53
MELANIE
A
DIFFERENT KIND OF ENERGY FILLED THE AIR AFTER THE GAME WAS WON. Excitement and joy ran throughout everyone, and even though twenty minutes had passed, the screams and shouts hadn't died out yet.
Now that the game was over, Melanie had plans to make her way to her car. But, of course, Abigail had different plans.
“Do I really have to come back here?” Melanie asked as she was reluctantly dragged towards the back where the locker rooms were. “I can call him later. I’m pretty sure he wants to celebrate—”
“Oh, stop being such a wuss. I know the person you’re avoiding isn’t him.” Melanie tried not to pout as they squeezed into the crowded hall. Usually, it wasn’t this full, but the media was out in droves waiting for the coaches and team players to come out so they can get their interviews.
"We're packed like sardines in here," Melanie complained, nostrils filled with way too many unpleasant smells of funk and heavily fragranced people. It also didn't help with the many elbows she was taking. Melanie squeezed through the crowd of people with Abigail but paused when she accidentally bumped someone.
"Sorry," Melanie said, but the rest of her apologies were caught in her throat when she realized who she had bumped into— Noah’s parents, specifically, his father.
Melanie's lungs filled with air as she found herself speechless, unsure of what to say. The biggest reason she didn't want to come back here was standing right in front of her. What were the odds that she would directly bump into them? Melanie looked at Abigail, who was also stunned by the turn of events. Melanie closed her mouth and bit on her bottom lip. What should she say? What should she do? She couldn't even look at Noah's mother. Abigail squeezed Melanie's hand reassuringly, but it wasn't enough. Melanie was more nervous than she had ever been in her life before.
"Hello, Ms. Bryant," Noah's father greeted her, and surprisingly, he was smiling.
"Uh, hello," Melanie said, unsure of herself. She risked a glance at Noah's mom, and of course, she still had that same cold pensive stare she had given Melanie before. Melanie quickly looked away.
Noah's father glanced at his wife before he opened his mouth to speak. But before Melanie could hear what he wanted to tell her, they were bombarded by the press. Melanie found herself pushed behind Noah's father as everyone crowded him.
"Allen, how do you feel about your son's win?"
"Did you think he could do it?"
"Do you know what team your son is heading for?"
Noah's father grinned, and Melanie couldn't help but feel like she was looking at a replica of Noah, except he was way more arrogant, and he relished in the attention of the press compared to Noah, who seemed like he never really cared much for it.
"I can't tell you with certainty where my son's future is headed with hockey, but what I can tell you is that he has worked very hard to make it to this moment, and as a man, I'm proud to say I'm his father. Noah is..."
As Noah's father spoke to the press, Noah's mom moved closer to her. Melanie waited with a bated breath, knowing she had something to say to her. Melanie just hoped it wasn't too bad.
“Thanks for supporting my son,” she said quietly. Melanie was so shocked that for a second, she thought she imagined it. She looked at Noah's mom, stunned. Melanie didn't know what she had expected, but it definitely wasn't that. Before Melanie got a chance to reply, the doors of the locker rooms opened, and the players began to file out. Just like that, the reporters disappeared from Allen's side and swarmed the players. Hopping on the tip of her toes, Melanie looked over the crowd as she waited for Noah to come out. And when he stepped out after Dale, a bright smile appeared on her face. She was so happy for him.
Noah looked around, his eyes searching through the crowd before they landed on her. He smiled brightly, slipping past the reporters and walking over to her before he swept her into a big hug.
Usually, Melanie would be embarrassed by the unwanted attention, but all she could think about right now was Noah and nothing else. She hugged him back equally as tight, having missed the warmth of his arms around her.
When he released her, he grinned before hugging the rest of his family. He hugged his younger sister, swinging her into the air until she fell into a reluctant giggle. He ruffled his younger brother's hair, who smiled but quickly slapped Noah's hand away. Noah hesitated for a second as he looked at his mother, who shared his same eyes before he pulled her into a hug. Noah held her for a long time, and Melanie smiled, seeing the clear emotion in Alice's face as she hugged her son back. She loved him, and there was no denying that. That's why Melanie could never be mad at her for being against their relationship. She was only protecting her son in the best way she could.
Noah pulled back from his mother, kissing the top of her head before he looked at his father. Melanie knew Noah's relationship with his father wasn't the best, but she also knew that Noah wanted something from his father even if he didn't know it yet himself. He wanted his acknowledgment.
Noah lifted his hand for his father to shake, and Allen stared at that hand momentarily before he pulled his son into a hug.
The reporters crowded them, calling out Noah's name, waiting to ask him questions, and when Noah pulled back from his father, he finally gave his attention to the press.
"What did you think about your game tonight, Noah?"
"Do you know what team you're looking forward to going to?"
"Have you spoken to any of the teams yet?"
Noah raised his hand, stopping the press from asking questions anymore.
