"You don't like hockey," Grace exclaims, glancing at me sideways. It's not a question, she's stating the obvious.

"It's not like that." I retort, tossing taco into my mouth. I chew thoroughly, while she keeps staring at me. If I expect her to turn her attention back to the game, she doesn't. Fuck me.

"Not like what, Ava?" She laughs and involuntarily I smile.

Life is so strange! The first time I met this girl Layla introduced us to each other, I was more than hostile. My best friend and her roommate had become close the year before, so it was kind of bugging me. Or I was jealous. It's hard to tell, but I know one thing for certain - I didn't like her, and the feeling was mutual. But look at us now? Watching the game together and talking about personal stuff. I mean discussing your favorite sports could be considered personal stuff, right? Jeez, I'm so pathetic these days that I want to die. Quick and sudden.

'Rest in peace, Ava Mason. You left this world too young, taking with you your mind-blowing beauty and sexy as hell body'. Well, I definitely won't die from being shy.

"I like watching hockey, especially when I can cheer for someone I know." I mumble, my gaze follows Drake on the ice. He's an amazing player, really skillful and very attentive to everything surrounding him. Though, I can honestly say the same about the whole team. Even the asshole.

"You spent most of the game reading a book on your phone." Grace nudges me with her elbow, and I grimace. Since when is this girl so strong?

"It's kinda boring." God! Ava! You know better, really. You're a perfect liar but this? This sounds like a freaking fat burrito full of bullshit.

Grace blinks at me, but then bursts out laughing. Loud and contagious. People start glancing at us, and I'm ready to disappear. It's exactly why I didn't want to be here. Since I returned to campus on Monday, I have been keeping a low profile. Spending my time in my cocoon, counting the days till I can go back home. How on Earth I let Layla convince me to stay? I have no clue. As if she jinxed me or something. There is no other rational explanation for sure.

In all honesty, the game is intense, and as far from boring as possible. The Michigan Wolverines are incredible, and I'm not exaggerating. The players have such an eager desire to win it's contagious. The whole space is filled with cheers, hoots, and excited chattering. Even if I am trying not to pay much attention, I'm still drawn to the rink. I follow all the guys with my eyes and curse inwardly if they lose the puck. It's a home game, and they are ready to rip their rival a new one, literally. A few times things were becoming a bit violent, but our guys weren't the ones on the receiving end, so I didn't worry much.

I DO love hockey, but... I hate the ice rink and all the memories it brings.

Suddenly Grace drapes a hand over my shoulder and pulls me close. "I saw you on campus a few times this week... and you looked lonely. Really lonely." I turn my head and we lock eyes. Does she pity me? With how soft her gaze becomes, I'm sure she does. Shit! "Layla was crazy busy the past few weeks, but I wasn't. If you don't have anyone to hang out with except her, come to me. I often spend time with a few girls from my class. They are all nice and we would be more than happy to have you with us."

"Thanks Grace," I mutter, blinking away the sticky feeling of hopelessness. Never in my life could I imagine being a loner my first year in college. I'm the life of the party. I have tons of friends in my hometown and people who look up to me because I inspire them. Here? I'm nobody... though, I prefer being nobody rather than a punching bag for a bunch of hoes. "It means a lot. Honest."

"You're welcome." She bites her bottom lip, her fingers thread through her long red hair. "You know... I'm..." Grace falters and looks away.

"What is it about? Is something bothering you?" I ask, wanting nothing more but to return the favor. She's nice to me, even if she doesn't have to be, and I want to be nice to her.

"I don't really know how to act around the guys from the team, you know... Layla is used to her brother and his friends, but I have a feeling that I don't fit in. They have known me for a year, but not even a single guy has tried to hit on me. I am always the one to have a crush on each hockey player in turns. Except Thompson." Grace hastily adds, as if she's afraid I'll tell her roommate and Layla will go berserk. "It's like... I'm hanging out with them because of Layla, and it's also the reason why I'm as single as a Pringle."

"But Layla was hooking up with Tray last year and this year, and he's not from the team." I point out and instantly realize I made it worse. Like I said that not only guys from the team are indifferent to her, but others too. "Oh God! That came out wrong..."

"Nah, I get it, really." Her cheeks blush, and she looks away for a moment. "I'm awkward as hell when it comes to guys. Like really awkward. I say stupid things, I laugh too loud, and I always pick the wrong guy."

I roam my eyes over Grace's face, noticing a sprinkle of freckles covering her nose, her big green eyes with hints of yellow on her irises and lips in the form of heart. She's very cute, and I'm surprised to hear that she doesn't know how to use that to her favor. "But you're beautiful!" I retort, making her cheeks blush even harder. "You can have any guy you want!"

"You sure aren't talking about yourself?" She nudges me in my ribs with her elbow, and I yelp, but she doesn't even notice. "A few guys from the team totally have their eyes on you."

"Uh huh." Baker and Clay make my life on campus impossible, but not in 'Thompson way' impossible. These two annoy the fuck out of me with their attempts to ask me on a date, while I just can't stand the latter's face and want to punch something any time I notice even glimpse of him. "I'm not interested in any of them."

"Me either." Grace scoffs, moving a bit away from me and sneaking a glance at the ice. "At least not anymore."

"Look." I put my palm on her knee. "There are dudes like Clay, who will fuck just anyone if you have a pretty face. Like Baker, who finds himself some girl to prey on and won't stop until she's in his bed. Or Drake, who has a heart of gold, but when it comes to girls always looks at how hot they are, not paying any attention that they are full of crap and want him only because he's a gorgeous hockey player."

"Interesting perspective." Grace scratches the bridge of her nose, chewing her bottom lip. "What do you think about Thompson? Your bestie has a huge crush on him... so huge that even I think it's meh... if I put it lightly."

I fall quiet, thinking back to every interaction I had with the asshole. I open my mouth, just as my eyes land on him. "He's closed off, has a really small circle of people he lets close to him... He's arrogant, short-tempered, unnecessarily rude and his ego... God! It's higher than Khalifa Tower in Dubai! I have never met someone more confusing than him because one second I think he hates me, but the next one as if all that he wants..." I snap my mouth closed, biting my tongue so hard, so I even close my eyes from sudden pain.

Grace is silent, watching me with curiosity written all over her face. "He wants what?"

To bang me like there's no tomorrow. I swallow a lump in my throat, mastering a smile and wink at her. "He wants to be friends with me."

"Oh my God!" She laughs so loud, her whole body is shaking uncontrollably and this time, I think she might be right. She laughs too loud indeed. "You're a fucking gem, Ava. Can I be your best friend? I promise I can be way better than Layla."

"Well, I'm really sorry but that position was taken years ago, but you can apply to be my second best friend for sure." I lean in close, peer my eyes at her and grin. "Though you might regret your decision later... I'm too wild to handle."

"Wild?" Grace cocks an eyebrow at me, and I nod. "I love wild... as long as you teach me to be like that also."

"How about we use tonight's party to do that?" My veins fill with warmth, as I watch her with strange excitement. I didn't really want to go anywhere after the game, even if Layla was on my back like some spoiled brat, but now? Now this idea entertains me, for real.

"Will Layla let us? I mean, you're her best friend..."

"She ditched me for a dick at the last party, so there is no harm if I ditch her for a pussy." Grace's eyes go wide, and her mouth falls open. "Too much?"

"No..." She breathes, a dreamy expression on her face. "You're incredible and such a badass queen..."

"Oh, please." I slap her knee, giggling. "Just know... that I suddenly want to go to this party, while I really considered skipping it."

"Yay!" Grace squeals, and a man who sits in front of us turns with a heavy glare.

"Are you two done spoiling the game for me?" I bite my inner cheek in order not to tell him anything, so I just sternly nod. "Thanks."

"How about we go back to the dorms?" I turn my head to Grace and smile.

"Now?" She looks unsure, glancing at the ice rink.

"Why not?" I shrug. "The chances that Wolverines lose are close to zero. They already scored five against one for Penn State..."

Grace is hesitating, so I just lean my back on my seat and bore my gaze at Wolverines' goalie. Clay rocks this game, stopping almost impossible to secure moments. He's funny and nice to be around, and at the same time he's not my type at all. But for some reason I don't want to push him away completely. I would love to have a friend like him. A friend. Not a friend with benefits. For that matter I already have Drake.

I slap my forehead and groan quietly. This party is going to be a disaster, right? Well, if the thought about another night with my best friend's brother crosses my mind... then I'm doomed. I don't have time to do anything, as Grace is already on her feet, hovering over me and blocking the view completely.

"Let's go?" She asks, holding her hand for me.

I shake my head but grab her hand and she pulls me to my feet as well. We quickly make our way out of the building and straight to her car, giggling like schoolgirls. I don't know what's wrong with me today, but I know this mood too well. If I don't end the day in tears, I would be extremely surprised. Honestly.

As soon as we slide inside her car, Grace starts the engine and drives us away from Arena. She speaks without stopping, while I mostly just nod my head, and say 'Uh huh'. Right until she stops the car at traffic lights and spins her head to stare at me. What have I done? With how she narrows her eyes on me, I guess I agreed on something stupid. Definitely stupid. Only what?

"You weren't listening, were you?" Grace mumbles, and I shake my head no.

"Sorry, I'm just..." I slap my cheeks slightly, turn to my left and face my best friend's roommate. "I'm all ears."

"Did you know that last Saturday Layla and I hung out with Rodgers and Thompson?"

"Are you kidding me?" I snort, seeing corners of her lips tremble. "She sent me a message as soon as you stepped into the pizza house. Then, she called me that night to tell me all the details... and she continued talking about it once we met for lunch on Monday. She even forgot to ask me anything... She just wanted me to know how cool and fuckable Thompson is."

"She was all over him, and I honestly felt uneasy. Like I don't ever remember seeing her that desperate." The traffic light changes, and Grace resumes our ride. "Do you... do you think she will succeed?"

"No," I say simply, and she nods her head in agreement. "I said it once, but she didn't listen... and I don't like to repeat myself."

"Understandable. Your bestie is a stubborn mule, nothing else."

"A very accurate observation." We both chortle, and smile at each other. "Do you like him?"

"Do you?"

"I was the first who asked." I ping-pong the question back to her.

"I do, but not in the way Layla likes him. She wants to date him and other shit, while I wouldn't have said no to just a one-night stand. Rumors about him... Damn... This guy is too hot to handle." Grace chuckles, scrunching her nose. "It would have boosted my ego for years."

"I heard those rumors about a lot of guys from the hockey team, even in high school. It's more like a quality that girls think all players have." We are already near Grace and Layla's place, so she slows down the car. "Will you let me help you with clothes?"

"What's wrong with my clothes?" Her voice is high-pitched, and I make an annoyed face.

"Nothing is wrong with your clothes, Gracie. Just you asked me to help you to be wild... Remember?" I muse, and she hastily nods her head. "Then, it's settled."

Grace parks her car and we stroll to the dorm. As we left earlier than the game ended, we had plenty of time to get ready for the party, and just talk about anything and everything. I honestly didn't expect her to be this nice, and also have so many things in common with me. The atmosphere between us is light and full of laughter. Right until Layla storms inside their room. She looks pissed. I wonder why.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" My best friend slams the door behind her and tosses her sports bag on the floor. "I looked everywhere for you two! Everywhere!"

"We just..." Grace mumbles, and I sigh. Of course! Is anyone surprised that Ava needs to play a peacemaker? Not me for sure.

"Did you try calling us? Like you know, use your phone to ask us where we are," I say lazily, blowing a bubble from my gum.

Layla narrows her eyes on me. "You know... this one trait of yours I didn't miss for sure. The smartass bitch."

"Love ya, bestie." I wink at her, and Grace snickers. It's so sudden, so she clamps a hand over her mouth, looking terrified. I wind my hand around her shoulder, as we both sit on her bed. "One thing you need to know about us. Benson and Mason can call each other names, threaten to beat the living shit out of one another, can easily stop talking altogether... but we are always there for each other, through thick and thin."

"Could you say that we are in love?" Layla walks to the bed, plopping herself down near me. She wraps her arm around my neck, hauling me to her, and plants a smooch on my cheek. "This gal is my soulmate, Grace."

Grace observes us in silence, and then I see her eyes watering. Why is she crying? Oh my God! "I envyyyyyyy.... yoooooooouuuuuuu... I neeeeeevvvveeer ha-had a frieeeeend like-like that..."

"This bitch is a limited edition," Layla guffaws, hugging me tightly. "And I'm not sharing her with anyone. Not even you."

"I can have as many best friends as I want..." I mumble, but she hurriedly presses her palm to my mouth, silencing me. "La-ugh-y-ouch-la!"

"I'm not sharing! Are we clear?" She looms over me, her chocolate brown eyes just like her brother's gaze down at me, memories find their way in my mind. I nod my head and she releases me. Straightening my back, I take a long much needed breath. She almost suffocated me, dammit! And her brother! I need to stay away from Drake as much as possible tonight. I can't use him anytime I want to get laid. Do I want to get laid though?

"... you're ready to go!" I blink away my frustration and focus my attention on my best friend. She's already near her closet, rummaging through her things in the hopes of finding the perfect dress. God, I am so happy that I had time to choose my clothes before she got here. "I want to look my best because..."

"Colton." Grace and I say in unison, and Layla whirls around. Her brows knit together, and her lips smacked into a pout.

"You two are getting on my nerves." She points her fingers at her roommate and me in turns.

"We just had time to bond and now we understand each other more than ever." I exclaim, putting my phone in my purse.

"Whatever..." Layla barks, grabbing a towel in her hand and tossing two dresses on her bed at the same time. "I need a quick shower, and then we're ready to go."

She goes to the door, while I dramatically sigh and plop myself down on my back. "Gracie, honey, can we watch something? Looks like we are stuck here for an hour or two."

"I will pretend that I didn't hear that." My best friend snide-mumbles, opening the door and closing it behind her with a bang as she walks out.

Grace and I look at each other for a second and then just laugh. Loud and so long. I definitely will be crying tonight... I have no doubts.