Changes

It had been so long since she had seen Julie as soon as she entered her room she threw her bags down and hugged her. She had been her confidante, her best friend the only other girl, the only other one who could possible understand. When she and Guy had ended, Julie had been there for her, she would call every night to check up on her n make sure she was moving on with her life. She was so glad to be back with her and the rest of the ducks that had been separated.

Eden Hall would be a new beginning for her, a fresh start. A way to finally find a way to figure out who she was and what she wanted out of life. She looked in the mirror as she unpacked her clothes and put them into her dresser drawers. She had changed so much that summer away from Minnesota she hadn't even seen Charlie or Averman, she was only home for two days when she had to pack and leave again for school. They would probably tease her when they saw her, she was wearing makeup and had cut her hair into medium length layers that cascaded down her face. She dreaded their first practice, it would be awful, she hadn't even put on skates in about 4 months, by the time Bombay was done with her she knew she would barley be able to walk. But slowly and surely she changed into exercise clothing, packed up her gear and headed toward the rink with Julie.

" You know when the guys see you there gonna have a fit, rite?" Julie teased her.

" Ya I know I just hope they are too shocked to speak" Connie laughed. She rounded a corner and before she knew what was happening she had run smack into Charlie.

" Looking for the rink?" Connie laughed as Charlie looked at her, mouth gaping open, saying nothing.

" Umm Ya" He finally spoke.

" Follow us." Julie said breaking the silence. Julie went through the big doors into the rink and Connie stopped Charlie from following her.

" What?" He asked.

" Charlie, could you do me a favor?" Connie asked, he nodded. " I know the guys are gonna make fun of me, so could you just try and change the subject or something, they'll listen to you, I just know that Averman is gonna embarrass me." She asked blushing.

" Sure anything for you Connie" Charlie said sweetly.

" Thanks" Connie smiled and followed him into the rink. Thank god for Charlie he always listened to her and helped her out, especially when she had been the only girl, he was always there to make sure she was ok. As she walked in she could hear everyone cheering and celebrating the return of the Ducks and hugging but it all seemed so unreal to her. Sure she loved to play but she knew she couldn't do it for the rest of her life, girls in hockey just didn't have much opportunity. Out of the corner of her eye she could feel attention start to drift to her hair, makeup and figure which had shed near twenty pounds.

" Hey Connie" Portman said immediately winking at her. " It's uh… very good to see you again."

" Ya you too Portman" Connie laughed. She new it was about to get worse and decided to get out of there and into a helmet as soon as possible.

" Hey Julie, hey Connie" Luis said normally he just smiled at her sweetly, she new he would understand. Dwaine also as sweet as ever tipped his hat at her.

" Hey guys." She smiled. She was blushing and it was getting worse slowly, she could feel it. Adam gawked, Fulton smiled, Goldberg laughed and Guy stood behind everyone staring at her intensely with no expression.

" So Connie…" Averman began, but Charlie made sure to cut him off.

" Hey guys lets go get suited up and start without Bombay, he is probably just running late." Charlie said, more then ever a great leader. Everyone listened and made their way to the locker rooms.

Julie and Connie went into the girl's locker room and Connie sighed collapsing onto a bench. Julie laughed at her a little and then stopped quickly knowing she must be upset, and that this might get even harder for her.

" Connie you know Coach is probably gonna make you gain some weight right?" Julie asked.

" I don't care whatever" She snapped. " Sorry I'm just aggravated. Let's just get going"

" Ok, but girl we have something to prove this season its our junior year, I want to be a starter and I want to be a number one and I know you are tired of taking second to Averman all the time, Lets do this girl" Julie encouraged her.

" Ok. Lets do this." Connie sighed. She walked out onto the ice and began to skate, she was in for a long season but she knew it would be worth it, this was her year and she was going to prove it to the Ducks, Bombay and anyone else who got in her way.

-Hey guys if u like this let me know by email or long reviews saying how I can improve it and ideas for new chapters. Thanks a lot!

-Mandi