Somewhat shorter chapter. Reviews appreciated. :) I've been a huge fan of the movies since I was really young, so I figured writing a fan-fic would happen eventually!
"Coach, I really feel weird being here," Charlie said, following Gordon down the long hallway of the hospital.
"Meeting you will cheer him up. Just because he has cancer doesn't mean he can't be happy," Bombay reassured Charlie. They finally reached Jack's room where he sat watching Saturday baseball.
"Gordon! The Twins are gonna take it this year," Jack said with a cheerful grin, which was enhanced by the fact that the Minnesota Twins lead the Royals 9-3.
"Maybe. You look good today, Jack," Bombay said, hugging his cousin.
"Yeah, I'm feeling alright. Just keeping busy," Jack said.
"Good. Well I want you to meet someone, actually. This is...," but Bombay was cut off.
"Charlie," said a feminine voice from the door. Charlie turned his neck and saw Erin standing next to the doorway in jeans, a patterned t-shirt, and a black vest.
"Erin! Hey! What you doing here?" Charlie questioned.
Gordon cut in, "That's my second cousin, Erin. She's James' daughter."
"No way, Gordon!" Erin exclaimed walking into the room, "When my dad told me the Ducks, I didn't know he meant THOSE Ducks!"
Shortly after Erin situated herself next to her uncle, her father James walked over. "So you're the real Minnesota Miracle Man, hu?" he said to Charlie, shaking his hand.
"I guess so," Charlie replied, scratching his head.
"The heart of the team," Bombay intervened, "Didn't even occur to me that you were sending Erin to Eden Hall."
"Yeah. Last minute thing. Figured you turned out pretty good, so why not," James said with a grin.
Charlie looked at the four family members in the room. They definitely could pass as family. Bombay looked younger than the others, but Charlie contributed this to the fact that he was slightly younger. Although he did wonder where Erin's curly hair came from.
"Looks like you guys know each other from school, then?" Bombay asked Erin.
"Yep. We have English, Government, and Social Ethics class together," Erin said.
"Yeah. We usually take the bus home, too. And Averman introduced her to all the guys," Charlie added.
"That's great," Bombay said.
Jack cut in from his place in front of the television, "Why don't you two head out. You don't want to be cooped up in a hospital all day. Go out, have fun."
"You sure, Uncle Jack?" Erin questioned, still concerned about her uncle.
He nodded.
"It was nice to meet you," Charlie said, extending a hand.
When Erin and Charlie walked out of the hospital, he asked, "Why aren't you a Bombay?"
"Well my Grandfather and Gordon's mother were related. So that's where the name thing comes from. So I'm a Cadrell," she explained.
Charlie scrunched his face attempting to understand the relations, but it was useless. "Maybe if you walk me through it slowly next time, I'll get it."
"Kind of like school, Charlie," Erin replied, quickly.
Rolling his eyes, he nudged her slightly. "Alright, let's go meet up with everyone."
Erin and Charlie approached the park where everyone skated and played a street hockey game.
"Charlie," Erin said, grabbing his arm, "I don't have any skates or anything."
"I didn't bring mine either," he replied. "We can watch. Everyone's probably gonna be done soon anyway."
"Yo Charlie!" Russ exclaimed, skating over, greeting him by clasping his hand. "Hey Erin. Once we finished beating Cake-Eater and them, some of us are gonna go out bowling. You in?"
Before Captain Duck could accept the invitation, Erin leaped forward. "YES! Bowling is so much fun! I suck, but still!"
"Well, I'll take that as a yes," Russ said, laughing. "What about you, man. You in?"
"Well," he said, looking down at Erin, who stood at least a foot shorter, "I don't know if I can handle the pressure of making Minnesota bowling as good as New York bowling," he teased, forcing Erin to roll her eyes.
"I'll take that as a yes, Conway," Russ said, pointing his hockey stick at Charlie, while he skated back to finish the game.
Erin laughed, "Wow, I just love being around sarcastic assholes all the time." Charlie knew she was referring to his previous comment.
"Um...you forgot dead sexy, sarcastic assholes," Charlie pointed out, looking the other way.
Erin simply crossed her arms, starring up at him with raised eyebrows, despite the fact that her face grew slighly warmer.
When she didn't respond, he turned to meet her gaze, "Or not..." he trailed off slowly, with a laugh.
"Conway, you are too much," she said walking to sit on a nearby bench.
"Woo hoo! I am the bowling King!" Banks exclaimed parading down the street with a plastic King's crown on his head.
"Jeez, this beats any bowling back in New York. I still suck, but dude, you're awesome. 130 is pretty damn good, Banks," Erin said, jumping to grab the crown from Adam's head.
"At least you're not Charlie, Mr. 51," Adam said as everyone laughed. Charlie threw at least seven gutter balls throughout the course of the game.
"Shut up Banksie. I'm telling you that ball was...jinxed!" Charlie retorted.
"Excuses, excuses my friend. It was my entertainment for the night and my first weekend here. Thanks Capt. Conway," Erin said with a smirk.
"Ha ha, sounds like Captain Crunch," Fulton laughed.
"Oh, please, don't give Bam Bam over here any other ideas," Charlie warned, smirking back at Erin. "By the way, still need the ride home?" he asked her.
"Um...honestly I could walk. It's really okay," Erin said, putting her hands in her pockets.
"No way. We're walking to the diner to wait for Banksie's parents to pick him up. Then my mom will just swing by your place. Come on," Charlie continued, convincing her to accept the ride.
She nodded, heading off with Adam and Charlie. Along the way, the guys suggested she come to some of their hockey games. So, before they parted ways, she made them a deal: she would watch their games if they promised to watch her play volleyball. Adam and Charlie agreed, glad to oblige to their newest friend.