After swapping her skates for shoes, AJ opened the front door only to be met with an object flying at her head. Luckily, she had enough experience and good reflexes to dodge the object. Following a split second later a voice echoed the house. "You're late!" AJ just rolled her eyes passing, Hazel, the owner of the voice but she was seized by the arm in a bruising grip. "Do the dishes then go up to your room!"

AJ yanked her arm back, already knowing she'll have a faint mark tomorrow. "Fine!" She was out of reach before Hazel could slap her for yelling back.

With her backpack still on AJ finished the dishes in record time and proceed to her shared room. Luna, the 10-year-old she shared the room with, was sitting on her bed working on her summer school work. She looked up when the door softly clicked shut. Dropping her pencil, she jumped up and came running to hug AJ.

I heard her yelling at you. Are you okay? The 10-year-old signed when she pulled away.

Luna wasn't deaf but a mute. Meaning she couldn't, or in her case didn't want to talk. Doctors said it was a form of PTSD and that she would talk if and when she is ready. That was roughly 6 years ago and not a single word exited her mouth. But AJ was okay with that, it got her to learn ASL, a beautiful language.

AJ nodded her head as she threw her bag to the side and plopped down on the couch she used as a bed. Luna came over and situated herself on AJ's lap to continued her work. AJ peaked over her curly red hair to see what subject she was working on. Math. "Need help?" AJ asked. The little girl just shook her head then signed, tell me about your day.

She laughed but started telling Luna about what happened today, all the while braiding her curls. When AJ got to the hockey part Luna spun around in her lap. "What?"

You have to have to go!

"Why? If I do then I'll have to live in the dorms." Luna gave her the so what face. "I'm not leaving you here alone."

Luna huffed. Just go to the practice and see if you like it.

"Fine."

*Wednesday*

A heated discussion was going on in the JV locker room between the Ducks. A discussion no one thought would ever happen is Duck history. The Ducks ended up talking over one another trying to get the facts straight.

"How could she just leave like that?" Adam asked what everyone was thinking.

As they all agreed they looked to their captain. Charlie just pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "Julie said it was a better opportunity for her.

Before anyone could said protest, Bombay and Orion entered the locker room. "Alright Ducks!" Gordon clapped his hands together to get the team's attention. They looked around confused as to why they weren't seeing two goalies. "Where's Julie?"

"Varsity." Charlie said bluntly. "She joined the varsity team."

"Why would she do that?" Orion asked.

"She said she wasn't getting enough goal time and it would be a better opportunity for her to show off her skills."

The locker room went silent as both coaches tried processing the information given.

"I'll talk to her but as of now get change and head out to the ice." Orion ordered.

"Before you do though," Gordon said over the commotion. "I have something to say." The locker room door had opened before he continued. "Prefect timing!" The team was confused on why a girl their age walked into the locker room with a hockey stick in hand and a jaw string bag on her back. "Ducks this is AJ. She's gonna be practicing with us today and if she decides to then she'll be joining the team."

The Ducks exchanged looks before settling their eyes back on the girl with black ripped skinny jeans, a light grey tee shirt and a beanie on. She shifted uncomfortably at the many stares.

"Are you a goalie?" Goldberg spoke up.

"Do I look like a goalie?" AJ said with a bit of annoyance in her voice.

A few Oo's and a chuckle from the Bash Brothers were heard.

"What position do you play?" Bombay asked.

"Defense."

Just then Dean stood and swaggered up to her; no one daring to stop him or in Fulton's case, being too lazy to. AJ raised her eyebrows. "You're gonna be a defense men?"

"What, you think just because I'm a girl that I don't know how to hit?"

"Not when the ones you'll be hitting are almost twice your size!" Dean retorted, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"Don't let my size fool ya."

"Alright you two," Orion placed a hand on both of their shoulders only to have them shrugged off. "Save it for the ice."

Dean grunted but went back to his locker next to Fulton's, mumbling something to his fellow bash brother. Seconds later, Fulton cracked a smile.

"Your gear is at the end of the lockers next to Connie's," Bombay said. "I guessed your size, if it doesn't fit tell me." AJ nodded then started to go back. "Oh, and try this helmet on for size." He tossed her the helmet he had in his hand.

Catching it with one hand AJ slipped off her beanie with the other. Everyone froze when she revealed to had dirty blonde dreads that stopped just below her shoulder blades.

"Woah! How long have you had them?" Connie said walking up to her.

"Almost a year." AJ tied them back with two strands to put on the helmet, ignoring the stares.

"So, how's it fit?" Connie asked.

AJ pulled the helmet off. "Good."

"Okay. Ducks, introduce yourselves while you get changed."

As Bombay and Orion left the team started saying their names and an interesting fact about their self while AJ just listened, nodding her head ever now and again. Connie had asked if she needed a reminder on how to put the gear on but AJ shook her head no. She remembered how to, it was basically carved into her brain.

I know it's starting off a little slow and I'm sorry about that. I'm getting writers block. I'll try to pick it up but I hope you're liking it so far. Like I said before please comment on what might need improvement; I always welcome constructive criticism. (EDITED: 8/18)