A Love Story

My plane lands in Pittsburgh a few hours later. I stretch my arms and legs and get off the plane. I grab my luggage and head to the taxi that I have waiting outside. I get in and the drive takes me to the college where I will be staying for four years. As the driver drives the taxi, I look out the window at what used to be my home, and it is my home again. The taxi arrives at the campus and I pay the driver. I look for the admissions office to check in or whatever and then I will be looking for my dorm room. I hope I have a really nice roommate. I leave the admissions office and head to my dorm. I finally find my dorm awhile later. Man, that was not easy. I walk in and there is a tall, brunette unpacking.
"Hello, are you Rachael?" asks the brunette.
"Yes, are you Katie?" I ask as I set my stuff on my bed.
"Yes. Hey, so that you can meet some people, we are going out into the city, would you like to join us?" asks Katie turning to face me.
"Uh, where you guys going?"
"Okay I was keeping it a surprise, but my boyfriend and I heard about you. Well the admissions office told us about you seem how I am your roommate. They said that based on your application and what not, you are very shy, but very smart," says Katie reaching into the drawer of her nightstand. "My boyfriend got us these. He wants to take both of us to a Penguins game. You know, to get to know you and so that you can make a few friends."
"Awe well that's a sweet gesture, but he didn't have to spend that kind of money," I say as Katie hands me the ticket. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres @ 7pm, read the ticket. This is going to be fun, I have to admit, even though I am going with people that I don't even know.
"We want to be your friends, Rachael. This will be fun. Maybe you will meet a cute guy yourself," says Katie with a wink and nudging my side. I half smile. "So, get ready."
"Thanks for the ticket. I loved this team growing up. My dad would take me to a lot of games. It was a lot of fun, so I will go with you," I say as I grab a pair of jeans and my Olli Maatta jersey out of my bag. After I change, I put on some makeup and a #3 on each of my cheeks. It's almost time to head to the game. We aren't that far from PPG Paints Arena. I slip on some sneakers and follow Katie to meet up with her boyfriend. This is going to be awkward, but fun. Even though I would feel like the third wheel. We meet up outside our building.
"Hello, you must be Rachael," Katie's boyfriend says as he shakes me hand. "I'm Kevin."
"Hi, Kevin," I say nervously. I am so shy when it comes to meeting new people.
"So, what are we waiting for? Let's go," says Katie all too excited. we get in Kevin's car and we drive off into the night. Next thing you know, you see the PPG Paints Arena all lit up getting ready for the Penguins to win a game. Kevin parks the car in a nearby parking garage and we get out to walk inside. The place is huge! I remember seeing a Penguins game when they were still playing at Mellon Arena. Gosh that was a long time ago. I only been in here a few times. We find our seats. They are so close to the glass and right behind the goal that the Penguins will be defending first.
"So, Rachael, you're an Olli Maatta fan?" asks Kevin trying to start conversation.
"Yeah, and I like a bunch of the others, but mostly Maatta."
"I'm a Crosby fan," says Kevin as he turns his back to me so that I can see he is wearing #87.
"Personally, I like Malkin," says Katie chiming in. We missed warmups, but that's okay. At least we don't have to sit here forever waiting for the game to start. The Sabres dash onto the ice looking all too confident. The lights shut off and the announcer comes on the loud speaker.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome to the ice you're Pittsburgh Penguins!" shouts the announcer as the fans go wild as they join the Sabres on the ice. A few minutes later, Murray takes his place in net as Lehner is down at the other end. Each player takes his position as the ref drops the puck. Crosby wins the draw back to Maatta, who shoots the puck up the ice as the Penguins all dash for it. Crosby gets it back, but he is hit into the boards, then Maatta jumps in to help while Hornqvist takes Maatta's position at the blue line. Maatta comes up with the puck and passes it to his partner, Kris Letang, who shoots the puck. Lehner makes the save, but Crosby nets the rebound for the Penguins to go up by one and the game isn't even a minute old. We all get on our feet with the other fans and start jumping and cheering.
"This is amazing!" I say over the roar of the crowd.
"Yeah, they have a better chance of winning!" shouts Katie. The ref drops the puck and the Penguins get it again. The Sabres take it back and head into the Penguins zone and they took a shots that Murray easily stopped. Olli Maatta goes to get the puck behind the net, but the Sabres run him into the boards right in front of us and the refs arm goes in the air as the Sabres touch the puck. I jump to my feet and see him laying there on the ice trying to slowly get up. The whistle blows and Maatta is still slow getting to his feet. The trainer hops on the ice and Jake Eichel, who ran Maatta into the boards, gets himself a game misconduct. Trainer gets Maatta on his feet slowly and help him glide to the bench.
"Wow, he must really be hurt. Went right to the dressing room holding his head," says Katie.
"Well, he did shove Maatta face first into the boards," says Kevin. "That's a dangerous play."
"I hope he's not seriously injured," I say as I sit back down.
"He'll be okay, even if he has to miss a few games," says Katie as the ref drops the puck. The Sabres take a shot right off the draw and Murray saves it.

***

There wasn't much excitement for the rest of the game. We are getting ready to head back to campus. The Penguins were able to score seven goals tonight as the Sabres only got one. We get in the car and head back to school.
"Well, that was interesting," says Katie breaking the silence before we arrive at school.
"Yeah, that was something," says Kevin. "I'm sure Olli will be okay, Rachael."
"I hope," I say as I look out the window. Kevin parks the car and him and Katie kiss goodbye. This is awkward. I start to head up to mine and Katie's room as she still makes out with Kevin. Change into pajamas and set my alarm. Tomorrow I have my first college class. I need to get some rest. Soon, I drift off to sleep. I hope class goes well tomorrow...

Notes

I know not much happened in this chapter. I am trying to work this slowly. The next chapter should be interesting. Ideas are always appreciated. Please rate and subscribe!