Page 96 of That Pucking New Girl

“Nine times out of ten? Yes, that’s usually the pathway. He plans to get around it by having you go to Colorado College for a semester before they draft you. It’s a solid plan, gives you a taste of hockey at the collegiate level, and they’ll have the coach out at CC also give you a call,” Coach grins. “It's a roundabout way to get you in, but it makes the most sense, D.”

I can’t help the excitement I feel, but he still sees my concern for stability.

“You’re a goalie,” Coach snorts, clapping my shoulder. “Your team's entire personality is to fucking take care of you. Be smart, don’t spend all your money, and invest it wisely. Keep your nose clean, D. You have the grades to go anywhere, but you’re also a really fucking good goalie. So what do you want?”

“To play hockey,” I say honestly. It’s been on my mind for the last few weeks. I’ll explain myself to Alastair, but this is what I want.

The three of us have always said we’d remain tight, and I believe that. I need to chase this.

“Close the door,” he says. “Let’s call him and make that dream come true, son.”

Hot damn.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

NOOR

I’m officially doing virtual school.

Principal Keer told Rachelle that things have escalated to the point where they can no longer ensure my safety. This feels like a clear one-eighty from him ignoring the bullying happening to me to where we are now.

Rachelle says too many people witnessed the situation and watched me disappear afterward, which means students asked questions. It doesn’t matter that the Devils continually told the student body to ignore my existence, students still went home and told their parents a senior went missing that day.

Parents have been asking if that “foster kid” was found or not, while others asked if my dead body had really been found after I threw myself from the bell tower. Too many rumors were flying around, and it made parents panic.

In the meantime, I keep flinching at every phone call answered, waiting for Draven’s parents to pull Ignacio up on charges. Or worse yet, a police officer to come over to take Ignacio away in handcuffs. Liliana keeps trying to reassure me this won’t happen, but I’m not so sure.

“Noor,” Emil says warmingly, entering the living room where I’m setting up camp.

It’s been five days since the incident, and I don’t really trust my dark thoughts about what happened. It’s why I’m doing my schoolwork on the couch here. When I’m alone, I start to remember the things I’ve learned to pack up and tuck away into the boxes of my mind.

Now, those boxes are spilling over and I don’t trust my therapist anymore to speak with her.

“Hi,” I say weakly, pausing a video I’m halfheartedly watching. My teachers are all video taping their lectures for me, to allow me to work from home.

It’s not perfect, but it’ll keep me from having to jump into another school’s curriculum that is all online. Rachelle is doing her damnedest to provide me with a “normal” school experience, and I adore her for that.

I hate that my life is so fucked up. Nothing stays good for long before my luck sours it. My father used to call me unlucky when he’d beat me, and I’m hearing his voice a lot in my mind lately.

It’s a memory I’d much rather forget.

“How is virtual school working for you?” he asks.

“Like it makes more sense for me to get my GED?” I ask, sighing. “Ignore me, I’m not in the best mood lately.”

“Give it a couple of weeks and then see what you want to do,” he suggests. “Are you learning through videos?”

“My teachers are recording my classes as they do them and sending them to me. I’m a day behind, but I’m still able to complete the coursework,” I explain. “I really enjoy what I’m learning, it’s just not the same as attending school in person. Yet, at the same time, I’m glad I don’t have to go.”

“What would your day look like if you were at school?” Emil asks, sitting beside me.

I’m curled up in a corner and wince, beginning to move so my feet aren’t on the couch. It’s rude to keep sitting like this, right? Emil taps my knee, shaking his head sharply to indicate I should stay where I am.

Blinking in surprise, I nod, thinking about what he asked.

“Honestly? Sometimes it’s being ignored by students, others it’s trying to evade attention because I know that I’m going to get shoved into the wall. Ugh, you’re right. I don’t miss school. I miss being normal.”