Holding On To Love by A.E. Neal Page A

have an hour to interview, so make it count.
     
    I clicked on the paper clip icon to open the attachment. Whoa! Two pages of notes and one page of questions? I guess Marissa really does do her homework. I laughed to myself. She had each section titled for possible interviewees. I read through the first section designated for the player Q & A.
     
    1. When did you get started in hockey, what inspired you to play?
    2. What's your mindset during a game, do you have any pre-game rituals?
    3. How do you keep yourself conditioned for hockey during the off-season?
    4. Do you have a favorite player in the NHL?
    5. What do you love most about the position you play?
    6. Do you have a favorite venue you like to play in?
     
    This was going to be easy as pie. The questions were easy, but not personal, thank goodness. I let out an audible sigh and jotted down Marissa's questions in my trusty, leather-bound notepad before shutting my computer down and sliding it back into my messenger bag.
    I needed to look professional, but I felt the need to spend some extra time planning my interview attire. This is where Kennedy came in. She was my personal fashionista and I need all the help I could get.
    I glanced at the time on my phone and decided Kennedy would most likely be awake by now. Quietly, I tip-toed down the hallway and stopped outside her room. I put my ear to the closed door. Nothing. I tapped lightly on the door and turned the handle. I peeked through the crack in the door. Her bed was empty and I didn't hear the shower running. I closed the door and made my way towards the kitchen. As I rounded the corner, I heard two voices in the living room. One was Kennedy, but I couldn't quite make out the other voice.
    I scooted into the kitchen, attempting to make my presence noticed. I opened the cupboard and reached into the back for a coffee mug, clanking the other mugs as I lifted it out. I slid the pantry door open with a loud bang and retrieved a box of green tea from the shelf.
     
    "Ah-Hem," Kennedy said, blatantly clearing her throat.
    "Oh. Hey, Kennedy. I didn't know you were awake yet. I hope I wasn't too noisy," I said quickly, a sly smirk crept across my face.
    She stood with her arms crossed staring at me and I knew I was busted.
    "Uh-Huh," She said.
    I pulled her out of ear shot of the potential eves dropper who was sitting in our living room. "Who's here?" I asked whispering.
    She smiled and chuckled. "Your brother."
    "Oh..." I said confused.
    She nodded. "He came here early this morning. I didn't want to wake you, so we've just been hanging out watching re-runs of Friends."
    "Huh. I've been awake for a while. Just doing research for an article in my room. I didn't even hear you guys."
    I shook my head, still confused as to why I hadn't heard anything. Not even a peep. I shrugged it off and chalked it up to being engrossed in my "research" for the hockey team. Weird.
    I clicked the button on my electric tea kettle and waited for the water to boil.
    Kennedy rummaged through the pantry, pulled out a box of strawberry frosted Pop-Tarts, tore the foil wrapper open and popped them into the toaster.
    "So, we were talking and I think it would be best if Zac stayed here rather than at that shitty roach motel with the guys. We have enough room and he agreed to help with rent. What do you think?" She asked.
    "Sure. Fine with me. Is he going to stay in the spare room or in the basement?"
    She shrugged. "Not sure, we wanted to make sure you were okay with it first."
    Honestly, I was slightly annoyed. Why hadn't Zac asked me? Why had he gone straight to Kennedy first?
    "It's fine. Either way, I don't care."
    "Are you mad at me?" She asked quietly.
    "No. Why would I be? I just wish he'd asked me first, that's all."
    "Really? That's why you're mad? Because you were asleep, so I let him in, we randomly started talking about him staying here for a few months and you're pissed about it?" She shook her head.
    "I'm not pissed. I just wish you two