Chapter 7

I hated being separated from my friends all day. Normally it wouldn't bother me, having to play hockey with a bunch of guys that I didn't know; but this was different. Consti had been right about Jake and his new found hatred for me. It wasn't even the fact that he was ignoring me, but the fact that he had somehow managed to turn most of the other centres against me as all.
I tried not to let it bother me, I tried to stay under the radar, but Steckel continued to praise me and Jake continued to hate me.

By the time Thursday came I couldn't be more ready for the week to be over; we were scheduled for Rink C in the morning and then the Cardio gym that evening. Mattie had decided that I needed to get away, and so we were going into town that night to see a movie; we both had Friday morning off. I kept thinking about this and trying to remind myself that I actually had something to look forward to.

The day went by slowly, and at 4 o'clock I headed out of the gym and straight back to the dorm. When I got back into our room I was alone, Mattie must still be on the ice, I thought to myself, a little disappointed. I grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom, deciding I might as well get ready while I wait for him.
When I came out of the shower I saw Mattie sitting on his bed, waiting for me. "I figure we could go in early and grab something to eat... if you want."

"Sure!" I smiled, anything sounded like a better idea then kicking around here.

We made our way out of the dorms, walking by the rec room as we left. I looked over and saw Jake play pool with some other guys. He looked up at me, looked at Mattie and then back at me; he looked almost sad. I didn't have time to think about it though, before I knew it we were outside and heading towards the sidewalk.

The movie was super lame, but I had a good time. Mattie and I laughed at all the fake explosions and horrible acting, causing us both to tear-up; much to the annoyance of the people around us.
After it was over we made our way back to the dorm slowly, Mattie seemed to want to stay out even more than I did. I thought that was weird, he was having a better time at the camp then I was.

Eventually we reached our room. I went into the bathroom and changed into a par of old ripped sweat pants and a sports bra. I was on my way out when I heard a knock at the door. Mattie was already in his PJs pants, fooling around on his laptop, so I opened the door.
Jake was standing there, looking terrified. "Are you alone?" He almost whispered.

"What is this about?" I said hotly, Jake was the last person I wanted to see right now.

"Shhh... are you alone?" he whispered back more urgently.

"No, Mattie's here... why?" my curiousity getting the best of me. Jake started walking backwards, signaling me to follow. I looked over my shoulder at Mattie who was too ubsorbed in his computer to even notice what I was doing. Sighing, I shut the door behind me and followed after Jake.
Before we reached the rec room he stopped and pulled me close to him. "What do you think you're-" I started to push away but he shushed me again.

"I'm in room 412, alright? Just follow after me in a second." He walked quickly up the stairs, leaving me in the middle of the hallway, totally confused.
I counted till 10 and then followed after him, I walked past the rec room window and looked in. Consti, Carrol and Marty were all sitting on a coach, facing the window. They stopped talking when they saw me. Carrol gave me a smile and waved me in, I mouthed 'One second' to him before heading up the stairs. When I looked back over my shoulder Consti was glaring ahead of me, a look of pure hate on his face.
I was already so confused by the way Jake was now acting that I didn't have the capacity to wonder about anyone else's strange behaviour. I went up two flights of stairs and walked down the hall towards 412.

Before I could knock Jake swung the door open and pulled me in. The room was very messy on one side, and it was also empty; besides us. "Ok... seriously!" I said loudly pulling my arm out of his hand "What the hell is this about?"

Jake sighed, looking at me intently with very sad eyes. "I just wanted to see you..." he said quielty, looking down at the floor. He turned his back on me and sat at the end of the 'clean' bed.

"Oh so, you don't hate me now?"

"Carlie, I didn't hate you, I don't hate you..."

"Then you just what... decided it'd be fun to avoid me all week?"

"I didn't want to. Carlie I really like you and I'm sorry I screwed this up. I feel like such a coward, I was just scared of what -"

"Scared of what people would say, if they found out you liked a girl that plays hockey? WHAT'S THE BIG FREAKIN DEAL ANYWAY?!" I yelled, unable to stay clam any longer. Hot tears began to fall from my eyes as I turned back towards the door. "You know what Jake?! I thought you were a nice guy, and I really liked you... but you're no different then any of them. I just want to play hockey, and I just want someone who likes me regardless of what other people think... I thought that could be you but apparently I was wrong." I reached for the handle but Jake was behind me pulling my hand away from the door.

"Carlie I like you, alot. The only reason I acted the way I did was because your friend said he'd beat the shit out of me if I didn't stop hitting on you. I was a coward, I should have told him to fuck off but I didn't. I'm sorry I hurt you but I swear I didn't want to. I want you..." He finished softly, pulling me into a warm hug. "If you don't believe me, go ask him."
I didn't need to ask who, I already knew, and I already knew where he was. "Wait here..." I said pulling myself out of Jakes embrace and heading out the door.

I marched down stairs and into the rec room. I didn't care that the room was packed, the only thing I saw was the look of defeat cross over Constis' face, and I knew everything Jake told me was the truth.
"How could you?" I spat across the room at him.

"Carlie let's go somewhere else..." Carrol said getting up and starting to walk towards me.

"You knew?!" I fired at him. "You knew what he did and you didn't say anything to me?"

"Carlie I only did it because-"

"I don't give a shit Consti! I don't give a shit why you did it and I don't give a shit what you have to say. You sat there and lied to me! You threatened the guy I like, you lied to me about it and then you sat there and watched me... WATCHED ME CRY MYSELF TO SLEEP!"

Everyone in the room was dead silent. All eyes were bouncing back between Consti and me, but I didn't care. "You have no idea what this week was like for me..." I was so upset I didn't even have the strength to yell anymore. I hung my head and felt the tears flowing again. Someone came up from behind me and put their hand on my shoulder. I turned, expecting to see Jake, but instead I saw Mattie.

"Carlie... are you ok?" he began, concern crossing over his face.

"Did you know?"

"Carlie..."

"Matthew, did you know about this?" I pointed behind me, over towards Consti and Carrol, my eyes never leaving his. He opened his mouth looking for words; none came, so he closed it. He looked at the floor, then at Consti and Carrol, then finally back at me; where he nodded, tears forming in his eyes.
Before even considering what I was doing I slapped Mattie across the face hard. "You're suppose to be my best friend..." I whispered, covering my face with my hands and sobbing.

"Carlie, Carlie come here..." Jake was there then. He gently grabbed my arm and pulled me past Mattie, out into the hallway. He grasped my hand firmly in his and lead me back up the stairs. I followed him into his room, never looking back once.