A New Life

Guys I’m trying for Jonathan's POV right now, hope it works out!

I grab my hockey bag and head into the U.C, the season starts in a week and I was ready to lead the team to another Stanley Cup win, yet that was a long way off and I couldn’t get ahead of myself right now. I still couldn’t believe hockey season was so long, we were starting in October and if we went to the cup, we’d be over in June. Yes it was a long way off. In the locker room I’m careful at first before I realize that Sharpy hadn’t been here yet. That was another thing about the long season, I’d have to endure his pranks.

I’m out of the locker room in record time, trying to get as much time on the ice as possible. We didn’t have long until the season started and I couldn’t wait for the first game. However I’m not the first one out as I see Tony out on the ice. He’s holding his clipboard, it may be before the season began but he was always their for us to make sure we kept safe. I liked Tony he was a great guy but somehow it was awkward to face him wondering if he knew I gave his little sister my number. Speaking of numbers I hadn’t been given a call or text from her all week. Still she was probably busy from her work coaching.

“Hey Tazer you ready for next week?” Tony asks me and I nod. I was ready to get back in the swing of things ready for the struggle and the triumphs of the season.

“Are you ready to make sure Hammer doesn’t hurt himself again?” I reply and he laughs.

“I’m pretty sure Elina would kill me if I do, but really she should get him first. I can’t control what that Viking does.” Tony answers with a smile. I stand for a moment before trying to pry some information of Galina off of him.

“So how’s your sister doing?”

“She’s fine, been busy at the gym and trying to get settled here. Her and Ella are getting along for now which is nice. “ He answers not looking up from his board. “By the way I hear you met up at the club.”

“Yeah?” I answer trying not to sound nervous, Tony was a big guy with a kind of roughness that came from his former Soviet background.

“Thanks for keeping an eye out for her, I know she’s an adult and everything but I’m still scared when she goes out alone.”

“No problem, but I think Shaw may not be the best for that job.” I joke back and Tony laughs.
“That Mutt know’s I’ll be out for his blood if he gets in over his head, besides I’m taller then him.
“Everyone is.” I respond laughing and Tony gives my arm a brotherly punch before skating back to the other trainers. I knew that Shaw only put on those winks at Galina to get a rise out of Tony. Yet I can’t help but think of what would happen if I ever tried something like that on her.
I shake the thoughts from my head, sure she was pretty and I liked talking to her but it didn’t seem right to think about my friend and co worker’s sister. I’d only talked to her a few times, I didn’t know much about her.Besides she hadn’t contacted me at all so she may not want to pursue anything, a girl like her would probably have some attractive Eastern European boyfriend waiting for her.

00000
Galina’s P.O.V

I look down at the scrap of paper with the numbers written across it. Now that the excitement of finding it had worn off I can only think of what I should do with it now. After what had happened back home I couldn’t let myself fall back into anything. I keep reminding myself how I barely knew him, that those butterflies I felt when I saw him were just because I thought he was attractive.

“Lina?” I look up from the paper and quickly shove it in my pocket. Tony looks into my room and leans against the door.

“How about we go out to eat, I’m meeting Ella tonight and she wants to see you again. “ He tells me and I sigh, Ella wa nice enough but I really wasn’t in the mood to make polite conversation. Or serve as an awkward onlooker when she and Tony got all lovey about each other.

“Come on Lina just do this for me, don’t be all I hate everyone.” He chided and I huff.

“Fine, I’ll go and be your third wheel.” I tell him, he rolls his eyes but smiles at me.

“We’re going to Hot Woks, get ready and were meeting her at seven.” He tells me before going off to get ready. I take out the paper from my jeans and look at the numbers before hiding it in my night stand. I couldn’t think of this right now, the fear of proceeding with anything.

Tony’s ready in record time and we head out the door to grab the CTA to Michigan Avenue.

“So did you have fun with Tazer and the boys?” Tony asks me as we walk down the street. I freeze and wonder what Jonathan had told Tony.

“They were nice to talk to.” I answer nervously and Tony smiles.

“Glad their making sure no creeps come on to you.” He says and we walk quietly for a few moments before he gently puts his hand on my shoulder,

“Have you thought about you know seeing someone again?” He asks and I shake off his touch.
“I dont have time for that.” I state and attempt to walk faster but he catches up with me.
“I know you’re scared from what happened with Ivan, Galina but I want you to be happy.” He tells me and I don’t reply.

Was I happy? I knew how to go from work to home. Have a drink and watch some movie with my brother. What I didn’t know was how to act on those special feelings I’d been having. I thought back to that piece of paper in my drawer and the images of what could happen if I chose to dial it.

000
We get back from the restaurant around ten that night, Ella saying that she had to leave because she had an early shift the next day. I flop over on my bed, I can hear Tony in the living room turning on the TV and enjoying some relaxation time. I look over to the nightstand and bite my lip.

I really wanted to text him.

Taking a deep breath I take the number from its hiding place and grab my phone. My hands feel sweaty as I enter the number into my contacts and choose to send a message.

Galina Antov
Hello this is Galina, Sorry its a bit late but I wanted to let you know I didn’t lose the number or something

I send the message before cursing myself for not having something better to say, I drop my phone down to the bed and rub my eyes.

The buzzing of my phone sends a jolt through me like I’ve been shocked. I freeze and cautiously grab it seeing the text message

Jon
No problem, I’m glad you didn’t forget. How have you been?

I take a deep breath and try to sort out some thoughts before replying

Galina
Not bad, busy from the gym though. Tony and I had dinner with Ella tonight so that was interesting.

Jon
Are you not a fan of Ella?

Galina
She’s just fine but its a little strange watching your brother be all lovey with someone while you try to be interested in your bowl of soup.

Jon
That couldn’t have been much fun, sorry you had to suffer through the Tony/Ella show

I smile at the text before looking over to the door, luckily Tony seems engrossed in the TV and not on barging into my room.

Galina
Third wheel issues

We continue to text over the next hour, mostly over silly little things. He tells me little embarrassing stories about the players and I try to avoid the subjects of why I left Bulgaria. With each buzz of my phone I feel myself smiling.

I don’t know what I was getting myself into.

0000 I pull out the laptop and grab my headphones. Tony and Ella are having a dinner date in the living room and I’m tired of hearing them. I go online before pausing. I’d been texting Jonathan for the last few days, somehow he’d been able to find some time to talk to me. The only issue was I found myself checking my phone often hoping a little message icon would be waiting for me.
Quickly I go onto youtube and search his name. Ignoring the voice in my head telling me that this was stupid I search through various clips and videos. Victory parades, him hoisting the Stanley Cup, him winning gold in Vancouver. Each time his face pops up onto the screen I find myself smiling.
He was awkward, a little sweet and serious.
He was so different from Ivan.
I stop myself, I can’t think about him. Can’t allow myself to go back to those days.
00000
Jonathan’s POV

I look at the computer screen at her name. There are pictures of her from on top of the podium, action shots of her in amazing yet terrifying positions. She seemed very different in these pictures, her face heavily made up and her hair tightly pulled back in a bun. Then I see some news articles with her name in the headline.

Gold medalist Galina Antov is an unlikely part of Bulgaria’s team. In these past few months Antov was outspoken in rallies and protests against Bulgaria’s government. Many of the sports fans thought that she would not earn a place on the team due to this, yet Antov again secured her spot and one at the top of the podium with her narrow victory. However Antov did not receive the warm reception she had back in 2008, her contract with a a major sports apparel brand was revoked and Antov has announced that she will be moving from the country to the USA. Her mother and coach Elena declined to answer questions as did her father.

After reading the story I couldn’t imagine how she felt right now. To do something so well and still not be loved by your country. I wasn’t much for politics but to me it seemed horribly unfair. I can understand why she avoided the subject of why she was here.

I go back to the web search page and see her official Team Bulgaria portrait, she’s smiling clearly happy to be there. I find myself smiling back at her.

Notes