=Nicole's POV=
(Saturday, 12/23/2017-11:15 am)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Berkian Academy; Gymnasium)
The dance was what I expected it would be when Winter Ball was announced. It was mostly Christmas music, but mixed with your other average dance songs. At least we had a younger DJ who played things within the last five or so years, maybe ten. Hunter and I danced to some things, both slow and fast; it wasn't a bad night. It could have been better, but it wasn't bad. For me, it was more that I got to spend time with Hunter. I really liked him, I wasn't sure if it was love, but I knew that I wanted to be with him and see where things went; if this feeling would grow into more and I could distinguish like from love better. I didn't know who I could really go to and ask, and it felt silly to consult the internet on such a concept. I was positive that I'd figure things out on my own with time. For now; I just knew that I wanted to date him. I wasn't sure how he felt, but that's why I suggested we talk after his game today and before we start the movie. I think he feels the same; nothing has changed between us since we started this whole arrangement. But I guess we'll find out later today.
Right now, I'm at Hunter's game with all our friends, Spencer, and Glenn. The opposing team was from Meathead Isle; they were a good team too and I remember Hunter telling me that this was one of the teams they struggled to beat, so it was always a really close game when the two schools played. There was fifteen left as we were all watching everything intently. Right now, our school was down, but there was still a chance to pick things up and win this. I couldn't help but notice that Hunter look really tired; they had been playing hard, but this seemed like extra as if he were pushing himself to give more than he had. Maybe it was just me and I knew they were playing their hardest to beat Meathead.
"Captains, court center." The referee stated as Hunter and the Meathead Captain, Thatcher Meatsen, stepped up to their spots and the rest of their teams got into position. "Players ready?" the referee inquired while holding the ball in between them.
"Ready." Hunter and Thatcher replied, taking their stances. The referee tossed the ball up as the captains watched it come down and waited, when it was in range Hunter was up first and able to get it to his team. The playing started again as those of us who were supporting our school were cheering like crazy. The time continued as our team managed to tie up with Meathead; it was anybody's game now and we were in the final minutes.
=Normal POV=
"Set up Strike! Set up Strike!" Coach Bludvist called out after the last shot was made by Hunter to tie things up. The players were resuming their positions and getting ready for what would probably be the last play of the game as time was running out.
"Alright, you heard coach. Set up Strike," Hunter told the rest.
"Which means get you the ball and keep your shot clear." Travis panted.
"If it fails?" Shane inquired.
"Fall to the fail-safe." Hunter stated.
"You got it." The others agreed. "Break." They clapped and broke apart to get to their positions. The referee blew the whistle as the game started once more. The Berk Academy team managed to recover the ball from Meathead High and were making their way down the court. Hunter was making his way to his spot and watching the clock; there was fifteen seconds left as he saw that Shane had the ball and was preparing to throw it to him when he got to his place to do it.
Shane reached his space and tossed it to Hunter. Unfortunately, a wave of being lightheaded started up. Hunter managed to hold his ground and catch the ball; just as he got himself in position and lined up his shot, Hunter headed for the basket with the others making sure no one got in his way. Hunter ignored how he felt as he launched from the ground with his feet and went to release the ball when Thatcher came out of nowhere to try and block the shot, but the timing was way off for Thatcher to knock the ball away as they collided hard and Thatcher's knee whacked against Hunter's midsection. Thatcher's elbow also slightly got Hunter in the face as they hit the ground and Thatcher landed on his feet in a crouch, but Hunter didn't land so gracefully. Hunter managed to get a foot on the ground, but it was a bad angle as he lost balance and fell back onto his back, sliding a bit and ending up right near the out of bounds line on the opponent's side.
Hunter hadn't let go of the ball until the pain hit when he stopped and instantly cringed while rolling onto his side and trying to catch his breath. Nicole, Spencer, Glenn, and the rest of the friends were worried if Hunter was alright. Thatcher, being the closest, instantly went to get to his side; seeing that Hunter had an arm around his midsection and coughing hard. "Shit. Hunter?!" Thatcher got down next to him on his knees to see him better. "Time! Timeout." Thatcher called as the clock stopped at seven seconds after the referee called time and blew the whistle. "Hunt, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to crash into you like that…" Thatcher apologized quickly as the rest of the Berk school team was on court to get to their friend and teammate. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Hunter felt lightheaded; his vision was going in and out as he tried to shake his head and focus. "I-I'm alright…" Hunter managed.
"Are you sure? We collided hard and you hit the ground harder than I did…I think you should get checked out your medic, man." Thatcher suggested when he saw Hunter semi-curl up and cringe again. Shane and Travis pushed Thatcher back a bit offer their hands and pull Hunter up to his feet, seeing him fall some when on his left ankle; they let Hunter hold onto them to make sure Hunter didn't fall. The dizziness wasn't helping Hunter stay on his feet, or maybe that was because his ankle hurt.
"We got him." Shane told Thatcher as he and Travis worked to get Hunter over to the bench where Jeremy and Kyle were waiting to check him out. Thatcher stayed put where he was; hold his head with worry that he might have hurt Hunter badly. It seemed the whole gym was in a state of quiet whispers about what happened and wondering if Hunter was okay.
"What hurts?" Kyle asked. "Is it your ankle? You limped over here."
Hunter managed a nod. "Can add stomach, head, back, and side of my face to that list…" Kyle and Jeremy kept checking him over as all anyone could do was wait to find out what was going to happen. After a good five minutes; Jeremy and Kyle seemed to settle on their decision.
"Is he good to play, or no?" Dimitri questioned.
"Might have some bruising and being sore from where contact was made, and then landing the way he did." Jeremy informed. "But no concussion."
"What about his ribs?" Devon asked. "He was holding his stomach and sides."
"Those are fine; no major damage to anything internal. I believe he just had the wind knocked out of him from the collision and then the landing." Jeremy stated.
"The only thing that causes me concern is the ankle, Coach. I don't think it's broken or sprained, maybe tweaked from the initial land on it before he fell back." Kyle remarked. "It's Hunter's call, but I advise off the ankle for a day or so."
"Up to you, Hunt." Shane mentioned.
Hunter wanted to finish the game; they worked their butts off to tie it up and now this? The problem was that the collision and landing had him all messed up as far as being lightheaded and dizzy, and the ankle was worrisome too. There was eight seconds left; he could handle it, right? "Let's finish it…" Hunter said.
"Yeah, that's our boy." Travis offered his hand to help Hunter onto his feet and then Shane helped steady him.
"We good?" The referee pointed to Dimitri.
"Set to go." Dimitri nodded. The crowd began to cheer again as Hunter made his way back on the court; he was still limping a bit.
"Personal foul on number thirteen, Berk's ball. Players ready?" The referee asked. "One free throw," he pointed to Hunter as the auburn-haired male took his spot and tried to breathe calmly a few times. One of his teammate passed him the ball as Hunter dribbled a few times, and shifted weight onto the ankle that was hurting; he hissed in pain and faltered his stance a bit.
"Hunter, are you sure you're okay?" Shane asked from his right.
"Y-Yeah, I got it…" Hunter nodded as he winced while holding his position and made his shot for the basket; the ball hit the back board, then the outer rim, and swirled around the hoop before dropping in. Right from that moment, the clock continued its countdown. There was seven seconds to attempt to score another basket; if Meathead scored, it would tie things up and the game would go into overtime. If Berk scored; they'd win. And if nothing happened, Berk still won because they were up from the free throw shot Hunter made. When the ball had dropped from the net; Meathead recovered it and they began to make their way to the other side. They ended up being able to make a shot that tied things up.
One of Meathead had the ball as Hunter looked for an opening, as soon as he saw it; he snuck in and snaked the ball on a low grab and took off for the other side of the court. "Three." The crowd began counting down and Hunter found a shot he could make in time, but it was risky because it was far away, just over the half-court line, and if he tried to get in closer they'd block him and mess things up. "Two." Hunter threw worry to the wind as he set himself up and launched the ball forward towards the net right before one of Meathead missed their foot and smacked into him from behind. Hunter went forward against the floor, managing to stop himself from face-planting by using his arms to hold himself up slightly. No one did anything as the ball neared the net, Hunter didn't even get off the floor because he was engrossed in seeing if he made the shot from such a far point. "ONE!" The ball swished through the net right before the buzzer sounded.
"And the Berkian Academy Vikings win!" the announcer called. The crowd stood and roared with clapping and cheers for the win. Hunter only panted as his arms gave out and he laid there on court; everything still hurt as he was dizzy and lightheaded. The team was all bunched up and enjoying the win as Thatcher rolled his eyes as they seemingly had forgotten the teammate who made the shot for them to win was laying on the ground, still hurt from the first incident.
"Hunter?" Thatcher shook him a little as Hunter managed to turn himself over, looking like he was in pain, but still trying to smile because of the win. The team finally turned around to see Thatcher standing up and offering his hand to Hunter, who took it, and Thatcher pulled him up carefully. "Hell of a shot, man." Thatcher smiled. "Good game."
"Thanks." Hunter replied as they shook hands.
"And sorry about knocking into you like that," Thatcher said.
"It's cool, don't worry." Hunter told him. They let go of their hands and separated to return to their own teams. Shane and Travis instantly got Hunter up and on their shoulders, jumping around and cheering for their win. "Okay, okay…Good job all around…Now put me down before I throw up…" Hunter told them. Carefully, they let him down. "Line up." He stated as they lined up single file with Hunter at the lead; the other team did the same, with Thatcher in front. The two teams passed one another, high fiving as they went by and saying good game.
"Well done, all of you. Hit the showers and wash up," Coach Bludvist ordered. The team began making their way into the boy's locker room. "Hold up there, Hunter." Dimitri stopped him. "You sure you're okay. You took a couple of hard hits, and you're still limping."
"I'm good, coach. I'll be fine for next practice when holiday recess is over; I promise." Hunter assured. Christmas Vacation was on until Wednesday the 2nd of January 2019, so there wouldn't be practices or games until then. But Hunter would probably shoot around with Shane and Travis over the break since there was a playground with a full court not far from their houses.
"I believe it. Alright, go on." Dimitri said as Hunter headed into the locker room to shower and change to leave.
There wouldn't need to be an after-game meeting since they were all told before the game any updates and when next practice would be, also for everyone to have a great holiday. Nicole still couldn't believe that Hunter took that hit from Thatcher and kept playing on an already hurt ankle. More than that; Hunter looked like he was going to pass out again after it happened, but he insisted on continuing. With the game over, Nicole knew that she and Hunter would be having their talk after he did the quick fix on his car at Glenn's shop; then returning to Hunter's house to talk and have their movie date for the third Harry Potter film.
. . .
(2:00 pm)
(Haddock Home)
Once Hunter emerged from the locker room after his shower and changing into his normal clothes; it was more questions of are you okay, to which Hunter replied yes about ten times. Spencer had suggested they go to the hospital to make sure, but Hunter refused saying that the shower helped. However, Hunter wasn't limping anymore and the worst they'd probably see was a little bruising from the contact areas like his face, stomach, and back. Everyone dispersed from the school; Nicole and Hunter went right to Glenn's shop so that he could do the fixes on his car, and then they grabbed fast food for lunch because they were hungry. Finally, they'd made it to Hunter's house. After bringing the food in, and greeting Spencer and Glenn who were in the living room; Hunter and Nicole got to Hunter's room and were happy to plop down on his couch and sit back.
"Oh, it feels good to sit down…" Hunter sighed.
"I'd ask if you are okay, but I'm sure you're sick of hearing that by now?" Nicole stated.
"Eh. I guess I don't mind from you." Hunter shrugged. "But I am okay. No limping, no soreness. It's not the first hit I've taken during a game, probably won't be the last either." He smiled.
"Well, try not to get yourself killed. I've heard about some hits being life-threatening…" Nicole mumbled.
"I can only promise to try not to." Hunter replied softly. Their eyes met when they looked at each other, and before either of them snapped out of being lost in each other's eye; they leaned in and kissed one another. The kiss was gentle, but also passionate, and lasted a few moments. It sent a shock through both of them, and somehow; this was all it took for Hunter and Nicole to realize that that it wasn't just like anymore. No, this was love. It had to be. Nicole felt entirely different now than she had when she knew she liked Hunter. This was more intense, deep. For Hunter, he knew what love felt like because he dated Ashley, but like Nicole; Hunter felt this ran deeper. Without either of them saying it to one another; they both knew to themselves that they were in love with one another.
