The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

"Eghhhh is it already ten." I said smacking my phone trying to get it from the nightstand. "Practice Yay!" I mumbled as I located my phone and turned off the alarm.
"I know. I'm feeling tired too." Marie said waking up as well.
"Well it's a good thing we have an hour to get to practice!" I said as enthusiastically as possible.
"Yup but there's no pressure on me." She said laughing.
"Shush." I said laughing.
"You look good." She said taking in the leggings and Blackhawks hoodie I had just thrown on.
"Thanks. I wouldn't know where I lived either." I said winking. I headed to the bathroom to tame my hair down a bit from being to lazy to dry it the night before. I put it up into a loose ponytail, and finished off with a light coat of makeup.
"Today's going to be torture!" I said laughing as Marie quickly put up her hair like mine, and grabbed her boots.
"Yes. But it will be for everyone." She said laughing. "Me included."
" I'm glad I'm not alone." I said as we made our way down to the dining hall. Quite a few of the girls were there already. A few had seemed to have made friend groups, so we decided to grab our food and go eat at a table where a girl sat by herself.
"Hey. You mind if we join you?" I asked to the brunette.
"No, not at all. I need someone to socialize with." She said laughing.
"Perfect. That's what we needed as well, although my friend here" I said nodding to Marie "could be at that table whenever she wants." I said laughing at the table of girls glaring and laughing.
"Why would I want to waste my time with that? I can promise you none of those girls will make the team if they continue acting like that." She whispered quietly.
"Perfect let them continue makes it easier for us. I'm Rachel by the way. I'm guessing she needs no introduction?"
"No, I know who you both are. I'm Sadie by the way."
"Nice to meet you." I said smiling, and Marie nodded.
"So how's life with the Hawks?" She said smiling at the sweater.
"It's alright." I said shrugging. "Jonny's coming out tomorrow, but keep quiet about it I think it's supposed to be a surprise or something." I said shrugging.
"Sweet! He's so cool." She said quietly.
"He is isn't he." I said laughing, though deep down I was hoping it was another Blackhawk coming to help coach us. Practice went by quickly once my skates touched the ice. After the hard work out of suicides and drills, we had a small 15 minute break to stretch and grab an energy bar, before having a scrimmage. Fortunately Marie was on my team, as I needed someone that I knew, and moves that I knew. I had watched her all throughout the Olympics. I knew where she wanted the puck, and what she was most likely to do with it. She took left wing, and I took right. We were centred by a girl neither of us seemed to know. It was nice having a good sized bench to come back and rest at after a good, hard shift. Marie and I had some close on our first shift, and it was a great scoring chance. We scored our second chance with a perfect cross ice pass, and a tap into an open net. We high fived and made our way off to the bench
"Nice play girls!" Coach said winking. "So what are you thinking about the girls so far?"
"Umm. They are definitely interesting. There's some I would not play with no matter how good they are, but there's some great players who are great people as well. We met Sadie this morning, she's really nice, and from the looks of it she can play." Marie said shrugging. "Then of course my amazing new line mate" she said throwing her arm around my shoulders.
"So you know then?"
"Know what coach?" I said confused.
"That you actually are her new line mate." Coach whispered quietly. "Why else would I have paired the two of you together?" She said smiling.
"For real? Thanks coach!" I said quietly, a huge smile on my face.
"No problem. You and Jonny can swing by my office tomorrow and sign the paperwork."
"This is actually happening?"
"Yup. You have to thank Q for that one. He's been secretly feeding me videos of you since the first time you went out for practice. "
"Should of known." I said shaking my head and smiling. "We'll stop by tomorrow then. Now we have a scrimmage to win." I said smiling at Coach and then at Marie.
"Get out there girls. Help me find out who else I should pick." She whispered as we skated onto the ice.
"On it Coach!" We both said laughing, as we went to the face off dot. I missed the aggressiveness of the guys back home however. This game seemed slower and easier to trick the players. I passed the puck a lot, giving the other girls their respective time with the puck, however when Marie and I saw an opportunity we took it finding the back of the net more often than not. Coach dismissed us and a few other girls, while keeping around 20 of them behind to get some extra practice in. Marie and I opted out of the change room showers and instead chucked our clothes back on to make the trek back to the apartment.
"Why does it seem like it's always me they're talking about?" I said shaking my head as we walked back to the rooms.
"They are probably jealous. I would be too if I was in their position. They have to fight for that one spot, and you are just amazing and they know you're going to get one of the spots."
"That does suck. But it's not like I magically became a great hockey player. I've been playing since I could walk, and only took this year off professionally to finish up my schooling. Even when I did my exchanges in France I got on the ice and played, and worked out. "
"Hey I get it. I had the same thing happen with me. I was 18 in my first Olympics."
"We are totally the same age!" I exclaimed. "Damn I could of had two gold medals by now. " I said laughing.
"Four more years! Though I have a feeling you are going to accomplish more than just a gold medal." She said smiling.
"I hope." I said laughing as I jumped in my bed and waited for her to have her shower.
Me~~ JONATHAN BRYAN TOEWS YOU BETTER NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS!
Jon~~I'm sorry what?
Me~~Team Canada.
Jon~~ Haha she told you huh? That was quick. What did it take like one scrimmage?"
Me~~ I can not believe you let me worry over nothing! So mean :(
Jon~~Sorry. Couldn't help it ;)
Me~~ Ahhhhh. I can't believe it!!!! We have to go sign some papers or something tomorrow in the office.
Jon~~ Yup. How's it feel my Canadian girl? Ready to make the country proud?
Me~~ You kidding? Of course. I've got to go but I'll talk to you tomorrow, bright and early ;)
Jon~~ Alright. Congrats girl.
For some reason I found myself texting Pat the news. I almost regretted sending it, but it was too late.
Pat~~ Congrats. I knew you would make it.
Me~~ Thanks. I hope Buffalo is treating you well. I have to go to bed. Night.
Pat~~ Night.
Pat~~ It's quite shitty actually.
Me~~ AND why is that?
Pat~~ I don't know? My family seems a bit angry at me for some reason.
Me~~ I wonder why. You find out why they are mad and then text me. Night Pat.
I took a quick shower, got into my pyjama's said goodnight to Marie and then fell asleep after setting my alarm for 6:45.
Jon made his way into the room just before my alarm went off. I shut it off and sat up. "Why are you so early" I mumbled rubbing my eyes.
"I had to celebrate the newest member of team Canada" he said jumping in the bed. "Plus I brought timmies." He said laughing as Marie awoke to the delicious aroma of coffee, bagels, eggs and sausage.
"Mhmmmm so good." I said bitting into the sausage, egg and cheese bagel. "One day and I'm already tired of those stupid protein shakes." I said taking a sip of my coffee. I grabbed another of my many Hawks sweaters, and chucked on a pair of yoga pants, before chucking my hair up, and heading out for day number 3 in Winnipeg. "So no one knows your here huh?" I said laughing as we made our way down the hall.
"Hopefully everyone's to tired to even notice." Marie said chuckling.
"Either way we are going to have to walk thorough the room in a few seconds." I said pointing to the dining room.
"Lets just get in there and get out." Jonny pleaded. "I'm not ready to deal with 18 year old girls at 7:45 in the morning. "
"Plus I don't think we want to share." I said pointing in-between Marie and I and then smiling up at Jon. "Though I'm going to get Sadie after you two get out of here." I said laughing as Jon pulled down his hood. I tapped Sadie on the shoulder, and told her to come with me.
"How is it I get 4 beautiful girls all wanting a piece of me" Jon said laughing as we emerged outside as a group.
"4?" Sadie asked confused.
"Haha you three and my girlfriend Amanda." he said winking.
"Ohh you had me confused." Sadie said laughing.
"So Jonny you know the stuff we are working on today?" I said laughing.
"Probably some drills and stuff. You have another scrimmage this afternoon, I know that. I think we are going running after practice."
"Good we can talk." I said to which he nodded and smiled.
"Hey coach!" We exclaimed as we saw Coach entering the building before us.
"Girls." She said smiling. "Jon, thank you for coming." She said shaking his hand.
"I brought you a coffee. Though it might be cool now." Jon said winking.
"Why thank you! Just what I need." She said accepting the coffee. "Now go get ready for practice. I'll see you out on the ice." We got changed and were the first out on the ice, just skating and shooting around.
"We going to have another skating competition." I asked winking at Jon.
"I'll get my rematch in elsewhere there's too many people here." He said nodding to the girls making their way onto ice.
"You're just afraid of loosing again!" I said laughing.
"You're right." He said giving me a hip bump.
"That video was hilarious." Marie said skating up to where Jon and I were talking off to the side of the net.
"Glad you think so." Jon scowled before laughing. Coach whistled everyone over to the bench signalling practice had officially started.
"Aright girls lets see a good hard practice from all of you, let me see why you are here. And if you hadn't noticed we are pleased to be in the presence of two time gold medalist and three time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Toews."
"Hey girls." Jon said waving.
"He was generous to take some time out of his own schedule to help out around here. I expect everyone to make him feel welcome, and to listen to what he has to say. Now get skating." She said smiling. Practice was a maze of drills. It seemed to fly by. I was glad practice was over as I was sick of the girls trying to impress Jon, and how they always had to be near him. I laughed when he showed no interest at all in what the girls were saying, and excused himself.
"Eghhh." He said sighing as he skated of the ice beside me.
"Not so fun being a chick magnet huh?" I said laughing and shaking my head.
"No and ever since I've been dating Amanda I see right through them, and they just get more annoying. "
"That is because you boy are in love, and all those girls want is to say they've met you and such."
"I know." He said grinning.
"Awe Jonny! You are too cute sometimes!" I said laughing and giving him a hug before getting changed into my running outfit, consisting of lulu tights and and a pink under armour shirt and sport's bra. Marie and I chucked our hair up into nicer ponies and washed the sweat from our faces before joining everyone else. I ran with Jonny, and Marie had hung back a bit to run with Sadie and to give us a chance to talk. Jon knew the route so we ran ahead of the group, pushing ourselves at a dynamic pace.
"So, how's it going?"
"Pretty good. The whole making the team is amazing!"
"And with the things you left behind?"
"Well I texted him to tell him I made the team, apparently your mom must have been talking to his mom because he said his parents don't seem too happy with him. I guess we will have to wait for it surface in the media. There have already been little articles going around up here, so I'm guessing all of the states know what happened." I said shrugging picking up the pace slightly.
"Maybe he doesn't remember? She could have been out of there before he even woke up, and he might have been too drunk to even remember what happened."
"Eghhh probably. It still pisses me off though."
"I can tell. We are running really fast" he said laughing.
"Oh sorry. " I said looking back and realizing the group was no longer in sight. "We can slow down." I said laughing.
"Nahh lets get back there as quick as possible and sign those papers!"
"Now you make me want to run even faster." I said winking at Jon.
"I'm impressed at how long you can keep this pace up."
"I've got a lot of anger to burn. Plus I've been running since public school, and I never stopped due to dry land and workouts for hockey." I said shrugging as we finished the 10k loop in record time and made our way into the arena, and up to Coach's office.
"Impressive." Coach said smiling when she saw us enter her open office.
"Here's the papers. They are straight forward. No binding contracts. Pretty much it says you will play for us, while playing full time elsewhere. I'll give you some time to look it over, Jon I'll talk to you outside."
"Alright perfect." I said smiling as the two left the room, with papers in hand. Coach was right, I understood everything. I looked the papers over again taking in the fact this was happening before signing them, and dating them. I smiled knowing my life was looking up. I let Jon and Coach finish off their conversation outside. They seemed to be having a good one. I saw Jon sign some papers of his own before they made their way back in.
"You good?" Jon asked smiling.
"Yup. Anything else coach?
"What number?"
"I'll get back to ya on that one. I have a number in mind but I have to figure out some personal stuff first." I said smiling.
"Alright now go get some lunch, welcome to the team."
"Thanks again Coach!" I said heading out of the office to my apartment to have a much needed luck break.
"We eating here? Or getting something elsewhere?" Jon asked flopping on my bed.
"I was thinking we could grab some sandwiches and such from the dining hall and eat them in here?"
"Sounds good. " He said as we made our way over to the dining hall. We walked side by side his arm around my shoulder. Obviously people didn't like the fact I knew him, as I saw the subtle glares.
"I think people are a little jealous we are friends." I said laughing as we grabbed the food we wanted. I took an egg salad sandwich and a salad. He took a meatier sandwich and a salad as well.
"Let them. You're the second best girl in the world, behind Amanda." He said winking.
"Funny." I said rolling my eyes and turning back towards the room. After eating we got ready for the scrimmage. It was fun. Jon was purposely on the wrong team, meaning I could get a bit more aggressive, also meaning the opposing team just got a hell of a lot better. Marie and I put up a good fight, and we actually scored quite a bit. After the scrimmage Jon left for home, and Marie and I cleaned up and hung out in the room. The week passed quickly, and soon it was Saturday. Marie and I got changed and dressed for the occasion before meeting Jon.
"Hey!" We exclaimed getting into yet another flashy car.
"Helloooo!" Jon said laughing.
"What's up today? We hanging with the fam?" I asked sliding in the front seat.
"We can do something else if you guys want, but mom's really looking forward to seeing you Rach, and meeting you." He said winking at Marie in the backseat.
"Are you kidding? I love your family! I'm good with that, plus you've got a ton of crap to do at your house." I said laughing. "Plus I think David will like little miss olympian back there." I whispered to Jon.
"You down with a chill day with the family?" Jon asked Marie.
"For sure. I could use a good home cooked meal. From what Rahel's told me your mom is a great cook." She said smiling.
"Well I'm glad you said that because we are here." Jon said laughing and putting the car in park.
"We are here mom!" Jon said calling to his mom in french.
"Yah. Where are you." I said also in french laughing, as she came around the corner to give me a hug.
"I'm here too." Marie said in french winking.
"Sorry! I forgot for a second there. I'm Andrée."
"Marie." After the introductions we all went and hung out in the living room.
"David! Where you at lil man." I yelled up the stairs. "I'm coming up." I said laughing.
"Seriously you have an Olympian in your living room and you are playing video games?"
"Really? Why would I hang with Jon?"
"Not him you idiot. A girl." I said shaking my head, and heading back downstairs. Not long after David emerged.
"Shit you weren't joking when you said Olympian." He said quietly to me.
"No I wasn't." I said laughing. "Now go have fun." I said winking.
"Oh I will." He said flashing the signature hockey player smirk.
"Marie want to come see the house?" He said inviting her on a tour.
"Sure. You must be David." She said smiling.
"Yup. I hope you've heard only good things." He said winking.
"Don't worry. Your brother hasn't said anything bad about you all week. How about that tour?" She said getting up and following David upstairs. I smiled at Jon and winked, he just shook his head. Andrée went to cook in the kitchen, along with Bryan as he got home from grocery shopping. Jon and I headed downstairs for a quick game of NHL on the xbox.
"There is no way, he will get her." Jon said shaking his head.
"Wanna bet? Two hockey players in the same room? We are talking about your brother Dave right?"
"Egghh, enough." He said laughing.
"Hey he picked up those traits from you, Mr. cocky hockey player." I said laughing.
"Damn I miss Amanda!" He exclaimed. I shook my head.
"You don't think I miss my idiot of a boyfriend either? I'm in a suckier situation than you. " I said.
"True." He said smiling sadly. "Are you kidding me?" He said as we heard music coming from upstairs.
"Hahaha. I'm impressed. Maybe they are listening to music?" I said laughing.
"How?"
"Hey. I might have mentioned David beforehand. Plus why not?"
"Egghhhhh. You are like Pat!" he said sighing.
"Hate to break it to ya, so are you" I said shaking my head.
"I know. Not lately but I know." He said laughing. "Lets get upstairs and make sure my idiot of a brother doesn't get caught." He said shaking his head and walking up the stairs and back into the living room. His parents were still in the kitchen, cooking dinner.
"How much longer till lunch Maman?" Jonny asked his mom, coming behind her and giving her a hug.
"30 minutes. Tell Dave to change the music or to turn it down please."
"Will do." He said kissing the back of her head and turning back towards me and heading upstairs.
"Dave you have thirty minutes to be ready for lunch! Mom says change the music or turn it down, you obvious idiot." Jon said laughing as he talked through the door.
"Let's head to my room." Jon said laughing.
"Okay." I smiled back and jumped into his bed. "Sooooo comfy!" I exclaimed rolling around. I snapped a picture of Jon and I and put it on twitter. I captioned it "Winnipeg with the one and only Jonathan Toews. #TeamCanada #canadianbestie. We both looked goofy, but it was a good picture. We skyped a bit with Amanda before Jon's mom called us down for food.
"Mhmm This is really good Mrs. Toews!" Marie exclaimed.
"Call me Andrée. I hope Dave was a good host today." She said smiling.
"The best. But where'd he learn how to play video games like that? I thought I was good." She said laughing.
"I learned from the best." He said winking at Jon.
"Well that's good. Rach what did you two get up too?"
"Well I beat your son at NHL14, and he was himself too!" I exclaimed. "Then we hung out and skyped a bit with Amanda." I said smiling.
"Who were you?"
"Hahaha that's the funny part. Crosby just happened to score a hat trick!" I said laughing.
"Not funny." Jon said trying not to laugh.
"Okay Jon. " I said helping collect all the dirty dishes. Andrée and I had our little girl talk while washing the dishes. Then we looked at baby photos of the two boys, in the living room. An hour or so later Jon took us back to the camp. I thanked Jon and gave him a hug goodbye before we retreated back into the building.
"How how was your afternoon?" I said laughing.
"Pretty good. The kid's got moves. He's good at playing." She said winking.
"He's a nice kid. I like him. Plus he's not too hard to look at either." I said as we made our way into the room.
"Not at all." She said winking. "I'm going to grab a shower, and head to bed."
"Alright, I've got some stuff to do." I said to the retreating figure.
I decided to finally read the letter Izzy had left for me.
Dear Rachel:
If you are reading this then I must have left this world. I know I'm just a kid but I noticed so much over the months we knew each other. First off I want to thank you and Pat for making my life worthwhile. It's true when the doctors said I continued to live because of you. Getting the picture with the cup and meeting the team was a dream come true. I know life is tough, and you will be sad over me for a while. I wan't you to live your life to the fullest, and don't waste the moments you have as they can come and go without you knowing. Please help my mom get over me. It's going to be hard, but let her know I want her to be happy. To me that means finding a man who truly loves her, and creating a new family along side him. I know she will be against the idea at first but she will warm up to it. I will be watching over her, you, Pat and everyone else. I don't know if you realize it yet but you and Pat are mean't for each other. Not just for a short period of time, but forever. I hope my mom finds the love the two of you share. I will be there the day you walk down that aisle, believe me. I'm going to miss watching the Hawks games with you, but I hope they do well. I just wanted to say that I love you, and no matter what Pat will always be the one for you. Let him take care of you sis. I love you, Izzy.
I knew I was tearing up by the end of the letter but I didn't care. I looked at the pictures, the first being one I had been seeing a lot lately. There was ones of us with the cup, watching the games together, shopping at the Hawks store, lunch with the guys, video games at the hospital, and last but not least the piece of paper I had signed the first day I had met her. I took a picture of the pictures and the letter and sent it to Pat.
Me~~ You get one of these?
Pat~~ Yah…
Me~~ I can't do this.
Pat~~ You want to talk about it?
Me~~ Not really no. I'll talk to Jon tomorrow.
Pat~~ You can talk to me you know that.
Me~~ But I can't Pat. I just can't.
Pat~~ Why not? :(
Me~~ Have you looked at the news lately? Ever wondered why everyone isn't happy with you? Why I wouldn't want to talk to you?
Pat~~ One sec.
Me~~ Forget it. I have to go to bed soon.
Pat~~ Please wait.
Me~~ …
Pat~~ What the hell? I don't remember any of that.
Me~~ Luckily you had Jonny to do it for you. Oh and the picture the next morning was a nice touch. If you ever see Megan thank her for me.
Pat~~ But I wouldn't do that.
Me~~ Not sober no. But what's done is done.
Pat~~ I still don't think I did that. I love you, but I'm sorry if I hurt you, and I hope you can forgive me. Hopefully I remember what happened soon. Have a good summer Rach. I miss you.
Me~~ Pat I can't hate you. I'm fucking in love with you, and that's what's killing me.
Pat~~ I fucked up, even if I didn't cheat on you. I'm sorry Rach. I really am.
Me~~ I know. It hurts Pat. It hurts even worse than the first time. To be honest the only reason I texted was because of Izzy's letter.
Pat~~ I get it. I hope you can forgive me someday. I'll see ya when I see ya. I love you Rach, don't ever forget it.
Me~~I love you too Pat. But I need time, and space. Give me the summer to get my life organized. Alright?"
Pat~~ Ok. I owe you that much. Thanks for not giving up completely on me.
Me~~ I would never give up on you. Just because we are taking a break it doesn't mean I'm going to forget you. Bye Pat. Text me sometime. I'll see you in the fall."
I turned my phone on silent, and set the pictures on my desk. I curled into a ball in bed before thinking everything over and eventually falling asleep.

Notes

let me know what ya think :) Jordan