Hockey trip

The next morning, the FireHawks headed to the rink for their first official practice in Minnesota. The rink was cold, the air crisp, and the ice shimmered beneath the bright lights, a reminder of the serious competition ahead. Coach Roberts watched from the stands, her eyes sharp and calculating as the players took the ice. Val felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as she laced up her skates, her mind focused on the upcoming practice. Riley, still a little jittery, took her position with the team, and Val gave her a reassuring thumbs up. “You’ve got this,” Val said, smiling, trying to calm her nerves.
The session started off smoothly, the team flowing into their drills, but the atmosphere shifted as the rival team arrived. It was the Northern Ice Queens, the team that had been consistently on top of the league. Among them was their captain, Maddie Steele, a player known for her sharp tongue and even sharper elbows. Maddie immediately made her presence known as she skated onto the ice, her eyes locking onto Val. "Well, well," Maddie sneered, “looks like the FireHawks are here to embarrass themselves again.”
Val’s heart raced, but she kept her focus. She wasn’t going to let Maddie’s trash talk get under her skin. But as the practice wore on, Maddie began targeting her more directly, using every opportunity to taunt Val. “Nice move, Val,” Maddie mocked, “but you should really try learning how to do it without falling on your face.” The other girls on both teams were beginning to notice, and the atmosphere on the ice shifted from competitive to tense.
Val’s breath quickened, but she fought to keep her composure. The last thing she wanted was to be the one to lose control. But Maddie wasn’t letting up. “What’s the matter? Are you too scared to face us?” Maddie jeered, skating around Val in a loop, her voice dripping with condescension. "You know, you could’ve been a contender, but now you’re just... well, second best."
Val’s eyes narrowed, her fists clenching as Maddie’s words struck a nerve. She had always worked hard to earn her place, and to hear Maddie undermine her so casually stung more than she expected. But it was when Maddie pushed even further that Val could feel her anger flare.
"You know," Maddie continued, her voice sharp, "it must be tough for you. Not being good enough to be a real leader." Maddie smirked, skating closer to Val, her words calculated. "I mean, everyone knows you got captaincy because your dad was a big name in the league, not because of your skills."
Val’s breath caught in her throat. The mention of her dad hit hard. He had been an ex-player who was once a big deal, and people often assumed Val’s success came from his legacy, not her own abilities. Her blood boiled, and the insult landed squarely where it hurt the most.
But Maddie wasn’t finished. With a cruel smile, she leaned in, skating dangerously close. "But you know," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper that only Val could hear, "I remember middle school. You remember that, don’t you? When you couldn’t even keep up with me on the ice? How you begged your dad to pull some strings just to get you on the team. That’s the real reason you’re here. Not because you’re good, but because your daddy got you what you wanted. Pathetic."
Maddie grabbed Val by the shoulder, spinning her around to face her fully. She held Val’s gaze for a moment, her face inches away. Val’s eyes widened in shock, her pulse pounding. The words hit harder than anything Maddie had ever said before. Her childhood, her insecurities—everything that had been buried deep down—surfaced in an instant.
Maddie leaned in closer, her lips brushing Val’s ear as she whispered, "No matter how hard you try, you’ll always be the girl who couldn’t cut it on her own. You were always just a shadow of your old man."
Val gasped, the words cutting deeper than she could have imagined. Her breath hitched, her body trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.
“Get off me!” Val growled, shoving Maddie away with a force that surprised even her. But Maddie didn’t back down. The sneer on her face grew more venomous, and the tension in the rink heightened as their rivalry exploded.
"Make me," Maddie taunted, skating in close again. “You’re nothing but a spoiled brat who gets everything handed to her.”
That was it. Val’s blood was boiling. Her hands balled into fists, and without thinking, she charged at Maddie, shoving her hard enough that the impact echoed across the rink. The players on both teams scattered, watching in disbelief as the confrontation escalated into a full-on brawl.
"You want a fight?!" Val yelled, her face flushed with fury. “I’ll show you a fight, Steele!”
The rink descended into chaos as Val and Maddie locked in a furious struggle—shove after shove, insults flying, and the animosity between them crackling in the air. The players on both sides watched, unsure of how to intervene.
It was only when Coach Roberts skated in, her whistle blasting through the ice, that the situation was brought to an abrupt halt.
“That’s enough!” Coach shouted, her voice sharp and cutting through the tension like a knife. Both captains glared at each other, panting, as Coach Roberts skated toward them with authority. “Val, Maddie, to the side. Now.”
With a final, venomous glare, Maddie backed off and skated to the side of the rink, her fists still clenched at her sides. Val followed, her chest heaving with anger, her hands trembling from the adrenaline.
Coach Roberts stood tall, her eyes narrowing with disapproval. “I don’t care what issues you have with each other,” she said, her voice low but filled with authority. “This is not the place for them. Get your heads in the game or you’ll both be sitting out for the next practice. Do I make myself clear?”
Val nodded sharply, her mind still racing, but Maddie simply scoffed, her arms crossed tightly. “Yeah, whatever. We’ll see how this plays out.”
Coach Roberts’ gaze hardened. “Good. Now get back on the ice.”
As the teams reluctantly returned to their drills, the air was thick with tension. Val’s heart was still racing, the anger and frustration not fully abated. She knew Maddie had crossed a line, but Val wasn’t going to let her win. Not now, not ever.
As the whistle blew to end practice, Val exhaled slowly, her focus sharpening. The fight wasn’t over—it had just begun. The team regrouped near the entrance to the bathroom, everyone laughing and joking about the roller coaster rides they'd just survived. But as they all filed in to take a quick break, Val stayed outside. "I’ll be right back," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I need to grab something from the shop." The team nodded, and the chatter continued as they entered the restroom. Val took a deep breath, pushing her thoughts away as she walked toward the nearby gift shop, her mind still tangled in the events of earlier. She didn’t like the way those boys had made her feel, but she wasn’t about to let it ruin her day. As she made her way back, she felt a hand suddenly grab her hair, yanking her backward. Val’s breath caught as she turned to face the same group of boys from earlier. The tall one with messy hair was smirking at her, his friends surrounding him like a pack of wolves. "Well, well, if it isn’t the tough girl," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "You think you're too good for us, huh?" Before Val could react, the boy reached out, grabbing at her chest with a sleazy grin. "I bet you’re all talk," he sneered. "But I’ll show you exactly what I mean." Her blood boiled at the invasion, but she didn’t hesitate. She lifted her knee to kick him, but the boy was quick to shove her, causing her to stumble. The next thing Val knew, she was on the ground, the rough pavement scraping against her palms. A sharp pain shot through her back as the tall boy kicked her, followed by another painful kick to her stomach. "What’s the matter, tough girl?" he taunted, laughing as his friends joined in. One of them grabbed her arm, twisting it behind her back, while another took the opportunity to kick her in the side. The mocking laughter echoed around her, and Val’s anger surged. Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, the team was finishing up, chatting casually. But something felt off to Kara. "Has anyone seen Val?" she asked, glancing at the others. The group paused, realizing that Val wasn’t with them. Riley’s eyes widened. "She’s not back yet?" Her heart skipped a beat as a sudden unease took hold of her. "I’ll go check on her," Kara said, stepping toward the door. As they gathered by the entrance, they overheard a voice—one that made Riley’s blood run cold. "So much for being a tough girl," one of the boys sneered. Riley’s stomach churned. Without thinking, she bolted for the door, her teammates right behind her. They burst outside, and Riley’s eyes immediately locked onto the scene ahead. The boys were still gathered around Val, taunting her as she struggled to get to her feet. Riley didn’t hesitate. "Hey!" she shouted, running toward them with a fire in her eyes. The boys turned just in time to see the team charging toward them, and their smug expressions faltered. Val’s face was flushed with anger and pain, but she managed to stand tall, brushing herself off as best as she could. "Leave her alone!" Kara shouted, her voice full of authority. The boys looked at each other, sizing up the group. With a huff of frustration, the tall boy spat on the ground. "Whatever. You’re lucky we don’t feel like dealing with you today." Without another word, the boys quickly turned and fled, disappearing into the crowd, leaving the team standing protectively around Val. Riley rushed to Val’s side, her hands hovering with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but filled with worry. Val nodded, but the pain in her eyes was hard to hide. "I’m fine," she said, forcing a weak smile. "Just... just a little shaken up." The team gathered around her, each of them offering words of support. Kara placed a hand on Val’s shoulder, her voice soft but firm. "No one should ever treat you like that, Val. And we’re not going to let them get away with it." "I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it," Val said quietly, glancing at Riley. "I didn’t want to ruin the day for you guys." Riley’s eyes softened. "You didn’t ruin anything. They’re the ones who should be ashamed." The team nodded in agreement, and for the first time that day, Val felt the weight of the incident lift, if only a little. She wasn’t alone. As they walked back toward the group, ready to finish their day, Val knew this wouldn’t be the last time she faced something like this. But she also knew that with her teammates by her side, she didn’t have to face it alone. can kinda rewrite it with a sence in the bathroom where the girls are talking about Val and her being all queit and they asked riley what happened so riley told them.Chapter 6: Fun and Protection (Continued)
The team regrouped near the entrance to the bathroom, everyone laughing and joking about the roller coaster rides they'd just survived. But as they all filed in to take a quick break, Val stayed outside. "I’ll be right back," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I need to grab something from the shop."
The team nodded, and the chatter continued as they entered the restroom. Val took a deep breath, pushing her thoughts away as she walked toward the nearby gift shop, her mind still tangled in the events of earlier. She didn’t like the way those boys had made her feel, but she wasn’t about to let it ruin her day.
Inside the bathroom, the conversation among the girls shifted. They were all talking excitedly about the day so far, but then Kara spoke up, a concerned look crossing her face. "Has anyone noticed how quiet Val’s been since the park?"
The others paused, exchanging glances. "Now that you mention it..." Riley trailed off, her brow furrowing. "She’s been acting a little off, hasn’t she?"
Kara nodded. "She’s usually the loudest one out of all of us, and now she’s barely saying anything. It’s like she’s keeping to herself."
Riley’s stomach twisted. She’d noticed it too, but she hadn’t been sure how to bring it up. The encounter earlier that day with the group of boys had stayed on her mind, but Val hadn’t said much about it. Riley knew her friend well enough to know when something was wrong, even if Val didn’t speak about it.
"Riley, what happened?" Kara asked, her voice gentle but insistent. "You’re her best friend. Did something happen with her? Why is she so quiet?"
Riley hesitated for a moment, her thoughts racing. How could she explain it without making things worse for Val? She didn’t want to paint her friend as a victim, but at the same time, she couldn’t just ignore what had happened.
After a moment, Riley took a deep breath, her voice low as she spoke. "Those boys... they tried to grab her earlier. At the park. One of them... grabbed at her chest, and they were all teasing her. Val tried to fight back, but they shoved her and kicked her when she fell."
The group fell silent, the gravity of Riley’s words sinking in. The girls exchanged shocked, disbelieving looks. "That’s awful," said Mia, her voice filled with disgust. "I can’t believe they did that."
"I’m so sorry, Riles," Kara said softly. "I had no idea."
Riley looked down at the floor, clenching her fists. "I didn’t want to tell anyone. I don’t want Val to feel weak, or like she can’t handle herself. She’s always the one protecting everyone else." Her voice cracked slightly. "But... I don’t know. I just thought you should know."
Before anyone could respond, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from outside the bathroom. Kara and Mia turned toward the door, looking concerned.
"You think she’s okay?" Mia asked quietly.
Riley nodded, though she wasn’t sure. "She’s strong, but I don’t think she’s as okay as she’s letting on."
Just as they started to talk again, the sound of male voices broke through the quiet. One of the boys from earlier sneered, "So much for being a tough girl."
Riley’s blood ran cold. Without another word, she bolted for the door, her teammates following closely behind. They burst out of the bathroom just in time to see the group of boys surrounding Val again, this time with a look of smug satisfaction on their faces.
Val was struggling to get to her feet, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and pain. Riley’s heart pounded in her chest, and before she could think, she sprinted toward her friend, shouting, "Hey!"
The boys turned to see the group of girls rushing toward them, their expressions faltering for a moment. Val’s face was still flushed, but she stood tall, despite the obvious discomfort from the earlier encounter.
"Leave her alone!" Kara shouted, her voice filled with authority.
The boys exchanged a brief look before the tall one spat on the ground and sneered, "Whatever. You’re lucky we don’t feel like dealing with you today."
Without a word more, they turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd, leaving the girls standing protectively around Val.
Riley rushed to her side, her hands hovering as she looked Val over. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice laced with concern.
Val nodded slowly, but there was an undeniable weariness in her eyes. "I’m fine," she said, though it was clear the pain wasn’t just physical. "Just... a little shaken up."
The team gathered around her, offering quiet words of support, with Kara giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "No one should ever treat you like that, Val," she said firmly. "And we’re not going to let them get away with it."
Val sighed softly, feeling the weight of her team’s words. "I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it," she admitted quietly. "I didn’t want to ruin the day for you guys."
Riley smiled gently, placing a hand on her friend’s arm. "You didn’t ruin anything. They’re the ones who should be ashamed of themselves."
The group nodded in agreement, standing united. For the first time that day, Val felt the sting of the incident lessen, just a little. She wasn’t alone.
As they walked back toward the group, ready to finish the day, Val knew this wouldn’t be the last time she faced something like this. But with her teammates by her side, she knew she didn’t have to face it alone.
Time for Bed After a long and eventful day, the FireHawks were finally back at the dorm, exhausted from all the fun and the pressure of the upcoming tournament. Coach Roberts had been firm with them as usual, urging the team to get ready for bed early to rest up for the big day. "Alright, team," Coach Roberts said, her voice stern but with a hint of warmth, "Get to your rooms, get settled, and get some sleep. We’ve got a big day tomorrow, and you need to be ready. Lights out by 10:00." The team nodded in agreement and headed to their respective rooms. Val and Riley walked back to their room together, both feeling the weight of the day’s events. Riley felt a little out of place, but at the same time, she was happy to have Val by her side. Despite everything that had happened, there was a strange comfort in the silence between them. Once inside their room, Val immediately started unpacking her bag, grabbing a set of comfy sleepwear. It was a pair of loose-fitting black shorts and a faded, oversized FireHawks t-shirt, one she had gotten after her first season. It was soft and worn-in, a reminder of better times—before the pressure of rivalry, expectations, and the fight with the boys at the park weighed her down. Riley had already started to take off her own clothes, slipping into her soft pajama pants and a hoodie, but her gaze kept darting toward Val, who was unzipping her hoodie to change. Val was so focused on her bag that she didn’t notice Riley looking. Riley, however, couldn’t help but watch as Val casually removed her hoodie and began to pull the shirt over her head. That’s when Riley saw them—marks. The bruises, dark purple and green, were scattered across Val’s back, ribs, and even a few on her chest. They were clearly the result of the altercation at the park, and Riley realized the situation was worse than she had thought. The bruises weren’t just light marks—they were deep and fresh, some still swollen with the impact of the hits. Riley froze, her heart sinking into her stomach. She’d noticed the bruises before, but now, seeing them so clearly, she was overwhelmed. There were so many of them. They weren't just scattered randomly, but almost deliberate, as if each bruise had been placed with the intent to hurt Val, to break her down. Her mind raced, and she felt a wave of nausea roll through her. How had she missed this? How had Val managed to hide it from everyone? Riley’s throat tightened, and she instinctively took a step closer, her fingers trembling as she gripped the edge of the bed. The room felt smaller, the silence between them growing heavier with each passing second. She wanted to say something, to ask if Val was okay, but the words felt stuck in her throat. She didn’t want to make Val feel weak or fragile, but the sight of those bruises was too much to ignore. Val’s back, still turned as she pulled her shirt over her head and slid into the FireHawks t-shirt, had a large bruise across her left shoulder blade, some fading bruises along her side, and darker ones near her ribs that stretched from her back to her front. It wasn’t just the sight of them that broke Riley’s heart—it was the fact that Val was acting like it was no big deal. She was trying to shrug it off, to pretend that everything was normal, when Riley could clearly see how much pain she must be in. Just as Val was about to turn around and change her shorts, Riley’s eyes caught the bruises again, and she couldn't stop herself from staring. For a moment, Riley felt like time had slowed down. She didn’t know if Val noticed her gaze or if she was still too caught up in her own mind to care, but Riley couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t look away. Then, as if realizing she’d been caught, Val glanced over her shoulder, her usual confidence slipping for just a moment. Her eyes met Riley's, and for the briefest of seconds, Riley saw something different in them—something vulnerable, almost tired. Val quickly covered up that emotion, though, giving a half-hearted smile as she grabbed a pair of loose black shorts. "It’s nothing," Val said, her voice suddenly sounding much quieter than usual. "I’ve had worse." But Riley could see the faint tremor in Val’s shoulders as she tried to keep her composure, as if she were trying to hide the pain that was clearly written on her body. Riley's heart ached for her friend. She wanted to ask more—wanted to demand that Val let someone help—but she knew better. Val was fiercely independent, and Riley wasn’t about to cross that line unless she knew it was what Val needed. Instead, Riley held her tongue and simply nodded, forcing a smile. She didn’t want to make things worse. "I—I’ll get ready too," Riley murmured, turning around quickly to give Val some space to finish changing. Her hands shook slightly as she pulled on her own sleepwear—an oversized hoodie and pajama pants that were warm and comforting. The room felt suffocating with the weight of what she had just seen, but Riley knew that pushing Val to talk about it now would only drive her further away. She had to be patient, she reminded herself. Val would talk when she was ready. Once they were both settled in bed, the exhaustion of the day hit Val hard. By 9:00 pm, she was already fast asleep, her breathing slow and steady under the blankets. Riley lay there for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling with worry about Val. She couldn’t just let it go. She couldn’t keep pretending like everything was okay when it was clear that Val was hurting—deeply. Riley’s heart pounded in her chest as she made a decision. She couldn’t wait for Val to ask for help. She needed to tell the team, needed to make sure they understood how serious this was. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed toward the door, careful not to wake Val. Her mind raced with thoughts of how to approach the situation, but she knew she had to act fast. She couldn’t let Val go another day carrying this burden alone. She made her way to the other rooms, gathering the team one by one. Her stomach twisted with nervous energy as she led them to her room, the weight of what she was about to say pressing heavily on her chest. When the team had assembled, Riley turned to them, her voice barely above a whisper. "It’s Val," she said, glancing nervously toward the door to make sure it was shut tight. "You guys need to see this. She… she’s been hiding something. The bruises. From the fight at the park." The team exchanged looks of disbelief and concern. Kara was the first to speak up. "Bruises? What kind of bruises?" Riley nodded, her heart racing. "Bad ones. Really bad. She’s been hiding them, acting like they’re no big deal. But they’re… they’re worse than we thought." The team was quiet for a moment, their expressions a mix of confusion and worry. Finally, Maddie spoke up, her voice low but steady. "We need to talk to her. This isn’t right." Riley felt a sense of relief wash over her, but her anxiety was still high. She led the team to their room and knocked lightly on the door. "Val?" she called softly. "Val, we need to talk." There was no answer, but the door creaked open slightly. Riley took a breath and pushed it open, the team following her inside. Val was still asleep, curled up under the covers, unaware of the group standing at the foot of her bed. But when Riley stepped forward, her voice grew louder. "Val, we can’t just ignore this anymore. We need to talk about the bruises." Val stirred, her eyes snapping open, a mix of confusion and frustration flashing across her face. She shot up in bed, her voice sharp as she glared at the group. "Get out!" she shouted, her tone cold and angry. "I don’t want to talk about it!" The force of her words hit Riley like a slap, and the team hesitated, unsure of how to handle the situation. But Val’s eyes were burning with anger and something else—something deeper that Riley couldn’t quite understand. "Val, please," Riley pleaded softly, her voice cracking. "We just want to help." But Val’s face twisted with frustration. "I said, get out!" she yelled again, her voice rising. "I don’t need your help! I don’t need anyone!" Riley stepped back, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over her. She couldn’t understand why Val was pushing them away so violently, but she knew one thing for sure—Val wasn’t ready to talk yet. Reluctantly, the team filed out of the room, leaving Val alone in her bed, the door clicking shut behind them. The weight of the situation hung in the air, and Riley’s heart ached for her friend. She couldn’t force Val to open up. All she could do now was wait and be there for her when she was ready. Just then, Coach Roberts appeared in the hallway, drawn by the noise. "What’s going on here?" she demanded, her voice sharp with authority. "Coach, it’s Val," Riley started, her voice trembling slightly. "She’s been hiding bruises from the fight at the park. They’re really bad." Coach Roberts’ expression hardened. "Bruises? Let me see them." Riley hesitated but then nodded, opening the door to Val’s room again. The team stood in the hallway, the tension palpable as the coach approached Val’s bed. "Val," Coach Roberts called, her tone unyielding but not unkind. "You need to show me the bruises." Val’s eyes widened, and she scrambled to sit up, her face flushed with embarrassment. She tried to cover herself, but the coach was insistent. "Lift your shirt," Coach Roberts instructed firmly, but gently. Val looked like she wanted to protest, but then, seeing the determination in the coach’s eyes, she slowly pulled her FireHawks shirt up, revealing her bruised back and ribs. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and the vulnerability of the moment made her freeze. Riley’s heart clenched as she saw the full extent of the damage. The bruises were even worse than she’d thought. The coach’s face softened, but her tone remained firm. "We’ll get you some help," Coach Roberts said quietly. "This isn’t okay, Val. You don’t have to hide this." Val didn’t say anything, her face a mixture of shame and reluctance. She didn’t want anyone’s pity, but there was no hiding the pain in her eyes. Riley stepped forward, putting a hand on Val’s shoulder. "We’re here for you," she whispered. The FireHawks were exhausted, physically and emotionally drained from the events of the day. The day had been full of highs and lows, tension mounting as they prepared for the tournament the following day. But despite the challenges, the mistakes, and the undercurrents of unspoken words, there was one thing that held them together—their bond.
They were a team. Each member, from the strongest to the most vulnerable, had a part to play. And in the end, it was their collective strength, their unwavering support for one another, that made them unstoppable.
As they lay in their respective rooms, readying themselves for the tournament, the weight of what they’d all gone through hung heavy in the air. The bruises on Val’s back were a constant reminder of the battles she had fought, both on and off the ice. Riley had seen the marks, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness. But Val wasn’t the only one carrying the burden. Each member of the FireHawks had their own personal struggles, their own hidden fears, but together they had learned how to face them.
Tomorrow was the true test.