sixty

                                    

                                          

















Wyatt sat with his head pressed into his hands, elbows resting against his knees. He wasn't upset, wasn't mad, he was trying to find his focus. He was anxious if anything, attempting to concentrate on the game, his future being at stake.
He could hear the loudness of the locker room, everyone finding their own friendships between the team. Wyatt, was more concerned on his game, wanting to show he was good despite growing up in a town that would have had one of the worst teams in the state if it hadn't been for him. He only wanted to be better than good. 
"Hey, don't stress so much, okay?" Wyatt didn't have to sit up to know who had sat beside him in his stall. It was a voice he had grown familiar with months before, and one that still brought him comfort. 
"What if—"
"Wyatt, you're the best defenseman I've ever met, don't start doubting yourself now. Besides, this is just practice." Wyatt let out a short sigh, lifting his head to face Charlie, who stared down at him with the endearing chocolate brown eyes he had once been in love with.
"I'm so happy you're here, I've been so just.. overwhelmed and seeing you is such a relief." Wyatt mumbled, rubbing his face and picking up his clear tape.
"It's always good to have a familiar face." Charlie responded, giving a partial smile that Wyatt wanted to apologize for. He felt guilty, despite their relationship coming to a mutual end, he still felt guilty.
"I'm s—"
"Danes!" Wyatt felt something hit his chest, lifting his head to be met with a grinning Whit. "Some of us are going over to Zachs after practice, wanna come?" Whit asked him, only halfway dressed in his gear as his jersey and chest pads were yet to be put on.
"Y'know, I think I'm just gonna chill in my dorm." Wyatt answered with realization that the invitation hadn't extended to the boy beside him.
"K, man, but he's got booze." Whit shrugged, turning back to his stall and Wyatt let out a huff.
"They know I'm gay." Charlie informed him with a shrug, used to the behavior.
"How?" Wyatt felt his heart race with anxiety, he felt selfish, but a part of him was terrified he would be outed as well.
"The guy I was rooming with kinda.. he figured it out." Charlie mumbled, tugging his jersey over his head. 
"He didn't do anything to you, right? He didn't—"
"No, he just requested a new roommate." Charlie responded, reaching for his helmet.
"That's fucked." Wyatt muttered, partially wishing he knew who this roommate was to talk to him.
"It's what happens when you're gay and in hockey, most of the players tend to stay away in fear I'll hit on them or something." Charlie told him, and Wyatt knew that, he had gotten similar treatment up until he began dating Molly. Except, Charlie had it worse, he was an openly gay hockey player in a time where being queer was not tolerated.
"Just let me know if anyone's a dick, alright? I wont stand for that shit." Wyatt reminded him, and he was sure Charlie knew it without saying, but he felt the need to extend the offer anyway.
"Thanks." Charlie merely gave him a half smile, standing from his stall to head town the tunnel. 
—
"I bet he's checking us out in the locker rooms, it must be nice getting to change with us." Wyatt couldn't control the clench of his jaw as he heard the words leave his temporary teammates mouth.