The next day, Team USA beat Italy 2-0, moving them into the next round.
During that match, Hailee and Luis spent a lot of time on the bench together and although they were supposed to be watching the match, most of their time was spent talking and getting to know each-other more.

They both had to admit, but not to each-other, obviously, that the more they got to know one another, the more they were beginning to fall for the other person.

They decided to head into town and get ice-cream, which Luis happily payed for. It didn't take them long for them to finish it, however, because it was so hot.

They were walking around the park when Luis took hold of her hand. Hailee froze and looked down at their intertwined fingers, then back up at Luis.
"Is that okay?" Luis asked.
She smirked and nodded. "It's perfectly fine."

The two continued to walk hand in hand, but Luis stopped her.
Hailee leaned back against the wall and cocked an eyebrow. "What is it?"

He licked his lips. "I'm gonna be honest..."
"Okay..." Hailee said, unsurely.
"I really like you. We haven't known each-other for long, but when I say that, I mean it."

Hailee's heartbeat sped up as she smiled.
Luis smirked and used one arm to lean against the wall. This also meant he was closer to Hailee.
"You're right; you really have got confidence." She chuckled.

Luis lightly laughed before leaning in a little more.
"I really like you too." Hailee breathed out.
Luis' smirked stayed plastered across his lips and Hailee grinned.

Luis then leaned in and their lips locked.
However, the kiss didn't last for long once they heard someone shout: "Look! It's Hailee and Luis!"

The two pulled away and their head's snapped in the direction of the voice.
Hailee laughed once she saw Goldberg, Averman, Jesse and Dwayne stood there.

"U-uh," Luis stuttered, trying to think of something to say.
"You can't deny it!" Dwayne grinned. "We just saw y'all!"

"It's finally happened, Connie was right!" Averman announced, punching the air.
Hailee's eyed widened. "What else did Connie say to you?"

Averman grinned and tapped his nose with his finger before running off. Jesse, Dwayne and Goldberg followed before either Luis or Hailee could say anything else.

Luis sighed and pushed himself away from the wall. He then took hold of Hailee's hand again.
"Shame," He said. "I guess this secret won't last for long."
Hailee laughed as a grin formed on Luis' face. "Shut up, Mendoza, you love it."

***

"Alright are we ready for warm-ups?" Coach Bombay clapped as he strode into the changing rooms.
Hailee laughed once she saw his slicked back hair, along with the rest of her team.

"Mr Slickster!"
"Look at you!"
"Woah!"
"Hey, nice jacket! Did you get two pairs of pants with that?" Averman remarked.

Hailee chuckled and patted her close friend on the back. "Good one, Averman."

"Hey," Luis whispered from behind Hailee. She turned around. "Do you think they've told anyone yet?"
Hailee shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, no one's said anything so-"

"Hey, Adams!" Goldberg called out. "Would you really think that we'd keep this quiet?"
"Keep what quiet?" Adam asked as he picked up his helmet from the bench.

The team were heading to the rink when Jesse yelled: "We saw Luis and Hailee kiss!"
The members of Team USA mockingly 'ooed' as Connie clapped. "I knew it, I knew it!"

Hailee's cheeks heated up as Luis chuckled and took hold of her hand, making their friends 'oo' again.
"You guys are so immature." Hailee playfully rolled her eyes.

"Hailee's right. Now come on, team, let's play!" Gordon cheered.
Hailee gave him a nod of approval before clapping. "Woo, let's go!"

***

"Hi, everybody! Welcome to today's game! It's a very important match up: Team USA against Iceland in what could be a preview of the championship games! Iceland, coached by Wolf 'The Dentist' Stanson. He'll be taking on Gordon Bombay."

Hailee groaned when Dean pushed one of Iceland team members to the ice. "Come on, fool, get up!"

The referee skated towards him and just as he was about to speak, Dean raised his arm and knocked him over too. "Arm down, son, you're out of the game."
"Give me a break!"
"You're throwing him out? You can't do that, it's three seconds into the game!" Gordon yelled at the referee.

The Iceland team were dominating Team USA.
Luis saw how nervous Hailee was and took hold of her hand.
"They're thrashing us." Hailee told him.
Luis sighed. "C'mon, don't think like that. Soon the Coach is gonna call one of us to go out there and whoever it may be, we'll score-"

"Mendoza, you're up!" Gordon said as Adam stepped off the rink and sat on the other side of Hailee.
Luis let go of her hand and weakly smiled.
Hailee bit her lip. "Be careful."

Luis skated onto the rink and had the puck in his possession within seconds.
Hailee and Adam cheered as he skated towards the goal at full speed.

Two Iceland players then appeared. Luis tripped over one of their hockey sticks and went flying into the wall. Hailee clasped her hands over her mouth to muffle her cries.

Adam winced and took held of Hailee's arm, but she shook him off.
"Luis!" Hailee yelled as she took her hands away from her mouth.

"Hey, Hailee." Gordon said.
Hailee turned to him.
"Switch with Luis."
She groaned and nodded.
Hailee stood up as Luis returned.
Gordon patted her on the back. "You've got this, kid."

Luis nodded, still groaning in pain.
Hailee took a dreaded step onto the ice.
She took Luis' advice to mind and skated straight towards the Iceland player with the puck.

She swiftly took it out of his possession and into hers. As she skated towards the goal, she knew that there were at least three Iceland players right behind her.

Hailee sped up as Luis and the rest of her team cheered. She passed the goal and skated around it before tapping it into the net.

Team USA and the fans cheered as she grinned and punched the air.
However, her confidence and joy didn't last for long when an Iceland team member crashed into her, knocking her onto the ice.

Hailee laid down on her back and heard the whistle blow. She saw the referee tower over her and Connie skate up beside him. She held out a hand for her, which she took.

The referee ordered the Iceland team member to sit out for two minutes, and sent Hailee back onto the bench.

Gordon sent out Ken to replace her. Hailee almost fell down into the space between Luis and Adam.
"Are you okay?" Luis asked, putting his arm around her.
Hailee nodded, wincing a little.
"Hey, at least you scored." Adam grinned.
Hailee forced a light laugh.

***

Iceland won 12-2, and Gordon wasn't happy.
"12-2... 12-2. You know what word comes to mind when I think of that? Pathetic!"
The team sat there in silence.
"You guys were brought here to play hockey."
"What about you?" Jesse spoke up.
"What about me, Jesse?"

"Coach Stanson knew everything about us, they were ready for us!" Julie stated.
"Yeah, and you spend your time driving around in convertibles talking to all those sponsor fools." Luis added.

"Or hanging with the Iceland lady; we saw you two Saturday night!"
"Eating ice-cream with the enemy, huh, Coach?" Dean scowled.

The team shared confused glances as Hailee narrowed her eyes at the coach.
"Hey, what I do is none of your business, is that clear?"

Everyone rolled their eyes and shook their heads as they began to get changed out of their gear.
"Don't take those pads off! Everyone stay in your gear. We have practise." Gordon ordered.

"Tonight?" Goldberg scoffed.
"You can't be serious." Hailee laughed.
Gordon nodded his head. "I'm being deadly serious."