Met You at a Night out in *New York - Paul Mescal x FemaleHockeyPlayer! OC
⊹ The night where Paul lays his eyes on the one, while Valentina makes love to her beer
August 13, 2022 - New York City
For practically her entire life, Valentina Moretti has worked relentlessly to make a name for herself.
It started all the way back to the moment she could walk, when her father saw potential in her to be the next best thing hockey had to offer. He held her delicately as they skated around indoor New York City ice rinks. Soon enough, she was standing on her own, carefully going about how to guide herself on the ice
From those moments on, hockey was a constant in Valentina’s mind. Waking up to play with her stick and pucks before she left for preschool and when she came back. From playing with only boys at the age of six to moving to the state of hockey to further her opportunities, to playing on the varsity team as a 7th grader, to today.
Now, Valentina is 22 and relentlessly tearing up the NCAA at the University of Wisconsin. She’s managed to win two national titles, the Patty Kazmaier award as the nation’s top player, and has put up insane points so far that have led to whispers of what she will do once her college career has ended.
She’s not thinking about that last part, though.
Being in her graduate year of college, Valentina only has a few things to accomplish for sure:
2 - Be the best leader possible for her teammates
3 - Just be the best player she can be overall
Obviously, easier said than done. Last season, unfortunately, ended in heartbreak at the quarterfinals during her first season as captain, but she refuses to dwell on that. Taking the summer to refocus her mind with family, friends, concerts, days on the lake, and of course, a nice cold drink.
That last part seems to be the only thing running through her mind as she takes a nice long sip of Guinness with the rest of her friends.
With the summer of ‘22 coming to a close and the semester starting up again, Valentina thought, what better way to end things out than a quick trip to her home city, and so she did that. Taking along with her, her fellow teammates Caroline and Maddi, “rival” and friend from Ohio State Quinn, former teammate Abby, and her best friend from the University of Minnesota, Grace.
It’s been a fun-filled few weeks for them in the city, but it had to end at some point.
Right now, sitting at the table, slightly buzzed, all Valentina can think about is if she packed everything in her hotel room.
So, I know I for sure remembered all of my socks…not a huge deal if I lose one pair out of, what? 12? I have my ticket for tomorrow? I think it was on my phone, it has to be. I set my alarm for 8? I can’t be late making it back to Wisconsin, I have practice in five days-
“Hey, Tina, you good?” Caroline calls out to her from across their table
“Oh- yeah, don’t worry. I think it’s the beer, I keep making all these mental notes in my head.” Valentina assures
“Cap, you’re okay, trust me. You packed everything, you have your plane ticket, I mean shit, you’re flying with some of us, and you will obviously be there for the first practice on Thursday. Chill.” Maddi helps to assure her
“Okay, thanks for that. I was hoping to be reassured right now.” Valentina smiles as she takes another sip of her beer
“So who’s ready for the new season, well everyone besides Abby.” Quinn asks
“Hey, screw you Kuntz,” she laughs. “Soon enough, you’ll all be on the Dream Gap Tour playing for different arenas and you’ll have a blast.”
“Hey, I’ve got time before that.” KK jokes
“Yeah, plus I thought I’ve been hearing whispers about some new women’s league being launched?” Valentina questioned
“Yeah, let’s see about that. Until then, I’ll be traveling all over North America.”
“At least you’re getting out there more.” Maddi chuckles
“Yeah, yeah…” Abby laughs back
It was around 9 when they first arrived, now it was almost midnight, they were all a little drunk but not crazy. They knew they had to get going back to their hotel soon.
For some, however, midnight was early for them and that meant the night was just getting started. It could be heard in the constant ringing of the front entrance the way people kept walking in and out of the place. That scenario was no different for the group of guys that just walked in, one of them was not exactly a stranger to the public eye. Paul Mescal.
Paul was in with some friends from London and Dublin, looking for a fun week, especially due to the fact that he wrapped up filming for his new movie Aftersun not too long ago and felt good about things. Now, all he wanted to do was have a nice, fun night with the lads and enjoy a Guinness.
But nights out for a guy like him aren’t usually free of any extra attention, Caroline being the first one to spot him
“Hey, hey guys.” KK calls out, tapping Grace on the shoulder. “That guy over there, does he look like someone?”
“There’s no way…” Grace awes
“What? Who is that?” Abby questions
“Dude, have you ever watched Normal People?” Grace asks to which Abby nods “That looks like the actor who plays Connell!”
“Paul Mescal?” Quinn guesses
“I wouldn’t be surprised, New York is practically East Coast LA. They’ve gotta come somewhere for a good time.” Valentina shrugs
“Yeah, that’s one hundred percent him. I’m gonna go say hi quickly!” Maddi says to the girls, to which they all try to prevent her from doing so. There was always a pretty high potential that going up to just about any famous person can lead to you being left embarrassed in the end, thinking to yourself, “Oh god, this is going to haunt me for ages.”
But Maddi had guts, and nothing was going to stop her from expressing admiration towards this guy. So all of the pleads from the girls only motivated her even more to walk up to him.
“Oh my god, she has no shame.” Quinn sighs, while the rest of the girls just shake their heads
They all watch intensely as Maddi makes her way over.
“Hi, excuse me,” she says, gaining Paul and some of his friends’ attention
“Hi, I’m so sorry. I’m not asking for a photo or an autograph or anything. I just wanted to say that you are truly such an incredible actor. Normal People was such an incredible show, and you and Daisy really had such incredible chemistry.” Maddi exclaimed
“Ah, thank you so much. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it.” Paul nodded and smiled at her. He’s gotten pretty used to all of the attention on him after becoming so famous practically overnight.
He appreciates the fans more than anything; he’s just gotten the whole “be nice” act down overtime and just goes about nodding, smiling, and saying thank you until they go back to whatever they were doing before he walked into the room.
“Yes, anyway I’m so sorry again for interrupting your night. I’m just with some friends over there and we just really loved the show.” Maddi says as she points to the table behind her where the girls were sitting.
Paul looks over to where she pointed, as he expected that he now had to quickly wave and smile at her friends rather than be some douche who didn’t.
As he did so, he quickly scanned each girl. There was Grace, then Abby, Quinn, Caroline, and soon enough, he got to Valentina at the end-
Getting to Valentina was truly the best saved for last. He looked (more like starred) at the girl with her half-empty Guinness and felt like time stopped for him.
Whoever that girl was, she was so insanely beautiful…
Each girl waved at him, including her. Obviously, Valentina knew who the guy was, but Paul felt like he should introduce himself right then and there.
“Um, would your friends mind if I just went up and introduced myself? I feel like it would be rude not too since they all can spot me right now.” Paul quickly came up with on the spot
“Oh my goodness, they would love that!” Maddi smiled, “Just follow me.”
“Hey guys, I’ll be right back. Save me a seat.” Paul said to his friends before he followed Maddi over to her table
The guys just laughed at this, seeing Paul follow a random girl. Considering who he was, he never had any trouble not gaining any extra attention from anyone in any room.
Once they made it to the table, Maddi began to introduce Paul to everyone. Like he needed any introduction.
“Guys, you all know Paul Mescal?” Maddi asks, acting like they don’t know who he is.
“Hi!” Grace speaks first “We are such big fans, love your work.”
“Thank you! That’s very kind” Paul says extending his hand to which Grace shakes.
“I’m Grace by the way, I see you’ve met Maddi.” Grace says “So sorry if your night was interrupted, by the way, Maddi has a thing for talking to people.”
“Dudeee” Maddi quietly groans
“No, it’s all fine. I’m used to attention like that from others.” Paul laughs “It’s nice to meet all of you, really appreciate the support and all.”
“Of course, I mean not to inflate your ego any more than it’s already been, but you are really good at playing a sad guy, and I say that with the upmost respect.” Abby says
“Wow, thank you, seriously. And you name is…?” Paul questions
“That’s Abby!” Maddi cuts in before Abby can properly introduce herself. “You’ve met Grace. Over there’s Quinn, next to her is Caroline, and right next to her is Valentina.”
Valentina…that’s a really fitting name for someone like her
“Ahhhhh nice to meet you guys.” Paul nods, satisfied
“I hate to break this up but we should probably head back to our hotels and get some sleep before tomorrow.” Quinn cuts in. “We’ve got a flight to catch.” she clarifies to Paul
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Valentina nods before collecting her things. “Say goodbye to your little friend, Mads.”
Paul just looks at her in awe.
“Shut up.” Maddi jokes “It was so nice getting to talk to you and thank you again for being so kind.”
“Of course, it’s always a pleasure to talk to fans. No harm done.” Paul reassures
The girls all collect their things, Abby throws down a generous tip and they’re all about to walk out the front before Paul calls out
“Hey, sorry, I don’t think I got your name,” Paul calls out
“Which one?” Caroline questions, standing closest to the door
“Um, you, you had hald a Guinness left.” Paul says pointing to Valentina
“Yeah, I just don’t recall hearing your name a little earlier is all.”
He’s lying, he obviously remembered.
“Oh, Valentina.” she says
“That’s a very beautiful name.” Paul muses
“Thanks, Paul.” Valentina grins
“Um, is it too late to offer to buy you a drink?” Paul asks. The other girls stand near the entrance and look at each other with knowing glances.
“Yeah, sorry I’ve gotta catch a flight tomorrow. Another beer doesn’t sound like such a great idea in my case.” Valentina apologizes
“It’s okay, it was nice meeting you though.” she says as she briefly begins to turn around
“Can I get your number?” Paul hurriedly asked
“Um, excuse me?” Valentina looks back at him confused, the other girls look at each other shocked.
“I- I just-” Paul attempts to explain before Valentina cuts him off
“Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t give my number out to strangers, let alone famous strangers.” Valentina explains
“Would you like my number then? I won’t give you a fake I promise.” Paul attempts to reason
“Very funny,” Valentina lightly grins at him “but I’m okay, and I really have to get going. Have a good night, Paul.” to which she then turns around and exits the pub alongside her friends.
And all Paul feels in that moment is foolish, lovestruck but completely embarrassed by his attempts.
All for a girl he might never find again.
A few blocks away from the pub, the girls start to freak out over the entire interaction they just witnessed between their friend and one of the most popular, hottest guys in entertainment right now.
“Holy shit?!” Grace exclaims
“What the hell was that just before?” KK adds
“Um, nothing. That’s what it was.” Valentina says as she continues to walk, unbothered and completely uninterested by the whole thing.
“Bro, nothing my fucking ass. You just had Paul Mescal ask you out and try to get your contact information!” Abby explains while Grace just shakes Valentina’s shoulders out of excitement.
“He did not ask me out. He just asked to buy me a drink.” Valentina reasons
“Practically the same thing! He was so desperately into you!” Abby goes on
“Seriously why didn’t you take him up on that? The drink thing, sure it’s late, but not even his phone number?” Maddi asks
“Oh please, why would I want to get involved with him?” Valentina scoffs
“Um, hello? He’s gorgeous!” Quinn explains “The fame is just something extra, but it can be worked around.”
“Yeah, okay.” Valentina chuckles
“He genuinely seemed like he wanted to have sex with you!”
“Yeah, okay Abby.” Valentina rolls her eyes
“You know, you realize you could have had one of the hottest actors of our generation on lockdown, right?” Maddi asks
“What lockdown?” Valentina laughs “He was just looking for a one-night stand. It’s how this shit always goes. You have a good-looking, decently famous guy who wants a night off from all the pressures of being himself. So what does he do? He takes refuge in some meaningless sex with a practical nobody that he won’t remember maybe an hour into the morning after.”
“Wouldn’t the bragging rights to come out of that be pretty sick though?” KK calls out
“You guys are seriously unbelievable.” Valentina shakes her head as she continues to walk forward.
“Plus, don’t be calling yourself a nobody. You’re practically giving young girls the hope right now that they can be something in their sport.” Grace assures her
“I mean I wasn’t really talking about myself in that sense, but let’s be so for real, guys. He doesn’t even know me!”
“He seemed like he wanted to, V!” KK says
“Oh yeah, good luck with that. I’m never even going to see the guy again beyond that moment. Plus, I have shit of my own I need to focus on. I’ve got a title to win, people to continue to prove myself to, and hopefully some good opportunities beyond college to look forward to.” Valentina finishes, practically putting her foot down.
“Holy stubborn bro.” Abby jokes with her, Valentina chuckles “Please do not overwork yourself again this season, and don’t take the loses to heart. I cannot be on the phone all the time to console you.”
“Yeah, we'll see.” Valentina replies, which, to Abby, mean’s she’ll try her hardest.
None of them mentioned Paul the rest of the night.
