Everything Has Changed

"Rory, hun, It's time to get up!"

I groan. What time is it? It's currently six in the morning. My game starts in three hours.

Great.

"One second, mom!" Holy crap I should've been awake an hour ago. I still have to get dressed, get my bag together, brush my teeth, eat breakfast, and listen to music. That's always been my morning routine.

I hurry and throw on my game day warmup suit and run into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I open my door to see my mom already dressed and ready to drive me to the arena.

"Good morning, mom," I told her with a bright smile on my face.

"Good morning, Ror. Are you ready? It's a big day."

Of course it was. Today's the day we find out if we make it to the playoffs.

"Yep! I'm super excited!"

This was going to be a long day. We headed downstairs to see my dad eating his breakfast.

"Morning, dad," I said as I grabbed a piece of toast from a plate in the middle of the table.

"Hey, kiddo. You ready for the game today?"

"Yup, I can't wait to win."

"Of course you can't. You're a hughes."

There it was. The Hughes name is pretty big in the hockey world. All three of my brothers play hockey at high levels. My oldest brother, Quinn, plays for the Vancouver Canucks, my second oldest brother was drafted first overall to the New Jersey Devils, and my other older brother, Luke, is currently playing for the University of Michigan but was also drafted by the devils. So from that, it's pretty obvious they're used to winning.

"Right," I affirmed with a small smile.

We talked for a little longer, discussing the game and what could happen, how many scouts would be there, if I would talk to any of them, if my team would actually play together instead of our usual one-man tendency style of play. We get in the car and my dad starts driving. Neither of my parents talk to me, they already know the routine. I put on my airpods and click play on my playlist, looking out the window as we drive to Plymouth, which is about an hour drive from our house. The first song that starts to play is "Everything Has Changed" by Taylor Swift. I sit back and start listening to the song. The Taylor's Version of this album has been out for a little over a year now. I have tickets for her upcoming tour in Chicago, and I'm super excited. I actually cannot wait any longer. My concert isn't for another three months, though. As I'm thinking of my upcoming event, I get a text from Luke in our "siblings" group chat. I know, boring name, but Quinn chose it so what do you expect?

Lukie

Good luck Ror!

Jack

She doesn't need luck she plays for USNTDP

Quinn

Good luck, Rory

Aurora

thanks guys! good luck with your games too!

All three of them have games later today. Luke's could be his last with UMich since they're in the playoffs and he's been talking to us about moving up to the NHL either later this season or next season.

As I go to put my phone down, I feel my phone buzz again.

tater tot

GOOD LUCK AURIE!!!

mellie boo

oh shit that game is today?

rory bear

thanks tater tot! And thanks to you too mel...

scar

good luck, ror! I will obviously be on my way there, with mel, in a bit

rory bear

lmao thank you scar

After I am finally able to set my phone down, we arrive at the arena. Today we play some team that I've already forgotten the name of. The guys and I have always made it our mission to go into the game with confidence and not let ourselves get caught up in the skill of the other teams. Hence why our playoff spot is still up for grabs. I part ways with my parents as we approach the building. I walk towards the locker room to change into my stuff.

As I enter the large room, I realize that, like always, I am the first one to arrive. I quickly change into my pads and slide my jersey on. Then I slip my skate guards on and head to the nutrition room to make myself my usual pregame smoothie. Like always, I throw in some strawberries first, then some random assortment of fruit and peanut butter, then a scoop of protein powder. I blended up my smoothie and started drinking it. I put my airpods back on and wait a good thirty minutes to head back into the locker room so our captain can give us our hype speech we receive before every game.

"Alright boys! And girl! Today's a big one, but as long as we can work as a team we should be fine."

Everyone starts cheering and hyping him up after the speech. Then we make our way out onto the ice. As we do, we are greeted by the usual sound of fans cheering and our blue and red spotlights flashing around the complex.

Here goes nothing.

+;author's note;+

Okay not my best work, but it's the first chapter and I haven't started the editing process yet so can't really expect much. This one's pretty short but hopefully the next few are longer since I'll have more time and motivation