OOC: Sorry for the delays with this one. I had a bit of writer's block before this evening. I hope I'll pick up my slack and get more RPs done, as the playoffs approach.Part 1Part 2The Road- (3)Late Wednesday evening, he was at his room after practicing at his backyard rink for shooting. The season opener's 3 days away, so he got even more nervous yet excited for a title this time for the ultimate showdown.
His room was covered with hundreds
of memorabilas
of Quebec Nordiques and their players. Nordiques may be rebuilding right now, but it wasn’t so long ago that they used to dominate the league to an unparalleled extent. The team took 11 Prenneau Cups between 1996-1997 season and 2011-2012 season, as well as countless
of goals and 12 Hall
of Famers on their rosters. So it was
of no surprise that lots
of younger
hockey fans, especially from those who were born in 1980s, grew up to love the Nordiques. Alexandre was one
of them.
He particularly liked Jocelyn Perreault. A smooth skater with high
hockey IQ, Perreault was one
of the most dominant Left-Winger in QHL's history. He retired as a very successful player, capping his career with 578 goals and 1,276 points on 1,296 games, as well as 9 Prenneau
Cup titles. He remembered how happy he was when he scored an epic goal off his smooth hands, and wished that he could be just like the very 2016 Quebec
Hockey League Hall
of Fame Inductee.
As he grew older and older, he started to emulate the little things that his idol used to do, and hoped that he’d wear the very blue jersey
of the Nordiques with its iconic igloo logo. He very much knew that he didn’t really stand a chance however, when his competitor is a local product. Kirils Golovkovs, a much-hyped prospect since the age
of 12, were already lighting the CHL up in his third season with CSKA Quebec and doesn’t seem to lose his hold on everybody’s minds as the consensus No.1 overall pick for it.
So even though he would’ve loved to join the marvellous core
of young, offensive players in Barbashev twins and Rodolphe Gong, he very well knew that he will probably get drafted by Kenora or Labrador City this June. He was fine with Kenora, considering the relative proximity to his hometown compared to other cities, and the coaching staff they have over there. But Labrador City, the franchise well known for its mess in the league……The thoughts
of playing as a Freeze didn’t really entertain him a lot, making him feel lot worse every time when he thought
of such scenario.
That being said, let’s go back to the actual scene. Alexandre was lying in his bed, trying to figure out the meaning
of a book he’s been assigned for novel study in English named ‘Convergent’ by David Ouellette-St. Armant. He was a very smart person, but still struggled to follow the depth
of the substances provided in the novel without having to re-read it over and over again. It wasn’t just his problem, but also
of others as well, which was the reason why Dr. Stephen Ahn decided to use this novel for English.
“Why did Jean Lamarc commit suicide, at such a wonderful April day by the Dalhousie Park, in Halifax?” He wondered, as he read through the supposed suicide note that the protagonist left when he committed suicide at the beginning
of the novel, as well as description
of his drowned, cold body. The words that he used for such were extremely powerful, yet giving enough advices in order to not spoiling anything yet. He really liked the dynamic use
of words and was about to fall into the magic
of it when the sound
of Bling! came from his phone.
He, instantly stunned with the surprising bell
of notification, quickly turned around and checked the message.
To: Alexandre Dumont, 08:51
From: Semyon Gorbunov, 08:49
Don’t forget to come out for a smoke tonight, k? I’ll meet you and Michael just by the harbour, around 9.
He replied right away, agreeing to meet him and their good friend, Michael Valliere just by the lake.
Of course he had a bigger thing to do, such as reading up to Page 193
of the 789-page book, but Alex didn’t really want to break a promise that he already made with his friends. Soon, he was on his way to the port.
Two teenagers greeted him with a pat on back when Alexandre, after 15 minutes
of walking all the way from the Eastern part
of the town, arrived at the empty piers
of the Ogoki Port. Michael Valliere was a huge class clown. Even though his antic were quite strange by the standards
of those Northern Ontarians, people still liked him a lot because
of sociability. He knew almost everyone in the school and certainly all the people in their grade, which was
of no surprise due to his extreme activity within the societies
of Ogoki Lakes. It’s also because he threw not only lots, but also the best
of parties and always had alcohol brought from his cousin (who owns a trucking business) in Sudbury, a city 800km away.
Semyon Gorbunov was totally different, on the other hand. Though too lazy to host these parties, he always attended the parties that he could go to, for he always enjoyed them. Aside from that however, he was somewhat
of a thoughtful, on-ground person, not speaking too much unless it’s needed. His opinions, when spoken, were extremely sharp-edged and honest, to such an extent that it got him the fame in almost any classes that involves debating and arguing
of any other sort.
“Hey, boys.” Alexandre said in a cheerful tone, but still gasping for breath, “What’s up?”
“Nothing much.” Semyon responded, before lighting the unlit cigarette that’s on his mouth.
“No homework due for me tomorrow, so more than enough time to enjoy this silent, September night.”“That’s good to hear.” Said Michael, before starting to talk about what happened with his pubic hair earlier this morning, followed by other things
of their interest.
………........
“What?” Michael shouted out in utter surprise. “You gotta be kidding me, Alex.”
“I’m not kidding, once again I’m telling you.” Alexandre responded, trying to calm his friend down. That didn’t help with his response, for Michael only got even more surprised at that.
“I get it if it’s Arlene or Haley, for they are quite hot, but a Junior? Are you, for the sake
of our lady by the grace, okay?” He shouted, looking at him as if he’s crazy. Michael was certainly a womaniser with great social skills, but even then he had some barriers that he set upon himself. On this case, he vowed to himself that he’d never be interested in a girl or a guy outside
of his grade, swearing to sacrifice himself to
Margaret if he ever does. Besides, he found it disgusting and pedophilic to be romantically interested in one.
“He’s clearly okay, for if he’s not then we’re crazy for talking to illusions.” Semyon responded to that with some doses
of twist and sarcasm added, before laughing it off with a charismatic laugh.
“Dude. It’s not as bad as you may make it out to be.” Alex tried to explain, using his words to calm the storm out
of his bud. He hoped this will explain the justification behind his plan to confess to Marianne sometime during the season, right before or during a game. He clearly didn't care about the age difference, especially since they have been working with each other for some time in Choirs and Classical Civilisation.
“Yes, she’s in Grade 11. But remember that she’s already in 2 of my classes and I’ve known her for like idk….8 years now. Nothing could go wrong, because people knows each other. It’s just the matter of time before I’ll succeed.”“I don’t know, Alex.” Semyon commented on the matter, looking as confident as he could while trying to look serious. That didn’t work out, as he couldn’t help himself but to succeed.
“Michael and I had some success being ladies’ men. You’re not, being a celibataire person for your entire life. I mean you can confess, but don’t expect too much out of it, for it’s your 1st confession since that time with Maddy Steinwick back in Grade 9.” Now, Alex got little bit worried over whether he’ll succeed or not. Semyon was right: Without recent experience at this department, confessing to her won’t be that successful. He then wondered if he should drop the idea or not, feeling very much like a joke over this. It was then that Michael, feeling bad that his friend is so inexperienced with love that his prospects, unlike
hockey, looked extremely awful, decided to add a sentence to end it.
“Remember though, when you need a helping hand, you can always ask for ours. You, the very future QHL star from this town of 1,858 people, can rely on us for advices.” Mike capped the convo off in a dramatic way that ensured his buddy to feel confident
of himself once again. Alex, feeling better and encouraged, smiled and said,
“Thanks”.
Then they stayed for little bit longer, smoking lots
of cigarettes for the night. They talked a little bit more about the latest party at Michael’s place in about 3 weeks, in which everyone from school are invited to. Semyon and Alex agreed to come on both, making the decision on their heartbeat.
Afterwards, they talked more about their future careers and upcoming classes (they had French and Gym together, and shared the same teachers for English, Quebecois History from 1900s and Norwegian), as well as other miscellaneous topics to keep the conversations floating and have the listeners and talkers informed. It lasted just until 11, when they all bid each other goodbye and went back to their places. Having spent 2 hours at the important timeframe
of the night, both Alex and Michael had to scramble for whatever the homework they still had on the agenda. So much for chatting when they could’ve gotten the work done!