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Listen to this sports story.
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| Johnny Parker adjusted the straps of his hockey skates, the crisp smell of the ice rink making his heart race with excitement. It was an early winter evening, and the air was filled with the sounds of skates scraping against ice and the shouts of players warming up for practice. He couldn’t wait to show off his new moves after spending hours in front of the mirror at home, imagining the applause of his teammates. “Watch out, Johnny! We’re going to crush you today!” Ryan O’Donnell’s booming voice echoed, and Johnny shot him a half-smile. “Bring it on, superstar,” he retorted, trying to hide the flutter of nerves in his stomach. Little did he know, this practice would change everything. The whistle blew, and as the practice commenced, the scent of sweat and ice mixed in the air. Johnny glided across the rink, feeling alive as he skated, weaving between cones with the skill he had honed over months. But everything changed in an instant. A loud crack pierced the air; a puck flew off Ryan’s stick, striking Johnny square in the mouth. He fell to the ground, the sting of failure washing over him alongside the blood pooling in his mouth. “Dude! Are you okay?” Ryan’s voice was twice as loud now, filled with genuine concern as he rushed over. The world swam around Johnny as he struggled to sit up. His hands found his bottom teeth, and dread filled him, somewhere in the chaos, he could feel they were gone. Three Weeks Later “Welcome back, Johnny!” Emily greeted him with a smile, her hand brushing against his lightly as she handed him a smoothie. Johnny managed a weak grin, still feeling self-conscious in his oversized hoodie that barely hid the dental gear straining beneath. “Thanks, Em. I’m just happy to be here.” It was hard not to feel like a freak. The multitude of metal brackets on his teeth gleamed under the cafeteria lights. And now, with the headgear strapping around his head like a bizarre crown, he felt more like a court jester than a hockey player. He glanced over at the table where Mia sat, surrounded by laughing friends. She had a way of lighting up the room that drew eyes everywhere, and she hadn’t looked once at him. Johnny felt a pang in his heart, hoping she didn't think he was a joke. “Hey, look! The tooth fairy made it!” Ryan let out a laugh from his table, pulling attention to Johnny and stoking the flames of embarrassment. “You’re hilarious,” Johnny shot back, trying to muster confidence he didn’t feel, while the laughter echoed around him. Emily’s shoulders tensed beside him, and he felt a surge of gratitude. She was always there, always loyal. That evening, Johnny sat at his desk, doodling hockey players at war with giant teeth monsters. He found a strange solace in turning his experience into art. Emily peeked over his shoulder, stifling a giggle, but then her gaze turned serious. “Why don’t you just talk to Mia?” she asked, nudging him gently. Johnny groaned, slumping in his chair. “Do you think she’d want to talk to… the guy with the big metal smile?” Emily rolled her eyes, “She’s not the type to care about that stuff. She seems fun and sweet.” “Tell that to Ryan’s fan club,” Johnny sighed, regretting the momentary spark of hope Emily had ignited. “Just be yourself, Johnny. You’ve gotten through worse." Game Day The following week, Johnny finally returned to the rink, half-excited and half-nervous. The stakes were high—the team was in the middle of the playoffs, and he wanted to give it his all, metal mouth and all. During the game, encouragement from Emily sparked a fire within him. Adrenaline pumped through his veins as he skated fiercely, dodging opponents and narrowly escaping a hurtling puck. When he scored his first goal, the roar of the crowd filled his ears like music to his soul. His heart soared higher as he caught Mia cheering from the stands. Dreams were slowly merging with reality, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. After the game, while celebrating with his friends, Johnny ventured towards Mia, heart racing. “Hey… uh, great game,” he stammered, nervously adjusting his headgear. She smiled, looking genuinely impressed. “Thanks! You were amazing. I hardly noticed your, um, headgear!” He chuckled, relieved when her laughter rang like a melody. Maybe middle school wasn’t so scary after all. The tension was easing, and Johnny managed to say, “Do you want to grab a smoothie with Emily and me sometime?” He held his breath, hoping. Mia’s smile broadened. “I’d love that!” Laughter and good cheer enveloped them as they walked away from the rink, and maybe, just maybe, Johnny felt he was finally back in the game—teeth, braces, and headgear included. As he laughed alongside friends, he knew that everything, including his confidence, was beginning to heal, one smile at a time. |
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