Coffee with Sidney went as well as I expected it would. I finished paperwork fairly quickly once the students were on their respective buses and headed home. From there, I went straight to Starbucks and snagged a corner table for the two of us. Sid arrived not too shortly after I sat down and we ordered coffee together and even shared some banana nut bread. We talked for as long as we could until we decided it was time to go home.

“I hope I’m not being too forward but I hope we can do this more often. Meet up I mean,” Sidney blushes as he walks me to my car. I lean against the door and smile up at him.

“No, I like that actually. And I’d like to hang out with you some more as well.”

“I’m never this blunt,” he admits. He shuffles side to side nervously before looking at me again. “I don’t know what it is about you but I just feel very comfortable with you.” I friggin beam up at him and I miraculously don’t turn into a puddle.

“I don’t know Sidney,” I laugh. “I guess you just like me or something.” We stare it each other for a bit. I watch his eyes track my face as I trace his. A happy smile breaks across his face before he steps closer to me. Sidney takes my hands in his and holds them at his sides. He’s so warm and soft. He is also so close we could almost kiss but I feel like that’s too soon. Isn’t it? Sidney eyes stare at my mouth and I start to feel very warm.

“That may be it,” he says. My breath catches in my throat and I tilt my head up, mentally fighting with myself if I should lean in and kiss him. He looks down at me with equal intensity and thoughtfulness.

“I, uh, should head home. Got some papers to grade,” I choke out. Sidney’s eyes flutter shut, his long lashes fanning out on the tops of his cheeks. He doesn’t leave my space though.

“Shit, that’s right. You have to mold young minds,” Sidney chuckles. I let out a small laugh as well. “I’ll text you while I’m on the road?”

“That’s okay with me.” We are still ridiculously close. Maybe I should just kiss him. “Good luck out there.” Sidney smiles and tilts his head curiously.

“Thanks, we’ll need it.” He leans down and places a small kiss to my left cheek before backing away slowly, our hands still touching before the distance is too much and we finally part. I get in my car first and head home, my brain fried from what just happened.

---

~Thursday night~

After school, I went to my boxing class which went on for a grueling hour and a half. It’ll be funny explaining the bruising on my arms to Sid. I get home just in time for the pens game, hopping in the shower and reheating some leftovers before settling on my sofa. I pull up the roster for the night and turn the TV to the game, missed the first five minutes but that’s okay. I notice after another five minutes that I haven’t seen Sid. I text Lizzie.

M: Yo! I’m watching the game and Sidney??? Isn’t???There???

L: Yo yourself! And yeah, he’s??? injured???

L: a concussion. You haven’t heard?

I feel sick to my stomach. I wished him good luck! That’s why he looked at me funny! I cringe at my stupidity before replying.

M: Oh no! I’m such an idiot. How long is he going to be out?

L: They don’t really know… he had two hard hits to the head in games nearly back to back. He might be out for a while…

M: God that’s awful

L: tell me about it. How did you not hear about it? You live in Pittsburgh! He’s the city’s adopted son for Christ’s sake

M: apparently I live under a rock

L: tell me about it

If Sidney’s as obsessed with hockey as I’ve heard, I bet he’s taking this injury pretty hard. I’m surprised he didn’t mention it, not like he owes me anything. Luckily, the team wins in a shootout, 4-2 and I listen to the post game analysis even though I don’t understand what they’re talking about.

Since they are in western Canada, the games start late and run late much to my dismay. I put my papers in my bag for tomorrow and commence my bedtime routine before my phone rings.

“Hi,” he says. Sid’s voice is hushed, probably trying not to wake someone.

‘Hi to you too,” my own voice is soft as I dry my face and head to my bed. “How are you?”

“I’ve been better, how was your evening?” I curl up in my sheets, hiding my face from the moonlight peaking in.

“It was good, graded some papers, and watched some hockey.” I swear I can here him perk up.

“Really?” I laugh softly at his excitement. “Did you watch our game?”

“Yes I did and why didn’t you tell me you have a concussion? Should you even be traveling with the team?” Sidney lets out a heavy sigh.

“I am concussed and it’s hit or miss traveling with the team, to be honest.”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” I mumble.

“Awe, are you worried about me? You move fast Mya,” he teases. I roll my eyes, trying to suppress a smile.

“Just for that I’m gonna say no. And I move fast? You called me late at night like we’re an item.”

“Okay you got me there,” he laughs. “I find your company pleasant so I thought I should call you.” My face breaks out into a flustered smile, who says things like this? He’s easily the sweetest guy that I’ve talked to.

“That’s nice to hear Sidney,” I say. I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling, trying to figure out what to say. I’ve never been good at conversation, especially with men. Being a sheltered child didn’t do me well. “I don’t want to intrude but are you okay? I mean with the…” Sidney lets out a tired sigh before answering.

“I mean I’ve been better. My head hurts when I move around too much and when I drive so I’m pretty much chauffeured around or stay home. I have a little trouble sleeping but I manage.” My heart aches at the sound of his voice. Injuries are inevitable to sports; as a former athlete, I remember how much it hurt to be sidelined, even if it was just me out there for Track. But when I dislocated my shoulder during practice on the uneven bars, I was beyond pissed. Sure I was in middle school gymnastics but I still had a team to help. But Sidney…This is his job. His livelihood, everything he’s done up until this point was to get him to where he is now. And to be sidelined with an injury as mysterious and as fickle as a concussion, it must be awful.

“I’m sorry,” I say softly. “I hope you get better soon. You’re more than welcome to badger me with phone calls when you need company.”

“It’s not your fault and I appreciate that very much Mya. I’ll try not to bother you too much,” he says dryly.

“Maybe I want you to bother me.” The phone goes quiet for a bit and I start to panic. Maybe that was too much.

“I’ll be more than happy to,” Sidney whispers. Oh shit, this is happening. Would this constitute as flirting? I think this is flirting, I don’t know I am never able to tell. Some commotion goes on in the background just as Sidney is about to speak. He curses in French, not at me so there must be someone around.

“I’m sorry Mya but I have to cut this short. My teammate needs his beauty sleep but I think he’ll need a coma to even get him to normal status.”

“So harsh Sidney,” I chuckle. “Well, I’ll let you get some sleep. I’m pretty exhausted myself.”

“Okay,” Sidney stalls and I hold my breath waiting for him to say something. “I’ll call you tomorrow then? Or text you?”

“That’s okay with me! I’ll be home for most of the day after school.” I swear I can hear him smile through the phone.

“Awesome! Goodnight Mya. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight Sid and I’m looking forward to it.” I hang up the phone quickly before I say something weird. My brain replays the conversation a million times as I toss and turn restlessly. I feel like I’m in middle school again; the cool, popular boy is for whatever reason paying attention to me and I’m shy and incapable of forming intelligent sentences. It's silly, I know I can't help it!

After a few more turns in my bed and fussing with my phone, I finally get sleepy before passing out with my thoughts drifting to Sid every now and then.

Notes

Had to delete the previous version of this chapter because when I copied the chapter it only copied half of it and the other half wasn't saved in my word document! The struggle is real. Thanks for bearing with me.