The First Aider

Taylor was beginning to consider blackmail as a last resort. It would get her out of the hockey games, and she could basically get Jacob to do anything for her for the next week. It was a win-win situation. Her gaze drifted to her little brother, who was sulking in the penalty box, again. It's what he deserved for cross-checking.

Taylor took a sip of her coffee and clenched the red cup tightly, relishing the warmth against her fingers. The arena was chilly, despite the warm September air outside. The leaves were just beginning to turn, showing the signs of a winter that was stalking them from the shadows. Taylor placed her cup on the bench next to her, and glanced sidelong at her parents, who were both angry by her brother's predicament. She shoved her fingers in her jacket pockets and made eye-contact with Clara, who was positioned right across the arena from Taylor, stuck watching the coach-her father, and the town sheriff-shout at the teenage boys to skate.

Clara dragged her hand down her face, momentarily snagging her fingers in her red hair and struggling with it, before giving Taylor a 'kill me now' look. Taylor nodded slowly in agreement. It wasn't that she hated hockey; she was more than willing to sit and watch a game with her dad and brother. It was the pretentious attitude that came from the stereotypical hockey boys in her school. It seemed as though they always had their sticks shoved up their asses.

Taylor watched as Clara gestured to the door out of the arena and into the cafeteria, and Taylor nodded her agreement. "I'm going to the bathroom." She told her parents, before grabbing her coffee, standing, stretching, and making her way down the bleachers.

She met Clara at the exit to the arena and they walked quickly, heading for the cafeteria, where they would have ten minutes before someone noticed they had been missing for a long time.

"I can't believe Aubrey managed to skip on this game! This is the second time! When I get my hands on her..." Clara trailed off, her hazel eyes flashing.

Taylor rolled her eyes and pulled off her toque, running a hand through loose butterscotch coloured curls. "Don't you think you're being a bit dramatic? I mean, if either of us had the option, we'd skip too."

Clara tugged down the zipper of her jacket, swearing when it got stuck, and yanked harder, nearly ripping the zipper off as she finally got it down. She huffed and sat down, pushing her hair back into a ponytail. "I swear, if my dad drags me to another game, I get that he is the coach and all, but he never forced Charlotte to go." She thumped her head on the table.

Taylor chuckled at her friend's actions. "Well, at least you get to watch Jamie."

Clara's ears turned pink. "Shut up. I have no choice about these games, and if I have to eye him up the whole time to get any semblance of joy, I will."

Taylor took a sip of her coffee. "Fine, be that way. Are you ready for the health science quiz tomorrow?"

"Is Aubrey famous?"

"I'll take that as a no," Taylor responded, looking at the girl who was both a best friend and a cousin. Her mother and Clara's father were siblings, and as much as Clara would hate to admit it, she got her appearance from her mother.

Clara glanced at her watch. "If I were to leave now, and go hang out at Tims, what are the chances that my father would notice?"

Taylor gave her a look and Clara sighed. "Sorry, I shouldn't be so negative, I just really didn't want to come today."

Taylor smiled in response. "If it's any consolation, my mom is making lasagna for dinner tonight because you and Uncle Clark are coming."

Clara's face lit up. "That's awesome!"