There are only 10 seconds left in the game.
My ponytail is dripping with sweat…
But I push my legs faster.
Because the score is tied 0-0.
And I don’t have the energy for overtime.
I hear my teammate and best friend call out to me.
Tim
Sarah — to your left!
I turn just in time to see one of the Blizzards’ players rush by me.
A smile takes over my face.
I immediately rush after him.
He’s beelining for our goal.
And all it takes is a little fancy stickwork to steal the puck.
I stop short before turning…
And it sends a spray of ice in his face.
I hear them start to chant.
I get a quick glimpse of my opponent’s face…
And see his eyes narrow through his mask.
Not only because I bested him.
But because I’m a *girl* who bested him.
I laugh as I take off toward the opposite side of the rink.
I maneuver my way around my opponents…
Dodging sticks and angry grunts as I go.
This is the championship!
And if my team, the Royals, don’t win today…
We lose the 3-game series.
The Blizzards are already up by 1 game.
But as I get close to their goal…
Chuck “The Puck” Anderson.
The best goalie in the state…
And the most obnoxious person to ever lace up a pair of skates.
His dad is a famous hockey player.
And it affords him perks the rest of us don’t have.
He gets the best of everything.
Front row seats to professional games.
He even has scouts watching him in the stands right now.
I haven’t been able to score on him yet.
But that’s all about to change.
I bare my teeth as I get closer…
He just smiles in response.
A nasty, wide grin that has been taunting me all game.
Hounding me about my skills.
Making fun of my hand-me-downs.
I’m going to make him eat his words—
The goal is in my sights…
And using the rest of my strength…
I rear back and shoot as hard as I can.
I hear my dad call out my name…
His booming voice standing out as usual.
For a moment, time stands still.
I raise my arms in the air.
And catches it with a centimeter to spare.
Frustration explodes inside me.
I realize then how fast I’m moving.
I try to slow myself down…
But his stick shoots out to the left and it’s too late.
And the next thing I know…
I trip and fall flat on my face…
Sliding across the ice like some stupid rookie.
The crowd groans along with me.
Only to see that my blade has torn clean off my skate.
Chuck’s suddenly there, standing above me…
He’s laughing, his shoulders shaking with mirth.
He uses his stick to slide my shoddy blade across the ice.
Chuck
Looks like you’re the one bowing to me now.
I’m just about to shoot to my feet…
But then I hear the roar of the crowd.
Tim, taking advantage of Chuck’s distraction…
Has recovered the puck and taken a shot.
The sound of the siren echoes in my head.
A wave of relief washes over me.
We live to see another game.
Especially when I see Chuck’s face morph into horror.
He broke my skates with his dirty trick.
And they were my only pair.
And step into his personal space.
He looks just as enraged as I feel.
Sarah
You did that on purpose!
Chuck
Those crappy skates couldn’t withstand a strong wind!
I tear off my gloves and throw down my stick…
His lip curls with distaste.
Chuck
Wouldn’t want you to break a nail.
But Tim forces his way in between us.
Tim
He’s not worth it, Sarah!
But I make myself do as he says.
I can’t let my temper get the best of me.
And this next game will be my last.
My only chance to win a championship.
For girls who love hockey, the road ends in high school.
Chuck starts to skate backwards.
Chuck
See you tomorrow, little girl.
My hands clench into fists.
Tim puts a hand on my shoulder.
He winces when he gets a look at my broken skate.
Tim
I have an old pair you can wear.
Tim
It’ll be fine, Sarah.
I nod, but I’m still seething.
I’ve been dealing with guys like Chuck since I was a kid.
And usually, I just let those comments roll off of me…
And I’m going to do something about it.
Sarah
What are you doing tonight?
