Even The Score (on hold)

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I awoke to the muffled sound of soft country music playing from my iPhone; the irritating sound that pulls me from my sleep signifying the time, five forty five am. In a perfect world I would be eating breakfast in bed this morning, served to me by a shirtless Adam Levine perhaps, but I'd be a fool to believe that anything of such luck could happen to me.

Coffee. I need to make some coffee. Peeling myself from the covers comes with great difficulty, I owe that to the cold October air that I loathe to embrace. The thin material of my white tank top clings to me and I pull a sweatshirt over my head to keep warm, though that doesn't seem to be enough. Despite both layers and my fuzzy black pajama pants , a shiver runs through my body, and my still-warm bed has my name written all over it just calling me to climb back in. Even though I know I shouldn't, I climb back in anyway and give in to the laziness within me.

If Joe Santagato's aren't true than I don't know what is. He is absolutely correct when it comes to early mornings, the best part of waking up is certainly going right back to sleep. Give or take a swear word or two if you were looking for his direct quote. Nonethese I've never quite enjoyed anything like I enjoy being able to sleep in. My eyelids fall shut all too soon and I drift, once again, into a light sleep.

"Wake up Addison, it's time to get up."

"No shirtless Adam Levine, come to bed with me." My voice is muffled by the pillow as I roll over against the wall. The ruffled right side of the bed is left empty for my favorite tattooed singer.

"Addison,"

The voice is louder this time but still I paid no attention. Only wrapped myself further into my cocoon of blankets and cherished the first legitimate rest I've had all week.

"Addison!"

My surroundings change instantly from warm and cozy, to cold and hard within seconds, and it takes me a moment to realize that I'm now laying on the beige carpet that lines my bedroom floor. My eyes flutter open instantly as I make contact with the ground so that I am staring at the silhouette of my intruder.

Rejecting an outstretched arm I pulled myself to my feet, slowly taking in my surroundings. The fog that seemingly clouded my mind began to fade as the cold autumn air came in contact with my skin, causing me to shiver.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden brightness that was slowly creeping into my bedroom. Reluctant to embrace it I pull my blanket over my head to shield my eyes from the un-welcomed light.

"Oh, no you don't." My comforter was instantly ripped from my grasp and I was faced once again with the sunlight shining through my window. With my eyes squinted shut I was reminded of just how much of a morning person I'm not and never will be.

I groaned, stretching out my arms to get myself moving. My eyes caught a glimpse of the clock that read seven thirty and I let out a deep sigh.

"Happy birthday!" I was startled by an excited female voice. A voice that I'd recognize anywhere.

"Thanks Candice," I mumbled almost inaudibly to my sister; my voice still groggy and my eyes still adjusting to the light.

Once I caught a glimpse of her, though, it was almost impossible to look away. The way her wavy blonde hair and green eyes illuminated against her lightly tanned skin, it's almost as if she sparkled. But of course she would radiate beauty, that's exactly the kind of thing they look for in a cover girl.

"I know you're trying to hibernate today," she started, and my lips curved upwards slightly at her attention to detail. "I won't have you hiding though, not on the day of your nineteenth birthday!"

The way she bubbled with excitement was nearly contagious. I blinked twice in the direction of my sister, trying my hardest to resist the smile threatening to spread across my face.

"There's people to see, things to do!" she exclaimed. "Get yourself ready, we're heading out shortly." And with that she headed out into the kitchen where she made herself at home.

I did as I was told, grabbing the first pair of black leggings I could find and a simple, plain, maroon colored shirt before jumping straight into the shower. I had hardly reached the five minute mark before a loud thump sounded from outside the door.

"Don't take so long," Candice groaned, "you're out of coffee."

"Always the impatient one," I giggled lightly to myself.

As I stepped out of the shower I was once again reunited with the frosty autumn air, wrapping a soft, white towel around myself as a protective shield of warmth. I couldn't have slid on my leggings and t-shirt any faster, and I wrapped the towel around my head to dry my hair. On my way towards my bedroom I caught a quick glimpse in the mirror on the bathroom door, mentally noting the wonders a black infinity scar would do for this outfit.

I pulled my blue and red hairdryer out of the vanity with a slight smile. Anything that could possibly remind me of my favorite team's recent success is enough to bring a little joy to my day.

It's never taken me long to dry my light blonde hair, as it was never thick the way that Candice's was; something I'd always wished I had. Today, though, I was particularly thankful for the time it saved that left me an extra five minutes to put a light coat of mascara on my top eyelashes. Nothing extreme, just enough to hide my naturally blonde lashes that, without it, looked almost transparent.

"Let's go!" I shouted from the bathroom, having just brushed my teeth and spraying myself with the latest Victoria's Secret perfume.

Candice skipped over to me, excitedly. We headed out the door as I grabbed my phone, my wallet, and a sweatshirt, but also not forgetting to throw on that black infinity scarf.

"Let's!" She said, as we headed outside of my apartment and into the busy streets of New York City.

"Ray Bans or Michael Kors?" Candice asked loudly, trying to speak over the murmur around us. I glanced at her confused before it suddenly dawned on me.

"Ray Bans," I grinned, putting on my cool new shades. Candice's shades, rather, but it didn't seem like she would be getting them back any time soon. And in that moment I'd never been so thankful for her OCD and over preparedness.

"Addison, over here!" The shout of an unfamiliar voice pulled me back to reality. The bright camera flashes now much less blinding behind the security of the Ray Bans.

We hadn't started walking yet, and I'd only just noticed that we were surrounded by the crowd in front of us. With no sort of escape route we decided to push our way through the forty-some people. I was already considering suing for harassment and my claustrophobia hadn't even set in yet.

I spoke too soon. With every quick step I took I could feel the capacity of my lungs decreasing with each second. The overwhelming urge to sprint far away from this crowd was growing with every moment until eventually I distracted myself with the sound of the leaves crunching beneath my feet.

"Where are we going?" I asked as Candice tugged on my sleeve and pulled me forward.

"It's a surprise," She replied with a wicked grin.

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I had considered many options in the midst of our little stroll - Starbucks, Serendipity, the HardRock Cafe - but what I hadn't even slightly considered was the exact place we had ended up.

Madison Square Garden. Those white letters illuminated against the black background of the sign, and I watched as we neared towards it with each of the steps I climbed. Candice had latched onto my wrist at this point, squeezing tighter each time I had tried to pull away.

We ascended the stairs one by one nearing the entrance. With each step I only became more and more confused.

"I don't think we're allowed to be here," I cautioned.

She shrugged in response, waving off my implication as if I had casually asked her what she wanted for dinner.

Candice opened the entrance, swiftly walking through and shutting it behind her. It wasn't until she popped her head out and pulled me through that I realized I was supposed to follow her.

"Listen, I really don't th-" but she was quick to cut me off.

"No, you listen." she snapped, muttering something about how I was never to be surprised again. "See that arrow over there?"

I nodded.

"There's a total of five. Follow them, okay?" she placed her hand on my back and pushed me forward. "Happy birthday!"

And suddenly she was gone, and I was left alone following the yellow brick road (or black and white arrows, if you will).

One. It was taped against the wall across the entrance. I peeled it off and folded it, sticking it underneath arm and heading off towards the right.

Two. Another one. It was taped to the wall next to a door, where I seemed to have found another one.

Three. It was across from two on either side of the thick, white door. A door I had seen during many late nights that, even though I had been rendered helplessly stressed each time he was slammed into the glass, were actually a lot of fun. The door led me into another hallway that I was also quite familiar with.

Four. This one was directing me down the hallway and I smiled, realizing immediately who was responsible for this.

Five. I was led to another heavy white door. I pushed it open eagerly.

The sound of my boots shuffled as I walked along the New York Rangers' locker room. My eyes shifted back and forth as I frantically searched for my mysterious boyfriend.

"Looking for someone?" a familiar, deep voice asked from behind, startling me.

I shifted my body towards the sound, only to have my vision cut off completely.

"What do you think you're doing, Derick?"

"Well," he chuckled, "right now I'm tying a blindfold onto my girlfriend's head."

"Yeah, I know that much. I'm just missing the 'why' part..."

"Just follow me." He latched onto my hand, intertwining our fingers in the process and pulled me behind him.

I was extremely claustrophobic, especially with the blindfold, and Derick new that. His thumb was keeping me sane, rubbing small circles into the palm of my hand. He gave me a light reassuring squeeze before settling his hands on my waste and bringing me to a stop.

"Happy 19th birthday," he whispered in my ear. His lips attached to my cheek in a quick, light kiss. "I'm going to take the blindfold off now."

It was quiet, with the exception of the friction of the blindfold that Derick's hands were working on. It was only then that I had realized the temperature change and I knew where we were before I had even regained my sight.

"Hi," he grinned at me once he had fully taken off the blindfold. His hands on either side of my shoulder restricting me movement.

"Hi," I replied with a smile. "Now are you going to tell me what's going on?"

He nodded eagerly, "right. "

"Well," he started. "It's been a crazy year and half. Between stupid rumors, and losing the cup to the Kings last season, and my short period of depression after that, I realized something. The only thing constant in my life you."

"Oh, Derick.." I trailed off, only to be silenced.

"Let me finish," he spoke softly. "I've loved you through all of those years I was stuck in the friend zone, but I love you even more now that I have you. I don't ever want to know what it's like to come home to an empty apartment. I don't ever want to be without you. So what I'm try to say is,"

He placed his hands on my waist and spun me towards the rink. My gaze focused on the ice and, had his hands not been on my waist, I would have fallen straight to the ground.

"I know you're only 19, but I need the reassurance. We can wait as long as you want to but I was wondering; would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Brassard?"

I couldn't move.

I was stuck standing in the same position - his hands on my waist, my hands on top of his to keep myself standing, my gaze shifting back and forth between the letters written on the ice.

When I could finally turn back around I watched as Derick kneeled in front of me. He opened a velvet box that he had seemingly pulled out of thin air, exposing a very sparkly, very large diamond ring.

"Happy birthday Addison. Will you marry me?" he repeated the words that had been written into the ice. The hopeful look on his face and the sparkle in his eye was enough to break me right in two.

"Derick..."

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Notes

hey guys! I'm kind of new to the world of writing, but I love hockey and I love writing so I figured why not combine the two? I know it says this is a Jamie Benn story, and it definitely is, I have this planned out and there's a reason for everything I write, I promise. That being said he'll be introduced soon, probably in the next chapter. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoy! x