Chapter Text
The next morning, Riley and Val were jolted awake by a few soft knocks on the door. Riley groaned, rolling over beneath the blankets, while Val yawned and stumbled out of bed, making her way to the entrance of the room.
“Hello?” she called out, her eyes still heavy with sleep as she opened one eye to peek through the door.
Standing there was Coach Roberts, her hand on her hip and a small grin playing on her lips. “So, did you all have a good time last night?” she asked, a knowing look in her eyes.
Val's eyes widened in surprise. “W-we’re sorry, Coach! The girls and I just wanted to have some fun after the game—I take full responsibility for everything that happened,” she stammered, her voice laced with concern.
“Hmmm, I was going to make you all run laps around the gym, but I’ll let this slide since you were honest,” Coach Roberts replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Val let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Coach…” she said, a grateful smile breaking through her earlier anxiety.
“Now, start getting dressed. The bus will be pulling up soon,” Roberts instructed, turning to walk down the hall to check on the other teammates.
Having overheard the exchange, Riley sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes. “Is everything okay?” she asked groggily.
“Yeah, Coach found out about the party… she’s not mad,” Val shrugged, “I’m going to take a shower real quick, I’ll be back Michigan” Val said walking into the bathroom of the hotel.
Riley hummed and got out of bed. She stretched and reached for her phone that was charging on a night stand, Val probably plugged it in for Riley.
She unlocked her phone and was surprised by the lack of text messages she had.
Riley sighed and typed to her mother.
‘We won the game yesterday’ Riley texted her mom.
She then checked up on her friends Bree and Grace’a social medias. They had posted some selfies and a few post about their whereabouts.
Riley sighed, she hadn’t talked to Bree or Grace since the camp. She just couldn’t believe they would hold such important information from her. It made her wonder what else could they have possibly said about her. she decided to make the first move and text their old group chat a simple
“Hey”
As Riley hit send on her message, she felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The silence in the room was punctuated only by the sound of water running in the bathroom, the steam slowly beginning to fill the air. She hoped that Bree and Grace would respond quickly, but as the seconds ticked by, doubt crept in.
‘You’re a terrible friend’ ‘who would want to talk to you’ Riley’s mind echoed with the poisoned words of her anxiety. her phone buzzed, and Riley’s heart leaped. She quickly glanced at the screen to find a response from Grace: “Hey! How is everything? Miss you!”
Riley felt a wave of relief wash over her. “It’s great! We won our game yesterday.How about you guys?” she typed back, her fingers moving quickly over the screen.
As she waited for a reply, she heard the bathroom door crack open slightly. Val peeked her head out, droplets of water glistening on her skin. “You good in there?” she asked, a playful smile on her face.
Yeah, just catching up with Bree and Grace,” Riley replied, her heart racing at the sight of Val. There was something so effortless about Val’s presence that made Riley forget her earlier worries.
“Tell them I said hi!” Val chimed before disappearing back into the bathroom.
Riley smiled to herself, feeling a warmth spread through her. Just then, her phone buzzed again. “We miss you too! Can’t wait to hear about your highschool experiences so far, ” Grace’s message read.
Riley took a deep breath, considering her response. She didn’t want to seem too eager but also wanted to maintain the connection. “Not sure yet. I’m having a lot of fun! We should all catch up when I’m not busy.”
As she hit send, Riley felt a sense of ease wash over her. She was glad that Bree and Grace didn’t hate her and we’re still willing to talk to her.
Suddenly, Val emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp and tousled, wearing a comfy hoodie and shorts. “Ready to conquer the day?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
“oh I- I’m probably going to shower now, you can leave me here, I’ll be out soon” Riley explained to Val, val nodded “I’ll probably be hanging out in Dani’s room, send me a text when you’re ready” val said grabbing her phone and walking out the hotel room. Giving Riley her privacy.
Meanwhile Val walked down the halls of the hotel to visit a very hungover Dani.
When Val opened the door she was faced with a disheveled Dani, her hair a wild mess and her eyes squinting against the morning light. Dani was sprawled across her bed, surrounded by empty water bottles and snacks from the previous night.
“Ugh, who let the sun in?” Dani groaned, throwing an arm over her eyes as if to shield herself from its brightness.
Val chuckled, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. “Good morning, sunshine! How are you feeling?” She leaned against the wall, crossing her arms with a teasing smile.
“Like I got hit by a truck,” Dani mumbled, slowly pulling herself up into a sitting position. “What time is it?”
“Still pretty early. We’ve got time before the bus, but you might want to hurry up if you don’t want to miss breakfast,” Val replied, trying to suppress a laugh at her friend’s state.
Dani groaned again, this time more dramatically. “Breakfast? I can barely hold anything down, that’s all I’ve been doing is throwing up all morning”
Val walked over to the bedside, giving Dani a light nudge. “Maybe you shouldn’t have drunk so much. You’re lucky I have medicine in my bag”
Dani flopped back into the bed and sighed letting out a dramatic “fine!”
“yay,” Val grinned. “But only if you come to breakfast with me”
With a sigh that carried a hint of resignation, Dani swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up. “Fine, fine. Just give me five minutes. I need to make sure I look somewhat presentable.”
Val laughed, watching as Dani rummaged through her bag for a clean shirt. “You’ve got this. Just splash some water on your face, and you’ll be good to go.”
As Dani stumbled into the bathroom, Val took a moment to glance around the room. The remnants of the previous night—a mix of laughter and a little bit of chaos—still lingered in the air. It made her smile.
While waiting, Val pulled out her phone and shot a quick text to Riley: “Just checking in! Dani’s still alive, so we’re on for breakfast soon. Hope you’re feeling fresh!”
A moment later, her phone buzzed with a reply: “Haha, I’ll be out shortly! Save me some pancakes!”
“Will do!” Val typed back, feeling a warmth inside at the thought of spending more time with Riley.
Dani emerged from the bathroom, looking a bit more human but still sporting a sleepy expression. She was wearing a black sports bra with a jacket to cover up and some sweatpants that covered her bellybutton. It was normal for Dani to go out in just a bra.“Alright, let’s tackle breakfast before I change my mind,” she said, determined in her voice.
“Now that’s the spirit!” Val exclaimed, leading the way out of the room. As they strolled down the hallway, the excitement of the day ahead filled the air.
“Oh yeah, what were you and Michigan doing in that room?” Dani asked, wrapping an arm around Val's shoulder playfully.
“I already told you… we were just looking out the window,” Val replied, trying to maintain her composure.
“And I know when you’re lying, V,” Dani smirked knowingly, raising an eyebrow.
Val rolled her eyes, opting to change the subject instead. She pulled out her phone to check a notification from Riley. “I’m heading out now,” the message read.
“Alright!” Val quickly replied, a grin spreading across her face.
---
Once Val and Dani found a seat in the dining area of the hotel, they settled in and waited eagerly for Riley. Moments later, Riley came rushing down the hallway, her blue hoodie and leggings giving her a sporty look. Her iconic ponytail swung back and forth, adding to her lively energy.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to make you guys wait!” she apologized, breathless from her hurried pace.
“You're good!” Val smiled, standing up from her seat to greet her friend. She placed a comforting hand on Riley’s back, guiding her toward the breakfast bar.
Dani followed closely behind, her eyes scanning the array of food. The three of them grabbed their plates. Val opted for a balanced breakfast, selecting fluffy pancakes, sweet grapes, scrambled eggs, and a cup of coffee with a splash of cream. Riley decided to keep it simple, scooping up a stack of pancakes alongside a refreshing glass of orange juice. Meanwhile, Dani chose a strong black coffee paired with golden toast topped with vibrant sliced tomatoes.
Once they settled at their table, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Soon, other Firehawks began to trickle down the hall. Sophia waved excitedly from a distance, while Allison giggled, her laughter ringing out.
Val, Dani, and Riley all waved back, welcoming the girls as they joined them for breakfast.
Riley took a satisfying bite of her pancakes, relishing the taste of something that wasn’t a protein bar for once.
“Last night was crazy,” Allison said, pulling up a chair next to Dani, her eyes sparkling with memories.
“Tell me about it! I’m still trying to fight this hangover,” Dani groaned, taking a long sip of her strong coffee, hoping it would work its magic.
“I’m just glad Coach didn’t get mad at us,” Sophia replied, relief evident in her voice.
“Yeah, I was literally so scared this morning,” Val chimed in, letting out a nervous laugh as she used her fork to stab at a grape on her plate.
“Mmhmm, me too,” Riley added, swallowing a mouthful of her fluffy pancakes. Just then, her phone chimed again, prompting her to pull it out and check the screen.
“Hey, Riley! Nice hearing from you again!” Bree’s message popped up, replying to the previous conversation in their group chat.
“We have to see each other soon,” Riley texted back, a wide grin forming on her face as she felt a surge of excitement.
“So, do you guys have any plans once you get home?” Allison asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Oh yeah, me and Val were planning to hang out sometime during the week,” Riley replied, glancing over at her phone while continuing the conversation. She then looked back toward the group. “What about you guys?”
“Probably going to buckle down and do some homework. We have a world history test on Thursday,” Sophia answered.
“I’m going to crash as soon as I’m home,” Dani said, holding her head as a sharp pain shot through her skull. “I hope this bus comes soon,” she groaned, wishing for relief.
“I completely forgot! I’ll be right back,” Val said suddenly, getting up and rushing to her room.
Riley looked up from her phone, puzzled. “Um… well, Riley, did you enjoy the party?” Sophia asked, breaking the slight tension in the air.
“Yeah! It was so fun! I mostly hung out with Val, and we talked and stuff,” Riley replied, a smile spreading across her face as her cheeks turned a light pink.
“Did she tell you her secrets to being such a good player?” Allison teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“They were probably flirting or something,” Dani joked, her playful tone causing Riley’s mind to wander. ‘Did Val tell them? How does Dani know?’
“We were just—looking out the window, haha!” Riley laughed nervously, grabbing her drink and taking a large gulp.
“Oh, Dani, chill! You know Riley and Val are close,” Allison said, playfully elbowing Dani in the ribs.
“Fine,” Dani rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile.
Moments later, Val returned with a few pills in her hand. “Sorry about that, Dani! I completely forgot about your medicine,” she apologized, handing the pills to her friend. Val’s gaze drifted over to Riley, whose face was as red as a tomato.
Val raised an eyebrow curiously, wondering what had just transpired among the group.
“Lady’s finished eating so we can start getting on the bus” coach Roberts interrupted.
The girls giggled and eventually finished eating their food
——————
Once everyone finished gathering their belongings, Coach Roberts stepped in to help load the girls' bags onto the bus. “Now, please keep the noise level to a minimum; I don’t want to hear any complaints on the way home,” she said, rubbing her temples as she settled into her seat at the front of the bus, just behind the driver.
“Yes, Coach!” the girls echoed in unison, organizing themselves and figuring out their seating arrangements.
Riley slid into her usual window seat, and Val followed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Are your parents picking you up when we get to school?” Val asked, glancing at Riley.
“I don’t know yet. My mom hasn’t texted me back since this morning. She’s probably exhausted from work,” Riley replied, a hint of worry creeping into her voice.
“What about your dad?” Val pressed gently, concerned.
Riley's expression darkened at the mention of her father. “He’s probably drunk or something. I don’t really like texting him,” she shrugged, her mood shifting noticeably.
Sensing the change, Val intertwined her fingers with Riley's. “It’s going to be okay… Just tell your mom I’ll take you home,” she said, rubbing her thumb soothingly against Riley’s hand in an effort to comfort her.
“Thank you…” Riley murmured, resting her head against Val’s shoulder, feeling a sense of warmth and safety.
The bus ride back to school was relatively quiet, filled only with the hum of the engine and the occasional bump in the road. Riley soon drifted off to sleep, while Val chatted softly with Dani, glancing back at her friend every now and then, ensuring she was comfortable.
——————
As the bus rolled to a stop, Val gently cupped Riley’s cheek to wake her. “Come on, Michigan, it’s time to go,” she said, her voice wrapping around Riley like a warm blanket.
Riley yawned and stretched, blinking sleepily as she took in the familiar surroundings. Val had already grabbed both of their bags and was making her way toward the bus exit, prompting Riley to follow closely behind.
Outside, their friends had gathered to say their goodbyes. “See you guys in class!” Sophia called out as she packed her bag into her mom’s car, adjusting her glasses and waving cheerfully.
Allison and Dani hopped into Dani’s car, flashing peace signs before speeding away. Meanwhile, Val had stowed their bags in the back seat of her car and was now at the passenger door, opening it for Riley.
Riley’s heart fluttered at the gesture as she settled into Val’s brightly decorated car. The dashboard sported a few hockey team stickers, the floor mats were emblazoned with the school’s logo, and a fluffy red cover adorned the steering wheel, bringing everything together in a way that felt uniquely Val.
“I know… you probably think it’s lame,” Val said, giving Riley an awkward grin.
“I think it’s cute,” Riley replied, tucking a few stray hairs behind her ear with a smile.
“Thank god! I thought you’d think I was boring,” Val sighed in relief.
“I would never! You’re so cool, Val,” Riley giggled, making Val blush as she turned on the car. The engine sputtered and popped before starting up.
“Don’t be alarmed; it’s just a really old car!” Val warned, shifting gears and heading toward the school exit.
“Just let me know where to turn and stuff, okay?” Val said, placing her hand on Riley’s thigh. Riley nodded, trying to suppress a startled yelp at the unexpected touch. She was never going to get used to Valentina Ortiz’s touch.
“You can take a left here,” Riley guided, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest.
“Mmhmm,” Val hummed. “You can put on some music if you want.”
Riley’s mind raced with possibilities: ‘What should we play? She’ll hate my music. She’s going to think I’m lame.’
“You can play ‘Get Up and Glow’ if you want,” Val suggested casually.
“Wait—really?” Riley’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yeah, I still listen to them sometimes,” Val shrugged nonchalantly. Riley smiled and grabbed Val’s phone, opening the music app to play the band’s latest album. To her delight, it was indeed in Val's recently played list.
“I don’t let the girls know because they’d never let me live it down,” Val said, turning the volume up a bit.
“But you’re the captain! Can’t you just make them stop?” Riley asked, intrigued.
“Well, yeah, but I’m just the captain; I’m not in charge. I set the example for everyone else. Honestly, it doesn’t bother me much,” Val explained.
“Go right at the stop sign,” Riley pointed out, noticing the sign at the end of the road. “I guess I see where you’re coming from.”
Val nodded and made the turn. “Oh yeah, how was your conversation with Grace and Bree?” she asked.
“They were happy to hear from me! I was kinda avoiding them ever since camp. I thought they hated me and honestly forgot about me,” Riley admitted.
“I’m glad you guys are talking again; it’s always good to have friends outside of hockey,” Val smiled, giving Riley’s leg a light squeeze.
“You have to stop thinking everyone hates you, Riley. It’s not a good mindset,” Val said, momentarily taking her eyes off the road to glance at Riley.
“I know, it’s just… whenever bad things happen, that’s where my mind goes,” Riley replied, her voice tinged with vulnerability.
“We can work on that,” Val assured her.
“Thank you,” Riley said, a light blush creeping across her cheeks.
As Val drove into Riley’s neighborhood, she slowed down. “What did you want to do for our hangout?” Riley asked, fiddling with the sleeve of her jacket.
“Oh, I was thinking maybe we could see a movie and do some shopping? What do you think?” Val suggested, her tone unsure.
“That works for me! Um… would this be considered a d-date?” Riley stuttered, her heart racing.
Val’s face heated up at the question, surprising Riley. “Yeah,” she said, trying to suppress a smile.
Riley bit back her own grin. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither! I’m sure we’ll have a blast,” Val agreed as She came to a stop at the stop sign, Riley chimed in, “My house number is 4456.”
Val nodded, her eyes scanning the street carefully for Riley’s house. It wasn’t long before she pulled up in front of a cozy home.
“Well, looks like our time is up,” Val said playfully, letting out a mock huff.
“Yeah…” Riley replied, her voice trailing off as she felt the moment linger.
“I’ll text you when I’m free, okay? We can set up the date,” Val suggested, a hint of excitement in her tone. The word "date" echoed in Riley’s mind, causing her heart to flutter.
“what should I wear?” Riley asked, raising an eyebrow with a playful smirk.
“Hehe, something cute,” Val giggled, scratching the back of her neck, her cheeks flushed.
“I look forward to it,” Riley said, beaming as she leaned over and planted a quick peck on Val’s lips. It was a spontaneous move, her body acting on instinct.
Both girls froze, surprise etched on their faces. Val’s eyes widened in shock, mirroring Riley’s own astonishment.
Quickly, Riley grabbed her bag from the back seat and scrambled out of the car. “Thank you for the ride! I’ll talk to you later!” she stuttered, her heart racing.
“Yep!” Val saluted from her window, still processing the kiss as she pulled out of the driveway, her face warm with a lingering blush.