Garden Of Eden Chapter Two

The start of classes was hectic, just like I had expected but it was nice to get back into a routine. I had found a part time job at a local starbucks to help pay the bills. My other two roomates were nice but I didn't really see to much of them since they also had jobs and classes. I was trying to study for a chem exam when I heard a knock on the door.



" Come in" I yelled as I closed the book in front of me



" Hey, I got tickets for the game tonight. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."



"I don't know. I still have to go over my notes for the exam I have in a couple of days."



" Oh come on. You've been locked in this room when you aren't in class or working. You gotta live a little. Besides you can meet my dad and some of the guys if you want."



" Fine, but I don't have anything to wear."



" Wait right here. I have something that you can borrow."



He turned around and left and came back with a piece of blue fabric in his hands. He threw it at me with a smile. I shook it out and saw that it was a Rangers jersey that had the name Staal and the number eighteen on the back.



" If I have to wear this in public at least you gave me one of the most non-offensive players on the team."



" Get ready. We have to leave in a half an hour to make pregame skate.



I dragged my ass out of my chair and went to get ready. It didn't take long since I didn't see the point in getting all fancied up for a sporting event. We managed to grab a cab and got to the garden in plenty of time. We had to wait in line at will call and the lady greeted him by name as she slipped our tickets through the little window.



" We can go say hi to my dad after the game."



We went to find our seats and I was amazed at how good they were. We were only a couple of rows behind the players bench. The guys came out to warm up and I had to admit that even though it was the Rangers I was just glad to get out of the house. They were playing against the flyers who I hated even more so I decided that cheering for the Rangers wasn't so bad. The game went well and I found myself cheering. At the end the Rangers had lost but it was in overtime so at least it wasn't a blowout. We waited until the arena started to clear out before heading down to the locker rooms.

" Hey Tony. Your dad should be in the equipment room." a man that I didn't recogonize said as we walked passed security. He nodded and grabbed me by the arm so I wouldn't get seperated from him in the throng of people that were roaming the hallway. He led me to a room that was full of equipment and various other things. I saw a man sitting at a table and I could see the family resemblance right away. He looked at us and smiled as he stood up.

" Hello Papa. This is my roommate Hannah."

" Hello. My name is Acacio Marques."

" It's nice to meet you Mr. Marques." I took the outstretched hand in mine and gave it a firm shake.

" So you go to school with my son?"

" Yeah. I transfered from Chicago this year."

" You must be smart or my son wouldn't be hanging out with you."

" Thank you. I think."

" I have to go to the locker room and grab some stuff. The guys should be showered and changed by now if you want to go meet them."

My stomach twisted into a familiar knot. I hated meeting big groups of people where everyone already knew each other and I was the odd one out. I followed into the locker room where most of the guys were still putting on their shirts and ties and I tried to hide behind the two large men but I might as well have been wearing a neon sign over my head. Every pair of eyes turned to stare at me and I could see the questioning look in everyone's eyes.

" Hey everyone this is Hannah. She is a friend of Tony's so be nice." his dad said loudly

I was lead around the room and introduced to a few of the guys, who admittedly seemed nicer than I would have guessed.

"Hey Marc. I have your biggest fan here." he said looking at me and smiled with a devilish smile

" Wait, what?" I hissed as he practically dragged me in the direction of where Marc was still standing by his stall.

" So your my biggest fan?"

" No I'm not. Honestly I don't even really like the Rangers but Tony convinced me that I should come with him so he gave me this jersey to wear. But you played really well tonight." I added quickly not wanting to hurt his feelings

" If you aren't a Ranger's fan then who are you a fan of?"

" I love the Hawks and the Pens and am a huge fan of Joe Thornton."

" I guess we'll have to work on that." He smiled at me and I wasn't quite sure what to say but I was saved from the akward silence by Tony yelling across the room letting me know that it was time to go.

" Will I see you around?" he asked as he adjusted his tie. It hung a little bit crooked and I had to control the urge to reach out and straighten it.

" We'll see" I said as I turned around and walked out of the room after Tony without looking back