Sunny awoke with a stretch and looked at the calendar. Today was the big day and it was going to determine if the work he did these past two weeks were for nothing. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. His nerves would've kept him up all night if exhaustion didn't consume him.

Omar and the others were confident he would do great, but he still had some doubts. If it weren't for Mikhael, he would be the most inexperienced person trying out, and even then that's not telling the whole story. Mikhael is trying out for a different position than him, so he would be the most inexperienced person trying out for his position. There was also something else that was stressing him out.

Mari.

After his little episode a couple of days ago, Mari slightly let up on their practices, but he knew that wasn't going to last. Their recital was still weeks away, but the closer it got the more Mari wanted to practice and the more he messed up the meaner she got. She was doing a fine job hiding her displeasure, but he knew that HellMari would soon rear her ugly head.

Sighing, Sunny decided to get his day started. He got dressed, brushed his teeth, and headed downstairs. When he reached the living room his nostrils were filled with the most delicious scent that made his stomach grumble. He raced to the kitchen to find his mom cooking in the oven.

"Look who finally woke up. Breakfast is almost ready so go take a seat at the table and I'll bring you your food in a bit," his mom told him as she ruffled his bedhead.

Sunny walked over to the table and saw a confused Mari. He assumed that she was confused about why their mom was making a big breakfast on a random Friday morning.

"Mom, since Sunny's here will you now tell me why you're making such a big breakfast?"

"I already told you, Mari, I wanted to spoil my two favorite children. Is that so wrong?" Their mom answered with a playful question of her own.

"But you never do something like this unless there's a big event going on," Mari hummed as she started listing events their family celebrated. "It's neither of our birthdays, it's not your and Dad's anniversary, and it's certainly not mine and Hero's. It's definitely not about the recital because that's still weeks away."

Their mom playfully rolled her eyes as she carried the food over to the table. She placed a pancake stack in the center of the table and slid a combination of scrambled eggs and bacon onto each of her kids' plates. She made sure to give Sunny extra, which Mari noticed.

"And how come you're giving Sunny extra?"

"He's a growing boy who needs his nutrients," their mom answered while pinching Sunny's cheek. Mari sighed, accepting her mom's answer as she filled her plate with pancakes.

"Ok, I guess, but Sunny I need to talk to you. I think you should stop the lessons with your orchestra teacher," Mari said, making Sunny choke on his breakfast. "You haven't gotten better and I think you would benefit from having extra time practicing with me."

"B-But sh-she s-said I w-was d-doing g-good."

"But you haven't improved! I think you've gotten worse! You're messing up on parts that you were perfect on and you're just as bad on the parts you couldn't nail before the lessons!" Mari argued. "So, today, I want you to come straight home after school."

"B-B-But–!"

"No buts. I expect you to be in the piano room after school today."

Sunny wanted to argue but he couldn't. He needed to be at the center after school for the tryout, but he couldn't tell her that. He also couldn't go straight to the tryout after school because Mari would be mad at him. He was trapped.

His mom walked over to the table and placed a cup of orange juice in front of him. She ruffled his hair and smiled at him.

"I'm sorry, dear, but I'm going to need Sunny after school today," his mom said, while discreetly winking at him.

"For what? Do you need my help?"

"Oh, don't worry. It's not something we can't handle," their mom dismissed the question. "Now eat up! Just because I made you a big breakfast doesn't mean I want you to be late for school."

Mari huffed before stuffing her face while Sunny discreetly sighed in relief. He wished his mom could've found out about his secret differently but he was glad she knew about it. He wouldn't know how he would've been able to get out of that situation without her.

Breakfast flew by fast and Sunny was stuffed. His mom made sure to keep his plate full of food. Mari left for school before he finished, so it left him and his mom alone.

"Alright, I packed last night's leftovers for your lunch and Aubrey has your gear. You're all set for your tryout today. Are you excited?" His mom asked and he slowly shook his head. His mom smiled sympathetically and hugged him. "It's fine to be nervous. This is the first time you're trying out for something. I just want you to know that you'll do great and that I'm so proud of you."

Sunny smiled and returned the hug. He felt his nerves wash away and be replaced by an acute wave of confidence. His mom broke away from the hug and kissed his forehead.

"Now go have a fun day of school! I'll meet you at the center later to cheer you on."

Sunny nodded and left for school. Now more prepared and confident for what's to come later in the day.

After school, he and Aubrey headed straight to the center. They were early, only Alec and JJ were on the ice. Sunny went to the locker room and saw Rudy finish changing and another boy changing in the corner. Sunny didn't pay him any mind as he went and changed into his gear.

After he finished changing, the locker room was a little more crowded. He felt his nerves from the morning return, but he remembered what his mom told him that morning and breathed. He walked to the ice and Sunny could feel his confidence slowly diminishing. The rink was now crowded with so many boys who were hopeful to make the team.

Sunny was finding it hard to breathe and the sound of his heartbeat filled his ears. His vision started going blurry and he was finding it hard to stand up straight. He leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the ground.

He took in some deep breaths to calm his fast-beating heart. His head was spinning, but the sound of his heartbeat was getting softer. His vision was still blurry but he could make out the form of someone walking up to him.

"Hey, Sunny, you're not supposed to be winded until after the tryout," the person joked.

It was Alec.

He sat next to him and put a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"Are you feeling ok? Do you need me to get you anything or tell someone about this?"

"A-Aubrey. C-Can y-you get Aubrey?"

"Sure."

Alec walked away and Sunny continued to take deep breaths. Minutes went by before Sunny felt a pair of arms wrapped around him. He didn't need to see to know who it was.

"Hey, Sunny. Is everything ok?" Aubrey asked in a soothing voice. Sunny slowly nodded as he eased into her embrace.

"I-I j-just got o-overwhelmed."

"Do you want me to get your water or a grape soda?"

"N-No, could y-you j-just st-stay here for a l-little bit?"

"Sure."

The two sat in silence with the only sound being their breathing. Sunny listened to her breathing as his vision and hearing returned to normal. Sunny slowly broke away from the hug and got on his feet. He helped Aubrey off the ground and she smiled.

"Are you ready?"

Sunny slowly nodded and Aubrey gave him a quick hug. She then grabbed his hand and led him over to the rink. He felt his heart rate go up when he saw the rink was more crowded than earlier, but a quick hand squeeze from Aubrey brought him back to Earth. He squeezed her hand and she let him go, allowing him to skate onto the ice.

The rink was packed on both ends with tryout hopefuls. Both nets were guarded by goalies with everyone taking turns shooting pucks at them. Sunny looked around and saw Alec and Rudy on the other side of the rink and skated over to them.

"Hey, Sunny! You feeling better?" Alec asked when he reached them. Sunny nodded and Alec wrapped an arm around him. "That's good! It would've sucked if you dropped out before the tryout began."

Rudy was looking around the rink as if he was looking for something or someone.

"Have you seen Mikhael? I swear I saw him coming in."

Sunny started looking around as well and saw Mikhael leaning against the glass talking to a girl. She had light skin and had her hair in a braided bun. He pointed him out and Rudy groaned.

"What is he doing?"

"It looks like he's hitting on your girlfriend!" Alec burst out laughing. Rudy was fuming and Alec calmed down. "Do you want me to get him?"

"No, I'll deal with it. You just warm up with Sunny and I'll join you with Mr. Casanova in a few."

They soon separated with Sunny and Alec going one way and Rudy going the other. Sunny couldn't see what Rudy was doing but he did hear a loud smack followed by a louder yelp. He didn't know what happened, but from the way that Alec is laughing, he assumed it was funny.

The two reached JJ, who was ready to take his turn in the net. He looked puzzled when he saw Alec having a hard time controlling himself.

"What's going on?"

"Oh, just Mikhael hitting on your sister, aka, Rudy's girlfriend," Alec answered and JJ rolled his eyes.

"I bet that went well."

Alec smirked when he saw Rudy and Mikhael, who had a noticeable red mark on his cheek.

"You have a fun chat with Aurora?"

"I swear, I wouldn't have done that if I knew she was your girlfriend!" Mikhael defended himself.

"Good," Rudy angrily responded as he went over to get some pucks.

JJ shook his head in a disapproving manner while Alec was smiling his butt off.

"Am I in trouble?" Mikhael asked and JJ sighed.

"No, but I would avoid him for a few minutes and let him calm down."

"Yeah, and Rudy's not one to hold a grudge," Alec added and pulled Mikhael aside. "Besides, if you want to date one of JJ's sisters, I know his younger sister is still single."

"Dude!" JJ exclaimed and Alec smirked at him.

"I don't know. I'd much rather date someone around my age. I don't want to date anyone too young," Mikhael answered and Alec brushed off his concerns.

"Don't worry, Sam is the same age as JJ and Aurora. JJ is a triplet."

"DUDE!"

Before JJ could kill Alec, Rudy returned with some pucks. The net was cleared and JJ took his spot. Everyone shot their pucks at the same time and JJ stopped most of them. Some of the other skaters joined in and more pucks were hitting the back of the net.

Sunny felt his confidence building as he was shooting. Unlike in his training, a lot of his shots were going in. Most of it had to deal with JJ being overwhelmed, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He had one puck left and he shot it, but it went sailing over the net and crashed into the protective glass.

"You know if you break it you bought it!"

Sunny turned and saw a tall boy with long brown hair and a cocky smile skating toward him. Sunny first thought he was friendly but the closer he got the more intimidating he got. He looked him over and let out an unimpressed hum.

"I don't think I've seen you around here. You must be new. I feel sorry for you," the boy snickered. Sunny felt more intimidated when he heard him speak. He didn't know what his problem was but Alec was quick to jump in and defend him.

"What do you want Luke?"

"I'm just scoping out the competition. Judging the way that he shoots I have one less person to worry about," Luke smirked as he wiped the hair out of his eye. "Not that there is much to worry about in the first place."

"Get out of here Luke!" Alec yelled and Luke laughed.

"I will, but let me tell your little friend something. Coach B and Coach I prefer players from their past teams. They don't want to waste time taking on rookie players like you. You might as well go home."

Alec growled as Luke skated away. Sunny started breathing heavily again as the world around him started spinning again.

"Sunny, breathe," Alec told him when he noticed he was panicking. "Don't listen to what Luke said."

"Is Sunny doing alright?" Sunny heard JJ ask.

"Luke got in his head. Saying that the coaches prefer former players."

"Oh he's the last person who should be thinking he's owed a roster spot," JJ grumbled before turning to Sunny. "Don't worry about what he told you, it's not true."

"Yeah, and besides, Luke was one of the worst players on the team last year. JJ and our backup goalie had more points than him," Alec added to what JJ said to make him feel better.

Sunny started to breathe normally again as the world returned to normal. He still feels anxious about what Luke said, but he chose to believe what Alec told him. He continued to breathe and got a drink of water. He decided not to return to warm-ups, choosing to sit out so he would be a hundred percent when the tryouts began.

A loud whistle echoed throughout the rink and everyone stopped what they were doing. In the center of the rink were Omar and another man. He had short black hair, a big beard, and pale skin. The way he handled himself made Sunny know that he was the most intimidating man that he'll ever meet.

"Alright, everyone to the center!" Omar ordered and everyone listened. They all formed a giant circle around center ice and took a knee. The two men walked around and got a good look at all the boys. Most couldn't help but cower under the pale man's gaze.

"I'm noticing a lot of familiar faces, but for those that are new, I am the head coach Omar Blanchet, but you will call me Coach Blanchet or Coach B whenever we're on the ice!" Coach B explained as he then pointed out the pale man. "This is the assistant coach Vladimir Ivanov, but you can call him Coach Ivanov or Coach I."

"Hello," he spoke in a heavy Russian accent.

"Today, you are all trying out for a spot on the youth hockey team, and I'm telling you right now most of you won't make it," Coach B said bluntly. Sunny felt dread washing over him and he saw Luke smirking at him. "But our main goal for today is not filling in our roster. It's to make you all better hockey players than you were this morning."

"We will shape you into the best player you can be," Coach I added.

"But before we begin I want you all to give yourself some stick taps for all your work that got you here," Coach B said and the room was filled by the sound of sticks tapping the ice. Coach B let it go on for a few seconds before raising his fist to quiet them. "OK, now head over to the goal line."

Everyone got up and headed over to the line Coach B pointed them to. They lined up along the line with some boys standing behind each other so they could all fit. Coach I was also on the line waiting for further instruction.

"We're gonna get your blood moving with this exercise! What we want you to do is skate to the blue line then back, to the red line then back, then to the other blue line and back. Coach Ivanov will demonstrate what to do," Coach B said.

Coach Ivanov then burst from the goal line to the blue line and back quickly. He then went to the center line and back slightly slower than before. He finished it off by going to the further blue line and back much slower than before. He was breathing a little heavily when he was done with the exercise.

"It's a very taxing workout so I'll only ask you to do it once. You can get a drink of water when you're done. On my signal," Coach B placed a whistle in his mouth and blew into it.

Everyone went after they heard it. Sunny saw everyone was going fast for the first part so he decided to pace himself. He was one of the last players to finish the first blue line so he picked up the pace for the red line. When he finished that he went all out for the final blue line and was the first to finish.

He had his hands on his knees as he was catching his breath. He was also coughing as he heard the others coughing when they finished. He regained his composure a little in time to see the goalies finish the exercise. He felt bad for them because they had to do it with all of their gear on.

"Great job, everyone! Go get a drink of water and we'll move on to some skating drills," Coach B said, and everyone instantly skated over to their families to get their water bottles.

Sunny slowly skated to his mom and Aubrey and could only think that the next few hours were going to be exhausting.