"Another save by Steve Mason!" the announcer roared through the television set. I'm sitting in the back room of the bakery watching the game intently. Yes, I'm supposed to be working and all, but the owners cut me slack since it's my Aunt Kate and Uncle Jeff.

"Elle get in here! We're closing up!" My uncle yells to me.

"Okay! Hold on!" I yell back in reply as I try to detach my eyes that were glued to the game.
I've always loved watching the Flyers play; every game leaves me with heightened energy. I especially love the type of team the Flyers are; all of the guys are best friends with one another and the organization does so much for the fans.

"Do you want to get a pay check or what Elle? When we hand down the bakery to you, how are you going to run it while Flyers games are on?" my Uncle asks, giving me a playful stern look.

I laugh and I run into the shop and start to help sweep and clean up as fast as I could- I hate missing even minutes of a game. I quickly run back into the break room and check the score; 0-0, the first period is just finishing. The Flyers were playing the Panthers and Steve Mason was having a great first period. After I wipe the counters down, I plead with my uncle to leave and thankfully, he let me go.

As soon as he said I could leave, I threw down my apron, picked up my bag, and ran out of the bakery. "Love ya! Bye guys!" I figured if I walked fast enough- more like jogged through Center City- I could make it back in time to see the second period start. When I finally get into my apartment, I throw down my bag and keys on the counter, dive onto the couch, and turn on the TV to the game. They dominated in the second period and didn't let the Panthers catch up in the third - thank god!

After the game, I remember to text my mom and ask her how Dad was doing. My father was diagnosed with cancer in February and has been battling it for a while. I always mean to visit them, but with the bakery, I've been so busy.

Me: Hey Mom, How's Dad doing today? Please don't sugar coat it!

Mom: He's doing Okay. Not the best, but you know your dad- he's a fighter. The doctors haven't noticed anything tremendous with his numbers. He doesn't have a lot of energy and he didn't even stay up to watch the entire game!

"That's not good" I say to myself. My heart broke reading my mom's text. My Dad's one of the biggest Flyers fans I know- I can't remember a time when he's ever missed a game.

Me: Well I hope he feels better tomorrow -keep me updated please. Goodnight, love you.

The short conversation I had with my mother drained me. I decided to take a quick shower and then I headed to bed. Sure, I'm happy the Flyers won, but my dad's condition is getting worse. Any happiness that good news brought never lasted for long. As I lay my wet hair against my pillow, I thought about how I have to push through this with optimism and a smile- no matter how hard it is.

-----

Six monotonous days pass and before I know it, my alarm clock is chirping at me to wake me up. I'm actually excited for today because my aunt and I are going to be making Flyers play off cookies that look absolutely amazing- well at least we hope they will turn out amazing; they look pretty darn good from our drawing we did a few days ago.

We are praying that everything will turn out well since we already put up some new advertisements for "Sweetie Pies" which advertises Flyers themed cookies, cupcakes, and cakes we are going to make today in celebration for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We had gotten some time slots, ads in the paper, and I had put up some flyers around the city. We know- well hope- that this will bring in more customers.

I walk to work, as usual, with my dirty blonde hair tied up in a pony tail, wearing my "Sweetie Pies" sweatshirt, cut off shorts, and my black converse. When I get to the bakery, I immediately start helping some costumers. After the crowd dies down some, I help my aunt make 10 sheets of Flyers cookies. We start to decorate them with orange, black and white icing for a few hours. They look great as far as we're concerned; we know that the city of Philadelphia is going to love them too.

When the crowd completely fizzes out at 2:30, my aunt and uncle go out to a nearby restaurant to grab some take out for us for lunch. I have to man the register while they are gone, so I decide that I might as well tackle today's cross word puzzle in the paper while doing it.

I hear the bell on the door ring just as I am filling in a word. I sense a costumer in front of me and just as I am about to look up, the tall man at the counter clears his throat.

"Excuse me miss."

I look up- my eyes widen, my heart stops, and my body freezes.

I have never been so caught off guard in my life. He could see that I was a deer caught in headlights, which made him crack a smile. My eyes search his face quickly. He tilts his head, runs a hand through is spikey brown reddish hair, and chuckles a bit- which I'm guessing- at me. His brown eyes look into mine for what feels like forever.

"Steve Mason?!" my mind screams.

Notes

Elle's work clothes

---

Hey guys! This is my first fan fiction! I hope it's okay, please give me some feedback- it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy it!