Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. Also don't own Have You Ever or I Don't Want To Miss A Thing songs. Also don't own Dr. Seuss, Columbus Day, New York University, University of Wisconsin, or University of Minnesota at Twin Cities. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Ollie, Seraphina, Alex, and Patrick "Paddy" Ridley. Bobcatwriter owns Annie, Mike, Travon, all the characters at Lakeshore Academy, Baby Hans, Paddy's family, The Lebrie Family, Reese, Mark, Judges Stone, Murray, a few of the other students and teachers from Eden Hall.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks story's: "The Way Things Are", "The Way Things Were", and "The Way Things Should be". We recommend you read those three first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 6
October 12th, 1998
Adam's POV
We had the day off from court. It's Columbus Day, although I didn't know truly why the holiday was celebrated at all. Because he didn't fall off the face of the earth while trying to find India and running into America? It was one of those mysteries that I didn't understand at all. According to Michele, it's celebrated heavily on the east coast. She should know she went to New York University for her undergraduate degree.
Today was also the day that Eden Hall was to play their first game of the year against the Blake Bears. We; I mean Charlie, Bella, Gunnar, and the team were going to raise the newest championship banner into the rafters. The JV team was going to raise their 1st banner into the rafters. Bella was right Goldberg got left down on junior varsity for the third year in a row.
Eden Hall had to make room for the two newest banners that was going to grace the arena. They decided to retire the two oldest banner's from 1980 and 1986. They move them out into the hallway surrounding the ice. To make room for the newest banners.
Averman, Luis, Julie, and Russ helped raise the JV's banner. Since they were on the Junior Varsity squad last year. The rest of the varsity players were sitting in the crowd watching the unveiling of the championship banner. By the end of the second period of the JV's game everyone except for Charlie, Gunnar, and Bella had to change into their pads to get ready for the game. Charlie and Gunnar for obvious reasons because they were hurt. Bella because she failed her trigonometry test. Well she didn't fail she got a 70 on the test. But that still dragged her average down to 76 which was a C. But it was still against Coach Orion's rules about needing a B or better to play. She told me and Ollie that she would need at least an 85 on the midterm in two weeks to play in the JV versus varsity showdown.
"And now ladies and gentlemen please direct your attention to the ice as your Eden Hall Mighty Ducks raise their 13th consecutive state championship banner," Josh Salisbury said, who was master of ceremonies. A table was wheeled out to the ice the players were all introduced with Charlie and Guy bringing out the state trophy and putting it on the table. Then some sort of music played as the banner was revealed and raised along with the year that was next to the banner.
"Excuse me, are you Gordon Bombay," asked a gentleman voice that had just sat down behind us.
"Yes, how can I help you?" Coach asked as he turned around.
"Hi, Paul Dimango, Wisconsin Women's Ice Hockey, I have come to see Bella play," said Paul.
"Oh, hi nice to meet you.' Coach said as he shook Paul's hand. 'How did you know I was the person to speak too, regarding Bella?"
"Well I had spoken to Phillip Banks and he told me that I needed to speak to you, regarding her. He would not elaborate but said that it was something between him and her," Paul said.
"Are you here to offer my sister a scholarship?" Ollie asked.
"Well it's a possibility, I want to talk to your sister about a scholarship to attend Wisconsin University in Madison, Wisconsin," Paul said.
I knew all about Wisconsin's prestigious reputation with hockey, especially men's hockey. After all, both the University of Minnesota, more commonly known as the U and Wisconsin were in a fight over Ollie, when it was his turn to look at colleges with the U ultimately winning out.
"So how did you know, we were the people that you needed to talk to?" Coach asked.
"Well I saw this young man's jersey and put two and two together," Paul said as he put his hand on my right shoulder.
"Good to know that Wisconsin can add," Ollie whispered in my ear, I chuckled. I was wearing my Ducks Jersey from the Goodwill Games.
"Oh, I am sorry to say that Bella won't be playing today. I am sorry that you drove out from Madison for nothing," Coach said.
"Well I would not call it a wasted trip. I can still talk to her about coming to Madison.' Paul said to Coach and then he turned to me, 'I take it that you must be a brother to Bella?"
"Yeah, Adam Banks. I play hockey too," I said.
"Oh, do you son, which team do you play for?" Paul asked.
"Well," I started to say.
"Tell him the truth Adam," Ollie said.
"Well, technically I am supposed to be on this team. But I am in the middle of taking a two-year break for medical reasons," I said as I smiled at him.
"Oh, good for you son," Paul said smiling.
My smile dropped; I could not believe it. I got the brush off from a recruiter.
"Hey," Charlie said.
We all slid over to make room for Charlie and Gunnar, "Hey Charlie, Gunnar," we all said.
"Hello," said Paul.
"Who's this?" Charlie asked, pointing at Paul.
"Hi, Paul Dimango, Wisconsin Women's Ice Hockey, I have come to see Bella and talk to her about Wisconsin," Paul said.
"WISCONSIN?" Charlie said.
"VOW," Gunnar said.
"I take it that you two play as well?" Paul asked.
"Yeah, I'm the captain of the Ducks, Charlie Conway," Charlie said, and they shook hands.
"Gunnar Stahl," Gunnar said as he took his turn with Paul's hand.
"Well I don't know too much about the men's side of hockey. But I would be glad to put in a word for you two with the coaches. Tell me why you boys aren't playing today?" Paul asked.
"Well we were in a fight on Saturday night," Charlie said.
"Oh," Paul said, uncomfortably.
"Ve are totally innocent, Adam and I vere jumped by some old varsity players and Charlie came out to help us end the fight," Gunnar said.
"Oh well that makes me feel better," Paul said.
The anger seeped into me, "Easy Adam, Bella's future," Ollie said.
"Where is Bella?" Coach asked.
"Oh, she's psyching Connie up. Since Connie is taking her place on the 1st line today, Connie is extremely nervous," Charlie said.
"And now Ladies and Gentlemen your 1998/1999 Varsity Mighty Ducks starting lineup; in Goal Julie "The Cat" Gaffney; the left-wing Connie "The Velvet Hammer," Moreau, In center your Alternate Captain Guy Germaine, on the Right-wing Dwayne "Cowboy" Robertson. On Defense are "The Bash Brothers," Dean Portman and Fulton Reed!" said Josh to the crowd over the PA system. Then the pep band started to play the school fight song. I clapped as each of my former teammates came out onto the Ice. After the fight song the team quacking started, and the crowd joined in including me.
"Hey guys," Bella said as she came to join us. She and Charlie shared a brief kiss.
"Quit the PDA! You are making me sick," I said. Bella stuck her tongue out at me.
"Hey Bella," Coach and Michele said.
"Ah this must be Bella, Hi. I'm Paul Dimango, Wisconsin Women's Ice Hockey. I have come to talk to you about Wisconsin," Paul said.
Bella had a shocked look on her face, like a deer caught in the headlights. "Oh wow," Bella said.
"I was hoping to see you play today," Paul said.
"Yeah, I had failed my latest trig test," Bella said sheepishly.
"Oh, I see. Well maybe you won't be interested in Wisconsin," Paul said as he started to gather his belongings.
"No, I am interested in Wisconsin. It's just that I have a C average in that class and Coach Orion has a policy of B's or better, or we ride the pine pony. I will get my average back up after the midterm test. I just have been under a tremendous amount of stress with everything going on. This semester has been really hard on me," Bella said.
"Well that's good to know, come on. Let's talk about your future and Wisconsin," Paul said.
"Okay," Bella said as she got up to leave with Paul.
Charlie's anger poured out of him, "Easy Charlie and Banks," Coach said.
"How can I take it easy when my girlfriend could be looking at going to Wisconsin! WISCONSIN OF ALL PLACES," Charlie yelled.
"Yeah well at least you have a shot of playing college hockey," I spat.
"What are you talking about Banksie?" Charlie asked.
"He got the brush off from Paul. At least Paul is going to put a word in with the men's coaching staff to come and see you two," Ollie said.
"Ouch, I'm sorry Banksie," Charlie said.
As I was watching the Ducks play, I felt like something was missing. I missed it, I missed hockey. I wanted to play. To shoot and score goals. I started to rub the spots where I had cut in the past. I had to do something to relieve the pressure that I was having.
Bella came back in the middle of the 2nd period.
"So, what did Paul want," Charlie spat.
"Nothing he wanted to talk to me about Wisconsin, wanted me to come for a campus visit. Would you come with me, to go and visit? Maybe you could talk to the guys' coaches about you," Bella said.
"NO, I AM NOT PLAYING FOR THOSE CHEATING IDIOTS! And if you were smart you wouldn't either," Charlie spat.
"I don't believe you. Wisconsin could be offering a lifetime opportunity and you want me to throw it all away?" Bella asked.
"Yep," Charlie said.
"Did he offer you a scholarship?" Gunnar asked.
"Nope not yet, told me to give him a call when I get my Trig grade back up, he will make another trip out here to see me, Connie and Julie play. I think he might try to recruit them too," Bella said.
"I can't believe that you can talk to college recruiters now," Michele said.
"Well she is a junior, so I am not surprised," Ollie said.
My anger bubbled right to the top, I had to get out of there before I did something stupid.
"Banks where are you going?" Charlie asked.
"Out," I said as I grabbed my coat and walked outside of the arena.
I walked down to the lake on campus, I saw a few rocks and I picked them up so I could throw them into the lake. I had started to do that every time I had something that was getting to me and not playing was getting to me.
"Hey Adam," Ollie said.
"Hi," I said as I flung a rock into the lake.
"Feeling better?" Ollie asked.
"No. This SUCKS! I should be the one that's getting the scouts out to see me. Not Bella," I said.
"I know," Ollie said.
"Damn stupid rules, I want to skate again," I said as I flung another rock into the lake.
"I know," Ollie said.
"NO, YOU DON'T GET IT! YOU DON'T HAVE A CLUE!" I yelled.
"Adam the rules are there for a reason. I don't know if anything could be done to make an exception for you," Ollie said.
"This is my future Ollie! Dr. Freeman and I have been talking about what I was going to be doing in the future. I need this like I need air," I said.
"Well maybe when we get back, we can talk to them," Ollie said.
"I hope so," I said.
October 15th, 1998
Bella's POV
I was in mine, Connie and Julie's room listening to "Have You Ever?" by Brandi repeatedly. I failed the Trigonometry test, which dropped my average from a B to a C. I had to ride the pine pony for the game on Monday. Coach Orion said that I was putting myself under immense pressure with everything that was going on. I was banned from practice until Judge Stone came down with the final decision.
Ollie, Connie, Casey, Coach Orion, Dean Buckley, Dr. Montgomery, and Dr. Freeman went through there testifying with flying colors. Charlie was fried on the witness stand, by my father. Vincent McGill didn't show up for court, I knew he would be a chicken. But I thought he would come and face facts. I was relieved that neither McGill nor I was going to face any repercussions with the law because of the break in to the safe. Although I was sure that if the emancipation didn't go my way I was going to be grounded for sure. I think that mom had to really convince dad not to do anything because they didn't have any evidence that says I thought of it and asked McGill to help me. Judge Stone pulled me and Coach into his chambers to tell us that I wasn't going to be charged for the break in. But I was not to do anything that stupid again.
Last Saturday was Eden Hall's Homecoming Dance. Scooter was back from Minnesota Duluth to crown the new homecoming king and queen, which was a complete surprise when Joshua Salisbury was named king. Dwayne and Connie represented the Junior class. I think that Guy was jealous of Dwayne for 2.05 seconds, but got over it when Connie said yes to going steady with him.
{Flashback October 10th, 1998}
I didn't even buy a dress for the occasion. I didn't want to go, until I was dragged out of bed by Connie that morning. Her, Julie, Genny Moreau, Michele, and Casey took me shopping to find a dress, shoes, and a handbag. Then we went to the nail salon and the hair salon to do my hair and nails. I protested loudly, "I don't even have a date for tonight."
"Yes, you do, my son Charlie," Casey said to me while we were looking for a dress.
"Charlie never asked me," I said.
"Uh, yes he did. You said I don't know. Besides, I am taking your brother," Julie said.
"Adam's going? Great! How did you convince Dean Buckley to let him go?" I asked.
"Easy, I told Buckley that Adam was a student here too. He may be a long-distance student. But a student is a student no matter how far they are," Julie said.
"Why is it, you are sounding like Dr. Seuss?" I asked.
"Am I? I didn't know that," Julie said.
I selected a spaghetti strap dress that was a gold color. I wanted green, but there wasn't a green dress in my size. Paired with a pair of black flats, I looked "gorgeous," as Connie called it. I didn't recognize myself in that dress. Give me a pair of sweatpants any day and I would be happy.
Adam, Guy, and Charlie showed up at our dorm to pick us three ladies up. Julie and Connie came out first to the guys.
"Ladies you look beautiful," Charlie said.
"Thank you," Julie and Connie both said at once.
"Where's Bella?" Adam asked as he wiggled.
"Oh, she's coming. Would you hold still a second so I can pin this on you?" Julie asked.
Then I appeared at the door, "Ahem," I said.
"Wow, you clean up nice," Charlie said.
"Is that supposed to be a put down or a compliment?" I asked.
"A compliment, this is for you," Charlie said as he showed me my 3-red rose wrist corsage.
I gasped before I said, "Charlie it's beautiful. I wish I had something for you."
Then Coach came up to me holding Charlie's boutonniere and said, "Here you would be surprised how hard it is to find one on Homecoming night. Had to drive all the way to Stillwater to get it."
"Thanks Coach," I said as I started to cry.
"Don't cry or you're going to ruin your makeup," Connie said.
"Ok, Ok, pictures, pictures we need pictures," Genny Moreau said.
The parents followed us to the dance, and had to get more pictures of all us ducks together. Portman, Fulton, and Luis each brought a cheerleader, big surprise. Connie was with Guy, I was with Charlie, Julie and Adam were going together to the dance. Dwayne brought one of the ladies from the equestrian team, she asked him. Ken, Averman, Goldberg, Russ, and Gunnar all went stag. The parents all left after the pictures were taken. Towards the end of the dance, I noticed that my brother and Gunnar were missing. Julie and Russ were dancing together. "Charlie, did you see where my brother went too?" I asked.
"No," Charlie said.
Adam's POV
Gunnar and I had snuck away from the dance with about thirty minutes left. Don't get me wrong I love Julie as a teammate and friend. But that's as far as we are going to go. Gunnar and I danced outside on the balcony to the gymnasium. We could hear the music that was being blared through the speakers. Gunnar was complaining that he was a little cold and wanted to go back inside. I didn't care, I wanted to be near my boyfriend. We had been trying all week to be alone with each other and somehow, we got interrupted. If I had a driver's license and a car I would take Gunnar up to lovers point to make out and maybe have sex in the car. We were dancing and kissing while "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith was playing at the dance, when I heard "Well, well, well if it isn't the faggot ducks."
I and Gunnar broke apart for a minute and I saw who said that, Rick Riley. "Riley, what are you doing here? You don't go here anymore," I said.
"Apparently neither do you, I think it's time to show you who really rules this school," Riley said with his arm around my shoulder like we were buddies and then sucker punched me.
"Oof," I said.
"Hey, leave him alone," Gunnar said and then he was hit in the face by Cole.
Riley hit me square in the nose and then did an uppercut, cutting my face open with his class ring.
It was Riley, Patterson and Mullin against me and Cole, Anderson, and Hart against Gunnar.
"HEY WHAT IN THE HELL?" Someone yelled, it was Guy.
"GET THE GIRL," Riley yelled.
"CONNIE RUN!" I yelled.
Connie's POV
"Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep, yeah
I don't want to miss a thing"
Guy and I heard as the lead singer of Aerosmith gave the song over to the backup musicians, "Guy I'm hot lets go outside for a few minutes," I said.
"Okay, I could use a break it is a bit stuffy in here," Guy said as we broke the dance hold and walked hand in hand outside.
When we got outside, we saw a scuffle going on, Adam was pinned on the ground being hit repeatedly. "HEY WHAT IN THE HELL?" Guy yelled.
Riley looked up before he yelled, "GET THE GIRL!"
"CONNIE RUN!" Adam yelled.
I ran back inside, luckily, I had my shoes off because they were hurting my feet while we were dancing.
I pulled Charlie apart from Bella as the next slow song was getting started. "Charlie help, Adam, Gunnar, and Guy are in trouble," I said.
"What," Portman yelled and then he was heading for the door. Charlie and Fulton were hot on his heels. Followed by the rest of us.
Adam's POV
Riley had me pinned to the ground taking shots at my face when Charlie came up and pushed him back over. CRACK! I heard, I knew one of my ribs had broken again, it was hard to breathe.
"Well if it isn't Captain Ducky," Patterson said as he pulled Charlie up and swung at his eye.
"6 on 3 isn't fair," Portman yelled as he started to beat up Hart.
"GOLDBERG, KEEP THE GIRLS BACK!" Fulton yelled as He and Mullin were dancing around and punching each other.
Gunnar had managed to get up and hit Cole a couple of times, Guy got up and hit Anderson too. Hart and Portman were in a headlock.
We were fighting for a good four or five minutes when I heard, "HEY, HEY BREAK IT UP! BREAK IT UP NOW!" Yelled a security guard that was rail thin like Barney Fife from the Andy Griffith Show. In fact, I think his name was Barney. The next thing I knew I heard six police cars with sirens going pulling into the parking lot behind the Gym, then a cop pulled up Riley and slapped handcuffs on him. Then Mullin, Portman, and Cole all had handcuffs on them too and were being led out to the squad cars. Patterson tried to run for it and was stunned with a taser gun.
After most of the guys were under the cops' control, Bella ran up to me and Charlie on the ground, "Adam, Charlie are you okay?"
"Yeah, I will be okay, it just hurts to breathe a little. I think one of my ribs broke again," I said,
"Oh my god you're both bleeding," Bella said and then held her hand up to my cheek to stop the blood.
"OW, OW, OW QUIT HURTING ME CONNIE!" Guy yelled at Connie.
"Adam we are going to get you some help," Dean Buckley said.
Five minutes later, I was loaded up on the stretcher and was getting wheeled to the Ambulance. Bella was right beside me holding my hand. "You have one brave boyfriend," said an EMT to Bella.
"He's not my boyfriend, he's my brother," Bella said.
Bella's POV
I had been waiting in the waiting room of the hospital for the last 45 minutes. Homecoming was now ruined thanks to Riley and his thugs. Casey, Coach, Michele, Genny Moreau, Jewel Germaine and Sarah Reed all came to the hospital within the last 45 minutes with Jewel being the last person to show up, in a stripper outfit, nonetheless. As soon as the parents showed up, they were taken back to their sons to find out what was going on. "I'm looking for a Bella Banks?" I heard a Nurse say.
I got up and went over to her and asked, "How's my brother, is he okay?"
"He's been asking for you, he's going to be fine," the nurse said. I walked into my brother's room and saw how much damage Rick Riley did. Adam's nose was in a splint, he had 12 stitches in one cheek and 8 in the other, four across the top of his head. His bottom rib had a hairline crack in it and the left eye was completely swollen shut.
"Oh my God," I said as I looked at my brother.
"It's not as bad as it looks, it just hurts a little bit," Adam said.
"We are going to have to keep your brother overnight with the morphine we've got in him," The ER Doctor said.
"Is he going to be okay?" I asked.
"Yep he's going to be just fine," The Doctor said.
"Can I stay with him," I asked.
"Bella no, you just go back to school," Adam said.
"I am sorry but no, we have to put him in a semiprivate room," The Doctor said.
"Bella you can stay with us and Gunnar at the hotel, he's getting released," Coach said as he walked in.
The next thing I knew Charlie was hobbling in the room on crutches with his right eye swollen shut, "Hey Rocky," Charlie said.
"You look about as good as I feel, Charlie," Adam said.
"That's what happens when you decide to take on Riley," Charlie said.
"Like I had a choice, he jumped me," Adam said.
"You know between the two of you, you almost make one person," I said.
"Thanks Adrian that makes me feel much better," Charlie said in a south Philadelphian accent.
"Oh you poor baby," I said as I threaded my fingers in Charlie's hair.
"So how long are you out?" Adam asked.
"I only twisted it; I will be fine in a few days. Back to skating probably at the end of the week. What about you?" Charlie asked.
"24 stitches, a broken nose and a cracked rib you tell me," Adam said.
"Ouch," Charlie said.
I stayed with Adam until they wheeled his bed upstairs, then I left with Coach back to the Hotel. Michele left with Gunnar after Gunnar was released from the hospital. Adam came back to the Hotel on Sunday at noon. They curled up in bed together, both trying to rest themselves. Gunnar had to get 15 stitches and his arm in a sling, he had sprained his wrist. He was going to be out for a week. Portman was released from the Hennepin County Jail, after the surveillance tape showed that Riley started the whole thing and Portman came to the rescue of Adam and Gunnar. Luckily, he wasn't hurt at all, Riley and his thugs were facing criminal prosecution. Tom Riley busted into Dean Buckley's office on Monday and demanded that all the charges be dropped against his son. Luckily, Dean Buckley told him no. This had been a long time coming since he wasn't punished for raping me or 11 other girls that he raped during his 4 years at Eden Hall Academy. He was looking at life in prison.
{End of Flashback}
A/N: So, what do you think? Please be kind and leave a review! Thanks!