A Week And A Half Later

I haven't seen Marc since he came to my apartment when I was asleep after a long day at work. That day still makes me smile and giggle sometimes too, so if I'm having a bad day, which is rare, I'll just think of that and I'll feel better. Of course, I talk to him on the phone when he gets a chance, since he's been so busy lately with camp/practice, heading to the gym and obviously doing everyday tasks. Work has only gotten better, but even though, technically, it's work, I consider it fun, except you also get paid. The best part of today is going to be at the first exhibition game where they're going to play the Blue Jackets, which should be an amazing game. I'm pumped already and so is Maddy. What's even more exciting is that I am going to see him after the game. Sure, Maddy is going to meet him, but...afterward, he's all mine. *giggle* Geez, I sound like a teenage fan girl or just a teenage girl at the very least. At the moment, I'm getting dressed for the game, which doesn't take much time since I already know what I'm wearing, unlike my first date with Marc. With only a couple hours to go till the game, I decided to pick up Maddy at her house. When I knocked on the door, I heard her running down the steps like a crazy woman. She opened the door, nearly scaring me.

"I'm assuming you're ready to leave?" I asked.

"Uh..yeah, duh."

"Great. Let's go. I can't wait!"

"I bet." she said suggestively.


"Eww!! You're such a perv! Marc and I are not doing it."

She just laughed and got into the passenger seat. By then, we both had calmed down.

"I still get to meet him, right?" she asked.

"Of course. No, I'm going to see him and let you drive home all by yourself." I said sarcastically.

"Shut up."

We arrived at the Mellon Arena around an hour later, since there was so much traffic, which left us with just enough time to get to our amazing seats. Luckily, there weren't too many people at all and got inside quickly. When we stepped inside, one of the guys who work here, spoke to me.

"Are you Bella Leyton?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Mr. Fleury told me to give you these."

He handed us two passes, so we could go into the locker room after the game.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

We giggled on our way to our seats, only a couple rows behind the Pens' bench. When it was time for them come onto the ice, I smiled, knowing Marc would be one of the first people out. The moment I saw him, our eyes connected and suddenly, I forgot how to breathe. It amazed me how we instantly clicked, but I was enjoying every second of it. He smiled and then left. Women and teenage girls were whispering around me about what had just happened but only Marc and I knew about the short, intense and breathtaking moment that we just had. I swiftly turned to Madison, who wasn't paying any attention to what I was doing and was actually talking to other fans. I was more of a quiet person around others I didn't know, but when I met Marc, I felt like I knew him already. I blushed and giggled, which obviously, got Madison's attention.

"What are you giggling and blushing about?"

"When Marc walked out, our eyes connected." I whispered, not wanting anyone else to know.

"Aww!! So cute!"

I kept blushing as she hugged me. Soon enough, the game started and my eyes were glued to the ice. The first two periods was fantastic and my throat was already sore, which sucked, yet that was not going to stop me from being a fan. Unfortunately, Marc wasn't playing the last period, but that was fine. I love hockey. Madison and I went out during the intermission mainly because we needed to pee, but to get a breather. As we were about to turn to the closest ladies' room, I saw someone so familiar, someone I never wanted to see ever again. I saw Nick. I saw my ex-boyfriend. When I stopped moving, Madison was overly concerned.

"Bella, Bella, what's wrong?"

I pointed to him.

"Who's that?"

"Nick."

She instantly knew who he was. I had told her all about our relationship and how it ended. Let's just say she was pissed off and couldn't believe a woman as beautiful and smart as me could leave me for some modelesque woman. He was with that "beautiful woman" he left me for.

"Is that her?" she asked referring to that girl on his arm.

I nodded.

"Asshole." she hissed at him.

"Madison!"

"What?!"

"I don't want him to draw any attention to us, 'kay?"

"Bella, you need to stand up to him!"

"I guess so. I just need Marc."

"You have to do this on your own."

"Ok! I will!"

That got his attention.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Bella Leyton, the quiet girl with the most horrible hair, no talent and loneliness?"

"Fuck you!"

"Is that all you have to say?!"

"No, it isn't! You can't break me down! I'm better now and I have more talent in one finger than you or her have in either of your entire body! Oh and just to let you know, black hair is always beautiful. Blond hair can look like crap, like hers'. Have you ever seen bleached blondes and how horrible it looks? Also, I don't like to brag, but I have a boyfriend who has a lot more talent than you! What can you do? 'Oh, I can play kickball and play with a yo-yo! I'm so fucking talented!' Well, you aren't, okay? Just get it through that thick skull of yours, you stupid banker."

He tried to come with a comeback but couldn't. All he did before anyone could save me, was punch me in the face and knock me against the wall till I saw darkness. I woke up in a small, quiet room, hearing a couple voices; the most distinct was Madison's.

"Bella! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have gotten you into this!"

"Maddy, it's okay!"

"No, it isn't! You're hurt and it's my fault."

"I decided to do it. I could've decided against it, but I didn't. This is just what happened because of it."

She hugged me.

"You're an outstanding person, you know that?"

I blushed, then looked up to see a nurse or someone like that.

"How are you feeling, hun?"

"Okay. My head just hurts a bit, though."

"I'll give you some aspirin for that and you should be good to go and watch your eye, it may be a little sore."

"Alright. Thanks so much." I said as she handed me the pain meds.

"Oh, I want to let you know, that guy who hit you was kicked out and arrested."

I smiled to myself. He deserved it.

"I have one question though."

"Hmm?"

"Is the game over?"

"Nope, about ten minutes left."

"Thanks again!"

"No problem."

We left and headed back to our seats, hoping we wouldn't get any looks, but if we did, I knew that I could handle it. The guys were losing; the score was 3-0 at the end of the 2nd, but they were making a comeback, which made me happy, considering the pain I was in. I cheered like normal until the end of the game with them winning it 5-4 in OT. When we were able to go the locker room, we did, trying to not be run like hell through the arena. The second I opened that door, my eyes went wide and as we made that turn into the locker room, I could've sworn that my heart had come out of my chest. The locker room was pretty vacant, besides a few guys and my boyfriend. He was turned away from us putting his equipment away. I slipped my hand into his. He immediately turned around and hugged me.

"This is the Madison I've been telling you about." I introduced them and they shook hands.

"It's great to finally meet you."

"The same. Bella can't stop talking about you."

I elbowed her.

"Ouch!"

"That didn't hurt."

"Yes, it did."

"Just ignore her." I said to him.

He simply smiled up at me.

"Bella, what happened?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked dumbly.

"Your eye." he gave me a knowing look.

I looked down, hoping he would not see me shed a tear.

"Can we talk about this later, please?" I asked.

Maddy placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Okay, we'll talk later."

I gave him a small smile, but he wasn't smiling, which was a rare thing for him and something I hadn't seen before. I didn't like it and I knew that it was my fault he wasn't.

"Anyways, did you ladies enjoy the game?"

"Are you seriously asking that?" I laughed.

"Yeah. I'm an idiot."

"No, you're a weirdo. We already established that, remember?"

He laughed.

"Yeah, I definitely remember."

We talked for a while until Maddy got a phone call.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

"What's up?"

"My friend, you know Catrina?"

"The one from out of town?"

"Yeah. Well, she just moved down few blocks from my place tonight and she wants us to go out. Do you mind dropping me off?"

"No, not at all."

She hugged.

"You're awesome!"

"Thanks, but I already knew that."

She hit my shoulder.

"That's payback for earlier."

I shook my head, then Marc turned to me.

"Do you wanna come over afterward?"

"Of course. Text me when you arrive home and I'll be there shortly."

"Okay."

He kissed me and said goodbye to the both of us. Maddy and I made our way to my car fairly quickly and began conversation.

"He is such a sweetie!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah...he makes me smile so much."

"Aww..."

I sighed heavily.

"What are you thinking?"

"I don't know how I'm gonna make it through telling him about what happened tonight."

"You'll make it. I know you will. You're a strong person and you proved that tonight."

"It's still going to be hard, though."

"Not everything is easy. That's why life is such a challenge."

I nodded.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

After I dropped her off, I immediately made my way home to prepare for what I needed to say and what Marc needed and wanted to know. Only about ten minutes after I texted him, I heard him knock on the door.

"Come in!"

I was sitting on the couch, trying to compose myself, so he wouldn't see how I was breaking down. He found me there and sat beside me with a concerned look on his face.

"Bella, what's wrong?"

I shook my head.

"Please talk to me."

"Can we talk when we get to your house?"

"Of course."

He wrapped his arm around my waist and we walked to his car and drove off. The short ride was awkwardly quiet and I hated it. I just wanted to bawl, but somehow, I kept it together under my not so tough exterior. We headed up to his room after he got us drinks. I deeply sighed and sat down on his bed with him sitting next to me.

"Will you please tell me what happened?"

I took a breath and then began to speak.

"I saw my ex-boyfriend and the woman he left me for during the second intermission."

I had never told him that before, so I didn't know how he'd react.

"When did he leave you?"

"Two years ago. He left me because he found someone 'more beautiful' than me. That woman was blond, a couple inches taller, thinner than me, had blue eyes and a God awful fake bake tan. He was just even more of an asshole than I remembered."

I told him the whole story from when we met until tonight which was a long story and now I was crying.

"I can't believe anyone would treat you like that. You have immense talent and you're the most beautiful woman I've met."

"Stop it." I sniffled and laughed.

He laughed and kissed my forehead. I leaned into him.

"Thanks for listening. I don't know why I hadn't told you before. You want to know something?"

"Sure."

"I never dated again after that until I met you and now, everything's different. I love it!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was just so hurt and didn't want to risk getting hurt. Tonight, oddly enough, because Maddy convinced me to stand up to him and I got hurt literally. By the way, how's my eye?"

"Not too bad, but it will be worse tomorrow. If he wasn't arrested for assault, I would have kicked his ass."

I laughed and leaned forward to kiss his soft lips with it being returned.

"What would I do without you?" I whispered.

"I am guessing that you wouldn't be whole because that's how I feel right now."

"You guessed right."

He smiled that smile I loved and I instantly felt like myself again.

Notes

Word Count=2,227.