37: Facing the Stampede

The anticipation hangs heavy in the air as the stadium waits for the game to begin. Bright lights flash and loud music plays as the Jumbotron combs over the crowd, recording fans of both teams standing and cheering. The team Aiden is going up against is called the Ridgewall Stampede. From what I’ve gathered from clips online, they’re regarded highly amongst hockey fans. The mascot of the team, a man in a cartoonish-looking bull costume, makes laps around the rink hyping up the audience. The audience is packed to the brim. I’m wearing one of Aiden’s practice jerseys. It seems like one of the benefits of being an athlete's girlfriend is not having to pay for merch, I think with amusement. The jersey itself is white with cobalt blue letters and accents. It’s large on me, of course, but it looks fine enough with a smart pair of jeans and a few simple accessories, including a team hat. My eyes comb over the crowd. Even if I hadn’t looked up the Ridgewall Stampede prior to the game, their