My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 188

Nina

As I stared up at the new transfer student in the VIP box, I swore I somehow knew him even though I had never seen his face before. He was tall and skinny, with short black hair and wide-set eyes, and looked nothing like anyone who I knew. And yet, I really felt as though I knew him.

The new boy and I just stared at each other with wide eyes for what must have really only been a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. My heart began to race more and more with each passing second, and at the same time, I felt as though I was coming closer and closer to putting my finger on who this boy was. It was as if his face was morphing, shifting into someone who was very familiar to me. Someone who I loved and missed very much…

“Enzo?” I murmured out loud.

“Uh, Nina?” Lori asked then, poking me in the arm and breaking my concentration. “Earth to Nina? Are you good?”

I blinked rapidly, shaking my head for a moment as I returned to my senses. I definitely didn’t know that transfer student, and he definitely wasn’t Enzo. I realized that now. He didn’t even look remotely like him, and besides; if Enzo was here, why wouldn’t he be coming to see me and his friends right away?

“Wh… What?” I asked as I finally tore my gaze away from the new transfer student. “Did I miss something?”

“Not really,” Jessica said with a laugh. “The game is over, though. You were really out for a minute, huh?”

I shrugged, feeling my face get hot. “Yeah, I guess,” I replied. “I’m just tired.”

The three of us stood as the hockey team skated off of the ice. I forced a smile as they approached, not wanting to ruin their fun; they were all too red-faced and happy to be playing hockey again for me to get in the way with my sullen attitude.

But then, suddenly, something completely unexpected happened.

Justin skated up to the barrier and reached over, grabbing my hand. He took me by surprise and pulled me forward, then kissed me deeply over the barrier.

Both the team and the crowd gasped in astonishment. Some of the townspeople cheered and clapped encouragingly at this display of young love, but I was fully taken aback. When we finally pulled apart, my face was beet red, and so was Justin’s.

“S-Sorry,” Justin muttered, releasing his grip on my hand while I continued to stand there in total shock, still feeling the taste of his lips on mine. “I got a little carried away.”