Kyle

"Yo, where's my best Left Winger!" Jared calls me in the school hallway and approaches. The whole place is buzzing with laughter, students, and teachers. It's the first day, so everyone's still feeling summery. Yet, posters and notes are already covering the walls. Our latest trophy's in the case on the wall opposite me. Among the pool of heads and the tide of students moving around, we're easily noticed. We stand out because we're The Foxes. I mean, that's what I'm expected to think.

Might be 'cause we're towering over everyone else and we're double the size of most guys our age, I don't know.

There's not a single person who doesn't know Jared around here, and I don't mean just at school. The best Captain the hockey team's had in years, it's obvious we won the tournament last year thanks to him. I can't believe this is his last year in high school. He's going to university next where he can finally play professionally, after all hockey's his whole life. Almost like it would be mine, were I a better player.

"What's up, man? "I greet him, and we do the team's handshake. I know it probably looks stupid to outsiders, but the guys do it, so I kinda go with the flow.

"How's the leg?"

"Better, thanks. Still a bit swollen here and there, but nothing too bad. "

"I told you to take it easy on the training camp, McDavid, but you don't listen. You know what's best for you, tho. Just get ready cause we have practice this afternoon and I'm gonna kick your ass."

"Yeah, we'll see about that."

A girl appears from somewhere and she's now draping herself on his neck. Maddison? I'm not exactly sure if that's her name, but I guess he's dating her now. I don't know, he's constantly surrounded, anyway; girls are only part of the whole crowd.

"Right, cool. I gotta go to class. Laters, bro."

I head for mine as well, trying not to limp as I do. I spent the whole summer training with the team, so it's basically like school never stopped. I get to class late, but one of the good things about winning prizes for the school is teachers are okay with some absences here and there.

Grades, even.

Of course, grades don't matter that much right now. The Foxes are the most important thing and the whole school knows we are going to win this year too- that is, if you ask my father and my classmates.

I open the door, fumbling with my textbooks when everyone starts talking.

"There he is!

"You scored most of the goals, man! "

"Kyle, you were awesome"

"When's the next one?

"My sister asked if you have a girlfriend now?"

"Will you be the captain next year?"

All of this at once. Do I answer, or?

I look helplessly around like someone can answer some of that for me and see an unfamiliar face. We have a new classmate.

He's like a dark shadow, leaning back with his chair tipped onto the rear legs. He's staring blindly at something outside, oblivious to all of this. The first thing that comes to my mind is that some invisible glass wall is separating him from us. It was like all of the clatter and fuss couldn't reach him. My second thought is I hope he doesn't tip back, even though there's a wall behind him.

As if he read my mind, or saw me looking at him, he turned. The grayest eyes I have ever seen are now pointed at me. Are there even such eye colors? I can tell, there's something else about them, but I'm too far to see what exactly from here.

I nod in his direction, and he just shakes his head in return and resumes staring out. Okay.

"Enough, everyone. Kyle, don't just stand there, you take enough space anyway." They all laugh and I search for an empty seat.

"Hurry up and sit down. You've wasted enough of my class already. And Max- please stop doing whatever you're doing with that pen. Now open your books on page 12."

I never thought I'd say it, but Miss Chase is an absolute savior. I know the silence won't last long, but at least I won't have to answer everyone's questions for now.

****

I finish classes and spend the entire afternoon at practice. I need to get new knee pads, but first I'll have to pick my sister up from her dance practice. She wants to be a ballerina; too bad she can't use me as her prince for at-home practice anymore.

"Kyle!" she beams when she sees me waiting for her in front of the studio, "We did pirouettes today."

"Yeah, and how was it?" I ask and of course, I know what this is since she doesn't stop talking about the performance they'll have in December where she'll be...wait, I got it - The Crystal Fairy from Sleeping Beauty.

"I still need to rehearse, but I'll make it in the end. "

"You will." I want to ruffle her hair, but I know she'll be mad at me for ruining her bun. Stela's nine and started dancing when she was only four. It was more of my Dad's decision. Something about "ballet being for girls and hockey being for boys". In her case, following Dad's order worked out pretty well and she's happy.

"Can we go for ice cream?" Stela asks once she gets in the car, trying to put her seat belt on.

"Wait, let me help you with that. There. No, not today. I have to help Dad in the garage and then I'm going out with the guys."

"Mom says you shouldn't practice so much"

"Yeah, but Dad doesn't." I clench the steering wheel and step on the gas unconsciously.

"I think they were having a fight the other night."

"All families fight Stela, that's normal. Besides, it's as Mom says- if we don't talk we can't fix our problems. Right?

"Right" she nods, frowning. After a second she adds, "They won't separate, will they?"

I feel like this is a conversation everyone has at least once in their lives if they have a little sister who's smarter for their age.

"What? Why did you say that?"

"My friend's parents are getting divorced and I'm scared Mom and Dad will too." I glance at her and she now looks even smaller than she normally is. Sad.

"Oh, Stels, they won't. They love each other and...I don't know, stop thinking about stuff like that. And I promise everything will be fine. I always keep my promises, remember?

"I remember."

"Good. Cool - are we going for that ice cream? "

"Really? Are you sure Dad won't be mad?"

"I'm sure I can work on the car later tonight. Besides, I can't refuse you anything. But just one scoop, okay?"

"Yaaay! Deal- just one. I want the blue one."

"Ughh, that sounds gross". Stela chuckles and I turn the old truck, driving to Jasper's.