2 - Middles, 3- Ends

Max Talbot missed the second shot in a row. Fleury stood up, puck in his glove, and taunted Max with it. Talbot faked a goofy grin and skated off to the boards to get some water from his gatorade bottle.

"You're not tip-top this week, Talbot," TK commented, "What's up?"

"I'm worried about Anna," Max said, squirting some water into his mouth and on the back of his sweaty neck, "She's been weird lately."

"You mean, complete shut-in weird?" TK snorted, "Yeah, I've noticed."

"She won't talk to me, either," Max sighed, "We used to talk about everything. I mean, she's like my little sister for god's sakes."

"I know," TK nodded, "Same here. She's pretty snappy lately too."

"Maybe she's got some kind of flu," Chris Kunitz said, taping up his stick, "You know Anna. She's pretty quiet about that kind of stuff. Hates it when we try to baby her."

"She hurled in my skate bag yesterday," Brooks Orpik commented on his way onto the ice, "No joke."

Fleury passed by the back-up goalie, allowing him to have his chance in net, "In all honesty, Anna has not been the same since the night out at Diesel."

TK looked at Fleury, "What're you saying Flower?"

Fleury flipped up his mask, "I am saying that she may be sick for a reason other than a flu."

Max chewed on his mouth guard. He knew that after practice he had to get after Anna. But he was going to need someone else to do it for him.

"Hey, Sid!" Max called out to Crosby, who was stretching by the blueline, "Is there any chance Brittany would let me babysit Gavin tonight?"


03. Ends

Brittany Crosby knocked on Anna's apartment door. The younger sister waited for her to open, but impatience got the best of her and Brittany reached for her key. She didn't have a problem inviting herself in.

"Anna?" Brittany called out, "Hey, you home?"

The apartment was, as always, a complete mess. Papers and magazines were scattered everywhere, with dishes and empty bottles on the floor. The television was on Turner Classic Movies, where some old black and white film was playing to no audience. The kitchen light was on, but Anna wasn't there.

Brittany finally found her in the bathroom, where the door was locked.

"It's me, Anna!" Brittany called, "Your sister, remember?"

"Go away!" Anna shouted from inside the bathroom, her voice shaky.

Brittany groaned, "Anna, this is ridiculous. What is wrong with-"

The door clicked and flew open. Anna stood there, eyes red with tears, a small box in her hand.

"I followed the directions," Anna sniffed, "And I know it's for sure."

Brittany stared at her, "You've got to be kidding me."

"I'm not."

Brittany took the moment to gather her thoughts, knowing it would be wrong to scream and yell at her sister, especially in her fragile state. Instead, she took her hand.

"Let's go to a pharmacy and buy two more," Brittany said, "Just in case."

Anna nodded quietly, "Promise you won't tell the guys."

Brittany gave her a tiny smile, "Promise."