Enchanted

Vancouver, BC, 2010.
“Kay guys I’ll be back later!” I yelled to my parents.
“Okay honey have fu-” I heard my mother but closed the door before she cold finished. I let the crisp Vancouver air hit my face, making my cheeks rosy and my smile brighter. I’ve lived in Canada all my life, but this was the first time this far West. My dad was made head coach of the 2010 Men’s Canadian Olympic Team. It was a big deal and we were all ecstatic for him. We just arrived at the village for coaches and athletes alike and I went exploring.
Everything was here, little shops and cafes, some with a flair of each respected country represented. The snow made everything seem perfect and I already had a good feeling about this adventure I was about to embark on.
I saw a little park off to the side of all the hustle and bustle and made a B-line towards it. I was a nature girl, growing up in a small Canadian town does that to you. I sat on the bench admiring the landscape. This place was truly beautiful.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?” I heard a deep voice ask. I looked up to see a pair of blue eyes and curly blonde hair looking down at me.
“Um, no sure go ahead.” I said, scooting over. Our eyes never broke from each others gaze. The blue was intoxicating to my brown ones.
“I’m Patrick” the boy said, holding out his hand.
“Jamie” I said, taking his hand. The contact sent a cool electric current up my spine. He must have felt it too, because he was hesitant to let go. Once he did, there was faint sense of awkward in the air.
“So, Patrick,” I cleared my throat, “What brings here?”
He got a huge smile/smirk on his face.
“Team USA. Hockey. You?” My breath caught in my throat.
Why?
He couldn’t have been a speed skater or something! I realized that he was still waiting for a reply. I smiled weakly.
“Um, my dad is the coach, for Team Canada…hockey.”
His eyes nearly popped out of his sockets, his face covered with disbelief. I couldn’t help but laugh a little, it was quite a sight to see. He recovered quickly and flashed me a killer smile.
“Oh so you find this funny?” he asked.
I smiled, “The situation? Maybe a little. I was really laughing at your face.” he gasped and put his hand on his heart, “Ouch.” he smiled. Dear God that boys smile was breathtaking and intoxicating.
We sat there for what seemed like hours, getting to know each other. He was quite the character. He had three sisters that he adored, grew up in Buffalo. Played for a very successful Chicago Blackhawks team. He was enchanting to say the least.
Wait. What was I doing? I can’t be thinking these things. He’s practically the enemy . My dad most defiantly wouldn’t encourage this, in fact, he would derail this the first chance he’d get. I felt my stomach drop. Patrick nudged my leg, a look of concern on his face.
“Hey. Hey what’s wrong?” worry was evident in his calming voice. I shook my head, “Should we be doing this?” I asked timidly.
“Doing what? Talking? Being friends?”
‘Well you put it like that asshole’ I thought. He continued, “Hey, if you don’t want to be friends, I understand. Say the word and I’ll leave, I won’t like it, but I’ll leave if it makes you happy.” I stared at him, at a loss for words. I’ve known him for only a few short hours, but he seems to have the ability to say the perfect things at the right times. I sighed, “No, Patrick, stop. I’m sorry. It’s just my dad, he wouldn’t agree to this.” I trailed.
He took a piece of my hair and tucked it behind my ear, tenderly smiling at me.
“Well, I guess thats a bridge we’ll pass together when we get there.” I smiled at his words.
“How do you always know what to say, Mr. Kane?” he grinned a big grin.
“It’s a gift my dear.”
I rolled my eyes, “Someones a bit cocky, eh?”
“I’m a hockey player. It’s in the job description.” he smirked. Not a moment later he stood up, handing me a piece of paper.
“Well Ms. Jamie, I have practice to get to. See you soon.” he bent down and kissed my cheek, winked, and walked off.
Leaving me breathless.
-Feb 28th-
My nerves were shot and I couldn’t stop the shaking my body was doing.
Canada vs USA: Gold medal game. Patrick and I haven’t stopped talking since the day at the park. He ranted yesterday about how nervous he was, not that I minded. He said I calmed him down, that boy was so full of the cheesiest cliches. It was cute. I was sitting in the family box, watching them warm-up. I found my eyes drifting to find the navy blue jersey with ‘88’ on the back. Watching him skate was hypnotizing.
~~
Even thought it felt like they just went off the ice to get ready for the first puck drop, we were about to head into overtime. My breaths were short and my chest was tight. I clung to my mothers hand and no one dared to speak. The whole box was on their feet as the puck dropped. Time was dwindling fast, only 5:40 to go.
And then it was over. Just like that.
Sid had scored, Canada had won. The box was electrified, as was the stadium, and half of the ice. My eyes frantically searched for Patrick. I found him standing by the bench, all the light and playfulness that I’ve gotten used to gone. He looked like a zombie. All the happiness and celebration left me at once and all I wanted to do wast console him. I wanted to hug him and tell him how amazing he played, how the team played.
It suddenly occurred to me that this was possibly the end of Patrick and I. Would he even want to see me? I mean, my dad and my country just won gold. He had his sight set on it, that’s got to leave a bitter taste. Right? The thought of never talking to him again, never seeing his smile again made my heart drop to the soles of my shoes. I left the box and went to the parking lot to get some air. I found his car, debating if I should stay and wait. I finally sighed after a long internal debate and sat against his car. I knew it would be a while so I made myself comfortable.
I must have drifted off because an angelic voice woke me.
“Jamie?” Patrick questioned. I stood up straight, not sure of what to do next. “How long have you been waiting out here? Why did you wait out here?” He kept bombarding me with questions. I stood silently, my nerves catching up with me. I didn’t know where to start, so many things I wanted to say to him. I gave him a look and he suddenly came closer to me and pulled me into a hug. I didn’t want to let go, and he didn’t either
“I-I…where does this leave us, Pat?”
He sighed, “I don’t want this to be goodbye, not like this.” I rested my forehead on his chest, taking in his scent. He lifted my head to make me look at him, our faces not even inches apart. He placed a small, simple kiss on my lips. Our lips lingered on one another’s for a few moments. Our eyes locked and I saw the spark back in his. I pulled back to see him, smiling.
“You know,” I smirked, “Silver isn’t bad.”
He gasped, putting a hand over his heart. Then he came after me, wrapping his arms around my waist, kissing the corner of my mouth. The smile never wavering from either of our mouths.
I looked at Patrick, knowing that we were going to be okay.