4. Savannah
SAVANNAH
I 'm still buzzing from my coffee shop conversation with Colin when I walk into my dorm room and find Jess sitting cross-legged on her bed, laptop open, wearing the expression she gets when she's about to meddle in my life.
"Okay," she says without preamble, "spill."
"Spill what?"
"You've been gone for three hours. You left to get coffee and study, and you came back looking like you actually talked to another human being. A male human being, if I had to guess."
I drop my backpack by my desk and try to look casual. "I had coffee. I studied. I talked to someone from my Biology class."
"Someone cute from your Biology class?"
"Someone who needed help with cellular respiration."
"Uh-huh. And this someone wouldn't happen to be a hockey player, would it?"
I freeze in the middle of pulling out my textbooks. "Why would you think that?"
"Because you've been weird about the hockey trainer thing since I mentioned it, and now you're glowing like you just discovered the secret to life."
"I'm not glowing."
"You're totally glowing. Also, you're being evasive, which means I'm right." Jess closes her laptop and gives me her full attention. "So. Hockey player. Cute?"
I sit down on my bed and hug my pillow to my chest. "It's complicated."
"The best stories always are."
"It's not a story. It's just... I ran into someone I used to know. Sort of."
"Sort of?"
"My dad used to coach him when we were kids. I remembered him, he remembered me, we talked about Biology homework."
"And?"
"And nothing. He's struggling with some stuff, I offered to help."
"What kind of stuff?"
I debate how much to tell her. Jess means well, but she has a tendency to blow things out of proportion and then give advice that involves me doing things that are way outside my comfort zone.
"Just adjustment stuff. College hockey is different from high school hockey."
"So you're going to help him adjust to college hockey."
"I'm going to help him with Biology. Maybe give him some perspective on sports medicine stuff since I know about that."
"Because you're pre-PT."
"Right."
"And he's cute."
"That's irrelevant."
"But he is cute."
I bury my face in my pillow. "Yes, he's cute. Happy?"
"Ecstatic. What's his name?"
"Colin."
"Colin the cute hockey player who you're definitely not interested in but are going to help anyway."
"Colin the person who needed help understanding cellular respiration."
"Right." Jess is grinning now, which is never a good sign. "So when are you seeing him again?"
"I don't know. Maybe never. It's not like we made plans or anything."
"But you want to see him again."
"I want to make sure he gets his shoulder looked at properly."
"His shoulder?"
Shit. I wasn't supposed to mention that.
"He was rolling it during class yesterday. Could be nothing, could be something. I just think he should get it checked out."
"And you care about his shoulder because...?"
"Because I care about people not playing through injuries that could get worse."
"Uh-huh." Jess is looking at me like she can see right through me. "Savannah, honey, you realize what this sounds like, right?"
"Like I'm concerned about a fellow student's wellbeing?"
"Like you have a crush on Colin the cute hockey player and you're using sports medicine as an excuse to spend time with him."
"That's not—I don't—" I stop, because maybe she's not entirely wrong. "Okay, maybe I think he's attractive. But that doesn't mean I have a crush on him."
"What does it mean then?"
"It means I think he's attractive and I also think he might need help figuring out whatever's going on with his shoulder."
"And you want to be the one to help him."
"I want to make sure he gets help. From qualified people."
"While also being around to offer support and guidance."
"While also making sure he doesn't do something stupid like ignore a potential injury."
Jess studies my face for a moment. "You know what? I believe you."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I think you genuinely care about this guy's wellbeing. I also think you're attracted to him and you're using the medical stuff as a way to justify spending time with him because you're too scared to just admit you like him."
"That's..." I trail off, because it's uncomfortably close to the truth.
"That's totally normal and also kind of sweet," Jess finishes. "And you know what else?"
"What?"
"It means you're definitely applying for that trainer position."
My stomach flips. "Jess?—"
"No arguments. You just spent three hours talking to a hockey player about sports medicine and you came back more excited than I've seen you since we started school. This is obviously something you should be doing."
"It's not that simple."
"Why not?"
"Because what if I get the position and I'm terrible at it? What if the other players think I don't know what I'm doing? What if Colin thinks I'm just some girl who's trying to insert herself into his life?"
"What if you're great at it? What if the other players are grateful to have someone who actually understands sports medicine? What if Colin appreciates having someone around who gets both the hockey side and the medical side?"
"You're just repeating what I said earlier."
"Because it was smart earlier and it's still smart now."
I look at the application sitting on my desk, still only half-filled out.
"I don't know, Jess. What if this is a terrible idea?"
"What if it's the best idea you've ever had?"
My phone buzzes with a text, and I grab it, grateful for the distraction.
Dad:
How was your day, kiddo?
Me:
Good. Had an interesting conversation at coffee.
Dad:
Oh? With who?
I hesitate, then decide there's no point in being evasive with Dad.
Me:
Colin Grant, actually. Remember him?
Dad:
Of course I remember Colin! How's he doing?
Me:
Adjusting to college hockey. It's been a rough transition.
Dad:
That's normal. Big step up from high school. Did you talk to him about it?
Me:
A little. I think he's dealing with some shoulder issues too.
There's a pause before Dad responds.
Dad:
Shoulder issues could be serious for a hockey player. He getting it looked at?
Me:
Coach is making him see the trainer today.
Dad:
Good. Smart coach. You know, if Colin needs someone to talk to about sports medicine stuff, you'd be perfect for that.
Me:
Dad...
Dad:
I'm serious. You know more about injury prevention and treatment than most college trainers. And you understand hockey.
Me:
I'm just a freshman.
Dad:
So? You've been studying this stuff for years. And you care about the players, which is half the battle.
I look at Jess, who's been reading over my shoulder and is now nodding enthusiastically.
Me:
Actually, there's a student trainer position open with the hockey team.
Dad:
Are you going to apply?
Me:
I'm thinking about it.
Dad:
You should do more than think about it. You should apply.
Me:
What if I don't get it?
Dad:
What if you do? Savannah, you've been passionate about sports medicine since you were fourteen. This is your chance to get real experience.
Me:
With people I might know. That could be weird.
Dad:
Or it could be exactly what you need to gain confidence in your abilities.
Me:
You really think I should apply?
Dad:
I think you'd be crazy not to. But more importantly, what do YOU think?
I stare at my phone for a long moment. What do I think?
I think I want to help Colin figure out what's wrong with his shoulder.
I think I want to be around hockey again, to be part of a team environment where my knowledge actually matters.
I think I want to stop being the invisible girl who watches from the sidelines and start being someone who makes a difference.
I think I'm terrified of all of those things, but I want them anyway.
Me:
I think I'm going to apply.
Dad:
That's my girl. When's the deadline?
Me:
Tomorrow.
Dad:
Then you better get writing.
Me:
Any advice?
Dad:
Be honest about your experience and your passion. They'll see through bullshit, but they'll respect genuine enthusiasm.
Me:
Okay. Thanks, Dad.
Dad:
Love you, kiddo. Proud of you for taking the leap.
I set my phone down and look at Jess, who's practically bouncing on her bed.
"So?" she says.
"So I'm applying for the trainer position."
"YES!" She jumps up and does a little victory dance. "I knew it! This is going to be amazing!"
"This is going to be terrifying."
"Same thing, really."
I pull the application back up on my laptop and stare at the sections I still need to complete.
Describe your relevant experience in detail:
I take a deep breath and start typing.
Growing up as the daughter of a youth hockey coach, I spent countless hours at ice rinks observing practices, games, and the physical demands placed on young athletes.
This experience gave me firsthand insight into common hockey injuries, the importance of proper warm-up and conditioning protocols, and the mental aspects of athletic performance.
During high school, I volunteered with my father's coaching program, helping with equipment management and basic first aid during practices and tournaments.
I also completed coursework in anatomy, physiology, and sports medicine fundamentals through dual enrollment programs at the local community college.
Currently, I am pursuing a Biology degree with a pre-physical therapy track, focusing specifically on sports medicine and injury rehabilitation. My goal is to work with athletes to not only treat injuries but prevent them through proper conditioning, technique analysis, and education.
What specific skills or knowledge would you bring to this position?
This one's easier.
I bring a unique combination of practical hockey knowledge and academic preparation in sports medicine.
I understand the physical demands of hockey and can identify potential injury risks before they become serious problems. I'm also trained in basic first aid and CPR, and I have experience working with athletes of various skill levels.