SUMMARY: OKAY, maybe moving overseas the instant you got the acceptance letter from The College of New Jersey in (you guessed it) New Jersey, to join their Yellowjackets in the NCAA was in fact a bit reckless, but who cares? You were sick of Barcelona anyway, and the idea of being on a team filled with people you didn't know at all seemed —even if it felt a bit scary— appealing, to say the least. A change couldn't hurt, could it?
Well, if you consider falling hard for one of your teammates a good start, then yeah, you had the best fucking start in the world. But that's obviously not a good start (far from it, really) because Natalie isn't just a fierce on the ice and a pretty face, she's also got a whole aromory to destroy you. But you've always been kind of a masochist anyway…
CHAPTERS:
one : pre-season
two: ice, ice, baby
three: jocks and fucks
four : heart eyes
five : welcome in, ice queen
six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve /thirteen / fourteen / fifteen / sixteen / seventeen / eighteen / nineteen / twenty
🎒 Modern AU | 💔 Enemies to Lovers | 🔥 Slow Burn | 💘 Fluff & Angst | 🧠 Philosophy
📖 Summary:
Annie believed in the rigidity of self—fixed, unchanging, tabula rasa be damned. But Mikasa was a theory Annie couldn’t prove wrong: selfless, idealistic, a moral certainty in a world that taught her not to believe in anything.
When Mikasa adopts a dog from the shelter, Annie wonders if the self can be undone—and finds herself undone by the very longing she dares not acknowledge.
--------------
The dog's breed? You'll find out in the shelter scene 🐾
“We really shouldn’t,” Clarisse says, pulling away for air. The words don’t even sound convincing to her.
Silena tilts her head to the side, black hair falling into her face, as she says, “Oh, really?”
Silena pushes closer to Clarisse, her warm breath tickling Clarisse’s ear. Her hands work their way up Clarisse’s body, until they’re wrapped around her neck and curling in Clarisse’s hair. Clarisse’s eyes flutter closed, her breathing quickening.
“Why not?” Silena asks. Clarisse doesn’t have to open her eyes to know that Silena is smirking; she can hear it in her voice.
“Uh…” Clarisse shudders as Silena’s lips find her neck. “Can’t think of a reason anymore…”
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
You just got starling news that the Red Lotus got to Air Temple Island and now you and Team Avatar need to rush to save them.
“We need to leave now” you command as you join the rest of the group. “Where is Lord Zuko?” Tonraq questions and Korra explains “He left to go back to the Fire nation to protect his daughter”.
Once everyone is in you bend the cables off the ship and fly out of the city. The ship crew in the control room start heading in the direction of the temple. You put your arms behind your back as you tap your foot anxiously while your thumb tugs on your cuff. Su comes up beside you “You’re always checking on everyone. Has anyone checked on you?”
“I’m fine” you mutter as you tug on your cuff some more, looking ahead at the dashboard overlooking the pilot. “y/n, You’ve lived under my roof long enough for me to know your moods. Don’t think I didn’t catch you checking up on everyone. Opal told me you spoke to her about Lin and moving to the temple - and I have a feeling you might have talked to Lin about Opal.”
“Yeah, I did. I’m sorry...”
“Don’t be sorry. You helped reconnect my family.”
“It was the least I could do. I will always protect your family as my own” you offer a smile and Su side hugs you causing you to stiffen up a bit. Your guilt about Opal and your worries for the airbending family and the air nation is eating you up inside. You clear your throat “Let’s head to the war room. We need a plan of action,” you head into the room as Su calls for Lin and Tonraq.
*
The adults huddle around the map as Team Avatar paces in another room of the ship. After many failed suggestions of how to attack the Red Lotus you sigh,
“We’ve gone through every angle of this map. Nothing seems to work….” you mutter as you fold your arms resting your hand on your chin.
“I’m not going to give up my daughter!” Tonraq raises his voice at you and your lips twitch, getting irritated just as much.
“I don’t like the idea of having to watch Korra offer herself any more than you guys. But look at it from Korra’s perspective! What choice does she have?!” you walk towards the window and look out watching the clouds darken as night approaches the sun lowering behind the mountains of the valley.
“Plenty which is why we’re trying to think of one right now.” Lin comments as she leans against the table looking at the map,
“It would help if you’d think of one” Tonraq sneers and you look at him from the corner of your eye, and sigh deeply. “I’m not giving up on Korra” you’re deeply saddened by the realization of what is going to happen even if the rest of the adults don’t want to come to terms with the situation. “But It’s one life versus the lives of many, Tonraq” you look down, your voice grave. “It’s easy for us to toss around solutions, but think of the amount of pressure Korra is feeling right now.” you turn around and look at the room which has gotten quiet - the others looking at one another before looking back at you.
“She’s probably feeling the weight of needing to save Opal, Tenzin, Bumi, Kya, Pema and the kids as well as the rest of the airbenders. As much as we try to understand, Korra is the one Zaheer is after and the brunt of this situation has fallen on her shoulders.” you look at each of them as they hang their heads.
“I’m pretty sure if we all put ourselves in Korra’s place we would sacrifice ourselves to save them….Tonraq if the tribe was in trouble, you would do it with no hesitation. The tribe is our family and we look after our tribe.” you look at him and he groans understanding.
“Su, if anyone came between you and your family…”
“I would save them by any means necessary” Su finished your sentence, you turn to Lin “And Lin… with your sacrifice--”
“--I would do it again.” Lin interrupted as she looked up meeting your eyes as Su looked at you and Lin, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“We would sacrifice ourselves if it meant saving someone else, because that’s what we do. Without a second thought.”
“I’m not going to persuade my daughter to that decision”, Tonraq looks up and meets your gaze as you lean onto the table
“You shouldn’t. None of us should. Only Korra can. We just have to do our job to protect her as best we can when and if she does decide.”
“So we agree. None of us will persuade Korra to make that decision” Lin looks at everyone and each one of you nod.
“Until then we keep looking for a way to save Opal and the airbenders” Su joins in looking at Lin
“And save my daughter in the process” Tonraq comments.
“Whatever means possible so that we ALL come out of this alive.” you finish and everyone nods in agreement.
*
As the ship races to the Northern Air Temple the adults continue going over the map and Team Avatar joins in.
“So any ideas?” Lin looks around the room as the crew walks into the room,
“I say we make our approach from the West, drop down from the airship on cables. Ambush these Red Lotus lowlifes before they know what hit them.” Tonraq and Lin turn to Su and you peer over at Korra and notice her gravely staring out of the window.
“It will never work. That Combustion Lady will pick us off one by one.” Lin rolls her eyes thinking back to the attempted kidnapping in Zaofu,
“You have a better idea how to save the airbenders?” Su retorts.
“Yeah. We come up from the valley, scale the side of the mountain, and take them off guard.” she points to the map,
“That could work.” Tonraq agrees with Lin’s plan.
“ And give them the high ground? No! If their lavabender spots us, he'll melt the mountainside and us with it.”
“Wait!” the adults turn to Bolin “I got it. I'll disguise myself as a lost hiker. And once I'm in the temple, I'll distract the Red Lotus with my bird calls. Caw! Caw! Caw! Caw! That's when you all strike!”
“Bird calls? Really?” Mako raises an eyebrow along with Asami,
“Well, I haven't noticed you offering any suggestions.”
Korra starts to speak and everyone turns towards her “It doesn't matter. None of these ideas will work. The second Zaheer realizes we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders.”
“And Opal is one of them. Believe me, I understand what's at stake.” Su rests a hand on her chest and you shake your head.
“That’s not what she’s saying, Su…” Su looks up at you furrowing her eyebrows “...if I’m understanding what you’re thinking, Korra….”
“y/n…” Tonraq’s voice calls you out as he grips the edge of the table,
“I didn’t say anything Tonraq, but…” you click your tongue as you look down covering your face with the palm of your hand. Now Lin has caught up with what you’re picking up from Korra.
“Then I think you'll agree. The only plan that will work is for me to give myself up.” Korra looks at you and you slowly nod as much as you hated to agree.
“What?” Mako eyes widen.
“Korra, no.” Lin shakes her head.
“We'll figure out another way.” Tonraq quickly speaks and looks at his daughter. You look up, removing your hand from your face to look at him, “Tonraq, we’ve gone through every way-”
“-No, y/n. There has to be another way!” Tonraq raises his voice a bit and Korra butts in -
“I talked it over with Lord Zuko, and I've given it a lot of thought. I have to do this.”
Asami looks worriedly at Korra “You can't expect us to sit by and just let Zaheer take you.”
Korra pleads with everyone as she speaks “The World has been out of balance for far too long. It needs the Air Nation back again. I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love. Help me save the airbenders. Then you can worry about saving me.” She closes her eyes and opens them with fierce determination. Tonraq and Su share a look as you and Lin look at one another for a moment before returning your attention to Korra.
“We're with you, Korra.” Tonraq answers his daughter as Su nods “Yes, whatever you need. We're here.” Asami nods in the background as Mako and Bolin look down. “All of us” you look at Korra with determination. “I'll go radio Zaheer.” Korra walks off sadly, opening the door and walks into the room, leaving the group behind her. You look at Korra until the door slams shut soon after. “Excuse me for a second” you slowly pull away from the group and walk out the room.
*
Looking out the window in another room gripping the railing, you take time for yourself when Lin steps inside setting something down as she approaches you.
“y/n”
You stay quiet as you try to focus on the horizon
“You look like your head’s about to explode” Lin says dryly,
“You could say that” you let out a laugh.
“What’s on your mind?”
“A lot of things, but I’m fine. Just processing and mentally preparing,” You shake your head as you close your eyes, putting your fingers in the corner of your eyes.
“You’re not.” Lin sensing you’re tense, she reaches for you but stops herself not wanting someone to walk in.
“No, I’m not” you finally reveal it outloud, Lin looks over at you as you turn around folding your arms leaning against the dashboard. You look like you’re about to talk but then take a moment to gather your thoughts before doing so,
“Am I a horrible person for being okay to agree on letting Korra go?” you look up at Lin before looking away feeling conflicted. Even though Korra is the Avatar she is still a teen, she shouldn’t be thinking about sacrificing herself for a group of people let alone at 18. At her age, your only worry was just making sure you were clothed and fed.
Lin looked at you and noticed the conflict on your face but was unsure on how to console you when she tried to say anything you started to speak again. “The attack on the airbenders is solely to get Korra and nothing seems to work to save her - or Opal, I encouraged her to leave Zaofu if anything happens to her or the kids...” you look down in distress
“Opal leaving isn’t your fault. Su and I also let her go. We can still come up with a plan” Lin looks up at you and puts her hand on your arm causing you to look over at her “We’ve looked from the air, ground, and we have no sea, Lin. There aren't any large bodies of water in the area.” you turn back around and look out at the area, nothing but mountain peaks.
“There’s still time.”
“Lin…”
“No”
You sigh looking down “I know you care about Korra. I do too.” Lin looks up at you, her eyes softening at the possible outcome, “There has to be another way”.
“Like Korra said, save the Air Nation then we can focus on saving her”. You step forward as Lin looks down, “Korra is probably back…we should go” you walk out of the room and head back to the war room waiting on Korra as Lin follows.
Korra walks back into the room with determination as Tonraq turns towards his daughter “Did you speak to Zaheer?”
Korra looks in dismal “Yes. He told me to come to the top of Laghima’s Peak at noon. Alone. Once he has me, he’ll release the airbenders over to you at the temple.”
You look over at Asami who looks worried for Korra then look out the window trying to find some sort of answer through the scenery. Su’s voice breaks your thoughts as she, Lin, Asami, and Mako are by the map. “I think I figured out a way to play this…” Korra and Tonraq walk up to Su “…so the airbenders and Korra all come out in one piece.”
Your ears perk up and turn around to face the group as Lin turns to her sister “How?”
Zaheer doesn't know how many of us there are. So we have the numbers advantage.” She picks up two figures in each hand “I say we split into two teams.” Mako, Bolin, and Asami will take...” places the airship figure on the Northern Air Temple on the map “...the airship up to the temple.” she then places a figure of the Zaofu guards helmet on a plateau a distance away from the temple “Meanwhile, my metalbenders, Tonraq, y/n, Lin and I will get into position below Laghima's Peak. Su turns to Korra who nods at the plan.
“Sounds like we have a p.o.a. Let’s get ready” you look at everyone determined and head out to the bunks.
*
As you finish putting your medium length hair in a messy high ponytail someone walks up behind you as you roll up a sleeve to bend on your forearm guards ”Wear this” you look over to see Lin handing you a chest plate.
“Did you pry that off Su?”You smile, a chuckle escaping your lips as you proceed to roll your left sleeve up,
“y/n. Wear it” she presses the chest plate onto you and you hold it. “Please”
You stop and look at her, even though she isn’t showing it there was a hint of worry in her words. You nod and bend your back piece off so you can bend the metal chest plate on before adding it back on over the plate. “Thanks”
Lin gives you a curt nod as she looks you over she starts to head out the door, “If we make it out. I want to see you back at the station, Chief”
Lin stops and turns to look at you, “We will, Captain”.
You look down for a second biting on your lip, “Lin...”Lifting your head to look over and look into her light jade eyes “...I…”
“No” Lin said sternly at you, shaking her head to stop you from completing what she felt what you were going to say
“...love you” you continued on giving her a light smile before looking down to fix your belt and tucking your shirt in.
*
Lin felt her heart stop when she heard you say those three words, “...I love you”. Why the hell did you have to tell her this when the both of you are about to fight four crazy criminals. “Do you mean it?” she stepped towards you as you finished and turned your body to face her, “yes, I know the timing is shit, but I wanted you to know, just in case….we get blasted”.
She wasn’t about to say the same words back like some dramatic romance novel. Lin knew better than that, but she’s come to learn that you would jump in the line of fire to save anyone. Lin didn’t want to think about how far you were willing to go, it seemed to be a sick joke from the universe. Have her falling for someone with the same sense of duty as her. Though the words scared her, she knew that her actions would speak louder so she approached you while you were fumbling with your belt. She leaned in and kissed your cheek, you looked at her then leaned in and gave her a full kiss causing her to return the gesture. You rested your forehead against hers holding her hands as she pulled back.
*
“You don’t have to say it back. I know….” you whispered softly as you slowly let go of her hands but stayed close looking at her eyes. Trying to remember those eyes and engrave them in the back of your mind.
“Uh…” You and Lin drop hands “...sorry to interrupt.. but uh..we’re about to reach Laghima’s Peak...” Mako calls out and both of you nod. Lin walks out and you eye him before following but stop and turn to face Mako debating whether or not to say something.
“I didn’t see anything” Mako states looking at you and you purse your lips then nod “Right” before heading towards the hangar bay.
*
The ship arrives on the ground below Laghima's Peak. You strap a radio on your shoulder and give Tonraq a nod as he walks down the ramp with a Zaofu guard. Lin hands Korra a radio, Radio the second you see those airbenders.” Korra and Mako strap their radio across their shoulders,
“I will, Chief. Good luck”.
Lin gives a silent nod to Mako and walks down the ramp as the teens watch her go. Asami gives Korra a hug, “Be careful, Korra.”
“You too.”
Korra turns to Mako and throws her arms around him. He is surprised for a split second and then returns the hug. Bolin catches Korra by surprise by hugging her from the side with tears in his eyes. Korra rests her head on top of Bolin's. Once she pulls back from Bolin you step up and give her a hug, “We will get you back, Korra” whisper softly and she nods hugging you back, you both part and you give her shoulder a slight squeeze with a gentle smile before walking down the ramp.
Korra walks down the ramp. Once she touches the ground, the airship's ramp rises up and closes, taking off from the ground. Korra looks up at the airship then looks over to father who is gazing at the airship. He closes his eyes before turning his attention to his daughter.
“Korra.”
Korra speaks gently, giving him a smile “Don't worry, Dad. I'll be alright.”
Tonraq places a hand on her shoulder “I just want you to know how proud...” he pulls Korra into an embrace as the hand on her shoulder moves up to the back of her head and his other hand rests across her shoulders. “...I am of you. The risk you're taking to save the Air Nation will be remembered for generations.”
Korra closes her eyes and rests her head on Tonraq's shoulder, “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
You didn’t flinch. No reaction. You heard that word and thought you were going to react negatively, but nothing happened. I guess that word doesn’t have power over me anymore. Your lips curl up glad for that to be over glancing at Lin then look back at the duo.
Tonraq takes a step back with both hands on Korra's shoulders. He looks at her for a second and then walks away towards the group
“And, Dad. Watch out for Zaheer. He's not very fond of World leaders.” Tonraq turns to Korra
Tonraq gives a smug smile “I can handle him. Just stay focused on your mission.” He turns back to the mountain and runs towards it. Everyone follows his cue. Your metal cables shoot up to it and leap up the mountain into the fog. Tonraq jumps into view with both of his hands covered in ice as he uses them to scale up the surface. He swings from one side to another and propels himself into the fog. You catch up to Tonraq and grab his attention “Let’s scale to the other side of the mountain. They won’t expect it.”
Tonraq looks at the other guards then back at you and nods “Let’s go”
You and him end up separating from the rest of the guards and scale over to the other side.
Lin radios “Everyone at position?”
You grab the receiver “Tonraq and I changed routes. Headed to the opposite side, over and out”,
Putting the receiver back to the radio, you grit your teeth as you keep moving up and spot another airship. You stop as you’re hanging off the side of the mountain, listening to the radio for the command.
“It’s a trick! Go! Go!” you put down the radio looking at Tonraq as he listened in to the command. You start metalbending upwards on the cables and propel yourself along with a determined face. You reach the top with Tonraq nearby underneath “Grab my cable” you command him “What?”
“I’ll propel you up!”
Tonraq grabs hold with his water arm and you look over at the airship’s ramp and grunt as you launch him towards the ramp. You watch him fly up as you cable up to the edge of the mountain and propel yourself up to the peak. you hit the edge of the mountain breaking a piece of earth with your foot and kick the slab to Zaheer “Surprise” you grunt as you land on the ground in an attack stance while Tonraq saves Korra. You immediately propel yourself off the ground with your cables to avoid the air blast from Zaheer. Zaheer air kicks at you and you slide under bending a slab up to block the attack. He kicks a rush of air to come around the slab hitting you in the side causing you to slide against the ground. The contact from the chest plate sparks against the ground. You grab onto the ground, skidding to a halt as Zaheer runs forward to the airship. Korra pops up in front of him, kicking her legs at him with firebending. You kick up while Zaheer extends an arm out to airbend the flames away but is too late as he gets knocked back by one of your earth kicks. Korra lands on her back and quickly pushes herself upright. Tonraq water cuts the ropes and causes the airship to float away. You earth launch yourself over to Tonraq and stand beside him as you get into a fighting stance as Tonraq stands protectively in front of his daughter.
“Nowhere to go, Zaheer!” He shouts then swings his water arms around and aims at the criminal.
You and Korra each kick a slab of earth at Zaheer and he does a tuck and roll as Tonraq jumps above the both of you and lands, sending his water arm to punch at him. Zaheer uses his airbending to guide the chunks of rock off course before extending his palm to break the water arm with air. Tonraq side steps and the blast of air sails harmlessly above his shoulders and hits you causing you to slide across the ground. You quickly get up and watch as another air attack is sent at Tonraq and he swipes it with his water arm.
Zaheer air punches and quickly moves to the side to avoid your metal cables shooting out at him. A rock flies at him and he kicks it to the side. He sends a series of airbending attacks of which Tonraq manages to swipe away the first four blasts but is hit by the fifth.
Korra comes rushing to protect her Dad and she jumps up to avoid an offensive jab by Zaheer. As she lands on the ground, she punches it and sends a trail of earth at him, to which he just leaps up to avoid being hit. You launch yourself toward him and as he is in the air, he avoids your cables but you manage to grab his wrist. Zaheer grits his teeth as he manages to grab hold of the cable and bends an air vortex to get you up in the air as he lands on the ground. “You’re of no importance to me” you hear him tell you as you try to hold onto Zaheer’s wrist by your cable but you lose control and your grip loosens and he thrusts his palm out and the vortex is moved over the edge of the cliff. You fall down over the edge toward the other side of the fight, “Korra!” you scream as you watch him kick a blast at Korra. She pushes herself off the ground to avoid it. You hear Korra’s voice as you fall down “y/n!”.
You hurry and bend your cables to grab onto the side of the mountain and slam into it on your left side. You groan out at the pain as the rock slams into your once dislocated shoulder. Your hand gives out, and you almost lose your grip but you grab hold with your right cable. You manage to stay suspended and catch your breath from that near fall, looking down at the ground then around at your surroundings. Shit, I almost lost it there . Despite the fog you notice he threw you toward the other side of the Peak so you scramble to scale back up to the edge.
You watch as some of the security force get blasted off the Peak but manage to grab hold on the side of the mountain. “Where are Lin and Su?” you bark out, one of the men tilts their head up “They’re still up there - but when we got blasted they were getting pinned down!”. Your eyes widen and you look up, grit your teeth and keep climbing. If Lin gets hurt you will never be able to live with yourself. You have to get there before that combustion bender gets to either one of them. They just reconciled you’re not going to allow either one of them lose each other again. “There's no way around her! She’ll just blast you away!” you hear the men yell out but you keep climbing. You see someone sliding near the edge of the cliff as you approach you notice the gray hair. You can’t wait anymore so you propel yourself up and see the combustion bender, “P’Li!” you shout in the air as you front flip, landing on the Peak with a fist to the ground. Landing in front of Lin, “Fight someone closer to your own age” you sneer at her as you bend daggers from your forearms. P'li smirks at you, glad to take you on - “You’re nothing against me”. You smirk back and start to charge at her then notice her start to combustion bend, “No!” Lin yells out as she struggles after you.
You put your arm up getting ready to attack when your eyes widen when you notice a metal object flying toward P’li from the corner of your eye. You skid to a stop as you watch it encase around P’Li’s head. “y/n!” you hear Lin yelling your name as you cover your face. You feel the combust hit your arms as you avert your eyes from the flash of light coming through the seams of the armor.
After a couple of seconds you peer your eyes out and see P’li’s body slowly falling down to her knees before falling down. Blinking your eyes, you attempt to clear your mind of the horror you’ve witnessed in front and notice the blood splatter hitting your clothes. Forcing yourself back into action, you get up and turn around to Lin. She has scorch marks on her face and armor as Su runs to her older sister hugging her while helping her to her feet. Lin and Su walk over to you, Su checks on you since you’re still in a state of shock “You good?” and you slowly nod “Yeah”. Lin shoves your chest “What the fuck was that!” she yells as you stumble back, catching yourself as you focus back and look at Lin “I wasn’t going to let her get to you!” you explain desperately, you arm burning in pain.
“No time….Korra!” Su yells, interrupting the both of you as she starts running toward the airship and you and Lin follow suit. The three of you climb to the upper peak on cables landing behind him. With Korra slung over one of his shoulders he turns around to face the three of you standing on the edge of the cliff.
Su gets in an attacking stance “It’s over, Zaheer.” Su calls him out and he starts closing his eyes “Let go of your earthly tether.”
Lin raises her fists “Release the Avatar!”
“Enter the void”
You analyze him seeing if he’ll attack as you get into your stance “Nowhere to run, Zaheer!”
“This is your last warning!” Lin chimes in,
“Empty and become wind” Zaheer opens his eyes and he takes a step back and slips off the edge with Korra.
You look on with shock “Korra!” you yell,
“No! Stop!” Lin yells as the three of you run toward the edge, you slide and peer over just to see Zaheer casually floating above the fog without anything holding him. You three metalbend your cables at him, but Zaheer flies upwards. He gives you three his regards before flying off with Korra.
You rub your eyes as you look on in disbelief - your mouth hanging open,
“Did he just….fly?”
“That can’t be....That’s impossible” you stand up as you answer incredulously.
“Well he’s doing it” Su looks on, flabbergasted at the scene.
“How do we stop a flying Red Lotus leader?” you answer neither Lin nor Su know the answer as you look on and see Zaheer and the airship looking smaller as they fly away. Shit now what do we do, both Korra and the airbenders are gone.
If y’all could like read this or add this to your reading lists it would mean a lot. I’m really excited about this but I don’t want it to flop https://my.w.tt/TbAWHU1o83
Pucking 7 Yellowjackets hockey SMAU - Natalie Scatorccio x reader
Moving to another country had a lot of pros: one the one hand, you had a good appartment, (thanks scholarship!) nice roomates, a school's name that would look great on your resumée , well located… but starting on August wasn't one of them. August, seriously? Fuck Pre-season, for god's sake…
On top of that, the heat and the awful ball of anexiety curling into your stomach and threatening to crawl up your throat, you had to meet them. What if they didn't like you? what if you weren't good enough? what if all this was a mistake? what if—
"Hey," the sudden voice intrussion made your head bob up, tensing your body to sit up and abandon the previous lay-down position you'd been for the past— hour? "…you good?" Mari's long hair hung lower on her right side as she tilted her head. Her eyes darted on your face, brows slightly furrowed as she searched in your expression.
There she was. Mari Ibarra. Well, Mariana, but nobody really called her that. Doesn't matter— she had been unbelievably sweet to you. Maybe it was the fact that you also spoke spanish, (even if it was a differenent dialect, you two understood each other perfectly) or just because she had craved someone to 'gang up' with against your other two roomates, Taissa and Vanessa, who she'd call Lapas Lesbianas (Lesbian Limpets) , something that would make the couple snort.
"Uh- yeah yeah I was just um… y'know. Laying around." It came out as an insecure sputter of words, and Mari did ofcourse not buy it.
"Nuh," she muttered, pink and yellow mismatched socks sliding over the plush carpet of your room, "you're thinking something. What is it?" you moved to sit on the edge of your bed making space for her, bare toes grazing the tender strings of fuzz. "I um…" you started, clearing your throat as you felt her weight dip on the bed. "I dunno. I was just thinking."
"Bullshit—" her dark hair tickled your arm as she turned to sit facing you "what, you think they're gonna hate you and you're gonna suck so hard you're gonna get kicked out of the team?" she questioned.
"Um… maybe…?" you muttered, gaining a oh for fucks sake from her plush lips. "No! everything's gonna be great, understood?" you let out a sigh, staring back at her deep brown eyes. "y/n." She stared, tone demaning.
"Mari." You mimicked, tilting your head the same way to follow her emphasis.
"You little shit—" a nudge to your shoulder, a low ow from your lips that was quickly covered by her voice "Seriously! it's just pre-season. It's just skating. Like- literally."
You scratched the back of your neck with certain doubt, and Mari couldn't help but shake you by your shoulders. "Leave that looser's mentality."
"But—"
"NO. Manifest! If you think negatively, it'll have a negative outcome!" you sighed and then rubbed your eyes. "Say it! Everything is gonna be great, I'm gonna get along with the team, practice is gonna be grea—"
"Mari are you seriously torturing her with that stupid ass manifestation thing?" Van's voice cut through.
"I'm not torturing anyone!" The tanned responds, giving the ginger a look as she leans on your doorframe. "Doesn't seem like it," Van hums back grinning.
Mari huffs and rolls her eyes. "What's up anyway?" The freckled face asks as she steps into the room.
"She's scared the team's not gonna like her—"
"Mari!" You cut through, heat rushing to your cheeks.
"It's true!" She defends.
"Doesn't mean you need to say it outloud!"
"There's nothing wrong with it! you need to—"
"You're seriously overthinking over the team liking you?" Vanessa interrupts the back and forth.
"Uh- well yeah. Newsflash: this is gonna be my team for the next, what, year? I don't wanna fuck up and have a terrible relationship with the whole team—"
"We met you five days ago and we've been doing amazing so far," Vanessa hums. Mari nods while letting out a cheerful 'True!' and you can't help but sigh. "Yeah, but you guys are easy. Not everyone is like that—"
"Did you just call us easy?" Van starts.
"Wha— no! I mean yes, but not like that—" You stutter.
"She called us easy?" Taissa chimes in (when did she join in?) "Wow. Low blow y/n."
"Yeah low blow" Mari murmurs holding back a grin as she nudges you.
You groan, rubbing your face and laying back on your bed. "I hate you all."
They all chuckle, and all of your phones buzz in unison. You frown, reaching for yours along the others.
“Uh oh,” Van muttered, already checking her screen. “Mama Taylor’s back.”
Taissa groans at the nickname. “Don’t call her that.”
