Chapter Two

The next week went by in a blur, if I wasn't in class or doing homework I was at the rink on the ice. There were certain advantages because on my size and speed I was a good playmaker for our team. I had a lot of endurance, which was thanks to my mom you know since she forced me into figure skating while still playing on my hockey team. With all the conditioning and skating no once could touch me on the ice. Anyway the Duke game was tonight and my nerves were on an all-time high.

I had to do well, I really wanted this and I was determined to earn it.

I got dressed in the locker room that I shared with the only other girl on the team, Callie Richards. Hockey was just an extra-curricular for her, but she was a good defensemen.

We changed into out pads and jersey's rather quick and were lacing our skates up so that we could go meet up with the boys in their locker room for our pre-game pep talk.

Bryant went over most of the plays we would be using tonight, then got us riled up by making us chant how much we wanted to win. Before exiting the locker room I pulled my hair up in a small pony and tied on my red bandanna to keep my hair from getting in my way.

I walked out right before our goalie, the energy in the rink was electrifying. Before I took the ice my brother stopped me like every other game I ever played.

"Have fun!" he said smiling. I smiled back before going and taking my position.

Our Captain, Max started center forward, I took my spot beside him as right wing. This was definitely the game to play, if we were animals we would probably be growling at each other.

The puck dropped and Max lunged forward, he managed to get it away from Duke and passes to left wing, I take off down the ice as James passes the puck to me. I fake a rush and pass back to Max who passes back to James, I race forward confusing my opponents. Max is back in possession of the puck, he passes to me, I take a moment as I wind up for a slap shot. I slam the puck into the boards behind the goal confusing everyone except my team. The puck rebounds perfectly back to me and in their confusion Duke was to slow to see it was a diversion. I shoot the puck straight between the goalie's legs. Goal!

A roar of excitement erupts from my teak and the fans. Max and James skate over and hug me. Too bad that trick won't work again this game. Before I know it we're at the end of the second period 3 to 1 game in our favor, at the moment. Never let pride get to you it'll it end your streak in a heartbeat.

I was sitting on the bench heart racing as I watched my team play. Shit, Duke scored again. The buzzer sounds at the end of second period 3 to 2. My brother did a short ego boosting speech before sending us back on the ice.

Face off, Max and Justin are on the ice with me. Justin has the puck, I skate ahead to gain an opening. Justin passes to Max setting up a play. Before Max could pass it to me I get blindsided by once of Duke's enforcers. I ate ice hard, but I recovered quickly. If I couldn't I shouldn't be playing the sport. The enforcer turns to me sneering. I let out a low growl.

"You want a piece of me princess?"

"No, I want the whole thing." I launch forward, steal the puck back from Duke and raced down the ice. The attackers couldn't catch me I was lightening on the ice. I evaded the defense, I wound up for a strike but paused mid swing and skated to the side. Max had skated up behind me and took the snap shot and scored. I turned and smirked at the enforcer.

Third period came to an end Maryland 4 and Duke 2. I was in a post-game high. We had won, I had the time of my life and I evaded a fight.