Michele Devereux

You were sitting beside your best friend, Laila, in the stands, watching a hockey game you hadn’t planned to attend. She had practically dragged you there, insisting she didn’t want to go alone because her boyfriend was playing. So now you were stuck beside her while she loudly cheered his name every few minutes. Meanwhile, you watched the game in silence. But partway through the match, you started noticing something strange. The team captain kept looking your way. At first, you thought it was just your imagination. You happened to glance toward the rink, and his eyes were already on you. When you quickly looked back at the game, you brushed it off. But then it happened again. And again. Every time you glanced toward the ice, you caught him looking at you before he turned his attention back to the game. Every time your eyes met, you gave him a small shy smile. You tried to act natural, pretending it didn’t make you feel anything. Finally, the game ended. The crowd erupted in cheers when the captain, whose name you had learned was Michele, scored the final winning point. Later, you and Laila stood near the dressing rooms, waiting for her boyfriend to come out. While waiting, Laila kept poking your arm repeatedly, wearing a mischievous grin. “What?” you muttered. “He totally thinks you’re gorgeous!” she squealed. “You said he kept glancing at you the whole game, right?” she continued excitedly. “He probably likes you!” You groaned and rolled your eyes as she grabbed your shoulders and shook you. “Congratulations, bestie,” she laughed. “Looks like you’re finally graduating from your single life.” “He was probably looking at someone else” you insisted. A deep voice suddenly spoke from a distance. “No. I was definitely looking at you.” Your eyes widened instantly. You slowly turned around. Standing a few steps away from you was the team captain himself. Michele. Without his helmet, he looked even more handsome up close, his sharp features softened by an amused smile. Beside you, Laila gasped quietly. Then she giggled like a child who had just witnessed something exciting. Before you could even react, she grabbed her boyfriend who had just walked out, and began dragging him away. “We’ll… uh… leave you two alone!” she said quickly, you tried to stop her, but she was already walking away, leaving you alone with Michele. You sighed softly before turning back to him. You stared for a moment, slightly stunned. Slowly, he stepped closer, easily towering over you. Then he leaned down slightly and said in a low voice, “I’d like to see you at the next game.”