Disclaimer: I don't own the Ducks, songs, brands, etc. I only own the
things/characters that you don't recognize from the movies or life.
Warning: One of the main characters (and new Duck as you will read below) is an OC. Furthermore this story will be scattered with OCs but will still be based on the Ducks. Also this maybe a little choppy and strange compared to 'All is fair in love and war' because I'm trying something with my writing...kind of...it's hard to explain. Also I hate Linda so there will probably be some Linda bashing.
Summary of 'All is fair in love and war': When the Ducks were still in their first year of high school (grade 9) Paige Hunter joined the team through Bombay whom she is related to (Bombay is her mother's cousin). Bombay has replaced Orion; Orion has moved to get better medical treatment for his daughter. Connie and Guy are going strong and have proclaimed their love for each other. Charlie and Linda broke up when Charlie found out that Linda was cheating on him. Not so long after Paige joined the Ducks Charlie and her started to see each other secretively and became public before the summer began. Adam and Julie got together breaking the love triangle with Portman. The rest of the Ducks are single besides Russ who is still with Felecia (OC).
Author's Note: For those of you who didn't read my last story I don't want you to go through the painful task reading all 29 chapters of it so if I didn't explain something (that probably happened in the last story) just question me about it in a review and I will fill you in at the beginning of the next chapter...unless you aren't supposed to know then I'll tell you that...you aren't supposed to know.
And for those wonderful people who read 'All is fair in love and war' I'm sorry if I write some stuff that you already know, it's one of the down sides of doing a sequel.
This is not purely a romance like 'All is fair in love and war' though there is romance in the story; it isn't so focused on couples and there is going to be more about the other Ducks whom I neglected in the last story. Also there is going to be more of a hockey-based plot to the last story, which didn't really have a plot.
I do appreciate helpful criticism but not flames there is no need to bruise my already battered ego.
Now that the formalities are all done I hope that you enjoy reading my story. I won't beg for reviews...but you know if you even just write a short one I'd love it... hint hint
Gone Forever
The sky was playing tricks on Paige her first day back at Eden Hall. One moment the sun would be smoldered by clouds and the warm wind was pulling her clothing and long deep red hair in all directions, the next there was a burst of light beaming down on her with light rain drops sprinkling her bare arms.
The clouds closed around the sun again causing her to frown and mumble "Make up your mind already" as she followed the path to her dorms that she had been taking since November of last year.
She climbed the stairs to the third floor of the old brick building and pulled open the doors. She scanned the empty hallway; it was eerie how silent it had been for the last couple of days. Last school year you could barely get a moment of quiet before someone turned up the stereo, broke something, or yelled at or to another teammate. Now, the last day of August there wasn't a sound.
"Hey Paige!" Portman called coming out of his dorm that he shared with Fulton and Russ. A wide grin spread across her face as she went over to him.
"Hey man" she greeted giving him a quick hug. She hadn't seen him since July when he came to visit Minnesota. "We are going to kick some ass this year huh?" she looked up at Portman beaming.
"Totally" he smiled back sharing her enthusiasm of starting the hockey season with some serious bashing, his specialty. "But it sucks how we have to wait a month in till we have a game"
"I agree I think we should have a game two weeks into the year"
"Start up a petition" he suggested only half serious.
An involuntary shudder ran through her, every time she heard 'protest' or 'petition' she automatically thought of Charlie's ex-girlfriend, which wasn't a pleasant thought for anyone to experience.
September 2nd, he hated it, not because it was just a few days before school started, he liked school, officially labeling him a brain. No, he hated September 2nd because that's when his mother passed away. Leaving him with his dad and figure skating trophies.
Ken glared out the window of the car at traffic. He sat in the back seat of the Honda leaning his head against the glass, the engine rumbling under him. It was worse that he had to watch all of the cars, a constant reminder of what took his mother away from him.
The vision of the vehicles passing by became blurred as his eyes filled with tears. His heart twisted hurtfully as he thought about his mother getting into a crash. He breathed in deeply choking on the air as he let it out. It wasn't logical for him to still feel fresh pain...it had happened three years ago but...it seemed like yesterday. Ken roughly brushed away the tears that were trying to escape his eyes. He breathed in another suffocating breath trying to calm his rising emotions.
He was supposed to be sensible, rational not some weepy boy. He had to be strong for his dad. He looked in the rearview mirror at his father's blank face. The same face he was wearing during the drive to the cemetery earlier that day, but as soon as they got to her gravestone his calm features turned to ones filled with grief; sorrow in every wrinkle and crease.
They drove onto the ramp towards the airport. At least he had hockey and seeing the Ducks to look forward to...if only that was enough. But it wasn't, he need his mother. He shook his head as the thought entered his brain. He had to remind himself that he was never going to see her again, force himself to go on, it's what she wanted him to do. 'Just keep skating Kenny, you have a gift...keep skating' were the words she spoke to him the night before he won the gold.
The Asian teenage boy tried to rationalize his feelings towards his mother as the car pulled into the parking lot and finally came to a halt. He climbed out and went towards the trunk, slowly dulling the pain with each step. He had gotten used to numbing his emotions, he had three years of practice after all.
His father walked him to the security gate hardly speaking a word. Ken stopped before getting in line turning towards his only parent.
"Bye Dad" he said as his father wrapped his comforting arms around him into a hug. "I love you"
"I love you too Kenny" his father told him affectionately. He released his son and smiled at him as he went into the queue, it was a small, proud, loving but sad smile.
The Ducks were playing a game of floor hockey when Ken arrived. The orange puck was bouncing off of the walls and the players' sticks as the teens chased after it, blocking and shooting. The sound of laughter and roller blades consumed the dorm hallway.
"Hey K-man! Get on your blades, grab a stick and join in!" Charlie, the Captain of the JV hockey team ordered cheerfully when he spotted Ken who was standing a safe distance away from the action with his suitcases beside him.
"But I have to unpack!" Ken hollered motioning towards his bags, the rest of his belongs were already in his dorm that he shared with Luis and Dwayne.
"Do it later" Averman said as he stole the puck from Connie unexpectedly.
"Hey, he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to he can do what he wants" Adam pointed out abruptly.
Ken heaved a sigh, ever since the Ducks found out when his mother died they walked on egg shells on the days surrounded the date and were extra careful on the day. He hated being treated with such caution, as if he'll break into tears or throw a tantrum if they say one thing wrong. He shrugged it off and decided to do what Charlie was asking him by getting out his roller blades while keeping an eye on the game chuckling. It was humorous watching all the Ducks crammed into the hallway trying to play a game, it seemed as if some of them were forgetting which team they were on and scoring on their own goal getting groans from their teammates and whoops of joy from the others.
Ken dove into the game, creating a splash of overly enthusiastic greetings. Ken was attempting to steal the puck when Fulton took a shot at the open box that they were using as a goal. He missed sending the puck flying through the air. Ricocheting against the wall it hit the ceiling cracking it and causing some drywall to fall while it bounced off another wall and smacked the floor leaving a dent where it struck. The puck then rebounded off a closed door and slid along the slick floors. It halted when it came into contact with a man's shoe.
When the Ducks realized that the flying puck was grounded they regained themselves. They stood up from their places on the floor all looking at the orange puck that didn't have a scratch. They then focused on the man who the shoe belonged to.
"Hi yah Coach" Russ said wiping some paint chips from his shoulders.
Bombay wasn't impressed with his team behavior and they could all tell by the scowl on his usually happy face. "What did I tell you about playing hockey in the dorms?"
"Don't get caught?" Averman asked shaking the drywall from his fiery red hair, sneezing as the chalky substance passed his face.
Bombay shook his head at the fifteen-year-old boy and addressed the team "If the dean found out about this you would all get detentions. This is your last warning the next time I find you guys doing this, I'll be handing out the detentions"
"I think the spirit of Captain Blood has returned and possessed Bombay" Goldberg said smiling his usual sloppy grin.
"We'll have to perform an exorcism. Coach, let the demon out!" Averman hollered enthusiastically
"Shut up Averman" Portman ordered slapping him on the back of his head. Averman mumbled something about "brain versus brawn" as he rubbed his head and pushed his glasses back up the ridge of his nose.
"Guys, I have some news is everyone here?" Bombay asked scanning the teenagers before him.
They looked at each other and told Bombay that everyone was there and waited to hear what their beloved Coach had to say.
"I've been informed about a new rule that has been installed here at Eden Hall" he paused to let his team groan and then continued "there isn't going to be anymore co-ed dorming"
The team broke into objections.
"Can't you do something 'bout this Coach?" Russ asked, he, like the rest of the Ducks didn't want to be separated; they had had such a blast last year. He also found it helpful to have a woman's input and opinion just a few doors down.
"Yeah, come on...Uncle Gordon" Paige said the name strategically; she usually just called him Coach.
"My hands are tied" he shrugged "and it's not like you won't be seeing each other at practices, in the halls, in classes, and you can go to each other's dorms in till ten from Monday to Thursday and in till eleven from Friday to Saturday"
"And you used to be a lawyer"
"Paige, this rule was created because of parental complaints, and you know the parents have a certain amount of control over this school"
"Yeah we have a whole new wing built from parent's donations to prove it"
"So when do we have to move?" Julie interrupted half heartedly, skating away from her garbage basket net and over to Adam who looked just as upset as she did.
"'Parting is such sweet sorrow'" Averman jeered from the other side of the hall "Come on you guys, you're acting like you'll never see each other again. Just because you'll have less opportunities to make out doesn't mean you have to break up"
Adam and Julie responded with equally deathly glares.
"So it's true being alone does make you bitter" Luis the team, and majority of the class 'ladies man' smirked.
"To answer your question Julie," Bombay said, stopping the fight that was sure to break out between the few from, judging by past experiences, spread throughout the team "You are moving" he looked at his watch "pretty much now" he peered into the girls' dorm "Good to see you haven't started to unpack yet." He looked at his team, hating that he had to bring the bad news "Ok girls get a move on"
The girls trudged towards the dorm room.
"So" Russ shifted his hockey stick between his hands before asking, "who gets the room?"
"I see we're going to be sorely missed" Paige said to Connie who rolled her eyes and scoffed in agreement as they entered the dorm.
"You guys are going to break into four sets of two and one set of three" Bombay replied and prepared himself for the sure to come ruckus from the males on who will get stuck being one of the three who have to share a room.
A low rumble began in the group still left in the hall. It grew louder, like a storm coming closer.
"I can't share a room with two other people. I've already gotten used to only having to share with one! I've adapted!" Averman yelped clinging onto Dwayne's flannel shirt, "I've tasted the sweetness of having a large room! I won't go back to the bitterness of being cramped!"
"Y'all I don't care either way. Back home I have to sleep with four of my brothers" Dwayne said breaking Averman's clasp and backing into his old dorm.
"Doesn't being the Captain give me some form of upper hand when it comes to the sleeping arrangements?"
"No Charlie it doesn't, but having to live with you should give me first dibs"
"Then I get the same dibs Cake Eater"
"I've had to listen to country music way too much last year. Not mention the constant interruptions during sessions with the ladies! I deserve to only have to deal with one roommate this year!"
"That's nothin' compared to living with the Bash Brothers!"
"Hey!"
"Sorry man I'm just telling it like it is"
"Yeah well living with you wasn't really a dream either Russ"
The complaints were zooming back and forth like a ping ball match that had too many balls and players, with only Bombay to referee.
Connie blundered into the hall, holding a tipsily stack of boxes. She shakily made her way down the hall concentrating on avoiding walls and fighting Ducks. During the attempt to open the door her pile feel to the ground with a small crash that seemed to go unheard by the Ducks.
A high-pitched whistle rang out from the doorway of the dorm that used to belong to the female hockey players. The quarrelling fell silent as they turned to see Paige standing at the door picking up a trunk.
"Could you guys put this argument on hold and help us with this stuff?"
None of the guys moved, afraid to leave the debate and possibly end up in the dreaded three-way room.
"Guys hustle up and help your teammates. Fighting won't do you any good anyway, you won't be deciding on who will get stuck in the three-man room. I will" Bombay told them "Or at least I will be deciding on how we'll figure out who's going to be the lucky three"
The rest of the team shuffled their way over to the dorm.
Once they all had something to carry Ken stopped and asked "Coach where are we moving this stuff to anyway?"
Bombay led the cluster of weighed down, slow moving Ducks along an Eden Hall pathway that was surround by an after rain fog.
"Hey Ken" Connie cooed coming up beside him.
"Hi Connie" he greeted back at the brunette.
"How are you?"
"Fine...and you?"
"I'm good, but are you sure you're all right"
Ken could feel that some form of an attempt of comfort was coming up. He tried to look like he wanted to hear what she had to say.
"You know if you ever want to talk" she began offering a smile along with her 'attempt', "you can always come to me, or any of the Ducks."
He forced a smile and exhaustedly said "Thanks Connie, I'll keep that in mind". He tried to sound appreciative, he knew they just wanted to help, but as he watched Connie catch up with Guy, he couldn't help feel even more deflated. It was hard for him to maintain the act, keep his chin up because he was a 'champ' and be happy because he had friends he could 'open up to' or 'turn to when in need'. He tried not to think that the Ducks just made it worse, making him even more drained from trying to hide his sorrow and put on a show of joy. There wasn't anyone who he could just be honest with, tell them that he didn't want their comfort every year, that they shouldn't treat him so gently. He just needed them to act like it was any other day; he didn't need them to remind him that today was the day his mom died. Without them he knew that she was gone forever.
End of Chapter
A/N: So what do you guys think? Constructive criticism welcome.
Warning: One of the main characters (and new Duck as you will read below) is an OC. Furthermore this story will be scattered with OCs but will still be based on the Ducks. Also this maybe a little choppy and strange compared to 'All is fair in love and war' because I'm trying something with my writing...kind of...it's hard to explain. Also I hate Linda so there will probably be some Linda bashing.
Summary of 'All is fair in love and war': When the Ducks were still in their first year of high school (grade 9) Paige Hunter joined the team through Bombay whom she is related to (Bombay is her mother's cousin). Bombay has replaced Orion; Orion has moved to get better medical treatment for his daughter. Connie and Guy are going strong and have proclaimed their love for each other. Charlie and Linda broke up when Charlie found out that Linda was cheating on him. Not so long after Paige joined the Ducks Charlie and her started to see each other secretively and became public before the summer began. Adam and Julie got together breaking the love triangle with Portman. The rest of the Ducks are single besides Russ who is still with Felecia (OC).
Author's Note: For those of you who didn't read my last story I don't want you to go through the painful task reading all 29 chapters of it so if I didn't explain something (that probably happened in the last story) just question me about it in a review and I will fill you in at the beginning of the next chapter...unless you aren't supposed to know then I'll tell you that...you aren't supposed to know.
And for those wonderful people who read 'All is fair in love and war' I'm sorry if I write some stuff that you already know, it's one of the down sides of doing a sequel.
This is not purely a romance like 'All is fair in love and war' though there is romance in the story; it isn't so focused on couples and there is going to be more about the other Ducks whom I neglected in the last story. Also there is going to be more of a hockey-based plot to the last story, which didn't really have a plot.
I do appreciate helpful criticism but not flames there is no need to bruise my already battered ego.
Now that the formalities are all done I hope that you enjoy reading my story. I won't beg for reviews...but you know if you even just write a short one I'd love it... hint hint
Gone Forever
The sky was playing tricks on Paige her first day back at Eden Hall. One moment the sun would be smoldered by clouds and the warm wind was pulling her clothing and long deep red hair in all directions, the next there was a burst of light beaming down on her with light rain drops sprinkling her bare arms.
The clouds closed around the sun again causing her to frown and mumble "Make up your mind already" as she followed the path to her dorms that she had been taking since November of last year.
She climbed the stairs to the third floor of the old brick building and pulled open the doors. She scanned the empty hallway; it was eerie how silent it had been for the last couple of days. Last school year you could barely get a moment of quiet before someone turned up the stereo, broke something, or yelled at or to another teammate. Now, the last day of August there wasn't a sound.
"Hey Paige!" Portman called coming out of his dorm that he shared with Fulton and Russ. A wide grin spread across her face as she went over to him.
"Hey man" she greeted giving him a quick hug. She hadn't seen him since July when he came to visit Minnesota. "We are going to kick some ass this year huh?" she looked up at Portman beaming.
"Totally" he smiled back sharing her enthusiasm of starting the hockey season with some serious bashing, his specialty. "But it sucks how we have to wait a month in till we have a game"
"I agree I think we should have a game two weeks into the year"
"Start up a petition" he suggested only half serious.
An involuntary shudder ran through her, every time she heard 'protest' or 'petition' she automatically thought of Charlie's ex-girlfriend, which wasn't a pleasant thought for anyone to experience.
September 2nd, he hated it, not because it was just a few days before school started, he liked school, officially labeling him a brain. No, he hated September 2nd because that's when his mother passed away. Leaving him with his dad and figure skating trophies.
Ken glared out the window of the car at traffic. He sat in the back seat of the Honda leaning his head against the glass, the engine rumbling under him. It was worse that he had to watch all of the cars, a constant reminder of what took his mother away from him.
The vision of the vehicles passing by became blurred as his eyes filled with tears. His heart twisted hurtfully as he thought about his mother getting into a crash. He breathed in deeply choking on the air as he let it out. It wasn't logical for him to still feel fresh pain...it had happened three years ago but...it seemed like yesterday. Ken roughly brushed away the tears that were trying to escape his eyes. He breathed in another suffocating breath trying to calm his rising emotions.
He was supposed to be sensible, rational not some weepy boy. He had to be strong for his dad. He looked in the rearview mirror at his father's blank face. The same face he was wearing during the drive to the cemetery earlier that day, but as soon as they got to her gravestone his calm features turned to ones filled with grief; sorrow in every wrinkle and crease.
They drove onto the ramp towards the airport. At least he had hockey and seeing the Ducks to look forward to...if only that was enough. But it wasn't, he need his mother. He shook his head as the thought entered his brain. He had to remind himself that he was never going to see her again, force himself to go on, it's what she wanted him to do. 'Just keep skating Kenny, you have a gift...keep skating' were the words she spoke to him the night before he won the gold.
The Asian teenage boy tried to rationalize his feelings towards his mother as the car pulled into the parking lot and finally came to a halt. He climbed out and went towards the trunk, slowly dulling the pain with each step. He had gotten used to numbing his emotions, he had three years of practice after all.
His father walked him to the security gate hardly speaking a word. Ken stopped before getting in line turning towards his only parent.
"Bye Dad" he said as his father wrapped his comforting arms around him into a hug. "I love you"
"I love you too Kenny" his father told him affectionately. He released his son and smiled at him as he went into the queue, it was a small, proud, loving but sad smile.
The Ducks were playing a game of floor hockey when Ken arrived. The orange puck was bouncing off of the walls and the players' sticks as the teens chased after it, blocking and shooting. The sound of laughter and roller blades consumed the dorm hallway.
"Hey K-man! Get on your blades, grab a stick and join in!" Charlie, the Captain of the JV hockey team ordered cheerfully when he spotted Ken who was standing a safe distance away from the action with his suitcases beside him.
"But I have to unpack!" Ken hollered motioning towards his bags, the rest of his belongs were already in his dorm that he shared with Luis and Dwayne.
"Do it later" Averman said as he stole the puck from Connie unexpectedly.
"Hey, he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to he can do what he wants" Adam pointed out abruptly.
Ken heaved a sigh, ever since the Ducks found out when his mother died they walked on egg shells on the days surrounded the date and were extra careful on the day. He hated being treated with such caution, as if he'll break into tears or throw a tantrum if they say one thing wrong. He shrugged it off and decided to do what Charlie was asking him by getting out his roller blades while keeping an eye on the game chuckling. It was humorous watching all the Ducks crammed into the hallway trying to play a game, it seemed as if some of them were forgetting which team they were on and scoring on their own goal getting groans from their teammates and whoops of joy from the others.
Ken dove into the game, creating a splash of overly enthusiastic greetings. Ken was attempting to steal the puck when Fulton took a shot at the open box that they were using as a goal. He missed sending the puck flying through the air. Ricocheting against the wall it hit the ceiling cracking it and causing some drywall to fall while it bounced off another wall and smacked the floor leaving a dent where it struck. The puck then rebounded off a closed door and slid along the slick floors. It halted when it came into contact with a man's shoe.
When the Ducks realized that the flying puck was grounded they regained themselves. They stood up from their places on the floor all looking at the orange puck that didn't have a scratch. They then focused on the man who the shoe belonged to.
"Hi yah Coach" Russ said wiping some paint chips from his shoulders.
Bombay wasn't impressed with his team behavior and they could all tell by the scowl on his usually happy face. "What did I tell you about playing hockey in the dorms?"
"Don't get caught?" Averman asked shaking the drywall from his fiery red hair, sneezing as the chalky substance passed his face.
Bombay shook his head at the fifteen-year-old boy and addressed the team "If the dean found out about this you would all get detentions. This is your last warning the next time I find you guys doing this, I'll be handing out the detentions"
"I think the spirit of Captain Blood has returned and possessed Bombay" Goldberg said smiling his usual sloppy grin.
"We'll have to perform an exorcism. Coach, let the demon out!" Averman hollered enthusiastically
"Shut up Averman" Portman ordered slapping him on the back of his head. Averman mumbled something about "brain versus brawn" as he rubbed his head and pushed his glasses back up the ridge of his nose.
"Guys, I have some news is everyone here?" Bombay asked scanning the teenagers before him.
They looked at each other and told Bombay that everyone was there and waited to hear what their beloved Coach had to say.
"I've been informed about a new rule that has been installed here at Eden Hall" he paused to let his team groan and then continued "there isn't going to be anymore co-ed dorming"
The team broke into objections.
"Can't you do something 'bout this Coach?" Russ asked, he, like the rest of the Ducks didn't want to be separated; they had had such a blast last year. He also found it helpful to have a woman's input and opinion just a few doors down.
"Yeah, come on...Uncle Gordon" Paige said the name strategically; she usually just called him Coach.
"My hands are tied" he shrugged "and it's not like you won't be seeing each other at practices, in the halls, in classes, and you can go to each other's dorms in till ten from Monday to Thursday and in till eleven from Friday to Saturday"
"And you used to be a lawyer"
"Paige, this rule was created because of parental complaints, and you know the parents have a certain amount of control over this school"
"Yeah we have a whole new wing built from parent's donations to prove it"
"So when do we have to move?" Julie interrupted half heartedly, skating away from her garbage basket net and over to Adam who looked just as upset as she did.
"'Parting is such sweet sorrow'" Averman jeered from the other side of the hall "Come on you guys, you're acting like you'll never see each other again. Just because you'll have less opportunities to make out doesn't mean you have to break up"
Adam and Julie responded with equally deathly glares.
"So it's true being alone does make you bitter" Luis the team, and majority of the class 'ladies man' smirked.
"To answer your question Julie," Bombay said, stopping the fight that was sure to break out between the few from, judging by past experiences, spread throughout the team "You are moving" he looked at his watch "pretty much now" he peered into the girls' dorm "Good to see you haven't started to unpack yet." He looked at his team, hating that he had to bring the bad news "Ok girls get a move on"
The girls trudged towards the dorm room.
"So" Russ shifted his hockey stick between his hands before asking, "who gets the room?"
"I see we're going to be sorely missed" Paige said to Connie who rolled her eyes and scoffed in agreement as they entered the dorm.
"You guys are going to break into four sets of two and one set of three" Bombay replied and prepared himself for the sure to come ruckus from the males on who will get stuck being one of the three who have to share a room.
A low rumble began in the group still left in the hall. It grew louder, like a storm coming closer.
"I can't share a room with two other people. I've already gotten used to only having to share with one! I've adapted!" Averman yelped clinging onto Dwayne's flannel shirt, "I've tasted the sweetness of having a large room! I won't go back to the bitterness of being cramped!"
"Y'all I don't care either way. Back home I have to sleep with four of my brothers" Dwayne said breaking Averman's clasp and backing into his old dorm.
"Doesn't being the Captain give me some form of upper hand when it comes to the sleeping arrangements?"
"No Charlie it doesn't, but having to live with you should give me first dibs"
"Then I get the same dibs Cake Eater"
"I've had to listen to country music way too much last year. Not mention the constant interruptions during sessions with the ladies! I deserve to only have to deal with one roommate this year!"
"That's nothin' compared to living with the Bash Brothers!"
"Hey!"
"Sorry man I'm just telling it like it is"
"Yeah well living with you wasn't really a dream either Russ"
The complaints were zooming back and forth like a ping ball match that had too many balls and players, with only Bombay to referee.
Connie blundered into the hall, holding a tipsily stack of boxes. She shakily made her way down the hall concentrating on avoiding walls and fighting Ducks. During the attempt to open the door her pile feel to the ground with a small crash that seemed to go unheard by the Ducks.
A high-pitched whistle rang out from the doorway of the dorm that used to belong to the female hockey players. The quarrelling fell silent as they turned to see Paige standing at the door picking up a trunk.
"Could you guys put this argument on hold and help us with this stuff?"
None of the guys moved, afraid to leave the debate and possibly end up in the dreaded three-way room.
"Guys hustle up and help your teammates. Fighting won't do you any good anyway, you won't be deciding on who will get stuck in the three-man room. I will" Bombay told them "Or at least I will be deciding on how we'll figure out who's going to be the lucky three"
The rest of the team shuffled their way over to the dorm.
Once they all had something to carry Ken stopped and asked "Coach where are we moving this stuff to anyway?"
Bombay led the cluster of weighed down, slow moving Ducks along an Eden Hall pathway that was surround by an after rain fog.
"Hey Ken" Connie cooed coming up beside him.
"Hi Connie" he greeted back at the brunette.
"How are you?"
"Fine...and you?"
"I'm good, but are you sure you're all right"
Ken could feel that some form of an attempt of comfort was coming up. He tried to look like he wanted to hear what she had to say.
"You know if you ever want to talk" she began offering a smile along with her 'attempt', "you can always come to me, or any of the Ducks."
He forced a smile and exhaustedly said "Thanks Connie, I'll keep that in mind". He tried to sound appreciative, he knew they just wanted to help, but as he watched Connie catch up with Guy, he couldn't help feel even more deflated. It was hard for him to maintain the act, keep his chin up because he was a 'champ' and be happy because he had friends he could 'open up to' or 'turn to when in need'. He tried not to think that the Ducks just made it worse, making him even more drained from trying to hide his sorrow and put on a show of joy. There wasn't anyone who he could just be honest with, tell them that he didn't want their comfort every year, that they shouldn't treat him so gently. He just needed them to act like it was any other day; he didn't need them to remind him that today was the day his mom died. Without them he knew that she was gone forever.
End of Chapter
A/N: So what do you guys think? Constructive criticism welcome.