Hockey trip

They would face the rival team in a tournament that would determine everything. It wasn’t just about winning—it was about proving that they were a force to be reckoned with. The FireHawks had been underestimated, written off as a team of misfits, but now they had the chance to show what they were truly made of.
The rivalry had always been fierce, but this time, it felt different. The opposing team, the ThunderBolts, had always been the favorites. They were bigger, faster, and more experienced, but what they didn’t have was heart. And that was something the FireHawks had in spades.
However, as the day wore on, the tension only grew. The ThunderBolts were known for their dirty plays, their underhanded tactics that were often just on the edge of what was considered legal. They had a reputation for pushing boundaries, and they were determined to do whatever it took to break the FireHawks, to show that they were the dominant team.
Val, more than anyone, would be their target.
The first time it happened, the FireHawks were barely two minutes into the game. Val was racing down the ice, her eyes locked on the puck, when one of the ThunderBolts players, a hulking forward named Ash, skated up behind her. In an instant, he shoved her from behind, sending Val crashing into the boards with a sickening thud.
The crowd gasped as Val crumpled to the ice, her breath knocked out of her. The referee’s whistle blew, but Ash didn’t even flinch. He had done it deliberately, using his size to intimidate and injure. Val lay there for a moment, gasping for air, as the ThunderBolts player smirked from the corner of the rink.
“Get up, tough girl,” Ash taunted, knowing full well that Val wasn’t the type to back down.
Val slowly pushed herself up, her body aching from the impact, but her determination never wavered. She shot a glare in Ash’s direction, her jaw set as she skated back to her position. The game continued, but the damage had already been done. The ThunderBolts knew that if they could break Val, they could break the FireHawks.
The next period was no better. The ThunderBolts had ramped up their dirty plays, and Val was once again in the thick of it. This time, it wasn’t just Ash—it was the entire team. They used every trick in the book to wear her down.
One of the ThunderBolts defensemen, a slick player named Chloe, deliberately tripped Val as she skated toward the goal, sending her sprawling across the ice. But the referees, perhaps intimidated by the reputation of the ThunderBolts, didn’t call it. Instead, they let the play continue, allowing Chloe to get away with it.
Riley, watching from the sidelines, could see the anger building in Val’s eyes. She knew her friend was hurting, but Val was too proud to show it. She wasn’t going to let the ThunderBolts get inside her head, but Riley could tell the pressure was building.
And then, it happened again.
This time, as Val skated toward the net, trying to set up a play, she was blindsided by a brutal hit from behind. The blow came so fast that Val didn’t have a chance to react. She was sent sprawling face-first into the ice, the sting of the hit reverberating through her entire body.
It was Ash again, this time making no attempt to disguise the fact that he had deliberately targeted her. He stood over her, his body blocking the view of the referee, and his eyes were filled with malice.
"Stay down, princess," Ash sneered, his voice low and threatening. "You’re not going to be able to handle us."
Val’s breath hitched, pain coursing through her body, but she didn’t stay down. Through sheer willpower, she pushed herself back up, her movements stiff but resolute. She refused to let them break her.
The whistle blew, but again, no penalty was called. The ThunderBolts were playing a game of intimidation, and they were succeeding. Val was hurt, and the team could see it, but she wasn’t going to let them know it. Not yet.
As the third period wore on, it became clear that the ThunderBolts were trying to break the FireHawks’ spirit, targeting Val at every opportunity. They threw elbows, made cheap shots, and used every dirty tactic in their playbook to try to rattle her. But despite the constant barrage, Val remained unyielding.
But as the final moments of the game approached, it became apparent that Val couldn’t keep going like this forever. Every hit, every bruise, was wearing her down, and the damage was starting to show. Her movements were slower, her body sagging with exhaustion and pain. But still, she fought on.
Then came the worst hit of all.
With only seconds left in the game, the ThunderBolts set up one last play. As Val rushed to intercept the puck, Ash skated in from behind, launching himself at her with full force. He checked her with such brutal force that Val was sent flying backward, landing awkwardly on her shoulder.
The crowd went silent as Val’s body hit the ice with a sickening crack. For a moment, it looked like she might not get up.
The referee immediately blew the whistle, but the damage had been done. Val lay there, unmoving for a moment, the pain too much to bear. Riley’s heart sank as she watched her friend struggle to even breathe, let alone stand.
The coach immediately rushed to the rink, but Val slowly, painfully, pushed herself up. She didn’t want to be helped, didn’t want to show weakness in front of the ThunderBolts. But it was clear to everyone that the pain was more than just physical. It was starting to break her resolve.
As the FireHawks huddled together for the final push, Riley could see the toll that the game had taken on Val. The bruises were now more than just marks—they were a testament to the relentless assault she had endured. And yet, Val stood tall, determined to finish what she had started.
Despite the dirty plays, despite the pressure, Val didn’t back down. The FireHawks didn’t back down.
They were a team, and no matter how many times the ThunderBolts tried to break them, no matter how much they hurt Val, the FireHawks had each other’s backs. Tomorrow, they would rise above the pain, above the dirty tactics, and they would prove that no matter what happened, they were unstoppable together.
They would fight for each other. They would fight for Val. And they would fight for their chance to show the world just how strong they really were.
The FireHawks had just finished an exhausting day of practice and strategizing for the big game. The tension between them and the ThunderBolts was palpable, and everyone could feel it. They needed to unwind, to forget about the bruises, the dirty plays, and the pressure. So, after Coach Roberts had turned in for the night, the team decided to sneak out of the hotel, looking for a bit of freedom before the tournament started.
Val, despite the lingering pain from the hits she'd taken, was the one who led the charge. With a mischievous grin on her face, she gathered the team in their room and laid out the plan. "No one can know, but we need to blow off some steam," she said, her voice low but confident. The others, a mix of nervous excitement and uncertainty, agreed to go along with it. They all needed a break.
"Let’s go to that bar down the street," Val suggested, her eyes gleaming with a fire that Riley recognized—the same fire that had kept her going through all the brutal hits on the ice. Riley hesitated but finally nodded, knowing Val wouldn’t be deterred. "We’ll just stay for an hour or so, no one will know."
The team slipped out one by one, careful not to wake the coach or the other staff members. It felt thrilling, the sense of rebellion tingling in the air. The group of young women, with their jackets pulled tight against the cold, made their way down the street to the dimly lit bar. When they entered, the music was loud, and the crowd was rowdy, but it was just what they needed—a chance to let loose.
Val made her way to the bar and ordered a round of drinks, not even flinching when she saw the bouncer give her a dubious look. She was underage, but she didn’t care. She was tired of pretending, tired of the pressure. The drinks came, and the group gathered at a round table, laughing and chatting as the night went on.
As the alcohol flowed, the team began to relax. Even Kara, usually so serious, was cracking jokes, and Maddie, who often kept to herself, was dancing along to the beat of the music. Val, however, was the life of the party. She drank faster than the others, a sly grin on her face as she joked with the bartender and ordered more rounds. Her laugh, loud and carefree, echoed through the bar, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
By the time the team was well into their third round, Val was the most intoxicated of them all. She stood on a table, raising her glass high, her words slurring slightly. "To us!" she shouted. "To the FireHawks!" Her voice was thick with drunken energy, but there was something liberating in it, something raw and unrestrained.
The team cheered, joining her in raising their glasses. But Val wasn’t done yet. She began to sing—loudly, and completely off-key. She belted out a popular song, swaying and laughing as she sang the lyrics, completely oblivious to the stares from the rest of the bar. The team joined in, laughing at Val’s antics, enjoying the rare moment of freedom.
But as the night wore on, things started to take a darker turn.
As Val climbed down from the table, her feet unsteady, a group of guys at the bar, who had been watching from the corner, approached her. They were the same boys from the fair. The ones who had bullied her earlier that day. Val, too drunk to fully recognize them, smiled at them with a carefree grin. But Riley’s heart sank when she saw them come closer.
One of the guys, tall and broad-shouldered, grabbed Val by the arm. "Hey, princess," he sneered. "Having a good time?" His voice was thick with an arrogant confidence, and Val, still swaying, giggled, trying to brush him off.
"What do you want?" she slurred, her speech slow and unsteady, but she was still smiling, not fully grasping the danger she was in.
Before anyone could react, another guy grabbed her by the hair, jerking her head back. The action was so sudden and violent that it shocked everyone, and Val let out a gasp of pain. The guy yanked her closer to him, kissing her roughly on the lips without her consent.
Riley’s blood ran cold, and before she could even think, she was on her feet, pushing her way through the crowd. "Hey! Get your hands off her!" she shouted, her voice laced with fury. But the boys didn’t stop. One of them reached for Val’s chest, grabbing her with an aggressive force. The others, laughing cruelly, began to circle around her, taunting her.
The FireHawks, still partially drunk but fueled by the adrenaline of the moment, rushed to Val’s side. Kara shoved one of the guys hard, sending him stumbling back. "Leave her alone, you piece of trash!" she yelled, her fists clenched. The team moved in, pushing the boys away from Val with force.
But in the chaos, as the team surrounded her to protect her, Val’s body crumpled. The alcohol, the shock of the moment, and the bruises from the game all came crashing down on her at once. Her legs gave out beneath her, and she fell to the floor with a thud, her head spinning. She lay there, her breath shallow, her eyes unfocused as the world around her blurred.
The guys, realizing that they were no longer in control of the situation, backed away, grinning like nothing had happened. They called over to their friends as they walked out, clearly thinking they had won. But the FireHawks were having none of it. The moment they were gone, the team rushed to Val’s side, lifting her up and trying to keep her steady.
Riley knelt down beside her, panic rising in her chest. "Val, hey, stay with me," she said, her voice trembling. "You’re okay, you’re safe."
Val groggily lifted her head, her eyes bleary but still filled with defiance. "I’m fine," she mumbled, her words slurring. "They can’t hurt me."
"Val, you’re drunk," Riley said, her voice soft but firm. "You need to rest."
The team quickly gathered around her, their concern for her outweighing any desire to stay out and party. Kara and Maddie helped Val to her feet, each of them keeping a steady hand on her as they guided her out of the bar.
As they made their way back to the hotel, the weight of the night’s events settled heavily on their shoulders. The alcohol, the taunts, the crude actions of the boys—it all felt like too much, like it had crossed a line that couldn’t be undone.
But Val, despite everything, smiled weakly as they led her back to their rooms. "I’m okay," she said, though her voice wavered. "I just… I just need to sleep it off."
Riley nodded, her heart aching for her friend. Val had fought so hard, and yet, the world still seemed intent on knocking her down. But Riley knew one thing for sure—no matter what, Val wasn’t alone. The FireHawks were a team, and they would protect her, no matter what it took.
They helped Val back to her room, and as she collapsed onto the bed, her body giving in to the exhaustion of the night, Riley sat beside her, watching over her. The team had each other’s backs, and as long as they were together, no one could tear them apart.
Tomorrow would be another battle, but for now, they would let the night pass, their bond stronger than ever.
The night had been a blur. Between the chaotic scene at the bar, the tension of the situation, and Val’s drunken state, the FireHawks barely made it back to their hotel room. Kara, Maddie, and Riley took turns supporting Val, half-carrying, half-dragging her back to their room. Val was still laughing weakly, though her words were slurred and unsteady.
"I’m fine, really," Val kept repeating, though her speech was far from coherent, and her face was flushed with alcohol and exhaustion. "I just… I just need to sleep. I’ll be okay, I swear."
But Riley wasn’t convinced. She kept her arm around Val’s waist, her heart heavy with concern. She knew Val was trying to brush it all off—trying to pretend like it was just another night of letting loose—but Riley could see the cracks in her armor. She could see the bruises that hadn’t healed, the pain in Val’s eyes, and the exhaustion that clung to her like a shadow. The night had been a reminder of how much Val was carrying, and how badly she needed someone to lean on.
By the time they reached their room, the team worked together to help Val into bed. They laid her down gently, but Val immediately rolled over, too drunk to stay in one position for long, and let out a small moan of frustration.
"I’m fine, you guys," Val mumbled again, but it was clear she wasn’t.
Riley pulled the blanket over her friend, her hand lingering on Val’s shoulder for a moment before she stepped back. She caught Kara and Maddie’s worried looks. "We’ll keep an eye on her tonight," Riley said quietly. "She’s going to be okay."
The team nodded, but the weight of the situation was heavy on all of them. They knew that what had happened at the bar—Val’s behavior, the way she was treated, and the fact that she had to hide it all—wasn’t something that could just be ignored. Riley glanced at Val one last time, her heart aching, before she lay down on her own bed, hoping for some rest before the tournament. But sleep wouldn’t come easily.
The next morning, the hotel room felt stuffy. The sunlight seeped through the curtains, casting long shadows across the floor. Val had slept through the night, but the effects of the alcohol were still evident. She hadn’t moved much, and Riley noticed that she was still curled up in the same position, breathing shallowly.
But it wasn’t the state of Val’s hangover that was going to cause problems today. It was the fact that Coach Roberts was now standing at the door, knocking loudly. Riley’s stomach dropped as she shot out of bed, still half-asleep, her heart pounding in her chest. The coach was usually punctual, but the timing of this visit couldn’t have been worse.
"Riley," Coach Roberts’s stern voice called through the door, "I need to speak to Val. Open the door."
Riley’s mind raced as she moved quickly to the door. Val was still lying motionless on the bed, clearly still out of it. She had no idea how to handle this situation, but the last thing she wanted was for the coach to find out about the night they’d just had. Riley knew that Val had to face the consequences, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to see her friend torn apart by the coach’s anger.
With a deep breath, Riley opened the door, standing in the way of Coach Roberts, trying to hide the panic in her eyes.
"Coach, uh… good morning," Riley stammered, trying to mask her nervousness. "What’s going on?"
Coach Roberts’s sharp eyes narrowed as she scanned Riley’s face, as if searching for any hint of what had transpired the night before. Her lips pressed into a tight line as she spoke. "I need to talk to Val. She’s not in trouble yet, but she will be if you don’t let me in."
Riley’s stomach twisted, but she stepped aside, opening the door just enough for the coach to see inside. The room smelled faintly of alcohol, and there was no hiding the chaos of the night before. Coach Roberts’s gaze flickered to the bed, and her eyes locked on Val, still curled up in a ball, looking like she had been hit by a truck.
Coach Roberts’s face darkened. She didn’t need to ask any questions. The signs were all there. Her eyes narrowed in fury. "What happened last night, Riley?" Her tone was sharp, and it made Riley flinch. "And where the hell is Val’s head right now?"
Riley’s heart beat faster, and she bit her lip, trying to find the right words. "She… we went out, Coach. We were just… we were trying to have some fun before the big game." Her voice trailed off, her guilt bubbling up inside of her. She didn’t want to make excuses, but she also didn’t want to throw Val under the bus.
Coach Roberts wasn’t having it. She walked into the room and crossed over to the bed, where Val was still half-asleep, clearly not aware of what was happening. The coach reached down and grabbed Val’s shoulder, shaking her roughly. "Val, get up," she commanded. "We need to talk. Now."
Val groaned, her eyes fluttering open. She looked up, bleary-eyed, and for a second, Riley saw the same defiance that always lived inside Val’s heart. But that defiance quickly melted into confusion as she realized who was standing above her.
"Coach," Val mumbled, still half-drunk, her voice thick with sleep and alcohol. "What time is it?"
"It’s time for you to take responsibility for your actions, Val," Coach Roberts said, her voice cold as ice. "You were out last night, and I know what happened."
Val’s face drained of color, and her hands shook slightly as she pushed herself up, trying to sit up straighter. "Coach, I… I’m sorry. It was a mistake. I just—"
"No," Coach Roberts interrupted sharply, her voice rising. "This isn’t about a mistake. You’ve been pushing your limits for far too long, and I won’t let you jeopardize the team or yourself. You were drunk, Val. You put yourself in a situation where you could’ve been hurt. Do you understand that?"
Val opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out. She looked like she was about to say something, but the words caught in her throat.
"You think you’re invincible, don’t you?" Coach Roberts continued, her tone cutting. "You think that no matter how many hits you take, you can always bounce back. But you’re wrong. You’re human, Val. And you can’t keep running from your problems. You can’t keep pretending everything is fine when it’s not."
Riley stood off to the side, her heart aching for Val, but knowing that the coach was right. Val had been putting on a brave face, trying to mask the pain, the bruises, the pressure, but it was all catching up to her.
"I’m not saying this to tear you down, Val," Coach Roberts said, her voice softening slightly. "I’m saying it because I care. We all care. You need to stop hiding, stop pretending like you can carry everything on your own. You’re a part of this team, and you’re not alone."
Val stared at the floor, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She looked vulnerable for the first time in a long while, her defiance replaced by something else—something Riley hadn’t seen before.
"I know," Val whispered, her voice breaking. "I’m sorry."
The coach sighed and placed a hand on Val’s shoulder, her expression softening. "We’ll get through this. But you need to be honest with yourself—and with us. You’re not in this alone."
Riley stepped forward, her heart swelling with relief. She could see that Val was finally beginning to let down the walls she had built around herself. It was a small step, but it was a start.
As Coach Roberts turned to leave, she glanced back at Val. "Get yourself together, Val. We have a tournament to focus on."
Val nodded, her face flushed with shame. "I will," she said quietly.
When the door clicked shut behind the coach, Riley moved to Val’s side, sitting beside her on the bed. She didn’t say anything at first, just put a hand on her friend’s back, offering silent support.
"I’m here for you," Riley whispered, her voice gentle. "Whenever you’re ready, we’ll get through it together."
Val nodded, her tears silently falling. "I know," she murmured. "I’m sorry. I’ve been pushing everyone away."
Riley hugged her tightly. "You don’t have to be sorry. Just… don’t shut us out anymore, okay?"
Val nodded again, this time more firmly. The road ahead would be tough, but Riley knew they were going to face it together.