cleared to play - chapter 1
I’ve already fucked up and it’s not even 7 am.
The Bay Area is beautiful in mid-September and I’m more than happy to be back after two years in Michigan. Truly, I thought the weather was going to be a good omen for my first day as an intern for the San Jose Sharks.
I can’t believe I get to even say that. I, Iris Belle Yue, 20-year-old first year graduate student at UCSF, have pulled every single string she can manage to get into this position. Growing up here in the Bay, you’re bound to know someone who knows someone who knows someone who works for the San Jose Sharks. For me, my mother has a book/wine club friend who has a friend who is one of the assistant physicians and ultimately, they must have put in a good word for me. I truly have no idea how else I would have landed this job. I thank the stars above for it.
However, this may also be my last day. Because, as aforementioned, I’ve fucked up.
Dr. Gray was so painfully vague about the instructions on where to meet for the first day of training camp and I didn’t want to pry because I figured that would look like I’m clueless and stupid and-
He’s leaning against the glass by the rink, helmet off, hair damp like he’s already been on the ice, talking to someone who just skated away. Which is how I know—unfortunately, immediately—that this is him. Macklin Celebrini. The Macklin Celebrini. Rookie, future of the franchise, person I have absolutely no business making eye contact with at seven in the morning.
Macklin Celebrini was born June 13th, 2006 according to his Wikipedia page. That’s pretty much all I cared to learn about him from said page before I felt like I was invading his privacy. It must be so weird to have all your information out on a website for people to just gawk at. I knew I was going to meet him eventually; I just didn’t think he would be the first person to see me in this godforsaken place.
I freeze for half a second too long, brain short-circuiting between keep walking and you are very obviously lost, and he glances up. When our eyes meet, he doesn’t look annoyed. He just looks… curious. Like he’s clocked the panic in my face before I’ve even said anything.
“Uh,” I start, already doomed. “Hi. Sorry. Hi. I’m—this is probably really obvious, but do you know where the, um, the sports medicine meeting is? Or like. Where we’re supposed to be? For training camp? I’m new. Clearly.”
I gesture vaguely around us, which helps no one.
He blinks once, then smiles. Not big or cocky, just amused, like this is the least weird thing that’s happened to him today.
“Yeah,” he says easily. “You’re looking for the conference room by the locker hallway. Staff entrance side.”
Relief floods my chest so fast I don’t even try to contain it.
“Oh my god, thank you,” I say, words tumbling out. “I was told ‘near the rink’ and I thought that meant this rink, but apparently there are multiple rinks, which makes sense in hindsight, but also feels like a trap. I was fully prepared to wander around until someone escorted me out. There really should be more signs but then again-”
He cuts me off by laughing. Actually, laughing at my misery.
“I’m sorry, I’m rambling again. I actually might throw up. Is that TMI? Shit.” I have to physically cover my mouth to stop talking.
He doesn’t make me feel bad, instead he gives me a kind smile.
“I can show you,” he offers, pushing off the glass. “It’s on the way.”
“Really?” I brighten instantly. “You’re saving my life. Or at least my internship. Which feels like the exact same thing, right now.”
He shrugs like it’s nothing and starts walking, and I fall into step beside him, matching his pace without thinking too hard about the fact that I’m walking next to an NHL player like this is a normal Tuesday.
“I’m Macklin,” he says, glancing over.
“I know,” I blurt out, then immediately wince. “I mean—sorry. That came out wrong. I’m Iris Belle. Iris Belle Yue. It’s never just Iris. I’m an intern. Obviously.”
He grins, unfazed. I’m sure this happens to him a lot. “Nice to meet you, Iris Belle.”
The way he says my name—both of them, like it matters—makes my stomach do something weird, but I ignore it.
“First day,” I confirm. “First training camp. First time not getting lost within the first five minutes, apparently. So we’re really building momentum here.”
“Hey,” he says, glancing back at me as we turn down the hallway. “You found it eventually.”
“With help,” I point out.
“With initiative,” he counters.
I snort before I can stop myself. I’ve just snorted in front of Macklin Celebrini. Kill me now.
“See you later, Iris Belle.” Before I can reply, he’s gone.
And I’m left replaying every moment of my life up until this moment.
"And this is where you'll be spending most of your time." Dr. Gray has been showing me around the practice center, and we finally arrive at a spacious room near the locker rooms. It's lined with beds for laying down sore athletes and practicing range of motion.
I get excited seeing all the cabinets full of tape and equipment, all labeled and categorized, which sets my heart ablaze. This excitement for medicine is why I chose this world in the first place.
"I can't wait to begin!" I'm sure I'm grinning ear to ear as I look around the room.
"Any questions or hesitations, you come to me or one of the other physicians. A mistake can mean the end of your time here—do you understand?" Dr. Gray has suddenly gotten serious, and my face drops.
"Yes, ma'am. I understand. I was top of my class in clinicals at Michigan and had the highest patient satisfaction rate. I can do this." Thank god I have statistics to back up my enthusiasm.
"Training camp can get busy. You'll be working with me as we attend to everyone on the Sharks, the Barracuda, and all prospects to get a full workup."
"That’s okay!” I say pretty loud and very quickly. “I mean— nothing I can't handle." I almost salute. Dial it down, Iris Belle.
"Then let's go meet the team!" She clasps her hands together and pivots.
We’re at the main rink. We being every single person even vaguely attached to this franchise. Coaches, trainers, staff, prospects, players—it feels like controlled mayhem, bodies moving everywhere with purpose.
The boys are split into Team A and Team B, and then suddenly everyone is off in different directions.
We start with Team B, since Team A has the first hour of ice time to show off their skills or whatever. Not my forte.
Team B isn’t the “B” team in any shape or form. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith are on it, standing shoulder to shoulder near the back, giggling about something I can’t hear. Will nudges Mack with his elbow, and Mack laughs—really laughs—head tipped back just slightly, teeth on full display. I recognize that smile instantly. I’ve seen it in clips online.
Not that I’m searching for them.
Team B files into the conference room, dropping into chairs with the casual confidence of people who know this place belongs to them. A few guys stretch out their legs, some lean back, arms crossed. I suddenly feel very aware of how small I am standing near the front.
“Alright,” Dr. Gray says, clapping her hands once. “Before we begin, I’d like to introduce our newest intern. Iris Belle Yue.”
She gestures for me to step forward.
I swallow and decide to just own it.
“Hi,” I say brightly. “I’m Iris Belle Yue, but you can call me Iris Belle—”
The interruption comes from the back of the room, calm and confident, like he’s stating a known fact.
Macklin Celebrini is grinning, green eyes amused as he scans the room. “Got it, boys?”
A chorus of voices answers back immediately.
Someone claps. Someone else laughs.
I feel heat rush straight to my face.
“Right,” I say, blinking once. “Thanks, Mr. Celebrini.”
That earns me a few raised eyebrows and one very pleased-looking Will Smith, who mouths wow at Mack like this is the funniest thing he’s seen all morning.
“Never just Iris,” I repeat, regaining my footing. “I’m twenty years old, a graduate student at UCSF studying sports medicine, and I’m very excited to be here.”
I glance around the room, making eye contact where I can. “I promise you’ll be in good hands.”
Then someone in the front nods. “I like her already.”
Dr. Gray steps back in smoothly. “Good. Because you’ll be seeing a lot of her.”
The room shifts, attention turning back to business. I exhale quietly, heart still racing, and step back to my spot near the wall.
As everyone stands to break off into stations, Will passes by me first.
“Nice save,” he says under his breath, smiling. “Rough crowd.”
“I can't believe I was betrayed,” I mutter, still flushed.
Macklin lingers a second longer, meeting my eyes with something warm and unapologetic.
“Told you,” he says simply.
Before I can ask what he means, he’s gone—pulled back into the moving mass of bodies and noise.
I press my palms together, grounding myself.
Training camp has officially started.
a/n: hi everyone!!! i am so excited to release chapter one of "cleared to play". you can expect updates every other day or so! im also actually a CNA irl but im going into sports medicine so i'll try to make it accurate for you guys. okay, love you lots!!!!
