Page 31

halle

I stopped when I heard the door open. Tyler stiffened under me, his torso muscles tensing. I twisted, ready to glare at the intruder.

My confidence faltered when I saw who it was. Hannah, the girl Kirby had brought with him. She looked right past me, smirking at Tyler.

"Oh, sorry. Where's the bathroom?" Tyler looked annoyed.

"Next to Kirby's room. Tell him to keep track of his things." I was surprised at how aggravated he sounded. Hannah looked annoyed. She gave me a withering look before flouncing away.

I was put off. I felt like I'd just been snubbed. How could I miss how her eyes had been all over Tyler? At least his reaction slightly consoled me. For the first time since Tyler and I had started dating, I felt jealously over who he was. A heavy sigh escaped me. I didn't resist when Tyler's hands rested on my waist and pulled me next to him.

"Don't go and get grumpy on me now." I turned to look at him quickly.

"What? I'm not."

"You are. I know you too well." He tapped my nose. I rolled into his bare chest.

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" He let out a sigh.

"Early. I'm sorry I'm leaving you here for a few days." I smiled slightly.

"It's ok. Tay and Lynds will be here. I won't be alone. You'll be back Monday right?"

"Yeah. We have a game Tuesday night."

"Ok. I'm leaving Wednesday. So that'll work." I smiled up at him, for real this time. Tyler's green eyes ensnared me. His lips found the top of my head.

"Thank you for being so understanding Halls."

&&&

Thanksgiving passed, and then Christmas came far too soon. The month of December fizzled away as if a child had dropped their cotton candy in a puddle. I'd finally settled on my future college plans with my parents. Over two Skype sessions, we'd agreed on what I would be doing.

Somehow, they agreed to let me transfer to Chicago. The only condition was that I got a job as soon as I moved here. I'd agreed to apply as soon as I moved my things in. The plan was already set. I'd notified my landlord that I would be out by the twentieth. Tayler and Lyndsey were flying down, then we'd be renting a van to take all my things back up.

Over the course of the month of December, I'd slowly been pawning off the things I didn't need anymore. My bed frame, small appliances, and even some smaller pieces of furniture that I owned. My couch was the hardest thing to part with. I was going to miss the loveseat that had been passed down from college student to college student for a few bucks. I'd reluctantly watched as two frat guys loaded the couch into a truck and drove away.

By the time the fifteenth rolled around, I was living in a mostly empty apartment, surrounded by boxes and suitcases. My mattress was the last thing to go two days later. I'd been planning on using a sleeping bag, but there was no point. I couldn't find rest anyway. The next day, I would be saying goodbye to this apartment where so much had happened. I'd drive through campus one last time. While everyone had the assurance they'd be back after Christmas break, I'd know I wouldn't be back to Duke. It was a melancholy thought, even though I knew exactly what I wanted.

By morning, I could hardly wait for my friends to arrive. They landed at seven, but the drive to Durham took longer. I was pacing for hours before I got a text from Lyndsey. As soon as my phone buzzed, I was out the door.

The two girls I trusted the most in my life greeted me with wide arms. Just seeing their welcoming smiles relaxed the turmoil and nerves stirring within me. I wrapped my arms around both of them. The relief I felt was enormous. Seeing them was like coming home. After a long moment, Tayler pulled away and clapped her hands.

"Right. Let's get packing. I want to grab some lunch before we start driving."

Lyndsey and Tayler followed me inside, where I'd arranged my things. Lyndsey let out a low groan.

"Jesus Halls. You didn't tell us you had this much stuff." I looked down at the piles of boxes.

"It's not that much. I had way more when I moved in. I sold a lot of stuff. And I brought a bunch up last time I went to Chicago." Lyndsey just shook her head. I helped them transfer my things to the trunk of the way.

By the time we were finished, I was just as hungry as Tayler was. I offered to drive to the local diner that was a student hotspot. The place easily had the best food anywhere near campus. After we checked over the empty rooms, I locked the door behind me. I dropped my set of keys off in the mailbox of the apartment, just like I'd been instructed to by the landlord. This time, no feelings of sadness persisted within me. It was time to move on.

There weren't many people on the school ground as I navigated to the dinner. As I drove, I pointed out the buildings I'd had classes in for the first year and a half of my college education. Lyndsey glued herself to the window.

"No idea how you're giving this up. I mean, Duke! This was my dream school. I don't think I could've stayed away from Alex, though. I was lucky I graduated when he was just a rookie. I can understand not wanting to be away from Tyler."

"Lyndsey, if you talk about college one more time I swear—" Tayler's wasn't being serious. Lyndsey faked hurt.

"I am just trying to help our youthful friend with her education by providing advice. No need to get snippy with me, Miss Dropout."

"Uncalled for. I didn't drop out, I elected to leave to pursue my career." I was sure they would have bickering if I didn't pull into the parking lot of the diner.

"Come on you two. I'm not listening to that for thirteen hours straight." Tayler stuck her tongue out at Lyndsey before exiting the car. We approached the doors together. My stomach grumbled loudly at the thought of the amazing Caesar wraps that I always got.

I was mildly surprised to find the restaurant almost full. Weren't there classes? My heart jumped when I scanned the room and found a dreadfully familiar faces. Instinctively, I leaned on my best friends. We walked past the table that Emily and her goonies were seated at, sliding into a booth near them. Our waitress appeared to take our drink orders, momentarily blocking my view.

The girl serving us was someone I'd had several classes throughout this year and the year before. She paused for a minute when she brought our waters back.

"Hey Halle, I haven't seen you in class lately?" I groaned internally. Of course she was asking me.

"Uh, yeah. I transferred."

"Oh. What class are you in instead?"

"Actually I transferred schools. UofChicago." The girl's eyes widened.

"Oh! Wow. Good luck!" She smiled at me awkwardly and retreated. I didn't miss how Emily's eyes were boring a hole into me. She was probably thinking that I was crazy. That I was ruining my life by leaving Duke. She'd been a firsthand witness to how hard I'd worked to get into the school. But things changed. Duke wasn't my dream anymore.

"So, Halls. What's your first piece of furniture in that brand new apartment gonna be?" I shook my head, smiling. I hadn't actually thought the new apartment yet. Tyler had yet to sign on it until the new year, so I'd be in his and Kirby's for a week or so. He hadn't shown me the new space. All I knew was that I'd get to move in and set things up on my own, since Tyler was set for a seven game road trip, ending at All Star week. Between our trip to Cabo San Lucas over Christmas and the trip to Florida, neither of us would really have much time to settle.

"Don't know. Guess I'm gonna get free reign on designing it." Tayler immediately sat up in her seat.

"Oh! Oh! You should totally contact Laur. Connor McDavid's girlfriend. She's the best interior designer I've met, like, ever. She has her own company and everything. I'm sure she'd totally help you figure stuff out."

"Actually that sounds like a good idea. Do you have her number?"

"Yeah, I think. Hang on." Tayler scrolled for a minute. "Wait, I don't. Damn. Thought I did."

"Alex or Dylan probably have Connor's number. They can get it for you. Tyler might even have his too." Lyndsey offered. My eyes lit up.

"Oh! I have Connor's number." I looked down, scrolling through my contacts. When my head came back up, Lyndsey and Tayler were both giving me strange looks. I blinked, confused. "What?"

"You just have Connor McDavid's number in your phone?" Tayler looked down at the chat I had open. "And you've texted it before, apparently." I shrugged.

"Tyler put a lot of guys in my phone. 'Just in case something happens to him.' Whatever that means. But yeah, Tyler just let him know who's number it was." I didn't think much of it, but apparently I'd blown my friends' minds.

After I'd sent a text to Connor asking for Lauren's number, Tayler snagged my phone. She read out my contacts in disbelief.

"Barzal, Hughes...both of them. Gaudreau... Marner... Matthews... McDavid..." She paused, shaking her head. "Pettersson. Both Tkachuks. That's not even everyone. Imagine if you had Crosby or something." I laughed.

"I definitely don't. Tyler does, that much I know. His contact list is so much bigger. It's crazy. He literally grew up with all these guys. To play against them like this now is just an extension of his childhood."

"I mean...they do act like kids sometimes." Lyndsey pointed out. I laughed again. Tayler giggled as well.

"Absolutely. When Dyl gets a cold? End of the world."

"And trying to get them off the ice is like dealing with toddlers."

We continued our conversation until the waitress returned to take our orders. I happily asked for the same thing as always, a hefty wrap with plenty of vegetables. My mouth watered at the thought of the food. I hadn't eaten in hours.

By the time our meals arrived, I'd completely forgotten about Emily and her friends. I looked up to find my ex-friend annoyed. She was slouched in her seat, arms crossed across her chest. The scowl on her face was a familiar one. I felt guilty for being happy that I'd proven her wrong. Was it evil to want to shove my good fortune in her face?

I focused on my sandwich instead of the girl sitting at the table several feet from us. Tayler and Lyndsey had ordered similar meals, both different kinds of wraps. We ate in silence, comfortable with each other. My mind traveled to the long road trip ahead. We'd planned on driving through without stopping to sleep. Each of us would switch off driving every two hours.

My phone was pre-prepped with new songs and movies to watch on the trip. I knew the movies wouldn't be too convenient, considering my crippling carsickness when looking at my phone in the car. Any car ride longer than twenty minutes was bound to result in nauseating experiences if I looked at my phone. I had a slew of remedies to combat the pain so I could watch some of the videos. As long as they continued to work, I was golden.

As I looked down at my phone, it lit up with the incoming call screen. Tayler yelped.

"Please tell me you're going to pick up a call from Connor McDavid." I hesitated.

"Should I?"

"Duh!" I sighed before pressing the green button.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Halle. I told Lauren what you were looking for and she was so excited she couldn't wait to call you. Here she is." I smiled when Lauren took over.

"Hey! I'll try to be professional but I'm excited. Heard you're looking for an interior designer?"

"Ha, yep. Tyler and I are moving into a new apartment after the new year, and I'm really at a loss on how to decorate. I figured why not turn to someone who's a professional?"

"Thanks so much for thinking of me. I will literally make your place a dream."

"I know you will. I love your work. Can Connor give you my number and I'll text you some ideas and stuff?"

"Yeah, of course! I'll get on it. We can discuss designs later. See ya!"

"That was it?" Lyndsey looked confused. I shrugged.

"Are we ready? I'm going to pay the bill." The three of us stood, collecting our coats and purses. I pulled my wallet out, ready to supply Tyler's credit card. I'd given up fighting him on money long ago. As much as I wanted to be independent with my funds, I couldn't ignore that Tyler was easily endowed and my occasional spending wasn't going to hurt him. All he asked was that I didn't blow up his credit card with multiple thousand dollar items. That wasn't hard to uphold. I didn't spend often. Especially not on overly expensive items.

Now was a rare moment, but I figured I'd be buying a lot more food and gas on this road trip. Especially if we stopped for every meal. I'd text Tyler and let him know about the spending when we got on the road.

Before we left the diner, I looked back at Emily. She was glaring at me again. I gave her a look back, confused at why she was being so indignant. Tayler pulled me through the door, excited to start driving. I handed her the keys, letting her take over the first two hours of driving. I took the front seat, and Lyndsey crammed into the back with my boxes. I was just as excited to leave the college behind.

I sent a quick text to my mom, letting her know we were on the road. Then I plugged my earbuds in and closed my eyes. My nerves were finally relaxed enough to find sleep. I let out a sigh, adjusting my pillow against the window. Finally, after all this time, I was going home. To Tyler, to a brand new apartment, and to the girls who I called family.

Four hours later, when it was my turn to drive and we were well into West Virginia, it was my turn to drive. It was almost dinner time, but the three of us weren't hungry. We'd purchased snacks at the last pit stop, so we were set. On a decent amount of gas, and well rested, I took over.

Lyndsey snoozed next to me, while Tayler was talking on the phone to Alex in the back seat. I ignored them, listening to my own music through my earbuds. The mountainous stretch of highway was currently winding through tall hills. It was a pretty drive, a scenic route that was relaxing on my eyes.

Tayler finally relieved me of my driving when we reached Ohio. It was my turn to sleep through the night, until I was woken up again. I would be doing the last stretch of driving, at midnight. I was excited when we started to see signs for Chicago all over the road. If Tyler wasn't miles and miles away in St. Louis, I would have texted him how close I was.

I knew he was probably out with the team. It was also possible he was in for the night. Either way, I wasn't going to disturb him. It was enough that we'd watched the game a few hours ago through the app. Tyler had scored, and gotten two assists, per usual. His three-point-per-game streak was going strong. It was at fifteen games at this point in the season. It wasn't his first streak. He'd had multiple three, two, and one point streaks for consecutive games. This was his longest three-points.

My mind traveled back to all the videos I'd watched breaking down his scoring and comparing it to Gretzky. The words of one analyst ran through my head.

This kid comes out of nowhere, and all the sudden he's changed the way we view scoring. Wayne's said it's harder to score today, but with the emergence of Tyler I just don't think that's the case anymore. I think Tyler puts in the time and watches clip after clip after clip on every goalie he can. He's able to perfectly predict the movements of each goalie. It should be the other way around. It's like he's in their head. What if all players were this dedicated to the game and finding channels to score or to place the puck for a teammate? I have no doubts that this kid is going to whip right into Gretzky-level points, easily catching his goals and assists. In a year or two, maybe even this season, we'll be seeing consistent two hundred point seasons from him.

Tayler pulled me from my thoughts.

"We're almost there! I can see the skyline. Oh I've never been so happy to be back in this city. Wrigley hold on, I'm coming!"

"Halle, drive to your apartment first. We'll help unload stuff then Tayler will take it back to hers. You can return it in the morning, right Tay?." Tayler nodded, glancing up at Lyndsey.

I didn't say anything as I entered the city. I gripped the steering wheel harder, the stress of the high buildings growing on me. Even at midnight, the streets weren't completely empty. City driving still wasn't my strong suit. I figured I'd have to get used to it now.

For the next few years, I'd be here in the city. Chicago was my new home.