The Penguins got swept against the Bruins. The season's over for us. I know that it's my fault... I shouldn't have gotten injured in the first place. Today, I'm having my cast taken off. I walked into the doctor's office and smiled. He cut my cast off and said,"Your ankle is good as new now." I said,"It doesn't really matter anymore. We're out of the playoffs." We talked for a bit and then I went home. It felt weird without my cast. My leg felt naked without it. I drove over to the arena. Time to start training for next year. I sighed and walked into the locker room.

I was surprised to see the guys and media there. Oh right. It's the locker room clean out thing today. The guys surrounded me and started talking. I laughed and said,"Guys, calm it down! One at a time. Please!" "What are you doing here?"Sid asked. I explained,"I got my cast off a few minutes ago and decided to come here right away so I can pick up from where I left off in hockey." "Now that's what I call determination,"someone said. I turned around and saw Dan Bylsma. I smiled and said,"Yup. Aren't you going to trade me or something now?"

"What? Of course not! You were great before that injury, and we're keeping you,"Coach said. I said,"Thanks, but I know it's all my fault." "What? No!"Sid shouted. I said,"If I hadn't gotten injured, we would be in the Finals." James Neal said,"No, we just couldn't pull it together and win." I dropped my hockey bag on the bench and sat down. All the guys left except for Sid. He sat down next to me. The media surrounded us and started asking questions. "Ella! Why do you think that the Penguins got swept?"an interviewer asked.

I looked down at the mic and quietly said,"I wasn't committed enough. I got injured and the guys were learning everything with me. I was one of the main strategies, and I let the team down. I'm so sorry." I started tearing up. I never cry... Sid squeezed my hand. I smiled up at him as he encouraged me on. I answered a few more questions before Sid said,"Okay guys. That's enough." All the media walked over to other players. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. Sid asked,"What are you gonna do now?" I grabbed my stick and said,"Start training."

"Are you sure you're ready?I mean, you just got your cast off and you need to give it at least a few days before skating,"Sid said with a worried expression on his face. I said,"Chill it Sid. You're acting like my dad. Yeesh. I know what I'm doing." "If you say so,"he muttered and stood up with a sigh. I put my skates on. I didn't put any other equipment on because it would take too long and I'm just gonna be skating around, not playing hockey. I got onto the ice and bit my lip in concentration. I zig-zagged across the rink and did a few laps. I heard someone else get on the ice. I turned around. It was Kris Letang.

"Oh sorry. I forgot you were here. I can leave it you want,"he said. I said,"No, it's fine. What are you doing here anyways?" "Just skating around,"Kris said with a shrug. I said,"Oh, okay." I continued skating around and minding my own business until Kris picked me up and put me on his shoulder. "Ah! Put me down!"I shouted repeatedly. He laughed and said,"Nope." I said,"Please Kris." "How about no?"he asked. He stuck his tongue out at me. I pouted and said,"Seriously. Please put me down." He laughed and said,"Not gonna happen." He skated around in weird shapes.

I started laughing. Kris smiled up at me and said,"See? It's not that bad." I smiled and said,"It's pretty cool that you can actually lift me." Kris said,"Pfft. You weigh like 20 pounds." "Not even close,"I said with a laugh. Kris shrugged which made me scream since I was on his shoulders. "Don't worry. I've got you,"he said, holding my hands in his. I blushed. Kris put me down. I smiled and said,"Thank you!" He winked. We skated around while talking. When we got off the ice, I realized that we were holding hands. We both blushed and pulled our hands back.

I walked over to my cubby and took my skates off. I noticed Sid sitting next to me. I said,"Hi there. What are you doing here?" Sid said,"I was talking to the guys and Coach. I nodded and said,"Oh, cool." "So, is Tanger your boyfriend?"Sid asked. "What? No, of course not!"I said. He said,"Looked like you two were enjoying each other's company out there." I said,"No, it's not what it looks like." "Sure it isn't..."he mumbled. Sid walked away. What was that all about? I sighed and put on my boots. I drove back to my house and started making plans for the summer.