My Hockey Alpha Neighbor

The anticipation hangs heavy in the air as the stadium wa

for the game to begin. Bright lights flash and loud music plays as the Jumbotron combs over the crowd, recording fans of both teams standing and cheering.

The team Aiden is going up against is called the Ridgewall Stampede. From what I’ve gathered from clips online, they’re regarded highly amongst hockey fans. The mascot of the team, a man in a cartoonish-looking bull costume, makes laps around the rink hyping up the audience.

The audience is packed to the brim. I’m wearing one of Aiden’s practice jerseys. It seems like one of the benefits of being an athlete’s girlfriend is not having to pay for merch, I think with amusement. The jersey itself is white with cobalt blue letters and accents. It’s large on me, of course, but it looks line enough with a smart pair of jeans and a few simple accessories, including a team hat.

My eyes comb over the crowd. Even if I hadn’t looked up the Ridgewall Stampede prior to the game, their team colors are obvious. Their fans fill the stadium with a sea of brown and red. I’m surprised to see how many of their fans are here, considering it’s an at-home game for our team.

Aiden reserved me the same seat as last time, which I’m thankful for. Luckily for me, I found myself seated amongst other fans of the Statford Freeze. A few small groups of fans are clustered around me, all wearing the recognizable white and blue.

These fans don’t seem as optimistic as I feel. I overhear a few of them grumble amongst one another,

“Why did we even come? This is going to be embarrassing.”

“It’s all because of that Cruz guy. We’re doomed.”

1 shoot a look in their direction. It seems like their sentiment is shared by most of the audience. Although the fans of the Freeze fill the stadium, I see uneasy looks being traded all around. I can’t even imagine how much pressure Aiden must be feeling right now.

The fans of the Stampede, on the other hand, look completely confident. The Jumbotron flashes clips of the fans cheering loudly and dancing, some of them picking up various team chants. The sight only serves to demoralize fans of the Freeze

even more.

The tension mounts as the clock ticks down to the start of the game. Both teams have already left the rink from warming up for their pre-game meeting. The coach was likely giving a rousing speech right about now deep in the locker rooms. Each team is bracing themselves for the game to come. I can’t help but imagine Aiden standing in the locker room, his body tight with stress and his expression determined.

The tears of the audience are undercut by anxious whispers. The questions on everyone’s mind are clear will Aiden Cru live up to his fame? Will he be dropped from the team, or will he be kept on as the star player? Can the Statford Freeze claim victory?

In the heart of the crowd, I sit, my heart pounding in my chest. It feels like hours have passed by since I arrived, even though it’s only been minutes. My nervousness is only exacerbated by the negativity of the fans surrounding me

“How much do you wanna bet Cruz totally whiffs it?” One of them jokes, I bite my tongue to keep myself from responding. At last, the teams emerge from their respective locker rooms. They skate onto the rink to the sound of bombastic music and begin to make laps around the rink. I jump to my feet and cheer and the rest of the audience does as well. I’m determined to support Aiden no matter the outcome.

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“Go, Aiden” I call

all out. Despite the fact my voice is one amongst the crowd, it somehow seems to reach him. As the teams get into position. Aiden and I lock eyes. A silent exchange passes between us.

For a fleeting moment, the world around us seems to fade away. The two of us are caught, locked in a shared sense of determination and hope. Aiden’s gaze holds a herce intensity, are burning bright in his eyes that leaves me breathless with admiration.

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Strangely, the light doesn’t only stay in his eyes. For a moment, his whole body almost seems to glow. Before I can think too much more, with the resounding blast of the referee’s whistle, the match begins.

From the moment the puck is dropped, it becomes clear that Aiden is in a league of his own. His movements are fluid and graceful. His skill and agility is on full display as he effortlessly navigates the ice, slamming past his opponents and working in tandem with his team

As the game progresses, Aiden’s performance only seems to soar to greater heights. His lightning-fast reflexes and strategic prowess leave the opposing team scrambling to keep pace, their defense crumbling under the relentless onslaught of his attacks. The team slowly propels closer and closer to victory.

The audience watches in awe as Aiden dominates the rink, their doubts and skepticism giving way to awe and admiration. I felt a swell of pride swell in her chest as she listened to the shifting sentiments of those around me. Slowly, murmurs of uncertainty are replaced by cheers of encouragement and support.

The game flies by in a whirlwind. The Ridgewall Stampede doesn’t stand a chance. Finally, the final buzzer sounds loudly, signaling the end of the match. The stadium erupts into a deafening roar of applause and cheers. All around me, fans of the Freeze leap to their feet and scream with excitement. The scores at the end of the match aren’t even close. Even the announcers seem shocked by just how dominant the Freeze were

“The Statford Freeze wins! The booming voice over the intercom declares. I jump to my feet, and so does the rest of the

some people with excitement and some with anger. The opposing team slips quietly back to their locker room as the Freeze take their victory lap around the rink.

stadium

The team quickly moves to swarm Aiden. It’s obvious to everyone watching who the star player is. I beam with pride. Despite the attention, however, Aiden is focused elsewhere.

Aiden bursts out of the rink, his eyes searching the throng of jubilant fans. When his gaze locks on me, a wide grin spreads across his face. He yanks off his equipment carelessly and strides toward me with determination.

Surrounded by the euphoria of the moment, Aiden reaches me at last. His gaze is alight with pure exhilaration and joy. Without a word, he sweeps me into his arms, lifting the off of my feet into a triumphant embrace.

My heart is bursting with joy and pride as the Jumbotron camera focuses on us once more, the entire audience witnessing our affection for one another. This time, I can’t bring myself to creBelonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

As Aiden holds me close, our hearts beating in sync with the rhythm of the crowd, the hope and determination in the room becomes palpable. Aiden presses his lips to mine. I feel like maybe, just maybe, everything will be alright.

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