Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Score ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 13 )

A/N: Hi again. Well here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy. Please R&R! Thanks!

 

Chapter 13:

 

Matthew watched on as Aiko rummaged through her backpack.

 

“You're going to be there tonight, right?” Matthew asked, anxiously.

 

Aiko gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and then resumed looking through her backpack. “Of course, Matthew, I wouldn't miss it.”

 

“Good, I've set aside some box seats for you and anyone else you want to invite,” he said quickly, grabbing his gym bag and pulling some tickets out. “Here you go.”

 

Aiko took them without looking. “Thanks.”

 

Matthew gave her a quizzical look before asking, “What are you looking for?”

 

She stopped her rifling and looked up at him. “A pen.”

 

“A pen?” he asked, amused.

 

“Yeah, I forgot my pencil box at home when I rushed over here this morning,” she confessed.

 

“Aiko,” he said slowly, not able to keep the smile off his face. “You know I do have to write sometimes.”

 

“Umm… ok…” she said in confusion, not quite getting his meaning.

 

“I have pens.”

 

“Oh,” she replied, a brief look of wonder fluttered on her face.

 

He chuckled in amusement, as he turned towards the kitchen in search of pens. “I thought you just have finals now?”

 

Aiko followed him into the kitchen. “I do,” she said, taking a pen from his hand. “But the professor for one of my bio classes set up a review session. So I decided to go. Extra studying without the actual studying, you know.”

 

“Aiko you're so smart,” he announced, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

 

“Yeah, we'll see about hat after I get my marks,” she said dryly.

 

“You are, I know you are,” he insisted. Matthew glanced down at his watch briefly. “Ah man, I've got to get going.”

 

“Me too,” Aiko replied.

 

He pulled her into his arms before saying, “I'm glad you decided to come over for breakfast.” He kissed her quickly.

 

“Me too,” she said eagerly.

 

Reluctantly he pulled back. “Do you need a drive?” he asked.

 

“Nah, I've got the car. And we're going to be late if we don't get going,” she replied.

 

“Oh man, let's go,” he said uneasily. “Can't be late. The coach will freak!”

 

Aiko chuckled and started pulling him towards the door. “Let's go!”

 

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Aiko watched as the last seconds of the second period ticked by. The score was one nothing for Vancouver. She watched as a somber looking Edmonton team made their way off the ice. Aiko caught a brief glimpse of Matthew before he disappeared.

“Man, they're going to have to work hard in the third period to catch up.”

 

AIko turned towards Sarah, just noticing that she was on the edge of her seat.

 

“I know, but I have faith in them,” Aiko answered. “I just wish I could go see Matthew right now. Cheer him up a bit.”

 

Aiko quickly glanced to her right, making sure her little sister and brother were ok. They were avidly watching the bobble head intermission show- one of Aiko's favorites too.

 

“What's going on between you two right now?” Sarah asked curiously.

 

Aiko sighed, knowing this conversation wouldn't be that pleasant. “After that date with Tony, I realized I only wanted Matthew. I went to see him right away. I knew I could have lost him,” Aiko confessed. “But we worked things out; we don't want to see other people.”

 

“Yes! That's awesome, you two are exclusive now!” Sarah exclaimed, very happy for her friend.

 

Aiko weakly smiled.

 

“What's wrong with this picture?” Sarah asked incredulously. “Why aren't you jumping for joy? You've got the guy of your dreams!”

 

“Yeah, I do. And I'm extremely happy. It's just that I sort of led Tony on. And now I have to let him know,” Aiko explained, unhappily.

 

“Oh,” Sarah said. “Aiko I can't say that I didn't know this would happen. I knew one of them would end up getting hurt.”

 

“That strangely sounded like an `I told you so.' Thanks for that, by the way,” Aiko said, unreasonably irritated.

 

“I'm not happy that I was right,” Sarah pushed. “I just knew that you aren't a two guy kind of girl.”

 

Aiko sighed again. She knew Sarah was right. “Ok, ok. Can we just forget it for now? I know you're right, ok.”

 

“Ok, I'm done,” Sarah agreed.

 

“Sis, can you get us more popcorn?” Ronin asked.

 

“And some pop too?” Tora piped up.

 

“Man I don't know where they pack it all away,” Aiko grumbled as she stood up. “Do you mind watching them while I'm gone Sarah?”

 

“No problem,” Sarah answered.

 

“Ok, did you want anything?” Aiko asked politely.

 

Sarah shook her head and watched as her best friend walked away. All Sarah wanted was for Aiko to be happy. She hoped Aiko was making the right decisions.

 

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Aiko waited impatiently outside the locker room. She really, really wanted to see Matthew and congratulate him. Not only did the Oilers come back and win the game, but Matthew had scored the game winning goal. She was so excited for him.

 

The others were waiting close by. Matthew had told her he'd drive them home, she wanted to make sure that was all right still, since she was sure everyone wanted to interview him.

 

She watched as media people came in and out of the locker room, there were women too so why couldn't she go in? Aiko thought.

 

 

She gathered her resolve and Aiko boldly walked into the locker room. She just hoped she didn't see something she didn't want to see or get in trouble either.

 

Once inside, she saw that the locker room was a mass and flurry of moving bodies. It seemed like everyone was moving somewhere. As she walked through she greeted the many players she'd been friendly with. No one said anything to her about being there.

 

Along the way she saw a familiar face. “Yumi!” she exclaimed.

 

She was in the process of being hugged by a very happy Hugh.

 

“Aiko!” Yumi greeted.

 

“Hey Aiko,” Hugh said.

 

“Congratulations.”

 

“Thanks,” he replied.

 

“Hey guys, I'm looking for Matthew. Have you guys seen him?” Aiko asked anxiously.

 

“What you mean tonight's hero? He's over there surrounded by all those media hogs,” Hugh offered.

 

Aiko looked in the direction Hugh was pointing and smiled when she caught a brief glimpse of Matthew. “Thanks Hugh. I'll catch you guys later.”

 

Aiko slowly made her way through the crowd. Finally she made it to the outskirts of the crowd surrounding Matthew. She could see him clearly. He had a look on his face, like he was trying to remain serious. But he was failing miserably and a smile kept breaking forth.

 

“Matthew, what did you guys do differently in the third period,” one reporter asked.

 

“Well, we just decided to take the puck to the net more. We needed to shoot more. And it paid off,” she heard Matthew answer confidently.

 

“How does it feel to get the game winning goal?” another reporter asked.

 

“It feels great. But it's just one game. The series isn't over yet. We've got to put this game behind us and start thinking about our next one.”

 

Aiko watched as Matthew finally looked up and past the reporters straight at her. She smiled brightly and mouthed the word hi.

 

His serious look totally left the building and he was grinning widely at her. He gave her a wave and the reporters turned to look at her.

 

“Who's this Matthew?” was echoed around the group of reporters.

 

Matthew beckoned for Aiko to join him and she unsurely walked to his side. He put an arm around her shoulders.

 

“This is my girlfriend Aiko. Now if you guys don't mind, we're going to get going,” Matthew announced.

 

The media took the hint and decided to go bug Jacob instead, the other goal scorer.

 

Aiko watched as they dispersed and noticed one person standing very close by watching her. `Tony,' Aiko thought. `Oh no, how much of that did he just hear?'

 

They made eye contact and Tony turned away. Aiko frowned. He'd heard it all. And now he was hurt, just as she suspected. `Man this sucks,' she thought.

 

Matthew turned to face her, “Hey what's wrong?” he asked concernedly.

 

Aiko looked up into his searching, concerned blue eyes and smiled brightly. “Nothing, what so ever.” She'd deal with Tony a bit later.

 

“Are you sure?” he continued.

 

“Definitely,” she replied. “Now aren't I supposed to be congratulating you right now?”

 

“Well it was a team effort,” he started modestly, but failed miserably. “But what the heck congratulate me in any way you see fit.”

 

The minute the words were out of his mouth she had her arms around him and was kissing him a second later.

 

Once apart, Matthew commented, “I should score game winning goals more often.”

 

“Oh, that wasn't for you that was for the team,” Aiko teased.

 

She started to pretend to walk away but didn't get far when Matthew pulled her back to him and kissed her again, more passionately and hungrier than before. He pulled back and hugged her.

 

“Aiko,” he whispered in her ear. “I-“ he got cut off by the arrival of his two best friends.

 

“Matthew, Aiko, hey!” Riley greeted.

 

They pulled apart with Matthew's arm still around her.

 

“Hey guys, nice job on the ice!” Aiko said, smiling brightly.

 

“Thanks Aiko,” Ray answered. “But how about you congratulate us like you did with Matthew.”

 

Aiko smiled at his boldness, thought about it for a second and leaned up. She placed a soft kiss on each of their faces. Each guy looked dazed a second later.

 

“Sorry guys, that's as good as it's going to get,” she commented, taking Matthew's hand. “I have a boyfriend now.”

 

“Oh man, I think I've died and gone to heaven,” Riley replied.

 

“Am I floating? I feel like I'm floating,” Ray said, dazed.

 

Aiko laughed. “Come on guys.”

 

Matthew grinned at his friends. “Just to let you both know… that's never happening again.”

 

Riley let out a loud sigh. “Man, you are lucky.”

 

“Anyways, you two owe us some hanging out time,” Ray told them.

 

“Yeah we need to celebrate,” Riley added. “So we thought we'd have a little get together at our place.”

 

“Umm, I don't know, my little sister and brother are here,” Aiko hesitated.

 

“You can bring them too if you want,” Ray quickly said. “Come on.”

 

Matthew looked at Aiko, she nodded. “Ok we'll be there.”

 

“Great. We'll see you there,” Riley said and then they walked away.

 

Matthew put his arms around Aiko. “Man those two have the worst timing. I really wanted to celebrate alone with you.”

 

Aiko blushed at the implications of what he said. “Well I don't think that would have happened anyways. Ronin and Tora are here not to mention Sarah.”

 

“Yeah I guess. So do you want to take them back home?” Matthew asked, as they started out of the locker room.

 

“Yeah, my parents would kill me if I took them to a party,” Aiko said dryly.

 

“Well I don't think it will be too bad. We do have practice tomorrow.”

 

“I know, but still…” Aiko trailed off.

 

“You'd feel better if they went home,” Matthew finished for her.

 

“You read my mind.”

 

“All right lets go.”

 

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Well that's it for this chapter. Get ready for a little Tony induced drama in the next episode.

 

Thanks to joshrox for the great review, and to anyone else who is reading.

 

Please leave a review and let me know what you think.