Chapter Text
Evan loves being a field hockey goalie and he’s so so grateful that his parents are supporting him financially, but he can’t help but wish that he never got actually good at it. He misses how much fun he would have just messing around with his friends in training and not worrying about winning or making it into bigger hockey clubs. But that all feels so distant now.
He remembers the first time he played for the top team in his small hometown club, their goalie was injured and the coach had called Evan up to play for them. Evan didn’t think much of it, sure he was playing for a more ‘important’ team but his job was still the same, don't let any goals in. He remembers showing up for that first match without a care in the world, just wanting to have fun doing what he enjoyed.
As the whistle blew to start the match, Evan was put to work, just the regular stuff you know, saving shots, communicating trying to communicate with his defence who didn’t listen to him at all because who would take advice from a goalie that wasn’t their own, and there was no way he knew what he was saying. Even though no one would listen to him Evan still shouted out orders, in hopes that someone would realise that he still needed help from his defenders. Since all his defenders decided to not listen, Evan was left with loads more work to do, but no more than he was used to.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw and as Evan was packing up his kit he saw the coach of the team talking to what looked like a random person from the sidelines, ‘I swear I remember him from somewhere’ Evan thinks to himself.
He chose to ignore whatever conversation they were having because they kept on looking at him and he could have sworn he heard his parents names being mentioned.
🏑———————🏑
When Evan gets home the day after his match (he was at a massive party the whole night and might have fallen asleep at his mates house) he is surprised to see that his parents are.. happy? to see him.
Okay something has to be wrong.
“Everything alright?” Evan asks.
“Oh Evan, we are so so proud of you!” Margret replies,
“Uhhh thanks?” Evan says, now even more confused, last time he checked he hadn't won any nobel prizes. Why else would his parents be so happy to see him after a night out?
“Margaret, honey go get started on dinner please! We need to celebrate that amazing achievement Evan!” Phillip says joyfully.
“And what exactly is it that we are celebrating?” This has to be a prank or something.
“Serieosly Evan, you have to let us fuss over this at least!” Shouts Margaret from the kitchen.
“Yeah, of course you guys can fuss over me! But can someone please explain to me what on earth is happening? Because last time I checked we didn't win the lottery, well I certainly didn't and no one is pregnant… oh my gosh, mom are you-” Evan is cut off before he can spiral any further.
“No! No one is pregnant Evan!” Margaret interrupts.
“Do you really not know what's happening Evan?” Phillip asks, and he seems… Excited??
“No! I have no idea, can someone just tell me what the hell is going on??!”
“Well, last night we got a phone call from the lovely people at Penn State University and they said that they saw you playing hockey and want to give you a full scholarship to come and play with them in September!” Margret sounds so ecstatic that Evan still thinks she must be joking.
“Mom, they must have made a mistake, I never applied to any college, and I've never played anywhere near Penn state so I don't even know how they saw me play. Besides, how did he even find you?”
Now Evan is thinking back, maybe he had accidentally applied one night when he was drunk and alone? Then he remembers the coach talking to that random guy, wait, maybe he wasn't so random. Evan can now remember seeing that same guy at some other matches he played in, he never focused on the game, only paying attention when the ball came near Evan and when he made a save, taking notes after.
After putting the pieces together Evan realises that the guy must have been a Penn state scout who had seen him playing and thought he was decent.
“I don't think he made a mistake Evan. He seemed pretty sure that they wanted you on their team.”
“I always knew you were going to be great at that sport Evan! We always believed in you!” Phillip adds.
“Sure you guys did.. anyways I've got to go call Maddie and tell her!” Evan can't wait to tell his big sister the news.
“Okay! Tell her we say hello! Dinner will be ready in around 30 minutes.”
“Ok, thanks dad!” He must say, it feels nice to be loved.
🏑———————🏑
“Evan, that's amazing! What did mom and dad think?” Evan always enjoyed talking to Maddie, and gosh he misses her so much.
“They seemed… uhh. proud of me?” Evan was still finding it hard to believe.
“I always knew they would come around one day! I always told you-”
“MADDIE!?” he can hear someone screaming at his sister in the background.
“Doug.” he angrily mutters to himself
“Just a minute honey! I’m on the phone to Evan”
“Okay but make it quick, I'm going to be late and it will be your fault.”
Evan can't stand the way that man talks to his sister
“Mads..” Evan started.
“I know Evan, but you know that I can’t just leave, you don’t understand, it's not that simple.”
“But it is! You can just run away one night before he gets home! You can stay here with us like it used to be”
“Look, Evan, I know but I promise as soon as I get out of here I’ll tell you straight away and we can go somewhere together. But right now I need to iron my husband's shirt, and drive him to work like a good wife. So, talk later?”
“Of course Maddie, anytime. Love y-” Maddie ended the call before he could say anything.
He hurries down the stairs and joins his parents for dinner. And for the first time in a long time, he feels happy. And he is going to do everything he can to keep it that way.