Teach Me How to Dougie

The game had just ended, with the B's winning 4-3. It was a close game, but it was so amazing to watch. I don't think Holly or I sat down once the entire time. My throat was raw from screaming the whole time.

We had just grabbed our bags to leave the ice, but were interrupted by a TD Garden employee waiting at the end of our row.

"Excuse me? Are you Chloe?"

I gulped, trying to think about what could be happening. Did I do something wrong? Did I take someone else's tickets by accident?

"Uh, yes. I'm Chloe."

The employee nodded and gestured for me to follow him.

"Follow me. I'm supposed to take you to the locker room."

Oh my god. We were going to the locker room. My heart was beating out of my chest as I followed the employee, Holly following closely behind. We were led through a series of hallways and doors, until we eventually approached a wall decorated by a massive Bruins logo. There were a few other people waiting here, but aside from them the hallway was empty. The employee left us waiting outside of the locker room, anxiously awaiting what was to follow.

"Um, Chloe, what is happening?" Holly looked at me with a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

I shook my head, just as confused as her.

"I honestly have no idea."

Just as the words had left my mouth, the doors down the hall opened, and out came the team. Some members went down the opposite end of the hallway. I noticed Patrice Bergeron stop and say hi to a little boy waiting outside the door, wearing a jersey that dragged on the ground.

I saw Dougie leave the locker room and look around a bit, waving to the same little boy talking to Bergy. He looked down the hall, eventually spotting Holly and I and made his way towards us. His hair was still damp from his post-game shower and he wore a suit, different from the one he had worn earlier, but still just as nice. His eyes shone bright and that adorable smile spread across his face.

"Hey! Good game!" I said, unsure of whether I sounded stupid or not.

"Thanks! Did you guys have fun?"

"Yes, it was amazing! Oh my god, it was so cool." Holly answered, introducing herself.

Before Dougie could respond, the door to the locker room opened again, revealing Tuukka, looking dapper in a suit as well. He was followed closely by David Pastrnak. I think I may have stopped breathing at that point. Dougie seemed to notice my change in mood, as he looked over his shoulder and down at his fellow teammates.

"Tuukk, Pasta! Come say hi!"

The two men made their way towards where we were standing.

"Guys, this is Chloe and Holly. Chloe said you two were her favorite players."

I blushed more than I ever had before, reaching out to shake their hands.

Tuukka pointed to my jersey, a smirk on his face.

"Hey, looks like you've got good taste. Want me to sign it?"

I nodded eagerly and turned around. Pasta was chatting with Holly, but piped up once Tuukka had finished signing my jersey.

"Why I not your favorite? Tuukka good, but I am better." That childish grin I had seen in pictures spread across his face. The two men took pictures with us and said their goodbyes, departing the now almost empty hallway.

Holly's phone rang and she walked a few steps away. She looked over, covering the mouthpiece.

"It's my mom. I'll meet you at home! Nice to meet you Dougie and thanks again for the tickets!"

She left the way we had come in, leaving Dougie and I standing alone in the hallway. I looked up at him, unsure of what to do next. He broke the semi-awkward silence.

"Do you want me to show you out?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I'm sure I'll be fine."

"No, really, I don't mind." He insisted and led the way, as I struggled to keep up with him, as his stride was much larger than mine.

The Garden was pretty empty at this point, as most fans had left quickly in an attempt to beat post-game traffic. We walked the halls side-by-side, making our way to the exit.

"Thanks again, by the way. The tickets were nice enough, but getting to meet Tuukka and Pasta, too. That was really nice of you."

Dougie blushed a little, looking kind of bashful all of the sudden.

"Oh, it was nothing. I don't usually get a chance to use my extra tickets, because my family is so far away. And the guys were glad to meet you."

At this point we had reached the door. What were we supposed to do now? High-five? Shake hands? Hug? Run?

"Thanks for walking me out. It was really nice to meet you."

Dougie smiled, running his hand through his hair and looking anxious, yet again.

"Yeah, no problem. It was really nice to meet you, too."

I smiled up at him, still unsure of where to go next. Dougie reached into his pocket, grabbing his phone and fidgeting with it.

"Listen, you seem really cool and, um, I really liked talking with you and stuff so, uh... Could I have your number?"

Nope. This wasn't happening. I must have fallen back after the game and slipped into a coma. There was no way Dougie Hamilton was asking for my phone number. Absolutely impossible. I realized I was being kind of rude by not answering home and opened my mouth to speak, although I wasn't sure whether words would actually come out.

"Oh, yeah! Absolutely. Here" I reached out and he handed me his phone, which was already opened to a new contact page. I typed in my info quickly, debating on whether or not to save myself as something witty or cute, before finally deciding that would be lame and just entering my name. I handed him back his phone, still smiling like an idiot because I am a massive loser.

He slipped his phone back into his pocket, looking happy but still a little anxious.

"Cool! Good night Chloe. Thanks again for coming." He waved sort of awkwardly and walked away.

I had not even reached the door when I felt my phone buzz.

*I'd love to see you again. Maybe I can convince you to move me up in your top three favorite players. :)*

I smiled and jumped up and down, gathering weird looks from the few people who still remained in the area. I booked it towards the T, anxious to get home and tell Holly what had happened since she had left the hall.

Notes