Chapter 3 I THINK I LIKE THE HOCKEY CAPTAIN

HAZEL

“Hazel, get up! It's your first day at school,” Mom's voice echoed from the hallway and I could hear the sound of her footsteps approaching.

Ugh! I kicked my feet in the air as I rubbed the sleep away from my eyes. 

“Hazel?” A gentle knock rippled the air and I was forced to drag my body out of the bed.

“I'm awake, Mom!”

“Be downstairs in twenty minutes. You can't get to school late.”

I stare at my new school uniform hanging in my closet as I heave out a sigh. The first day in school is not always the sweetest, but at least I'd have Hailey by my side.

I knew Brandon and Jude were attending the same school because I had seen them on Hailey’s Snapchat a few times, which made me wonder if Jaxon was also attending the school.

My hand fell on my lips subconsciously, and I couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips. I gave my first kiss to a stranger and I think I liked it.

I could still feel his hot breath on my neck and just thinking about how perfect it was made me blush.

“I'll see you around, right?”

That was the last word he said to me. And now, I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss as I wondered if I'd be running into him soon.

“Hazel!!!”

“One minute, Mom!” 

I prepared for school hurriedly because I knew the next time my mom called my name, it'd come with a threat.

“Good morning, Mom,” I greeted as I stepped into the kitchen. 

“Morning, baby,” she kissed my forehead before returning back to what she was doing.

She had already prepared my lunch box even though I had told her a thousand times that I no longer needed it.

I'd eat in the cafeteria like other normal students, but it smelled so yummy I think I’ll make an exception today.

“Where's dad?” I looked out through the window to see that his car was gone.

“He left early. You know it is his first day at work,” she brushed my hair with her hand as she fixed my already smart uniform. 

“Have a good day in school, baby.”

I was about to leave when she yelled out my name once again. “Hazel, can you give this to your father? He forgot his notebook on the dining table and you know how much that means to him.”

A car was parked outside our apartment when I stepped outside. I wondered if it was the neighbour's when the window rolled down.

“Get in! We're running late for school.”

Hailey? A smile crept to my face as I hopped into the car. Brandon was driving, while Hailey sat in the passenger's seat, and Jude was still sleeping in the back.

Maybe my first day at school wouldn't be so weird.

“Good morning,” I greeted as Brandon stepped on the gas.

“Use your seat belt if you don't have an extra life,” Jude warned.

For half a second the car actually lifted over a bump and my stomach dropped to my feet.

I snapped my eyes shut until the car finally came to a halt.

“Remind me to always take the bus,” I said breathlessly as we stepped out of the car and Brandon chuckled.

“You'll get used to it.”

Our schedule was different until after lunch so I had to take the early class alone. The most dreadful part of the day was having to introduce myself in front of my classmates.

“Hazel Harrington?” A boy asked from the back. “Isn't that the same last name as the new coach?”

“Yes,” I said, with the fakest sweet smile I could muster. “That is my father.”

“I heard he is a legend. Can you help me get on his team?” Another one asked, and I tried not to roll my eyes.

This was exactly why I hated going to the same school my father coached at. My last school wasn't much different either.

I survived the boring classes before lunch break. I was still arranging my bags when Hailey walked into my class.

“Hey girl!” She yelled from the door.

A smile immediately crept onto my face when I saw the notebook Mom asked me to give Dad.

“How is your first day going?” Hailey asked as I grabbed the book and went to join her.

“Boring,” I confessed.

I might be a straight-A student, but even I get bored sometimes.

Brandon chuckled from behind and only then did I notice him. “Why are you two always together?” I arched my brows as I studied their faces.

“Because we are best friends, dummy,” he flicked his fingers on my forehead playfully.

Hailey smacked the back of his head like a habit. “Don't hit her,” she hissed.

We went to the cafeteria for lunch where Jude, Betty and a few others I didn't recognize were already sitting. My stomach sank when I didn't see the golden-ember eyes I had been dying to see all day.

So he really doesn't attend this school.

“So you're Hazel, huh?” A boy asked with a cocky grin as we joined the table.

“Yes she is, and don't you dare hit on my best friend,” Hailey said sternly.

“Who said anything about hitting on her?” The boy let out a frown that barely lasted thirty seconds. “I'm only curious because I heard she kissed the—”

“Shut up!” Betty snapped.

Her face flushed red as she dropped her fork with a click before storming off angrily.

“When is she going to learn he is never going to be interested in her?” Jude snorted.

“Beat me,” Brandon shrugged.

The new guy was Mason and he was just as hilarious as the rest of the squad.

“So, Hazel, how are you finding your first day here?” Mason asked.

“Aside from the fact that Brandon tried to get us killed…”

“You got into his car?” Mason asked, his eyes glinting with mischief before I could even finish and Brandon raised his hands in mock surrender.

“I wish I didn't,” I said, shooting him a glare.

“We've all been his victim,” Mason clicked his tongue. “You'll get used to it.”

The bell rang and thankfully, we were having the next class together. I looked around subconsciously, hoping to see a certain golden eye, but nothing.

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach as the last bell rang for the day. 

“You actually carried a notebook through the entire school day?” Mason's gaze swept over my body before meeting my eyes.

Everyone else had packed their bags and it seemed I was the one they were waiting for.

My eyes fell on my father's notebook on my lap and my eyes widened. Omg. I had completely forgotten about it.

I pushed my seat back, leaving a screeching sound echoing through the class and that earned me a few glances.

He probably needs this to train his new students. I need to go and find him.

“Do you have any idea where the hockey players train?” I asked, looking between the three boys and a smug smile tugged their lips.

“Missed him that much?” Brandon teased and Mason's grin widened.

“Who? The notebook belongs to my father and I need to return it,” I hissed.

Mason's eyes widened as he stared at me. “You're the new coach's daughter?”

“Yes, one and only,” I said impatiently because I should have given it to my father as soon as I arrived. “How about you tell me where to find him now?”

Brandon checked the time and cursed under his breath. “Shit. We're late.”

“Come with us, we're having practice now anyway,” Jude muttered, leaving me even more confused.

“What has that gotten to do with anything?”

“We're hockey players, dummy and your father is our coach.”

Oh. It finally made sense why they were so tall and muscular.

I could have just given one of them the book and asked them to give it to my father, but I knew how much he cherished it. Even Mom and I were not allowed to open it and I don't trust these boys to follow simple instructions.

“We have to go change,” Brandon said, already walking into their locker room. “Just walk ahead and you'll see the practice room.”

I did as told and went into the practice room. My father's back was facing me when I came in and a smile tugged at my lips.

“Dad, you forgot your—”

I trailed off the second he looked back, and only then did I realise that he wasn't alone. His body had been blocking the boy in front him the whole time.

My gaze shifted from my father to the boy, when I met with the golden-ember eyes I had been dying to meet.

The image of his hand on my waist flashed before my eyes and my throat bobbed.

“You?!” We said in unison.