A Favor for a Friend

My goodbye to Sid wasn't as emotional as it was with Olli. He knew I would be back for break. It wasn't as a big a deal to him.

I was correct in thinking I was going to be running late to get to the airport. Security was pure torture. It was never ending. I did however have time to stop and get a magazine. I could always make time for that. I just wouldn't stop to pee before I got on the plane. I could hold it.

I walked into one of the small stores and grabbed myself a bottle of water, gum, and two magazines. I was particularly drawn to one with a certain hockey team on it. I didn't even know what they were talking about inside, I just wanted to read it. I had the time. I wasn't going to be doing anything but sitting anyway.

I paid for the things and shoved them in my carry on bag before walking quickly through the crowds to my gate. They were boarding when I got there. I was the last one to get on. At least I had first class, courtesy of Sid.

I put my things in the over head compartment and took my seat. I pushed my bag under the seat in front of me and took my magazine out to read. The one with the team on it of course, the other was just another gossip magazine. I couldn't even recall the name of it.

I read the cover with a smile. It was of Olli and his first goal. It depicted right after he made it and the team went to give him a hug. The head line read, 'Rookie, Olli Maatta, makes first NHL career goal!' across the top. I flipped open the magazine. It was an interview with Olli.

Reporter: Congratulations! How did it feel to score your first goal not only as a Penguin but also of your professional career?

Olli: It was great! I didn't think it went in at first, but I guess it did.

Reporter: It sure did, what changed your game that you had taken that shot? Everyone said you looked like a completely different player out there tonight.

Olli: Some good advice is what changed it. That and some motivation. My 'personal coach' had a lot to do with it.

Reporter: Well, once again, congratulations. That is all the time we have for tonight. I don't doubt we will talking to you again at the rate you are going at.

"Oh my god." I mumbled as I read it. The interviewer thought he meant a literal coach. I didn't do anything! Thank Jace, not me! I shook my head and looked through the pictures. One of which got my attention. It was me and Olli. It was right after he came to the benches and we hugged. It was in a freaking magazine. A magazine! No one payed much attention to it, they probably thought I was his sister or something.

There were a few more of the goal itself and to no surprise a few of Sid and Geno. I think there were a few of James and then the saves Flower made.

By the time I finished with the first magazine we were in the air for a few minutes. The flight attendants were coming around with drink and snacks. I just got a class of diet Coke. I already had a bottle of water that wasn't open. I wasn't very hungry either. I wasn't much of a fan of flying anyway. It would probably make me sick.

I tried to take a nap after that. I would probably regret not going to the bathroom in a few hours. I hate plane bathrooms. Besides for the fact that they are disgusting, I am extremely claustrophobic. Small spaces make me feel like I can't breathe.

The nap knocked off a few hours of the flight, it was a bit more than half over now. I was right about the regretting not peeing too. I wanted to die when I had to use the small, disgusting, cramped bathroom. Never would I ever skip going in the airport ever again.

I tried to listen to music, which knocked off two more hours. Then I tried reading the gossip magazine. That got rid of another hour. Only one and a half more to go.

The plane finally landed, I couldn't wait to get off this thing. I felt like my legs were going to give out when I stood up. I turned my phone on and looked at the time. Half an hour before the game started. I promised I would call Sid too when I landed. I went through my contacts until I could his. I pressed call and held the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I grabbed my bags and made my way off the plane.

"Hey." Sid said as he picked up the phone.

"Hey, I am just getting off the plane now." I said and started walking through the people towards the exit and out to my car.

"Ok, thanks for letting me know you landed safe. Just one more thing, give your boyfriend here a pep talk. He misses you." He said.

I rolled my eyes as I heard the sounds of the other guys talking before Olli spoke. "Hey, Aliyah. How was the flight?" He asked. He sounded upset.

"It was long but it wasn't too bad." I tried to sound pleasant.

"At least you are back now." He said.

I sighed but not enough that he could hear, "Are you ready to play?" I asked trying to change the subject quickly.

"Yeah, I guess." He said softly.

"Remember what I told you. That is all you need to do."

There was a pause, "I will remember." He said.

"Good, I have to go now. Gotta find my car, plus you have a game to play. Call me when it is over if you get the chance, you can just text me too." I said as I walked out into the cold. It was even colder than I remembered. Not that Pittsburgh was much better.

"Ok, talk to you later. Bye." He said.

"Bye." I said and hung up.

I walked to my car and dug through my bag for my keys. I got in and started the car, cranking up the heat and started making my way back home.

Notes