." I turned to walk away and ran right into Jonathan.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." I laughed, my hands on his arms to steady us. His hands on my waist for the same purpose.

"My fault, I should've said something. Pat, we have to go on the tour and I don't want you getting lost."

"I was just offering my services to help coach the JV team for their big rival game." He smirked at me again.

"What if I came too?" Jonathan offered too.

"Um... I guess." I shrugged. We exchanged phone numbers. They said to text them the practice schedule.

"See you at the assembly." I started to walk away.

"What were you talking about?" Nicole asked, walking up to me.

"They're going to help coach because I'm a little in over my head with yet another bet." I shrugged.

"You got his phone number?" She smiled, a little.

"Mhm." I smirked. She nodded, staring at me.

"You know what I think? I think you should also attend practice with me." I smiled a little.

"Yeah, I'd love to. I have to get back to my tour." She smiled and walked away. "I'll call you later!"

I can't wait to play matchmaker.