@nutiknowenglish requested this one, and I am adding a song from back in the day (2010) because it has been stuck in my head for a couple of days now.  The song is Hero from the DCOM Starstruck, and it fits the plot perfectly.  Also, this imagine is a little bit harsher than usual, so if you are triggered by alcoholism, anxiety disorders, or overall bullying, know that you aren't alone.  Feel free to reach out to me or any author, and we will Always Keep Fighting together.    

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(Bri's P.O.V.)

I mess with the hem of  my black dress as Markus drives us to the team dinner tonight.  This dinner is going to be the first time I am meeting the whole team and their significant others.  Granted, this is the first year of Markus being with the Blue Jackets, but I am worried sick that they will not like me.  

You're not that good looking.

See?  You don't deserve him.  Go back to Finland and find someone who needs a woman like you in his life.

I ignore the pinging thoughts bouncing through my head as Markus begins to park the car at the Refectory Restaurant & Bistro.  The beautiful French setting does nothing to settle the battle of nerves I have for meeting everyone.  It isn't that I mind meeting new people, but I don't want to be judged by so many at the same time.  

As I think about this, Markus scares me out of my wits and knocks on the passenger seat window to get my attention.  He then opens the car door for me and reaches his hand out for me to take.  I grab it and he helps me out of the car and once I am out, he shuts the door gently and smiles at me.  

"It will be a good time tonight, Bri.  You are awesome!" Markus tells me as we walk into the old church.  

I could understand his heavy accent perfectly, and I start to blush because he is my boyfriend.  We are living the dream and staying together in America, because I couldn't bear the thought of leaving him behind.  He couldn't leave me behind either, and so I help him learn English better.  He is slowly getting better, but sometimes it is like talking to a brick wall.  

As we enter the restaurant, I smile because some of those memories of Markus learning English are the best ones I have when we first came to America.  He caught on to the wrong words too soon, but with a little help, he learned how to host a basic conversation and is making leaps and bounds in his progress.  Out of the corner of my eye, I see two huge tables with both the players and their wives or girlfriends at a separate one.  Markus leads me over to where I will sit with the other WAGS, and he softly kisses my hand as he walks away.  

I look at all of the others, and I could tell that they were not ready to welcome me with open arms.  One of them had way too much makeup on, and already I earned some glares and looks from her and the crew beside her.  

Told you so, you aren't good enough.  

See?  Beauty is all a hockey player wants in life, a beautiful queen to share his throne with.  You?  You are just a peasant playing in a fantasy world.   

The voices enter my mind once again as I shyly wave to the group of ladies.  I offer a small smile to them and take a seat.  One of the nicer women waves back at me, but most of them just glare at me instead.  I didn't understand why I could not be one of them, maybe this is their version of rookie hazing?  

A waiter comes over and starts to take drink orders, and most of them order wine and champagne, and when the waiter comes over to me, well apparently that is strike one.  

"What would you like to drink, miss?" he asks me.  

"Water please, no lemon," I reply.  

He nods at me and scribbles it down as he moves on to the next person.  I smile at him, but one of the others asks me, "Water?  Don't you want to live on the edge a little, newbie?"

I smile, "My name is Bri, and I don't like alcohol.  It is something I vow never to do.  It killed off some of my best friends."

"I didn't ask for your name, Brianna.  Who cares, newb what your name is?  Because I surely don't," she replies to me.  

Strike one and two so far, one more and you are out of the game.    

Some of the other women start to snicker along with her, while some of the others look at her in shock.  One of the veterans' wives walks over and she kneels down so we can have a private conversation.  

"Hey, Bri, don't listen to Lauren.  She is just here for the party and doesn't even really love him.  My name is Chelsea.  Want to move down by my group?"

I nod and take my drink with me as she leads me down to the other end of the table, and I immediately feel welcomed at this end.  I met Madeleine, Sarah, Melissa, and too many others, and they have me laughing the whole time.  This is exactly what I needed to happen, and the dinner went well until it was time to order food.  

I order the Seasonal Vegetable Presentation, and the waiter moves on down the table to gather the other orders.  Once he departs and heads to where the team sits, Lauren and her little group glares at me, "Couldn't order anything more expensive?  Are you a chicken or what?"

I fight back the tears that are about to ruin the whole evening and manage to squeak out, "I am not a big fan of French cuisine."

In fact, if I had it my way, I would probably get Sonic and go home to watch some television or a reply of Markus' first game in the NHL.  

Lauren gets up and walks towards me as she speaks, "Look at you, little miss perfect.  Think you're too good for all of us, huh?"

Chelsea steps in front of her and whispers, "Knock it off, Lauren!"

Lauren starts to yell at Chelsea right in front of me, and Markus doesn't really know what is going on, except the yelling silences the team completely.  

"She will never ever EVER be one of us, Chelsea.  She's not even pretty," I hear Lauren yell out and I bolt out of the restaurant, trying to control my breathing.

Tears stream down my face as I meet the cool outside air, and it causes me to stop running.  However, the shaking begins not because of the cold, but is caused by what I hear and reply over and over.  

Strike three, Bri, you're out!

She will never ever EVER be one of us.  She's not even pretty.  

You knew they were going to do this to you, should of stayed home.   

I feel someone's hand touch my shoulder and a jacket is wrapped around me as I hear, "Bri, what happened?"

Markus wraps me in his coat as I stammer out, "Lauren, she called me ugly, which I am, and judged me for what I ate, and I don't belong here!  I wanna go home!!!"

Markus helps me off the ground and says, "Bri, you are the light of my life.  Don't listen to her, because I know she didn't help tonight by saying those mean....things.  I love you."

The last tear of this anxiety attack runs down my face, "Wait, you love me?"

Markus kisses my lips as his answer: yes, he does love me.  He then wraps me in a tight hug as I speak to him, "Please don't leave me, ever."

Markus starts to lead me back into the restaurant and says, "Why would I leave you?"

"I can't live without my hero."

Markus smiles and kisses my cheek, "I'll be your hero forever and always, beautiful."

I attempt to sit back down at the table, but Markus signals to me to grab my jacket and I leave the table.  I wave goodbye to Chelsea, Madeleine, Sarah, and Melissa as Markus grabs my free hand and walks me out of the restaurant.  

"Want to go get Sonic?" he asks me as he opens up the door.  

"Sounds perfect, but how did you pay for the food we left there?"

Markus laughs a little bit, "I already paid for everything, and you don't worry about the rest of the night, okay Bri?"

"Thank you, Markus.  You are my hero forever and always," I reply.  

As he turns on the car, a song comes through the speakers, and I couldn't help but laugh and blush at the lyrics.  

I, I can be everything you need

If you're the one for me

Like gravity

I'll be unstoppable

I, yeah, I believe in destiny

I may be an ordinary guy with heart and soul

But if you're the one for me

Then I'll be your hero

And I think I finally found my hero in Markus Nutivaara.  

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Hope everyone enjoys this imagine!  See ya real soon!

-Kristina