CHECK UP
off campus one shots
garrett graham x sidney watkins (oc)
where sidney needs help with her practical exam
__
Sidney adjusted her glasses as she took notes.
The sound of skates scratching the ice, the slice of the puck and the buzz of the board echoed around the junior who sat deep within the stands, watching the private practice.
Courtesy of Coach Jensen, she was only allowed to do so due to her silence and focus.
Plus, she was too sweet to say no to.
She raised her gaze, zooming in over her notebook to see her boyfriend.
He was sitting on the team bench, wet curls framing his charming face as he was huddled between his friends, looking her way longingly.
Sidney lightly waved when she caught his stare, then gestured for him to focus.
The boys playfully nudged him, gaining his attention again.
She had another test in a few days for her Pathophysiology class. It was what interested her the most in her foundational class: how disease and injury alter normal bodily functions—that and, of course, Neuromuscular & Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.
The body was a funny thing, and how many sports-related conditions affect the nerves, muscles, and bones fascinated her.
The way the body could break and heal, or forever be altered, both in and out of sport, was something she knew she wanted to study even at a young age. Her dad's few but impactful injuries only pushed her closer to what she felt was her calling in life.
Bang!
Sidney physically cringed at the clash between Garrett and Birdie when they hit against the shielding.
Coach Jensen immediately sent Garrett to the team doctor, seeing that he had taken the harder tumble.
Sweat dripped from his hair as he sat on the table like a child who got put in time-out. His aggravation was evident when Sidney wandered into the medical room.
The Hawks' physiotherapist was Daniel Matlin, AKA Matlin, who was one of the best, and would hold a two-hour lecture each week for the Gross Anatomy & Biomechanics foundational class, during which Sidney would spend most of the time asking questions. So often, whenever she would drop by, he would allow her to stay only with his patients' permission.
And the sports teams in Briar, such as the track, ice hockey, football and volleyball teams, didn't have a problem with a pretty lady watching them be patched up.
Speaking of, Garrett was too high on adrenaline to feel the flushed and freshly earned bruise on his shoulder.
She already noted the slight swelling pulsing on his flesh.
A shirtless hockey player didn’t faze Sidney, especially not Garrett.
Matlin had already used cold therapy: an ice pack and painkillers, ibuprofen that Garrett washed down and bandages that taped up his bruised limb.
Sidney cast the physiotherapist a smile as he left the room momentarily.
She stood in front of the hockey player, then glanced at her notes.
“…an acute injury, the immediate medical consequence is uninhibited localised swelling and inflammation.”
Garrett just stared blankly at her.
“In other words, just keep icing your shoulder, as you already know.”
Garrett snorted, “Thanks.”
Sidney happily nodded before her phone went off.
trinity❤️
ordering pizza tonight.
read
Her smile spread on her face.
She liked the text from her best friend before pocketing her phone.
"Trinity says we're getting pizza, so I won't be raiding your fridge tonight," She said.
"Well, it's not like that would stop you, or the guys would tell you no," Garrett murmured, then tossed the ice pack aside and plucked up his thermal as she shoved her notebook and pen into her handbag. “You’re getting better at this.”
“Thanks." Sidney nodded, "So are you. Three-game streak, could be four.”
“Will be four.”
The ambitious edge only made her tilt her head, “Not unless you ice that shoulder.”
He fake-laughed and put on his uniform.
“How many notes have you taken this time?” He nodded to her bag.
“Two and a half pages.”
“Not bad." Garrett drawled, “You’re lucky Coach lets you watch our practice.”
“Track, Volleyball, and football coaches let me watch. I can’t help that I’m likeable.”
“Well, the whole team knows.” He replied, smirking slightly, “Even the puck bunnies are jealous.”
Sidney groaned, muttering, “I hate that fucking name.”
“It’s above us, Watkins," he said wryly.
“Well, now I need to go to the gym. Thanks for today.” She called out when she walked toward the door, “And try not to tackle my boyfriend.”
“He can take it.”
“Yeah yeah, ice that fucking shoulder!”
a/n:
just wanted to add some more of sidney in her element. i liked writing her with garrett; they can definitely relate to each other in ways I'll highlight in my next update!
