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"are you ready, hey, are you ready for this? are you hanging on the edge of your seat? "
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6:04 PM JUNE 23RD NEW HOPE ARENA
BETH GAZED UP and looked back and forth from Jane to Claire, before shaking Jane softly awake.
Jane whimpered and let out this small cross between a hiccup and a snort, yawning. Beth giggled lightly before shaking her gently again, making Jane get up.
"Mhm, no. Five more minutes." Jane groaned. Claire chuckled softly, "C'mon Jane. There's something we need to talk about."
Jane sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, half awake and groggy. Beth pulled her up from her upper arms, watching as she struggled to catch her steps.
Claire kept an eye on the two while she walked toward the exit, seeing Jane wrap an arm around Beth's shoulders, using her as a support. The girls followed Claire out, seeing the team on the ice and shooting a quick glance.
They were just skating around laughing, making Jane smile slightly at the sight of them. She felt Beth tug her, continuing to leave the arena and walk out into the parking lot.
Jane looked down at her feet hitting the asphalt, sighing. Quickly they all got into the car, and Claire started the car.
"So, Beth, you know how you play hockey right?" Claire started up as she backed out of the space.
"Yeah, is there a way I could join a team?" She quickly questioned.
"Well... before I get to that, Jane?"
Jane looked away from the car window, humming. "Hm?"
"Have you ever had any particular interest in playing hockey?" I know Beth has taught you some, but how do you feel about it?"
"Beth always told me it was like figure skating with a stick, uh, it's fun. I enjoy practicing with Beth." Jane replied to her aunt.
"How would you guys like to play with Averman?" She eyed down the girls in the rearview mirror.
Beth smiled widely. "I would love to!" She exclaimed, before immediately calming down and looking at Jane, knowing how she would respond would affect the way Beth made a final decision.
"I- um.. yeah?" It came out more like a question than an answer.
Claire gave a wide beam, "Averman's coach invited you guys to play for them, representing America in an international competition in Los Angeles. How do you guys feel?"
Jane widened her eyes and looked at her hands, thinking to herself. 'Well, there's not exactly anything better to do, right? Beth would be so happy, and I would meet new people...'
Beth bit her lip and grabbed Jane's hand, squeezing it gently. "Jane..."
Jane grinned, seeing Beth's expression towards the proposal. "Yeah, I mean, I don't see why not?"
She was internally trying to shrug off any possible thought of her family, and everything that occurred.
That was going to be her solution to stay happy, she decided. Pretend like it didn't happen, shove off any trace and significant sign it had happened.
Claire nodded, "You guys leave the day after tomorrow, so, I hope you guys are okay with that. Jane, they said they're going to give you a little bit of time to learn some more hockey."
"Cl-" Beth started, but Claire interrupted her.
"Call me Aunt C, and yes, we still need your parents to consent." She sighed.
Beth shrugged. "That's easy- do you want to text them or me text them?"
Claire handed Beth her phone after unlocking it, "Go ahead and text them."
Beth started typing, while Jane watched her. "So, what position do you think I'll play?"
Beth finished typing and sending the message before answering, "I have actually no idea. Because of your skating skills, it depends on who we're playing with and the dynamics. And you know, you've played hockey with me in the past. Damn Jane, you're better than you think you are. You know most stuff."
Jane nodded, noticing they had arrived back at the house. Beth followed her eyes and saw it too, waiting for Claire to stop the car before they exited.
Once they got off, Claire walked in front of the girls to unlock the door. "Alright, there's leftover chicken in the refrigerator you guys can microwave, I'm gonna head back and wait for Les. Love you guys."
Beth was surprised at the welcome and fondness of Jane's aunt, telling her she loved her and letting her refer to her as Aunt C. It was like someone was actually taking her in.
Jane walked over to the refrigerator and started preparing the chicken and rice, whilst Claire walked out the door and Beth locked it from behind.
Beth walked into the kitchen, standing next to Jane.
"Look, J, if you're not ready for skating I understand. We don't have to go, don't let how I feel enforce what happens." she leaned against the counter.
"Beth, even if I didn't want to go, I would rather go and force myself than make Aunt C stay behind with us. She loves Averman and of course wants to see him play at a big event like this."
The microwave beeped, and Beth gently pushed Jane back as she grabbed the food out and took over.
"What about what happened earlier today?" Beth turned to her, serious.
"It's fine. It just hit me at once, B. It happened. It's over." Jane shrugged nonchalantly.
Beth sighed, "All right. But know if it gets too overwhelming, I'm right there with you. I know you're a great player, I taught you how to play."
Jane chuckled, "Yeah... I'm just nervous because It's new. But everything is right now, so it wouldn't hurt to go. Either we're stuck here, or we go with family. Everybody else is happier that way."
"But Jane, what about your happiness?" Beth set the plates down. Jane hesitated before responding, careful of her word choice.
"I'll be happy as long as everyone around me is happy. I'm not going to let Aunt Claire sit here and act like everything is fine when she hopes she was there with her son, cheering him on. I'm not going to sit here and watch you watch her, wishing you were out on the ice, going as hard as you can. That's it. I'm happy alongside others who are happy." Jane explained.
Beth nodded in understanding, handing Jane a plate. "Alright.. we'll practice tomorrow."
