Thin Ice

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

JULES POV

It's the break before the third period of the championship game.

We have fifteen minutes before the last period goes on.

The game is close.. too close.

I'm trying to study Lukas' face, to figure out how he's feeling but I'm too far away. It was easier to study people back at home because our rink wasn't that big but here, they're all tiny specks from where I'm sitting.

"I think he's mad?" Faye utters, gazing down at the ice.

"He looks sad?" Kiara suggests.

"I think he's smiling?" I finally mention. Like I said, everyone looks like a blob from up here.

"Either way, I'm hungry. Do you know where the concession stand is?" Kiara questions, rising up from her seat.

"I'll walk you over, Faye?" I glance at her and ask if she wants to come with. The three of us travel down the many stairs and follow the small crowd over to the concession stand.

Everyone drove all the way out here to watch the championship game and it's made me realize how much I miss this. I missed cheering for my team while Faye and Kiara argue about if that person should actually be in the penalty box or not.

The last time I saw the two of them was back at Christmas since none of our spring breaks lined up. We all celebrated together and it reminded me of the past Christmas we spent together and how everything has changed since then. This time there was no arguing over who shares a bedroom with who and Lukas and I gladly kissed under the mistletoe.

Lukas' parents and mine also drove out today and are sitting together. I'm planning on talking to them after the game because I miss them just as much. Everytime Lukas and I would visit home, we'd have dinner together and Andrea would sit us both down and bombard us with questions but I never minded it. The one she always started off with was show me your hand which translated to has he proposed yet? Andrea is more excited about our future wedding then I could ever be. Of course I'll be excited when the day comes but I don't care how far along the line it is because I like how Lukas and I are.

"Those chips and a water please!" Kiara exclaims, passing the woman behind the counter some cash.

"Could I also get a water," Faye adds as she slides past Kiara.

"I can't believe it's so expensive here," Kiara whispers close to me.

"Why do you think I always bring my own water?" I reply with a smile. The prices here are ridiculous but I think we're just comparing it to our rink back at home. If the right person was behind the counter, we wouldn't have to pay. Of course we paid every now and then but that was only whenever this grumpy old man was working. I never bothered to learn his name either, the three of us just called him grumps.

"I'll have to remember that next time," Kiara mumbles. "Oh I haven't told you!"

"Told me what?" I question as Faye joins our clump. The three of us maneuver out of line and begin the long trail back up to our seats.

"So.. I sent in my college application a couple weeks ago and I got in!" Kiara announces.

"That's amazing but where'd you get in?" I quickly question, trying to contain my excitement. Kiara never really talked about what colleges she was applying to. I know she wanted to go somewhere that has a good psychology program but she never specified a place.

"Oh you know, just this really underground college that no one knows about. I think the name's Denver or something," she announces with a cheeky smile. Denver as in MY college!!