Disclaimer: I don't own the Mighty Ducks or anything affiliated with the franchise.
– Chapter One –
And so it begins…
It was like a weight being lifted off his chest as he walked through the impressive grounds of Eden Hall. The sunny weather and the fact that he was leaving his oppressive house for the new school year made him almost giddy with the prospect of such freedom. Cars and people were milling about as students reunited and wrestled with their belongings.
Hearing a noise behind him, Adam Nathaniel Banks turned to see his mother step towards him.
"Call once you get settled in, darling. Actually, call me if you need anything." Vivian Banks smiled at her middle son, reaching up to smooth his hair. "You've gotten so big." She said almost wistfully.
The tall boy gave her a grin. "It happens, Mom." He placed an arm around her as they started to walk towards his parents' car. "Send Angie my love and I'll be home for Sunday dinner."
"Yes, do try to keep in touch once in awhile. It'd be nice to actually hear things from you and not acquaintances." A voice said acidly.
Adam inwardly winced. And that would be his father.
"Yeah, Dad. I will." He muttered as Philip Banks strode into view. He loved his father. He really did. But there were times…there were times when it was just…too much? He didn't know.
"Adam, your father's still talking." A low voice came from his left. Looking over, he saw his mother smiling at him with an amused twinkle in her eye. He returned the smile half heartedly and looked over at his lecturing father.
Of course he was talking. Did the man ever not talk? That was probably why he was such a good goddamn lawyer. Adam might have been a tad bitter about the whole father-son relationship. Just a tad.
Vivian Banks decided it was time to save her gentle son. "Alright, Philip, it's time to go. Come on. Don't forget to call us when you get settled in, dear." And pressing a kiss to her son's temple, she decisively walked over to their car.
Seeing his wife leave, Philip Banks then turned and narrowed his eyes at his son. "And be careful around those Ducks. They're nothing but trouble-"
"I know, Dad." Adam mumbled. His father seemed satisfied at that noncommittal answer and giving him a rather hard clap on the shoulder, walked towards his waiting wife.
Rubbing his shoulder ruefully, the hockey player watched the dark grey BMW pull out of the parking lot, feeling a little better with every turn of the car's wheel. When it finally disappeared from view, he let out a huge sigh of relief and turned back towards his dorm when he saw a rather unusual sight.
Squinting slightly, he realized that the large box had not sprouted legs and was staggering down the path but that it was being carried – rather awkwardly, yes – but being carried nonetheless by an actual person.
She was just a bit away from humiliation.
Connie Moreau prided herself on her endurance and strength.
A girl needed something if she wanted to play with bigger – much bigger – boys and every grueling practice, every conditioning exercise was done without complaint. Because Connie had game. She was a wiry, determined little thing and was made of steel.
But there was that problem.
She may have been made of steel and she may have been wiry and determined but at the end of the day…she was little.
A fact made quite obvious by how her arms didn't seem to be quite long enough to comfortably encompass the large box she was carrying and how she was staggering down the pathway like a drunken frat boy.
Gritting her teeth, she continued down the road when she felt herself collide with something and that something lifted the box from her arms with ease.
Connie scowled at the intruder, pushing a dark lock of hair from her sweaty face. "I had it under control, you know." She muttered grumpily, nonetheless lifting her cheek to accept the kiss being planted there.
"I'm sure you did." Adam replied smoothly, as they started to walk towards their dorm. He then gave her a boyish grin. "So you look tanned…how was Ecuador?"
"Muddy." Connie answered, digging around in her pockets for her key.
"No exciting stories? Come on, you were gone for the whole summer."
She looked up at him before sticking out an index finger. "I got a splinter." She replied innocently.
"You suck."
His friend laughed as she opened the door to her room. "Ecuador was a blast. I can honestly say that I am an expert in hammering. Building houses can do that to a girl."
"Great, you can fix the garage door now. Mom's been harping about it for ages but like I know how to fix it…" A red-headed boy ambled into the room, carrying a suitcase in each hand. "Where do you want me to put these?"
"Toss them over there." The brunette answered, throwing open a window. "You too, Adam."
Averman grinned as he spotted the tall center. "What, Banks, don't I get a hug?"
"No."
"I'm hurt."
"Too bad."
"Come on, give Aves some sugar."
"I just saw you yesterday, Averman."
"And last night, too. You two disgust me with your clandestine affairs." A new voice entered the room. Connie looked up to see Ken Wu walk in with a duffel bag. Laughing, she gave him a hug and took the bag.
"I met your dad outside. He's recruited Guy and Fulton to bring the last of your stuff in, as well." The Asian boy grinned, slapping hands with the other boys in the room. As if on cue, Fulton and Guy burst in, each laden down with boxes and bags and a mouthful of complaints. Connie shook her head, kissing each on the cheek before she left to say goodbye to her father.
"Looks like she's not rooming with Julie this year." Fulton noted after greetings had been exchanged. He had taken notice of the boxes and bags that stocked the other side of the room.
Averman shook his head. "Nah. Jules is living across the hall. Her and Cons didn't make very good roommates last year."
"Julie is a bit of a neat freak, isn't she?" Guy remarked, poking at one of Connie's roommate's boxes.
"Just a little." Fulton murmured, before he too, started rummaging around in the other's belongings. "Tell us, Banks, how neat is Julie? Down there?"
"Yeah, fuck you guys. I was like twelve." Adam scowled. "And will you knock that off? What if Connie's roommate walks in right now?"
"She'll be awed by our stunning physical prowess." Averman snorted as he looked on with interest at the blatant disregard for personal property. "I keep on forgetting that you guys used to go out during the Junior Goodwill Games. If you had gotten married, your children would have redefined the words neurotic and OCD."
"I personally always seem to forget that Banksie here is straight. His impeccable style sense, the parted hair and apathy towards the female population always makes me think he plays for the other team." Guy grinned as he unearthed a frilly bit of lace.
Adam shook his head although a corner of his mouth rose in amusement. He's take this over his father any day.
Those boys would not leave.
Connie reminded herself to find them some hobbies or something shiny to amuse themselves with. After hinting, saying, coaxing and finally threatening, she had finally gotten them out so she could unpack. And when the door opened again, she whipped around, fully intending on yelling at Fulton to within an inch of his life.
Instead, she saw a rather tall Asian girl in the doorway. She looked to be a little over 5'7" and was extremely slender. She had huge doe eyes, pouty lips and her black hair was smoothed back into a bun. Although dressed in a pair of jeans with a plain white tank top and her face devoid of any make-up, the girl still looked like a model.
"Connie? You're my new roommate? Sweet!" The girl exclaimed, enveloping her in a hug.
"Madison Kim! Still the New York City sophisticate as ever!" The smaller girl laughed as she returned the hug warmly. "How are you, how was your summer?"
"It was awesome. I mean, not as cool as yours in Ecuador and all. But I got to spend a lot of time back home and breathe in the toxins and pollution that comprise New York City. Complete and utter bliss." Maddie sighed dramatically as she plopped herself down on Connie's bed.
Connie laughed and threw a bed sheet at her. "Didn't you say you were going to do some summer training thing with the American Ballet Theatre? Or some sort of dance camp thing?"
"Yeah, I did. That was pretty fun. It took up most of my summer but it was so worth it. I got a lot better so Madame Baryshkev shouldn't yell at me too much this year." Madison replied, unfolding the bed sheet.
"Madame Baryshkev is a bitch. She picks on you way too much, Maddie. I mean, you're in this school on a dance scholarship that Eden Hall practically begged you to take. Not to mention, they went all the way out to New York to offer it to you." She frowned.
Maddie gave her an endearing smile. "Thanks, Cons. You know, just for that, I might even start coming to your hockey games this year."
"You better start coming to those games. After all, who can resist two hundred pound teenagers pounding each other into the walls?" The smaller girl said dryly. "Now, Maddie, there's a serious question I want to ask you."
"Yes?"
"Do you snore?"
"No. Why, do you?"
"No but I'm told that I grind my teeth."
"No worries, I'm dead to the world when I sleep. Which brings me to a good point. If there's a fire, save yourself. I won't wake up." Maddie said quite seriously.
The corner of Connie's lip twitched. "I'll keep that in mind."
Charlie Conway pushed open the door to his room and saw Adam practically unpacked.
"How come I always get stuck with you as a roommate?" Charlie asked as he unceremoniously dumped his belongings on the floor.
"That's because no one else will put up with your shit." His best friend said dryly as he looked up from a book. "Way to make an entrance, Charlie. I think half the campus heard you stomping through."
"I don't stomp." Charlie defended rather indignantly as he tossed Adam a duffel bag. "Here, unpack that, would you?"
With Adam recruited to help him unpack, it didn't take that long for the two to finish getting their room straightened out. It was often necessary to step in when Charlie and organization was involved. Lounging on his bed, the captain turned to the other boy.
"Banksie, this year is going to be sick. I can feel it. I mean, we're not the idiot freshmen anymore. Riley and Cole – most of Varsity, actually – aren't here anymore. I have first period free every day and I can get away with so much shit because I have you as a roommate. I'm single and God bless boarding school chicks."
Adam looked over at his friend and raised an eyebrow. He never thought he'd hear the day when Charlie announced that he loved school, especially school as in Eden Hall. Then again, he wasn't sure if he should answer his best friend's statements…especially the one about him letting Charlie get away with everything.
"Banksie…"
"Hmmm?"
"Did you get with Emily Parker last week?"
Unfortunately, Adam had been taking a sip of water at the time and it ended up all over his shirt. Sputtering, he looked over at a Charlie that looked mildly disgusted at the voluminous spray of liquid. "What? Where did that come from?"
Charlie shrugged, still looking askance at the damp patch on his best friend's shirt. "Me and Guy followed you to Paolo's last Friday night. You know, the one you said you already made plans. Guy and I didn't believe it so we followed you and you were there with her."
"There are so many things wrong with that scenario, I don't even know where to start."
"Whatever. Why were you there, anyway? Especially, with her. I've heard stories about her. Well…from those who lived to tell the tale."
"My dad suggested I should get to know her better. Our parents are friends." Adam grudgingly admitted.
"No offense but…your dad's crazy. I wouldn't take his advice about girls." Charlie frowned, wrinkling his nose at the thought of Papa Banks.
"I had a pretty good time. I might ask her out again."
"Because your dada wants you to?"
"No. Because she's pretty sweet. She's like a little kid. Innocent." He defended.
"Banksie, that's because she hasn't got much over the intelligence level of a five year old." Charlie snorted, chucking the remote at him.
"I hate you, Conway."
Charlie was unfortunately jolted awake the next morning to a mass dog pile on his bed.
Grudgingly, he opened one eye and groaned. Fulton, Portman, Russ, Averman and Goldberg had all launched themselves onto his bed in an attempt to wake him up. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Guy, Luis, Dwayne and Kenny snickering in the corner.
"Get the hell off! Banksie, why'd you let the animals in?" The poor boy moaned, trying in vain to move his body.
"Now, now, Charlie. The rest of the Ducks are here. Is that how to greet them when you haven't seen them all summer?" Adam chastened, clearly not at all bothered by his best friend's dwindling lack of air supply.
"Yeah, Chuck. Didn't you miss me? Come on, give R Daddy some sugar!" Russ cackled, giving a little bounce.
Dwayne looked confused. "R daddy?"
By that time, everyone had gotten off Charlie and were now lounging around his room. And true to form, he had taken that opportunity and had gone back to sleep.
"Charlie, man, get up. It's 1:30 in the afternoon." Averman groaned, poking the comatose body with a hockey stick rather hard.
"Ow. Wake me up at two." Came the muffled reply.
Fulton shrugged, not looking a bit regretful. "Sorry to have to do this but…"
He and Portman both took the end of Charlie's bed and heaved, depositing Charlie on the floor in a heap.
"There are times when I want to let the girls castrate the lot of you." Their captain snarled as he sat up, his head a disheveled mess.
"We'll be at lunch." Goldberg announced as he steered everyone towards the door. The plight of one of his oldest friends was obviously not the highest priority in his mind. However, the Ducks all conveniently left Adam behind to make sure Charlie didn't "accidentally" go back to sleep.
In five minutes, Charlie was dressed and ready to go except for one thing.
"Hey, cake-eater! Where's my hat? My Roots one! I had it yesterday and now I can't find it!" The tornado that was Charlie Conway hollered from his closet.
"You probably left it in Connie's room when you went to see her last night. Why don't you go get it and meet us in the dining hall?"
"Banks, you're a genius!" And with that, Charlie took off for Connie's room.
Adam waited for a few seconds until he heard the patter of feet coming back.
"Room 201."
"Right! Thanks, Banksie boy! See you downstairs!" The boy beamed, going back the way he came.
Adam shook his head. Charlie was such an airhead.
Charlie slid down the stairs to the second floor and casually walked through the masses of sophomore girls. Although the building was coed, the floors were separated by gender. He and the other Ducks were all on the third floor while Connie and Julie were on the second.
"201...201…201…201!" Charlie exulted, coming to the end of the hallway. Without bothering to knock, he walked in. After all, it was Connie. He had known her since they were in diapers.
"Yo, Con-nay!" He sang as he walked into the room. Noticing that there was no one in the room, he looked around for his hat.
Marveling at how fast the girls were in decorating, he immediately recognized Connie's side of the room because of her dark orange silk sheets. She loved that color. Photographs of the Ducks adorned her night stand and her bookcase was filled with worn copies of Connie's favorite books.
He smiled when he saw a stuffed purple octopus that looked quite the worse for wear. Charlie had given that to Connie for her fifth birthday, and she had apparently never thrown it away. For some reason, it was the only stuffed animal that she had kept and liked. Charlie was touched that she had kept it for practically a decade.
Looking towards the other side of the room, he saw a bed with jade green sheets. There were several photographs of famous ballet companies on the wall, with some pictures of a happy Asian family. A laptop computer was set up on the table next to a whole bunch of cords and other fancy, electrical stuff. Obviously, this new roommate of Connie's was high tech.
A voice suddenly cut through his perusal of the room. "Charlie?"
He whipped around and saw Connie and another girl standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Cons. I was wondering if I left my cap in here yesterday. Whoa, Maddie! You're Connie's new roommate? Nice! How've you been?" Charlie exclaimed, bounding over to give Madison a bear hug.
"Hey, Chuck. It's nice to see you too." Maddie grinned, kissing him on the cheek.
"You guys know each other?" Connie asked, looking surprised.
"Hell yeah. Maddie's my girl. She roomed with Linda last year and was in a couple of my classes. She's is the only reason I didn't fail math!" Charlie beamed at her beatifically.
Maddie snorted. "Nice to know he loves me for my personality."
"Well, I'm glad you guys are cool with each other." Connie said absently, fishing out a baseball cap from her closet and tossing it to Charlie. "It saves a lot of tension."
"Connie, dearest. What a thing to suggest! I get along with everybody! And besides, your friends pretty much comprise of the hockey team and I already know you, Julie, Charlie and Averman. How many more can there be?" Maddie replied airily, throwing herself on her bed.
"Try nine." Charlie snickered wickedly as he slung an arm around Connie's shoulders and moved towards the door.
Ignoring Maddie's squawk of "nine!" Charlie and Connie made their way to the cafeteria where the rest of the Ducks were waiting. She smiled up at him. "She's a sweetie, isn't she?"
"Just don't give her Dr. Pepper and you'll be fine. Whatever you do, don't give her Dr. Pepper. Or she'll be running through the halls in her underwear singing She Bangs at the top of her lungs."
"She would not!"
"Sorry, Cons, but she already has. Reason one for why Linda wanted a new roommate." Charlie admitted, as the two walked down the hallway, arm in arm.
Hey, guys!
There is major construction going on in this particular fic. It was the first one I had ever written and I was looking back at it and some parts actually made me cringe, lol. I'll be reposting the re-edited parts as soon as I can!
Thanks for all your support,
Donuthole.