i dare you to move - three

September 23rd, 2010

It’s been a couple weeks, and the city was finally growing on me. Taylor and I were constantly growing closer, and the more Magnus was around, the more he was growing on me. We still aren’t best friends, but he is a nice guy, and I think a good friendship is in definitely in the future.

The boys had won their first preseason game, except neither Taylor or Magnus had played. Jordan Eberle was the biggest of the young prospects that played. Taylor and Magnus were getting their chance tonight, and I would be there to watch.

I was sitting across the living room, in the La-Z-Boy, while Taylor was asleep on the couch. Pre-game naps, I’m going to have to get used to them. I was scrolling through my Facebook, when my heart dropped. Matt…he was in a relationship, with my cousin!

“What the FUCK!?”

Taylor jumped up and looked around in a daze, “What happened?”

I couldn’t even get the words out, I just turned the laptop screen towards him and he squinted to adjust his eyes to the light and then they suddenly widened, “That son of a -- That’s your cousin!”

“I know!” I exclaimed, “The nerve of him. Why must he constantly try to make my life miserable?”

“He’s not even worth the breath” Taylor stated, “He’s trying to make you jealous so you might consider going back to him. He’s going at it the wrong way if you ask me”

“Taylor!”

“Sorry, I just would have done it differently” he shrugged.

I just sighed, “You know what? I think it’s time I cut him out of my life completely”

I moved the mouse down to “remove friend” and clicked. There, he was gone. I grabbed my phone and removed him from my contacts, “I’m done with him Taylor, I will have nothing to do with him anymore”

“Good girl” he smirked. He looked down at the time and stood up, “I should probably be getting over to the arena, did you want to come now or later?”

“I’ll just come around game time” I replied, “I could use a nap myself”

“Okay” he replied.

I shut my laptop and collapsed down on the couch. I stared at the ceiling until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore.

“Mallory?” I heard a muffled voice and I opened my eyes to see Taylor’s aunt standing over me, “Honey, we’re heading out to the game in about half an hour, I thought I would wake you”

“Thanks” I replied sitting up.

“You okay?” her dark eyes were filled with concern, “Taylor told me what happened”

I just sighed, “I’ll be fine, I think the game will get my mind off of it for sure”

She just smiled, “Okay, well how about you go get cleaned up and we’ll head out”

“Okay” I nodded standing up, “I won’t be long”

I shut the door to the bedroom I was staying in then pulled my shirt over my head. I grabbed the Oilers t-shirt Taylor had gotten for me, and I slipped into a pair of dark ripped jeans. I put on some light makeup and left my hair in a low ponytail. I slipped a twenty dollar bill into my pocket along with my ticket and my phone.

“Ready to go?” I heard Taylor’s aunt from the kitchen.

“Yah, I’m coming” I replied.

We piled into the car and made our drive to Rexall Place. This is the first time I’ve been to an NHL game in a while. Taylor’s family brought me to a Leafs game when I was younger, but that’s as much as I’ve seen. I know tonight is only pre-season, but you still feel that atmosphere of an NHL game. I mean, Taylor Hall was the number one draft pick in 2010, I guess he’s a big deal. Tonight was a big night for him and fans, especially after the Oilers’ last couple seasons.

We took our seats and waited patiently for the game to start. I have to say I was excited. Just to be able to see my best friend in an NHL uniform was huge. He’s been dreaming about this his whole life, and the day is finally here.

The Lightning were in town. I don’t really think it mattered who they were playing against though. The scoring started early, Tampa scored first about 4 minutes in. The period started to get a bit boring after that, it was a lot of back and forth until there was about five minutes left and the most unexpected thing happened. Magnus had the puck, made a sick move to split the defence, tripped and somehow got lucky and poked the puck in the net. I got way too excited, especially since it was Magnus who scored. Then to end the period, Cogliano scored for Edmonton, and Magnus ended up assisting on the play.

In period two there was only one goal. It was a power play goal, for Edmonton, scored by none other than Magnus Paajarvi. He was having an amazing night, I couldn’t even believe how amazing he was playing.

The third period was the most entertaining of them all. Fairly early in, Taylor got a semi-breakaway, the defenceman was right on him, he got way too close to the goalie, tried to put it in, tripped and fell right on his ass. I have to admit, I’ve never laughed so hard in my life.

Taylor finally did get his chance when the goalie tried to play the puck, but he got a hold of it, the goalie couldn’t get back and he put it into the net. I didn’t care if it was an empty net goal, and I didn’t care that it was pre-season, my best friend just scored his first NHL goal, technically. I was beyond proud of him.

Magnus actually ended up with a hat trick, a four point night. When all eyes were supposed to be on Taylor Hall, they ended being on Magnus. I was surprised myself, I think everyone was. But he really did play a great game.

We waited in the lobby as the building cleared out. We started to see players file out bit by bit in their fancy suits. I watched for Taylor and the moment I saw him, I jumped him, before he could even say a word.

“I’m so proud of you” I mumbled into his shoulder.

He just pulled back and smiled, “I’m really glad you were here to see it”

I just watched as his family gave him hugs and congratulated him. I looked around, hoping to see Magnus soon, I really wanted to talk to him.

“Is Magnus around?”

“Yah, he was finishing up some media stuff, he should be out in a few minutes” Taylor replied.

“You mind if we wait?” I asked, “I wanted to congratulate him”

“Yah” he nodded, “Sure thing”

“We’ll head out then” Taylor’s uncle said, “Again congratulations, we’re all so proud of you”

“Thanks” he replied, “We shouldn’t be too late, I’m beat”

As soon as those words came out of his mouth I saw Magnus coming around the corner. He was scrolling through his phone and he ran his hand through his hair. I found myself staring for a minute until he looked up.

“Hey!” I smiled.

“Mallory, hey” he replied, “I didn’t even know you were coming”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world” I replied, “You were amazing tonight”

I saw his face flush a little red and I just smirked, “Thanks” he said.

“Not a problem”

There was silence for a minute and I looked back at Taylor. He just slightly nodded at me and I looked back at Magnus, “you need a ride back?”

“Yah, I do actually”

“Okay…cool”

We walked back to the car and I let him have shotgun. I don’t know why, but all of a sudden I was really attracted to Magnus. He was just, I don’t even know how to explain it.

“Bye” I said as he stepped out of the car. Taylor sat there for a minute and looked at me. I looked back over at Magnus as he was walking inside. I sighed and opened the door.

“Magnus!”

He turned around and walked back towards me, “Yah?”

“Um…” my heart was beating rapidly, “Do you…want to…”

“You okay?” he asked with a smirk.

I just nodded and tried to finish my sentence, “My number…”

“Really?”

“Yah, maybe we can do something on your next day off” I can’t believe I was asking him out.

“Yah…okay”

I just smiled, “Okay…I’ll uh…see you later then”. I quickly turned on my heel and went back to the car. Taylor was grinning like an idiot as I opened the door.

“What?”

“I don’t think we’d click” he said mocking me.

“Shut up” I replied smacking him in the arm, “he’s nice”

“You totally want to get in his pants”

“Taylor!” I exclaimed, “That’s a little much!”

“Oh come on, I saw how you were looking at him tonight”

“Taylor, it’s plain physical attraction, that’s it”

“Which can lead to a lot more Mal” he replied.

“I know…”

“If you don’t want anything with him, don’t lead him on” he replied.

“I’m not going to…I’m going to be his friend…that’s it”

i had sworn to myself that i was content with loneliness - two

Getting to Edmonton was a little surreal. We were staying with some of Taylor’s family for now, which was good. We decided to give me some time to get used to the city before I went in for my interview.

Taylor and the other Oilers prospects were doing all the physical training and medicals today. I decided to take a walk around the city and then meet Taylor in a couple hours at Rexall Place.

The city was kind of mesmerizing, it was just so much bigger than Windsor. I was never a big city girl, so it was going to take some getting used to, but I do think I am going to like it. It’s the perfect escape.

I made it to Rexall Place and ended up waiting in the front lobby. I watched as a few players filed out bit by bit. Finally, I saw Taylor, along with another player that I can’t say I recognized.

“Hey Mal” Taylor said giving me a quick peck on the cheek, “This is Magnus, Magnus this is Mallory”

“Hey” I smiled.

“Hi” he nodded.

“He was going to come with us, if that’s okay with you”

“Yah, sure thing” I replied.

“There’s a party tonight, with a few of the guys, and he was going to tag along”

“That’s fine” I nodded.

We got to Taylor’s car and I let Magnus take shotgun. This kid was creeping me out a little bit to be honest. He was way too quiet when I tried to talk to him, but when Taylor talked to him it seemed easy. I didn’t even realize Taylor was that funny. I don’t even think he knew that.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket, it was Matt. The ex. I hadn’t really told him that I left. He was probably wondering where I was.

“Hello?”

“Where the hell did you end up going?”

“I went to Edmonton, and to be honest it’s not really any of your business” I snapped.

“Why did you go?”

“Why do you think Matt? I was sick of that place, I was sick of you, and I was sick of my parents, so I left”

“You’re such a drama queen”

“And you’re a jackass” I replied hanging up.

“Who was that?” asked Taylor.

“Matt…”

“He’s still calling you?”

“Yes” I huffed, “I should just learn to stop answering”

“He’s a scumbag, I’ll kill him myself”

“Don’t talk like that” I replied, “I can take care of this”

“If he tries anything--”

“I know Taylor, just…it’s fine”

He just sighed and kept driving. He never liked Matt from the beginning. It was his charm and personality that drew me in, and also his rugged good looks. Damn his good looks. Soon his temper just started to get really bad, and I got sick of being the one he took it out on.

We stopped for lunch and I was pretty quiet the entire time. I poked at my food, but barely had a bite. As the waiter came by, I told him to just box it up, maybe I’ll eat it at home.

“I’ll go pay the bill” Taylor said, “be right back”

I was sitting across from Magnus and he was playing with his cell phone. It was an awkward moment, I don’t blame him.

“So where are you from?” I asked.

He looked up at me and looked around as if he didn’t believe I was talking to him, “Oh…Sweden”

“That’s really cool, you’ve been playing hockey for a while?”

He just nodded, “Since I was little”

“That’s cool. I’ve been watching Taylor play for years”

“So you…grow up together?”

You could tell that he was still struggling with his English. It was kind of cute. Wait, what am I saying?

“Yah, our parents were best friends, so we’ve pretty much known each other from birth. He’s like my big brother” I smirked, “So protective”

“I could tell, in the car, with…Matt?”

“Yah…he’s my ex, Taylor never liked him”

“The way you talked to him, he doesn’t seem nice”

“He’s not anymore” I sighed, “He’s different, he’s changed”

“Ready to go?” Taylor asked coming up to the table.

“Yah, definitely” I replied standing up.

We got back to the car and dropped Magnus off. I climbed into the front seat and looked over at Taylor who had this shit-eating grin on his face.

“What’s your problem?” I asked.

“You guys seemed to hit it off” he replied.

“Who? Me and Magnus? Dude, he’s cool but--”

“But what? He was asking about you”

“Seriously?” I replied, “He’s not really my type, he’s just really quiet, and he just seems a little odd…”

“Oh come on, he’s really cool. He’s still working on his English, and he’s new to Canada in general, cut him some slack”

“I’ll be his friend Taylor, but a relationship is just not in the cards for me right now…”

He just sighed, “Fine, I guess you’re right”

“Thank you. He’s a nice kid, but I just don’t think we’d click”

He just shrugged, “If you say so”

My heart is just not in a state to be loved. One little thing could shatter it. I just don’t think love is really for me anyways. I’ve never really seen it work out with anyone, so tell me…what’s the point?

this is it - one

I needed to get out of this town. My parents were just getting too hard to handle. I didn’t live at home anymore, but it still felt like I did. The divorce was just about finalized, and they were still calling me, bitching to me about each other, trying to plot me one against the other. Maybe if I leave Windsor all together, they can learn to tolerate each other on their own.

Taylor was my best friend, and he was headed up to Edmonton for the Oilers training camp. I was so proud of him, he’s worked his entire life for this, he’s finally going to achieve his dream of being in the NHL.

Taylor knew about my issues with my family, and knew that I have been wanting to get out of Windsor since I graduated. He’s been doing all he can to help me to get out.

“Mallory!” I heard him come up behind me while I was stocking shelves at work. I had a job at Wal-Mart. Nothing special, but it got me the money I needed for now.

“Hey! Wasn’t expecting you” I smiled, “What’s up?”

“You’re getting out of here”

“What!?”

“You’re coming to Edmonton with me. You’ll stay with me, I even got you a job up there. Friend of a friend owns the Oilers merch store and is happy to give you a job”

I was a bit stunned. This was all happening a little too fast.

“Taylor…that’s…amazing!” I exclaimed wrapping my arms around him, “I can’t believe you did that!”

“Only for you” he smiled.

“When do you leave for training camp?”

“Tomorrow” he replied.

“What!?”

“I talked to your boss, you quit about five minutes ago”

“Taylor…you--this is insane!”

He just smirked, “It’s what I do. Let’s get back to your place and pack your stuff”

He grabbed my hand and practically dragged me towards my boss’ office. I took off my vest and nametag and set it in front of his door. I left the building and didn’t look back. Mallory Perkins was finished with Wal-Mart, and with Windsor.

I got home and collapsed onto my bed as Taylor rushed into my closet to grab my things.

“We’re really doing this” I said staring up at the ceiling.

“Yupp” he replied, “It’ll be fun”

“I agree. I can finally get away from my parents. And the ex”

“Don’t even mention him. His name makes me sick”

“I know, I know” I nodded, “He’s part of the reason I hate this place…no offence”

“None taken” he smirked sitting beside me, “You’re really sure this is what you want?”

“Definitely”

I just smiled as I began to pack my things into my bag. Taylor helped as I wrote up a note for my landlord, telling him that I’m leaving, and not coming back, along with my last month’s rent.

We packed the things into the back of Taylor’s car and drove to his place. I’d stay the night there, so I could get an early start with him in the morning. I’m moving to Edmonton, this is for real.

Waking up the next morning was brutal. I was dead tired, and not prepared to take a flight. I threw my hair up in a bun, put on my Spitfires hoodie, a pair of black yoga pants and my black flats and I was out the door.

As I stared out into the rearview mirror it was all starting to hit me. This was still my home, as much as I wanted to get out. I had a life here, and it was a bit harder to leave than I thought it was going to be. I felt a few tears hit my cheeks as I watched the city pass me by.

“You okay?” Taylor asked.

“Fine” I said wiping my tears away quickly, “this was a bit harder than I thought it would be”

“It’s going to be okay Mal, we’ll be back I’m sure” he smirked.

“Yah…true”

“Just think of this as a new beginning. New place, new city, new friends”

“You’re right” I smiled, “Edmonton…Edmonton…”

Edmonton. Here we come.