17-year-old Adam Banks sat on the bed in his best friend's room, watching the boy pace back and forth blabbering about all of the exciting things they were gonna do when they got to Los Angeles.

"Charlie, how exactly are we going to do all of this stuff? We're going to LA to play hockey, remember?"

Charlie Conway looked over at his best friend incredulously. "Banks, we will find time. It's Los Angeles. You can't go to LA and not look around the city. There's celebrities, famous places and girls," Charlie emphasized the last part dramatically.

Adam rolled his eyes in response. He didn't care what they did, as long as he got to play hockey.

About a week ago, the boys found out that their hockey team, the Mighty Ducks, was picked to play as Team USA at the Goodwill Games. Obviously they agreed immediately. Now a week later, the team was all packed up and ready to head to LA in a few short days.

"I heard we're getting a few new teammates because we lost a some ducks," Charlie said, "I hope they're good players."

Adam laughed. "Charlie, I think they have to be pretty good to play in the Junior Olympics," he said as he started to get up and walk towards the door.

"Yeah, well let's just hope they don't mess up the ducks."

"Dude, don't even worry about that," Adam said. He knew how defensive the captain was about his team, and he didn't want Charlie having any unnecessary worries. "I gotta get home for dinner. I'll see you later."

With that he said goodbye to Miss Conway and headed home.

He walked into his room and fell back on his bed. His mind was buzzing with thoughts about how important this next month and a half would be for him. There would be scouts there. The thought made him nauseous. He shook his head, willing the thoughts out and got under the blankets, looking for a good night sleep before the early practice tomorrow.

Over in Pennsylvania, 17-year-old Emma James was running around her room, gathering the rest of her things for her flight over to Minnesota that was leaving in a few hours. She heard a soft vibrating that she recognized as her phone, and groaned when she realized it was buried under a pile of clothes somewhere. She dug around until she found it and picked it up.

"Was it really necessary to call me now?"

"Well sorry for wanting to talk to my best friend before she leaves me for a whole month. Bitch."

Emma rolled her eyes. She was used to her best friend's sarcastic comments and had learned to fire them right back. "I'm leaving for a whole month, not dying," she retorted.

"Whatever, what time are you leaving? Your mom said I can come with you guys to the airport."

"Probably around 1:30. Come to my house whenever," Emma said distractedly. After getting a response she hung up.

She finished packing up her stuff and zipped her suitcase. When she stood back and stared at the three packed bags she had lying on her bed, it hit her that she was leaving her comfort zone for a month and a half.

Here in Pennsylvania, she knew who she was. She was a four sport athlete, an A student, and had tons of friends. But in LA, who was she going to be?

She was going without her family or her best friend. The worst part was that she would be spending all her time on a team with people she didn't know. The thought made her stomach do flips. She wanted someone to come with her, give her the company she would so desperately need, but that wasn't going to happen. She would just have to cope.

Her phone was continuously vibrating with new text messages, most of her friends wishing her good luck. She let out a long sigh and shut her phone off. She needed to stop thinking about everything that she was leaving. She was going to be an Olympian, and she needed to focus on that.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. Her mom, Natalia, poked her head through the door.

"Are you ready to go? Anna is pulling into the driveway now," her mother said.

With a nod of her head, Emma picked up her bags and followed her mom out the door.

About an hour later, Emma was standing with one of her bags in hand ready to board the flight. She turned to Anna to say goodbye, but glared at her when she saw the tears that were threatening to spill over in her eyes.

"Do not get emotional on me now. You know I don't like that stuff," she bit out, but she felt the tears that were starting to well up in her own eyes and inwardly cursed herself. Anna laughed and sniffled, and then pulled her best friend in for a hug.

"You better call me. I want to hear all about the hot hockey players," she said. Emma laughed and nodded.

She then turned to her mom and gave her a huge hug. "You're going to do great. I know it," Natalia said and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Emma pulled away and nodded. Her zone was finally called and they said their final goodbyes before she turned around and boarded the plane.

She found her seat and a little over 20 minutes later, the plane began to take off. Selena looked out the window and took a deep breath, watching her comfort zone get left behind.