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Chapter 11: Becoming Wildcats
"Hey Dad," Troy said walking in from school. Jack looked up, "I have an idea."
"OK," He said warily, the last few times Troy had had ideas, it had ended up well, interesting is probably the best word for it.
"So, you know how we're supposed to make the Ducks feel at home and all that," Troy rattled off, again his father nodded, "So, a couple of things, Coach Pierce is being a jerk and not letting Julie play hockey, which I think we should try to fix, also, I think we should put a net out, by the hoop, so that Charlie can practice."
"Your attitude has shifted quite a bit," Jack said, Troy nodded. "Look, I'll talk to Pierce, I can't make any promises. And I think putting a net up is a great idea."
"Hi," Charlie walked in. "Mr. Bolton, um, I'm just going to be upstairs."
"OK," Jack said. "So, he needs some cheering up."
"Yes he does," Troy nodded.
Charlie lay on his bed and pulled out his cell phone, he had a message. He pulled the voicemail and listened to it, hoping that it was Linda.
"Hey Charlie," He sat up, this was better, "Listen, I hope everything's good. I'm going to be in Albuquerque next week for some recruiting. Give me a call, my number's the same, I'd like to see you and the others. Hang in there." Nothing like a little Coach Bombay to the edge off of anything. He went into contacts and called.
"Hey Coach," He said, with a smile, already, things were starting look up.
"Hey," Ryan walked outside and saw Julie sitting on the steps of the school.
"Hey," She said.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Just waiting for Gabriella," She shrugged. "You?"
"Still searching for a leading lady," He sighed, "I've never missed my sister more." Julie laughed. "Tell me about this guy she's seeing."
"Portman?" Julie sighed, "He's different."
"Different like eat the paste different?" Ryan asked.
"No," Julie shook her head. "OK, so, here's a perfect Portman story. When we were twelve and we were playing against Iceland, I finally got my shot to go out and show everyone what I could do. These two dickheads came up and started teasing me about being a girl, so I punched them in the nuts,"
"Oh naturally," Ryan laughed.
"So, I get thrown out of the game," She sighed, "And Portman had already gotten thrown out and I walk into the locker room and he's like tearing the place apart right? So we start talking and there's an awkward pause, which you know, he then takes as an invitation to start groping me,"
"OK, that's not reassuring." Ryan shook his head.
"Well I'm not finished yet!" She laughed grabbing the blue hat he was wearing and putting it on, "I push him away, there was more hitting actually and he immediately blushes and starts apologizing like crazy. That's the kind of guy he is. He's sort of like a dog, once you punish him for his bad behavior, he modifies it."
"Hm," Ryan said, "I heard you're not going to be on the hockey team. That sucks."
"Yeah," She sighed. "I just wanted one more season. I mean, I'm not going to be able to play in college, The NCAA has super strict rules, and then after forget it, the NHL's are even stricter."
"Uh huh," He nodded, "So, you and Chad?" She laughed.
"I don't know," She said honestly, "I really don't. I like him."
"Everyone does," Ryan smiled.
"Even you?" She turned and looked at him. He laughed.
"Yeah," He looked down, "Maybe a crush this summer, but he's not my type."
"What is your type?" She said.
"George Clooney," He shrugged, "I like Ben McKenzie too."
"Well, as long as you're staying in your league," Julie laughed.
"Listen, I know you already turned me down," He said, "But, I really think you'd good for this part."
"Ryan," She shook her head, "I don't act, or sing or dance or anything." He handed her the script pulling it out of his backpack.
"First of all," He said, "You wouldn't be acting, you are this girl, read it and tell me I'm wrong, second, anyone can dance and we can get around the singing." He hugged her, "Please! I'm really desperate."
"I can see that," She said, "I'll read it tonight."
"No," He said, "Because tonight is OC party at my house." Julie laughed.
"I'm a One Tree Hill girl," She said, "I'll just hang at Gabby's." He smiled.
"No, I have to reeducate you then," He shook his head. "We have fun."
"Do the other guys go?" Julie asked.
"Chad free zone," Ryan laughed, "Cross my heart."
"Hey," Gabriella walked out. "Hey Ry, 8:30 right?"
"Absolutely," Ryan said. "See you then, bye Julie."
"Bye," She waved.
"So," Gabriella said, "What's up?"
"I think I might do the show," Julie laughed, "He's very persuasive."
"Yes," Gabriella nodded, "He is." Julie's phone rang. She looked down, Adam. She let it keep ringing. "You going to get that?"
"No," Julie said, "I'll call him back later."
"Hey Jules," Adam left her a message. "Just checking in. Charlie said you're not playing, it sucks. Princeton'll understand though. I just wanted to make sure you were OK. Give me a call. I love you." He hung up. That was weird, Julie was obsessive about answering her phone.
"I can't believe we had to try out," Goldberg said as the Ducks wandered out of hockey tryouts.
"I haven't had to try out for something since I joined you guys," Luis said. Charlie was still smiling, being back on the ice had cheered him up. "You look happy."
"I am happy," He said, "Happier. Bombay's coming in next week."
"That'll do it," Averman laughed. "Man their goalies suck though."
"Seriously," Goldberg nodded, "I'm better than those guys."
"And that is saying something," Luis laughed. He smiled as some of the cheerleaders walked past and giggled and whispered.
"Took the player a week to get into the game," Charlie laughed. "It was good to play though. I just don't know that I can be a Wildcat."
"I used to be a Wildcat," Luis said. "It's not so bad."
"We weren't going to be Ducks forever." Goldberg said sadly, "I should go, promised Zeke I'd help him with some stuff."
"Yeah, Troy said something about a surprise." Charlie shrugged.
"I have a date," Luis smirked.
"Shocking," Averman said. "So, see you guys at school tomorrow."
"Definitely." They all laughed.Backstage at Eden Hall, Portman snuck up behind Sharpay.
"You win," He whispered in her ear.
"Excuse me," She said, smiling but not turning around.
"When do you want to go out?" He said.
"Friday," She said, "And I want a real date. Flowers, dinner, the whole deal."
"OK," He said, "It's a deal."
"And Portman," She turned around as she heard him walk away, he stopped, "Don't disappoint me. I'm not pleasant when I'm disappointed." He walked back over and grabbed her waist and pulled her close.
"I don't disappoint," He said. She lost her breath with him so close to her. Was he going to kiss her again? "Don't worry." He let go and walked away. She smirkedand walked back to her spot confidently.
"Lucky bitch," She heard one of the other girls mumble. She smiled, she was Sharpay Evans, queen of the world once again. It had been a long time, but she was back.
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