Alive

The change room fell silent as Coach walked in. They were playing a team they had no chance of losing against. The opposing team had no wins this season. Coach was positive he was getting another win, to add to the undefeated streak the boys were riding.
He looked over each one of their faces. Feeling as eased as he did, he decided to have some fun. He cleared his throat, preparing for his pre-game speech. It was a ritual they were all used to.
"Great moments... are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here, tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight." He began.
He looked around to see if anyone was registering his speech. He saw the confused looks he was getting. He could hear his assistant coaches and the trainers laughing. Some of the players shook their heads, some laughed.
"Just kidding, I do have high expectations in you all for a win tonight. Let's do it." Coach laughed at himself.
He earned some head shakes and some smirks. He found himself clever. He looked at the captain who was in his usual zone. Coach whistled in his direction. Sid looked up. Coach gestured for Sidney to give his little speech.
"How is Sid supposed to top you, Coach Brooks?" James teased.
Sidney laughed as he rose. "Don't have much to stay. Let's just play strong like usual. Just because we're best in the division and they're the worst means nothing," Some guys scoffed. Sid rolled his eyes. "It means a bit but we gotta make them play our game."
"Let's win it for Skinny. Show his scouts he's nothing to the team." Tyler smirked.
"I hear that." Brendan mumbled.
"No, we'll win it because we deserve the win." Jordie interrupted. "Don't be assholes."
They did their usual chant. It was Brendan screaming their school name and the rest of the team following with their mascot. At the end, the barked like 'bulldogs'. They all filed out of the change room. Marc led them out.
Ainsley stood near the door they walked onto the ice from. She saw her brother. He smiled at her as he placed his mask over his face. He waited for the announcer to come on. Ainsley grabbed his padded arm. He turned to her.
"Play your game. Don't let any goals get to you. Watch your glove side. I'll be cheering you on." She said to him, flashing his jersey on her back to him.
He nodded as he lifted his mask from his face. "Bonjour." He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
She frowned, pushing away from his stinky equipment. He chuckled. She hopped off the small step and walked down the line to the third person. She grabbed his arm too. Sidney looked down at her and lifted his helmet.
"Hey." He chimed.
"Hey, good luck." She spoke before giving him a peck.
"I'll do great now." He stated.
She shook her head with a smirk. She smacked his butt before she walked to her spot. Marc looked away from the exchange, trying to get himself in the zone. He looked up at the jumbotron as the cameo of the team finished. The lights dimmed as the strobe lights began spinning around the ice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the starting goaltender for your Bulldogs tonight is number twenty nine, Marc-Andre Fleury!" The announcer called.
Marc skated on the ice with his stick up as everyone cheered. He got to his crease and began his stretching and such.
"Left wing, number fourteen, Jamie Benn!"
Jamie skated on. He did the same stick thing as the crowd cheered. Felicia banged on the glass for her brother. She was proud they thought he was good enough to play first.
"Jamie's filling the hole Jeff left in my heart." She said as she cheered.
"And the hole he left on the roster." Kristen added as she cheered.
"Your captain and center, number eighty seven, Sidney Crosby!"
Kristen and Ainsley cheered the loudest. Truthfully, Kristen was happy for Sid and Ainsley. She knew how much Ainsley liked him and how much he need someone a lot less high-strung than him in his life. Her only concern was Marc. She knew he wasn't as alright with the pair as they believed.
"Right wing, number sixteen, Beau Bennett!"
Kristen pounded on the glass. All the girls looked at her like she was crazy. She didn't care. He nodded his head at her as he skated past. She smiled to herself.
"On defence, number three, Olli Maatta!"
Cheering. That was all the students were doing. They were a big hockey school, considering they were a hockey academy. It didn't die down since Olli was well-known and loved at their school. Who wouldn't love a shy, little, Finnish exchange student?
"And number eight, Nathan Beaulieu!"
Cheering again. The starting line starting playing around. The rest of the team came on, not getting their personal introductions. Next came the away team. They all filed on as they were booed. The scratches from each team were announced. Felicia frowned when she heard Jeff. All the girls frowned at herwhen they realized she was still upset.
The game was a mess. Ten seconds in, the other team scored. Marc whacked his stick on the ice. Ainsley banged on the glass behind him to get his attention. He looked over his shoulder at her. She waved her left hand. He gave her a single nod before he turned back to the ice. It didn't pick up from there. The Bulldogs ended up losing 7-2.
Marc was blaming himself. He knew it was his fault. The whole team did. He just couldn't get his head in it. He skated to the door. A few of the guys patted him for reassurance but he brushed them off. He walked his stick with all his force off the boards, causing it to snap. He stomped into the change room, ripping all his equipment off. He just sat in his stall. Most of the team was done and had left before Marc even moved.
"Hey, you can't be so hard on yourself." Sidney interrupted Marc's thoughts as he started taking off the rest of his equipment. Marc rolled his eyes. "I mean, you let in a few bad ones, but we let them get to you."
"My head wasn't in it, Sid. I take full responsibility." Marc argued.
"We all get like that. It's okay." Sid tried to sound positive.
"No excuses. I just played a bad game." Marc stated.
Sidney heard the hostility in Marc's voice. He watched his French friend move around in silence. He wanted Marc to speak up, knowing something was bothering him. Sidney just sat in his booth. Marc turned to walk to the shower, stopping when he saw Sid looking at him.
"What's on your mind?" Sidney pried. Marc shook his head. He walked towards the showers. Sid followed. "You're gonna tell me eventually. We're best friends."
"It's nothing." Marc lied.
He couldn't say what he was thinking to his best friend. He couldn't admit to Sid that he hated him being with his sister. He wanted them to split but he couldn't do that to either of them. He decided staying quiet was his best bet.
"Marc, c'mon." Sidney sighed.
Marc shook his head. "I can't do it to you, Sid." He frowned. "You've been so carefree lately. I don't want to ruin that for you."
Sidney furrowed his brows. He was confused by what that meant. He tried to think of what Marc could possibly mean. That's when it made sense. The only reason he'd been so laid back lately was because of one specific person. A person Marc worried about more than anyone in the world.
"Ainsley." Sidney spoke. Marc said nothing as he began to shower. Sid stood in the distance, taking in the thought. "Marc, if you want me to stop seeing Ainsley, I wi,"
"No, I haven't seen either of you this happy in a long time. Don't let me ruin it." Marc begged.
"If it's bothering you, it's a problem." Sidney crossed his arms.
"I'll deal with it." Marc said, his voice stern.
They stared at each other. Marc raised a brow at Sidney. He sighed, walking out of the shower. He knew what needed to be done and he knew where he needed to go. He grabbed his bag, tossing it on his shoulder. He looked to the showers and let out a sigh.
Sidney went home and sat in his room. He knew he had to end things with Ainsley, as much as he didn't want to. He had to do it for Marc. He cared about Ainsley but Marc had been his best bud since the day they met. If Marc's head wasn't in the game and Sidney was the cause, he couldn't handle that. He had to get Marc back with the game. He grabbed his phone and opened his messages.
Come over?
He waited a few seconds before Ainsley replied.
Okay. See you in a few.
He felt like an ass for calling her over here so he could do it. He knew she'd want to talk to Kristen after, so he didn't feel as bad. He stood up from his bed, walking out of his room. Kristen walked out of hers at the same time. They smiled at each other.
"Ainsley's coming over." He blurted out.
"I'll make sure I stay downstairs." Kristen laughed.
"No, she's probably gonna wanna talk to you." He sighed.
"Why? You asking her something big?" She teased, nudging him.
Sid shrugged. "Something like that."

Notes