Been a while since I last updated this one. Busy with work and all! Anyway on with the next chapter!!

Chapter 9

Ashley was jolted awake by the sound of her phone alarm she turned the noise off and sat in the bed.

'It's my last day here.' She said with a loud sigh she tossed the duvet to one side and swung her body over the side and stood up. With a stretch she walked around the side of the bed and opened up the window. It was still very early in the morning with a small hint of the morning sun's rays as it slipped into dawn. She then went to her suitcase rummaged through it and pulled out an outfit, which consisted of a pair of denim shorts and a yellow vest top.

Knock, Knock!

Ashley tucked her clothes under her arm and walked to the door she yanked it open.

'Honey glad to see you are awake already,' her mother remarked she stepped into the room.

'Yeah I want to get a head start.' Ashley said she shrugged her shoulders her mother walked over to the bed and sat down she smiled at her daughter.

'Honey your father and I are just so proud of what you have achieved these last couple of years. She said.

'Thanks mum'

'And one more thing, we know you will go out there today and show everyone just how good you are and show your friends James and Caleb that you do deserve to be noticed ahead of them,' Catalina added Ashley nodded in agreement.

'I will don't worry mum they've never ever gotten the best of me and they won't start now.' She answered. Catalina smiled, she definitely meant ever word she just said to her daughter, however deep down she was dreading today's big event. It would set up her daughter's future either in the sport or not and after what her and her husband were told yesterday; Catalina had a feeling the former just might happen. It pained her to even think about it but she had thought about it long and hard since yesterday. Although the owners and general manager didn't say much the general feeling she received from them was all positive. If things panned out the way they expected it to today then everything would get sorted out today and that was what she feared the most.

'Mum?' Ashley asked she waved her hands in front of her mother's face.

'Oh, I'm sorry honey.' Catalina said she stood up.

'Well you get ready then come down to our room we will order in some special breakfast for you.' She said before Ashley had the chance to object to the suggestion her mother was out of the room.

'Ugh like I need any more special treatment,' she groaned then went off to the bathroom for a shower.

A short time later she joined her parents in their room for breakfast although on the way to their room she did bump into Caleb and typical of his personality and attitude towards her, he simply kept walking with his head held high and only after she was about to enter the room did he then turn around to say;

'By the end of today you and James will be out of my life for good!'

She didn't reply, rather she'd let the events on the ice speak for her.

'Ok what is wrong?' Ashley asked her parents she'd caught them exchanging worried looks every so often and now it was starting to bug her.

'Nothing for you to worry about Ashley it is just business for your mother and I discuss.' Her stepfather answered.

'But I know something is up.' She protested.

'Let us deal with it honey it is like I told you earlier,' her mother remarked; Ashley sat back in her chair and sulked she hated it when her parents made it as though she wasn't old enough to understand their 'big business' issues she wanted to be in on it too but they have so far refused, her mother believing she had a lot of growing up to do and it was best not to rush it.

'Ok I'm done.' She said and pushed the empty plate to the centre of the table.

'Well why don't you go and get some fresh air for a bit. Your mother and I have no plans at the moment,' Daniel said.

'Ok.'

Ashley agreed with the suggestion, she headed out of the room and this time she bumped into James he looked a bit surprised to run into her so early and for a couple of minutes they stood there in the hallway an uncomfortable silence unfolded around them.

'I—uh—see you later,' she remarked he just nodded and gave a little wave she quickly jogged the rest of the way to the lifts and rather impatiently pressed the down button. When the lift came she got in and took it down to the lobby. Unfortunately the very moment she stepped out from the lift a bright white light flashed in her eye line and instinctively she threw her arms in front of her face.

'Ashley Pearson!' somebody shouted, she lowered her arms slightly the flash had gone and now she could see that annoying lady Stacey and at least three other people Ashley assumed to be also journalists.

'No comment.' She answered as they all shoved microphones and tape recorders in her face but she brushed past them as quickly as possible, however these journalists were more than just persistent they even jogged ahead towards the hotel's main entrance and crowded around blocking the way out. Ashley stopped in her tracks and with hands on hips she glared at them.

'Please, move out of my way.' She said.

'Tell us, about your experience here especially with the Red Wings,' one journalist said.

'No comment. Please move out of my way.' Ashley answered but they still blocked the way so instead she turned to go in the opposite direction they followed and further stood in her way.

'Excuse me but you must move.' A loud and gruff voice spoke up and immediate the journalists were pushed aside and Ashley recognized the big security man from a few days ago. He grabbed hold of her elbow firmly and escorted her through the otherside of the lobby while the hotel's security staff stepped in to keep the journalists away.

'There you go.' The big man replied when they reached the hotel's backyard where the outdoor swimming pool, spa and sauna as well as a tennis court was located.

'Uh...thanks,' she said.

'You are welcome just be careful next time.' He said she frowned.

'Next time?' she asked.

'Well from what the club's officials have told me, you and your friends have been the topic of interest and it will only get worse tonight.' He said.

'Wait...wait are you saying some of those media people out there are being invited?' she asked with alarm, the big man nodded a slightly grim look on his face.

'But...but I thought it was a private viewing for only those in the club and our parents,' she said the big man shrugged.

'I can't help you there little one.' He replied.

By the afternoon Ashley had long forgotten about the run- in with the journalists and she even forgot about the big event that night. She hung out with her parents as they did a little shopping and sight-seeing. The city of Detroit was massive and they hadn't the time to cover every part of it but what they've seen so far they've enjoyed and even her parents made the suggestion they could come and live here one day. They returned to the same shopping mall they'd gone too only days before and Ashley saw the arcade place and like the last time it was full of kids.

'Don't think about it you know what happened last time.' Her mother said sternly Ashley rolled her eyes but made no comment. As they continued on past the arcade something caught her attention.

'Oh no.' She mumbled as soon as she caught sight of a familiar face.

'What is wrong?' her stepfather asked.

'Nothing, nothing let's just go.' She remarked but they hadn't gotten very far.

'Well if it isn't that little cheater!'

Ashley spun around and glared at Boyd her parents came forward.

'Young man you better learn some manners,' Daniel said.

'We're just having a little fun, sir no harm done.' Boyd answered and when her parents weren't looking he then pointed at her with his fists clenched together but nevertheless Ashley paid him no further attention and followed her parents to their next stop which was the bookstore combined with a newsagent that was a blessing in disguise for Ashley since she did need to stock up on some stationary items. She was quick to grab everything she needed her parents paid for the items and then while they became engrossed with reading magazines Ashley took the opportunity to nip off to the hockey store just a few doors away.

'Can we help you young miss?' one of the sales people asked just as soon as she stepped into the store.

'Oh—uh—well I—uh—do you sell any skate blades here?' she asked.

'Yes of course we do please follow me,' the salesman said and he showed the way through the store, past a wide assortment of jerseys, sticks, skates and other accessories until they got to the backend with a different area set up. There were some skates here with the blades all attached as well as single blades.

'We sell a few different types of blades and some are even customised for specific players and their skates.' The salesman remarked.

'Then you better make sure she gets the kids one because soon that is all she can do.'

Ashley sighed and rolled her eyes she immediately recognized the voice and she didn't even need to turn around.

'Look.' She said and turned around to face Boyd and his friends.

'You lost to us the other night fair and square so stop bugging me and go away,' she replied.

'Oh stop bugging me and go away!' he mocked his friends laughed Ashley did her best to ignore their continuous sniggers she picked out a few blades and handed it to the salesman he took them and walked to the register while she continued to browse all the while turning a total deaf ear to Boyd's mumbling.

'You still cheated my boys of victory there is no way you can play our game,' he said finally though his comments got to her she spun around a fierce look on her face.

'Oh!' he laughed and looked to his friends.

'She is mad! We better watch out!' he added they burst out laughing but a sly smile spread across her face instead.

'In fact I have a far better idea. Why don't you all come along and watch us play tonight? Then we will see if you really think us girls aren't cut to make it in this game,' she remarked Boyd raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms over his chest.

'Like I want to waste my time with you,' he said she shrugged her shoulders.

'Well suit yourself but it would be a shame to miss out on the viewing. After all it will be Caleb, the guy you bet up, James and me out there tonight and not you,' she added and went to pay for the items, Boyd and his little gang laughed cheekily and decided to follow her once again but this time around Ashley was going to play it smart and jogged on ahead of them and dodged through the crowd.

'You get back here! We are not finished!'Boyd yelled but nevertheless she kept going until she saw one of the exit doors that lead to the car park. Without even giving it a second thought she ran out there, the mild day's temperature didn't' bother her and she stopped for a rest.

'Hey!'

'Not again.' She moaned her head dropped and her shoulders slumped.

'What's the matter pimp squeak?' Boyd remarked he and his friends started to come around and gang up on her; she glanced at them now she was starting to get a little worried.

'Oh so what's a matter eh? Not so tough without your friends around by the looks of it,' Jonathan said.

'J...just leave me alone please,' she answered.

'Hmm let me think about that for a minute...no.' Boyd replied and laughed he exchanged high-fives with his friends.

'What is going on here?' somebody asked the whole group turned around Ashley could quite believe her eyes, why was it they always seem to turn up at exactly the right time and when she least expected it.

'Wait—wait I know you guys,' Boyd said there was a look of shock written on his face as it dawned on him.

'Good then maybe you wouldn't mind explaining what you are about to do here?' Kris asked he had his arms folded across his chest and along with him stood Doug, Brent and Kirk.

'Uh...it's nothing. We—we were just having a little fun,' he answered all this while Ashley quietly slipped away from her capturers.

'Well maybe for you it is fun but next time tread carefully otherwise your parents will be notified and speaking from experience most parents are never happy when their kids misbehave,' Doug answered.

'Yeah, ok look we are going to leave now.' Boyd added him and his friends began to back-track their steps.

'Oh and one more thing,' Kris added as he called out to them, they looked back.

'You are all invited to come down to the rink later this evening. There is going to be a great spectacle on and only a small handful of people are invited to watch.' He said. Brandon leaned over to Boyd to speak to him and at first Boyd was shaking his head then he stopped and nodded his head instead the conversation between him and Brendon ended and Boyd faced the older guys.

'Well that is fine with me. We'll be there tonight.' He said and Kris smiled and nodded.

'That shouldn't be a problem then.' He added, him and the other guys as well as Ashley headed back into the shopping mall.

'Ashley! Honey where were you?' her mother exclaimed just as soon as they walked back I n, the look of imminent relief was on her face.

'Oh..Um I just went…uh outside for a minute. Fresh air it was starting to get a bit…um crowded,' Ashley answered. Catalina arched her eyebrows she looked around them there weren't too many people in the mall though it was a weekend.

'We just arrived ourselves, came to get a few things,' Brent quickly said.

'Oh ok that's fine then.' Catalina remarked she seemed to believe that story more Ashley sighed she glanced sideways at Brent and mouthed a thank you.

'Well let's go we still have quite a few things to do before this evening,' Daniel added.

'Ok.' Ashley said after the run-in with Boyd and his friends she wasn't really in the mood to do anymore shopping.

'Just take it easy, kid and don't think too much about it.' Kris said.

'Yeah, thanks I'll try.' She answered with a half smile and reluctantly followed her parents.

*~*~*

At exactly 4:30pm, Ashley, James, Caleb and their parents arrived in the parking lot outside of the Joe. They noticed at least half a dozen if not more cars already in parking spaces, a barricade was set up alongside the side entrance the kids were shown earlier in the week, and already four camera crews and journalists standing beside it at the ready.

'I thought this was meant to be a private session?' Tania asked.

'Just because you don't want anyone to see how bad your son is,' Richard laughed when he brushed passed her; Tania shook her head and sighed. As the days wore on Richard had grown more and more restless and upset, he snapped at everyone and pushed his son hard.

'There they are!'

The whole group turned while the kids grabbed their kit bags from the back of the van

'Kids, kids tell us what you are feeling right now, it's a big night with so much at stake!' all the journalists yelled and shoved their microphones and tape recorders in front of their faces; their parents and the three body guards were quick to intervene and pushed the nosy reporters back a small distance except for Richard he grabbed Caleb and pulled him forwards towards the reporters.

'My son Caleb here is ready for anything they throw at him today and he will be the one that impresses everyone so keep him in mind.' He remarked.

'As for the other two they mean nothing they'll be long gone even before this night is finished,' he added.

'Yeah, you here that? My dad is always right,' Caleb said Ashley and James ignored him however and just kept walking. They passed the barricade and in through the side door. Once inside they were met by Dave and Greg and they took the kids' parents away to their usual seating spot.

'Who are they?' Judith asked pointing to the ice where another group of skaters were already there and gathered at one of the benches.

'Grand Rapid Griffiths and they are one of our affiliate teams in the lower grades, a fine team too and at times some of our top players will play for them during the season, though most of it is when they come back from injury,' Greg explained.

'Now we aren't due to start for at least another couple of hours so you are more than welcome to take a wonder around the place and even met some of the other guests whom will be in attendance,' Dave added then he excused himself and left the seating area.

'That I will do.' Richard answered he was on his feet again but his wife remained seated.

'What are you doing Jud? We have work to do for our son's sake we can't just sit around and do nothing,' he snapped Judith made no reply and stood up to dutifully and followed her husband. Walter, Daniel, Tania and Catalina shook their heads at the sight then had just seen.

'Not a very happy family right there,' Walter said.

'Poor Caleb as well I feel he is the one suffering because of his parents,' Catalina answered. Shuffling sounds from behind them stopped that conversation and when they turned around they saw the same camera crews whom were lined up outside just a few minutes earlier make their way into the seating area and begin setting up all of their equipment. More shuffling noises and over to the left-hand side the journalists got into their seats and began making notes.

'I think this will be a long night,' Catalina answered Daniel glanced sideways at his wife he nodded his head he was just thinking the same thing.

In the meantime down in the two locker rooms the three youngsters found the time for a bit of privacy, at least Ashley did while James and Caleb still had to put up with each other but they kept a good distance apart. The trainers had gone to both rooms to tell the three youngsters they needed to begin their pre-warm ups. Ashley was the first of the trio to emerge from the room she didn't look anywhere though she could hear the team at their bench and she even caught a few words being whispered when she skated past them, bright flashes from the seating area also didn't bother her but she was well aware of the photographers. She did a fairly slow skate around the rink then started her blue-to-blue line sprint that definitely got a few tongues wagging from the opposition and one of the guys' with spiked blond hair, and he stood about 5ft 10, had a sly little grin on his face.

'Hey so that is the one everyone's been talking about eh?' he asked his friends they all nodded their heads.

'Well then, guess it won't be too difficult to show her who the boss is.' He said brimming full of confidence.

'Boys, listen to me I don't want to repeat myself yet again.' Their coach, Jarrod Campese remarked.

'You need to stay focused we are here to play against those kids that is all and nothing more,' he said, the blond however exchanged a cheeky grin with his friends he had another plan one entirely different from his coach.

James and Caleb joined Ashley only a couple of minutes later though it was clear for anyone to see the tension between the three of them, the distance they kept from each other, and when they did cross paths albeit accidently the sharp snaps was all the indication needed to show just how much pressure they were now under. When their pre-warm up was done James, Caleb and Ashley left the ice while their opposition stayed put. Catalina and Daniel left the seating area and took a walk around the building, and every so often they bumped into people from the club, and while they were all very polite they kept tight-lipped when Daniel questioned them in regards to their daughter's chances. The only reliable response he received was a;

'Let's just wait and see.'

'This is frustrating.' Daniel remarked he shook his head as they walked back inside the seating area.

'Don't worry honey I do believe Ashley has a very good chance, she has impressed all the right people and that is what counts for her,' Catalina answered and they took their seats.

Down in the locker room area Ashley had her skates and other equipments off and dressed back into her regular clothes and shoes, and was contemplating the idea of heading upstairs for a while and get away from the impending night ahead, but at the same time she didn't want to be anywhere near those nosy journalists, photographers and even her parents. Instead she zipped up her bags and headed out of the room there was nobody around in the hallway so she then slipped on her baby pink cap; she took another sharp glance around and still there was nobody around, and headed off down the hallway and out the back exit door. It was still quite bright and sunny even as the sun was beginning to set she put her sunglasses on and shoved her hands into the side pockets of her jacket and keeping her head bowed slightly she walked through the car park.