Note: I'm glad to see that people are enjoying the story and happy that I
am continuing it. Thanks to Banksiesbabe99, Adriana3, crazy4nc128, and
Rachel for your reviews. Banskiesbabe99 I have bad news for you- Scooter is
in this chapter too but in spite of that I hope you still enjoy reading it.
Please hate the character not my story (after all he isn't my character so
why do I care if you hate him). Crazy4nc128 you guessed right- Scooter was
off to visit Adam and you'll get to see how that turned out. Rachel- thank
you very much for your wonderful compliment about my writing and I hope you
continue to like this story as I am really enjoying writing it.
Fulton's POV:
I was one of the first ones at practice that afternoon. As Orion had requested I had brought my Ducks jersey with me. It was stuffed into my practice bag along with my practice uniform.
When I got to the ice arena I was surprised not to see Varsity out on the ice. They were always still practicing when I showed up for practice. I glanced at the clock on the wall just to make sure I wasn't late. Nope same time as usual. With a shrug I headed toward the locker room.
Guy, Connie, Averman and Charlie were already in the locker room getting ready. Charlie had not only brought his Duck jersey but was wearing it. I didn't say so but I didn't think that was what Orion had meant when he told us to bring the jerseys to practice. But even thought Orion had taken the C away he couldn't change how we all felt. Charlie was the Captain, our leader, if he chose to wear the jersey then I knew that we'd all be wearing them by the time we got out on the ice. I started getting ready and left my warrior's practice jersey in the bag.
As I got ready the rest of the Ducks started showing up. Some of them did a double take at Charlie in his Ducks jersey but I knew I wouldn't be seeing the red and white of the warriors today.
Scooter's POV:
***flashback***
I was sitting in the common room of our dorm with Riley, Cole, Murphy, and Jackson right after practice at about four thirty in the afternoon.
"We need to get them punks back for last night," Jackson said from his seat in the arm chair. Jackson had not been in the cafeteria that afternoon at lunch time and so he didn't know yet about Riley's dinner plan.
"We are," Riley told him with a smile and then told him about the plan to stick the Ducks with the bill from dinner at the Minnesota Club which they would never be able to afford. I personally didn't find the idea at all funny. Before I could say anything though to even try and talk them out of it we heard a noise in the hallway.
We all looked toward the doorway to see Adam Banks backing away from the doorway. Riley immediately got up and went after him and the rest of us followed him. Riley caught Adam before he had reached the front door of the building.
Riley grabbed Adam's right wrist with his left hand and twisted Adam's arm behind his back. Riley then put his right arm around Adams' neck pulling his head back against him and lifting his chin. As Adam struggled against him I could see pain and fear in his eyes.
"Were you going somewhere?" Riley said tauntingly. "Like maybe to warn some Ducks."
"No, I wasn't going anywhere," Adam said in a barely audible voice.
"Don't lie to me freshman," Riley said and harshly twisted Adam's arm even more. Adam yelled out in pain.
"Riley stop it," I told him. "You're hurting him." Riley paid no attention to me.
"Listen, freshman, if you tell your friends anything you will regret it. The pain you feel now will be nothing compared to what Cole will do to you. Do you understand me?" Riley asked him.
"Yes," Adam said in a whisper.
What did you say?" Riley asked putting more pressure on Adam's arm. There were now tears running down Adam's face.
"Riley," I said this time taking a step toward him. Cole stepped in front of me blcoking my way.
" I said I understand," Adam said a little louder.
"Good," Riley said smugly. He let Adam go pushing him away from him. Adam immediately sank down to his knees clutching his right arm. By this time most of the varsity team had come back from practice and was standing in the hallway watching what was going on. "Everyone be ready to leave at five thirty," Riley said to everyone. "That includes you Banks. Don't make me have to send Cole for you," Riley added and then headed up the stairs to our room, Cole not far behind.
The rest of the varsity started clearing the hallway. Some disappearing into the common room and the others heading for their rooms. Soon it was just me and Adam left in the hallway. I slowly walked over to him and knelt down beside him.
"I'll take you to get that arm checked out," I told him.
Adam just shook his head no and slowly got to his feet. I could see he was still in pain.
"Adam..." I said wanting to talk some sense into him.
"I'm fine," he said cutting me off as he headed for the door to the dorm building. I figured he was probably heading to his dorm room. I let him go. He obviously didn't want my help . I didn't know what else I could do except physically dragging him to the nurse or the emergency room and I didn't think that would go over to well. If he didn't completely hate me now he would if I tried that and despite everything that was going on I liked Adam. I could see that he would be a great person to have as a friend and I hadn't given up on being his friend yet.
I headed up to the room I shared with Riley. Cole was no where to be seen and Riley was busy tying his tie. I grabbed my suit and headed for the bathroom to change. At five fifteen I headed over to the freshman dorms to get Adam. The very least I could do was make sure that he showed up so that Cole didn't hurt him even more because I knew Riley would have no problem following through on his threat. ***end flashback***
That was what was going through my head as I walked from my car and into Rigley's Memorial Hospital. I headed to the floor where Adam was staying and made my way to the nurse's station.
"Can you tell me how Adam Banks is?" I asked the nurse who was at the desk.
"Are you family?" she asked me.
"No," I told her honestly.
"I'm sorry I can't release any information. His parents are still here if you want to wait and talk with them," she told me pointing to the small waiting room across from the nurses station.
"Okay," I said knowing arguing with her wouldn't get me anywhere. I had started to turn when she spoke again.
"Actually, that's Mrs. And Mr. Banks right there," she told me pointing down the hallway at a couple standing in the hallway.
"Thanks," I told her. As I walked toward them the guy that the nurse had indicated was Adam's father started walking toward me. I nodded to him as he walked by but he didn't even acknowledge me. I didn't let that bother me though and kept walking toward the woman who was standing in the hallway staring at the far wall.
"Mrs. Banks?" I said as I approached her. At the sound of my voice she turned toward me wiping away tears as she did so. "I'm Scott Vanderbilt, I'm the goalie for the varsity team at Eden Hall," I told her explaining who I was. "I was wondering how Adam is doing?"
"You're the first one from Varsity to check on him," she told me looking at me. "The coach hasn't even stopped by."
"I'm sorry," I told her apologizing for my team and for myself for not being their earlier.
"Adam's going to be here at least over night for observation. He has a concussion but the doctor's tell me that he is improving. They'll know more in the morning. He also has a sprained right wrist and shoulder which will take a couple of days to heal."
I knew the sprain wrist and shoulder hadn't come from the incident this morning. Those were from Riley last night. I thought about saying something but decided against it. I wanted to talk to Adam first.
"If you like you can go see him," Mrs. Banks told me.
"Thanks," I told her and headed for the room she had indicated.
The shade on the window was pulled and the light in the room was on. Adam had his eyes close and I thought he was asleep but as I made my way to the bed he opened his eyes.
"Scooter," he said. I could hear in his voice that he was surprised to see me.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing," I told him as I reached out to take his left hand. His right wrist was wrapped hiding the bruise I knew to be there. I should've insisted on him getting it checked out last night and then he wouldn't have been playing this morning and the game this morning wouldn't have turned out like it had.
"I'll be okay," he said giving me a small smile. "Shouldn't you be at practice?" he asked me.
"Coach Wilson isn't too happy about what happened this morning. Dean Buckley is letting the coaches handle the situation and Wilson decided to cancel practice today and tomorrow and banned Varsity from the ice arena until our next practice," I told him. I paused a moment and then asked him, "Adam do you want to tell them about what Riley did? If you do I'll back you up."
"What's the point. For all we know all my injuries were from the fall this morning."
"I don't believe that and I know you don't either," I told him.
"There is no point in it. It will just piss Riley off and he'd be mad at you too, not just me."
"I don't care," I told him and I didn't. It was about time somebody stood up to Riley.
"No," Adam said. "Leave it as it is please," he said.
I didn't want to but if I didn't have Adam with me what was the point of doing anything. Adam was the one that had been hurt. If he wasn't willing to come forward than no matter what I said there would still be nothing that could be done. I'd just lose any respect Adam had for me, if he even had any to begin with.
"Okay, I won't say anything," I told him. I still planned to have a talk with Riley though. I stayed with Adam until his mother came back and then said good-bye to the both of them and left the hospital.
Fulton's POV:
All of us decided to head out to the ice together instead of by ourselves or in groups of two or three. When we were all ready we followed Charlie out of the locker room and out to the ice. Orion was out in the middle of the rink waiting for us. He was standing next to a box and he did not look happy and when he noticed which jerseys we were wearing he looked even more unhappy.
"Come out here and take a knee," he called to us. We all followed our Captain out to center ice. Orion took his time addressing all of us. "Just what the hell do you guys think you were doing this morning?"not really wanting an answer. He got one anyways.
"Um playing hockey," Russ said.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from Varsity," Orion snapped shooting a look at Russ.
"They challenged us." Charlie said.
"Oh they challenged you and that suppose to make it okay. You guys have forfeited any mental edge that you may have had on the Varsity. They know they own you now. Not to mention the fact that you're little stunt Conway landed a fellow student in the hospital. The Dean is letting Coach Wilson and I handle the punishment for our teams. Personally, I think you guys are probably doing a pretty good job at punishing yourselves over what happened this morning" he said pausing to let his words sink in. As I looked around I saw several of my friends looking down at the ice. They looked about as guilty as I felt. This wasn't just Charlie's fault. "But there is one more thing. You guys are not kids anymore. Your little duck tricks are not going to work at this level. You guys are warriors now not Ducks. I wanted you to bring the jerseys today because I want them. The Ducks are dead. Take the jerseys off and put them in the box."
None of us moved. We all looked to Charlie waiting for him to make the first move. When he finally did it wasn't the one that Orion wanted. Charlie crossed his arms across his chest in defiance.
"Either you kids turn over those jerseys or you don't play," Orion said. I looked around at my team mates. Julie and Russ were the first two to start taking off there jerseys. Slowly the others followed suit and put them in the box next to Orion. Charlie didn't move and neither did I.
"You're breaking up the best thing any of us every had," Charlie told Orion.
"Well its time to grow up," Orion told him.
Charlie finally uncrossed his arms but he didn't make a move to remove the jersey. Instead he started toward Orion. "Grow up. Like you huh. A washed-up pro that has to show off to a bunch of kids. Geez that's real grown up." Charlie told him skating right up to him. Orion looked away not able to stare Charlie down.
"Okay, good-bye Conway," Orion said. "Anybody else," Orion said looking around at all of us as Charlie started leaving the ice. I knew what my descion was. Orion had gone over the line this time. I had only ever skated for the Ducks and that wasn't about to change. If the Ducks were dead, as Orion said, then I didn't want to play hockey anymore. I followed Charlie off of the ice.
"Good-bye Fulton," I heard Orion say behind me. That was the last thing I could make out as we headed for the locker room. Orion continued practice with his Warriors. Part of me missed it already but I did what I felt I had to do. Charlie and I didn't say anything to each other as we changed out of our gear and headed for the dorms.
The next day Charlie and I cut school. We spent the day at the Mall of America playing games, riding the coaster, and eating. In fact we ate so much junk food we ended up getting sick. After security threw us out we headed back to the alley where I had always hung out.
By that time I was starting to think that maybe I had made a mistake. Eden Hall was a great educational opportunity and I missed the rest of my friends. Maybe it wasn't too late to go back. When I tried talking to Charlie about it though he went off on me.
"Charlie the Ducks are there. We can deal," I pleaded with him trying to make him see my point.
"Fine, just get out of here then," Charlie said not seeing my view at all. "I don't care. I don't need you, go." Charlie said.
I could see there was no point in trying to reason with him. Something was going on with Charlie. He had changed. He wasn't the same person I had known. He seemed to be angry at the world.
I walked slowly to the closest bus stop and headed back to Eden Hall. I went to my dorm room to grab something and then headed for the ice arena. I was hoping to catch Coach Orion in his office.
As I walked down the hallway toward his office I could see that the light was on and the door was open. I was in luck. I stopped outside the doorway and knocked on the door. Orion looked up and seemed surprised to see me.
"Come in," he told me.
"Coach, I'm sorry. Walking out yesterday was wrong and if its not too late I'd like to come back," I told him placing my Ducks jersey which I had stopped by the dorms for on his desk. Orion picked the jersey up and tossed it over onto the top of a box off to the side.
"Apology accepted. I'll see you out the game tonight," he told me and just like that I was back on the team. I still thought the guy could be a jerk but I was starting to see that he wasn't all bad. I left his office and headed off to find some of my friends.
Fulton's POV:
I was one of the first ones at practice that afternoon. As Orion had requested I had brought my Ducks jersey with me. It was stuffed into my practice bag along with my practice uniform.
When I got to the ice arena I was surprised not to see Varsity out on the ice. They were always still practicing when I showed up for practice. I glanced at the clock on the wall just to make sure I wasn't late. Nope same time as usual. With a shrug I headed toward the locker room.
Guy, Connie, Averman and Charlie were already in the locker room getting ready. Charlie had not only brought his Duck jersey but was wearing it. I didn't say so but I didn't think that was what Orion had meant when he told us to bring the jerseys to practice. But even thought Orion had taken the C away he couldn't change how we all felt. Charlie was the Captain, our leader, if he chose to wear the jersey then I knew that we'd all be wearing them by the time we got out on the ice. I started getting ready and left my warrior's practice jersey in the bag.
As I got ready the rest of the Ducks started showing up. Some of them did a double take at Charlie in his Ducks jersey but I knew I wouldn't be seeing the red and white of the warriors today.
Scooter's POV:
***flashback***
I was sitting in the common room of our dorm with Riley, Cole, Murphy, and Jackson right after practice at about four thirty in the afternoon.
"We need to get them punks back for last night," Jackson said from his seat in the arm chair. Jackson had not been in the cafeteria that afternoon at lunch time and so he didn't know yet about Riley's dinner plan.
"We are," Riley told him with a smile and then told him about the plan to stick the Ducks with the bill from dinner at the Minnesota Club which they would never be able to afford. I personally didn't find the idea at all funny. Before I could say anything though to even try and talk them out of it we heard a noise in the hallway.
We all looked toward the doorway to see Adam Banks backing away from the doorway. Riley immediately got up and went after him and the rest of us followed him. Riley caught Adam before he had reached the front door of the building.
Riley grabbed Adam's right wrist with his left hand and twisted Adam's arm behind his back. Riley then put his right arm around Adams' neck pulling his head back against him and lifting his chin. As Adam struggled against him I could see pain and fear in his eyes.
"Were you going somewhere?" Riley said tauntingly. "Like maybe to warn some Ducks."
"No, I wasn't going anywhere," Adam said in a barely audible voice.
"Don't lie to me freshman," Riley said and harshly twisted Adam's arm even more. Adam yelled out in pain.
"Riley stop it," I told him. "You're hurting him." Riley paid no attention to me.
"Listen, freshman, if you tell your friends anything you will regret it. The pain you feel now will be nothing compared to what Cole will do to you. Do you understand me?" Riley asked him.
"Yes," Adam said in a whisper.
What did you say?" Riley asked putting more pressure on Adam's arm. There were now tears running down Adam's face.
"Riley," I said this time taking a step toward him. Cole stepped in front of me blcoking my way.
" I said I understand," Adam said a little louder.
"Good," Riley said smugly. He let Adam go pushing him away from him. Adam immediately sank down to his knees clutching his right arm. By this time most of the varsity team had come back from practice and was standing in the hallway watching what was going on. "Everyone be ready to leave at five thirty," Riley said to everyone. "That includes you Banks. Don't make me have to send Cole for you," Riley added and then headed up the stairs to our room, Cole not far behind.
The rest of the varsity started clearing the hallway. Some disappearing into the common room and the others heading for their rooms. Soon it was just me and Adam left in the hallway. I slowly walked over to him and knelt down beside him.
"I'll take you to get that arm checked out," I told him.
Adam just shook his head no and slowly got to his feet. I could see he was still in pain.
"Adam..." I said wanting to talk some sense into him.
"I'm fine," he said cutting me off as he headed for the door to the dorm building. I figured he was probably heading to his dorm room. I let him go. He obviously didn't want my help . I didn't know what else I could do except physically dragging him to the nurse or the emergency room and I didn't think that would go over to well. If he didn't completely hate me now he would if I tried that and despite everything that was going on I liked Adam. I could see that he would be a great person to have as a friend and I hadn't given up on being his friend yet.
I headed up to the room I shared with Riley. Cole was no where to be seen and Riley was busy tying his tie. I grabbed my suit and headed for the bathroom to change. At five fifteen I headed over to the freshman dorms to get Adam. The very least I could do was make sure that he showed up so that Cole didn't hurt him even more because I knew Riley would have no problem following through on his threat. ***end flashback***
That was what was going through my head as I walked from my car and into Rigley's Memorial Hospital. I headed to the floor where Adam was staying and made my way to the nurse's station.
"Can you tell me how Adam Banks is?" I asked the nurse who was at the desk.
"Are you family?" she asked me.
"No," I told her honestly.
"I'm sorry I can't release any information. His parents are still here if you want to wait and talk with them," she told me pointing to the small waiting room across from the nurses station.
"Okay," I said knowing arguing with her wouldn't get me anywhere. I had started to turn when she spoke again.
"Actually, that's Mrs. And Mr. Banks right there," she told me pointing down the hallway at a couple standing in the hallway.
"Thanks," I told her. As I walked toward them the guy that the nurse had indicated was Adam's father started walking toward me. I nodded to him as he walked by but he didn't even acknowledge me. I didn't let that bother me though and kept walking toward the woman who was standing in the hallway staring at the far wall.
"Mrs. Banks?" I said as I approached her. At the sound of my voice she turned toward me wiping away tears as she did so. "I'm Scott Vanderbilt, I'm the goalie for the varsity team at Eden Hall," I told her explaining who I was. "I was wondering how Adam is doing?"
"You're the first one from Varsity to check on him," she told me looking at me. "The coach hasn't even stopped by."
"I'm sorry," I told her apologizing for my team and for myself for not being their earlier.
"Adam's going to be here at least over night for observation. He has a concussion but the doctor's tell me that he is improving. They'll know more in the morning. He also has a sprained right wrist and shoulder which will take a couple of days to heal."
I knew the sprain wrist and shoulder hadn't come from the incident this morning. Those were from Riley last night. I thought about saying something but decided against it. I wanted to talk to Adam first.
"If you like you can go see him," Mrs. Banks told me.
"Thanks," I told her and headed for the room she had indicated.
The shade on the window was pulled and the light in the room was on. Adam had his eyes close and I thought he was asleep but as I made my way to the bed he opened his eyes.
"Scooter," he said. I could hear in his voice that he was surprised to see me.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing," I told him as I reached out to take his left hand. His right wrist was wrapped hiding the bruise I knew to be there. I should've insisted on him getting it checked out last night and then he wouldn't have been playing this morning and the game this morning wouldn't have turned out like it had.
"I'll be okay," he said giving me a small smile. "Shouldn't you be at practice?" he asked me.
"Coach Wilson isn't too happy about what happened this morning. Dean Buckley is letting the coaches handle the situation and Wilson decided to cancel practice today and tomorrow and banned Varsity from the ice arena until our next practice," I told him. I paused a moment and then asked him, "Adam do you want to tell them about what Riley did? If you do I'll back you up."
"What's the point. For all we know all my injuries were from the fall this morning."
"I don't believe that and I know you don't either," I told him.
"There is no point in it. It will just piss Riley off and he'd be mad at you too, not just me."
"I don't care," I told him and I didn't. It was about time somebody stood up to Riley.
"No," Adam said. "Leave it as it is please," he said.
I didn't want to but if I didn't have Adam with me what was the point of doing anything. Adam was the one that had been hurt. If he wasn't willing to come forward than no matter what I said there would still be nothing that could be done. I'd just lose any respect Adam had for me, if he even had any to begin with.
"Okay, I won't say anything," I told him. I still planned to have a talk with Riley though. I stayed with Adam until his mother came back and then said good-bye to the both of them and left the hospital.
Fulton's POV:
All of us decided to head out to the ice together instead of by ourselves or in groups of two or three. When we were all ready we followed Charlie out of the locker room and out to the ice. Orion was out in the middle of the rink waiting for us. He was standing next to a box and he did not look happy and when he noticed which jerseys we were wearing he looked even more unhappy.
"Come out here and take a knee," he called to us. We all followed our Captain out to center ice. Orion took his time addressing all of us. "Just what the hell do you guys think you were doing this morning?"not really wanting an answer. He got one anyways.
"Um playing hockey," Russ said.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from Varsity," Orion snapped shooting a look at Russ.
"They challenged us." Charlie said.
"Oh they challenged you and that suppose to make it okay. You guys have forfeited any mental edge that you may have had on the Varsity. They know they own you now. Not to mention the fact that you're little stunt Conway landed a fellow student in the hospital. The Dean is letting Coach Wilson and I handle the punishment for our teams. Personally, I think you guys are probably doing a pretty good job at punishing yourselves over what happened this morning" he said pausing to let his words sink in. As I looked around I saw several of my friends looking down at the ice. They looked about as guilty as I felt. This wasn't just Charlie's fault. "But there is one more thing. You guys are not kids anymore. Your little duck tricks are not going to work at this level. You guys are warriors now not Ducks. I wanted you to bring the jerseys today because I want them. The Ducks are dead. Take the jerseys off and put them in the box."
None of us moved. We all looked to Charlie waiting for him to make the first move. When he finally did it wasn't the one that Orion wanted. Charlie crossed his arms across his chest in defiance.
"Either you kids turn over those jerseys or you don't play," Orion said. I looked around at my team mates. Julie and Russ were the first two to start taking off there jerseys. Slowly the others followed suit and put them in the box next to Orion. Charlie didn't move and neither did I.
"You're breaking up the best thing any of us every had," Charlie told Orion.
"Well its time to grow up," Orion told him.
Charlie finally uncrossed his arms but he didn't make a move to remove the jersey. Instead he started toward Orion. "Grow up. Like you huh. A washed-up pro that has to show off to a bunch of kids. Geez that's real grown up." Charlie told him skating right up to him. Orion looked away not able to stare Charlie down.
"Okay, good-bye Conway," Orion said. "Anybody else," Orion said looking around at all of us as Charlie started leaving the ice. I knew what my descion was. Orion had gone over the line this time. I had only ever skated for the Ducks and that wasn't about to change. If the Ducks were dead, as Orion said, then I didn't want to play hockey anymore. I followed Charlie off of the ice.
"Good-bye Fulton," I heard Orion say behind me. That was the last thing I could make out as we headed for the locker room. Orion continued practice with his Warriors. Part of me missed it already but I did what I felt I had to do. Charlie and I didn't say anything to each other as we changed out of our gear and headed for the dorms.
The next day Charlie and I cut school. We spent the day at the Mall of America playing games, riding the coaster, and eating. In fact we ate so much junk food we ended up getting sick. After security threw us out we headed back to the alley where I had always hung out.
By that time I was starting to think that maybe I had made a mistake. Eden Hall was a great educational opportunity and I missed the rest of my friends. Maybe it wasn't too late to go back. When I tried talking to Charlie about it though he went off on me.
"Charlie the Ducks are there. We can deal," I pleaded with him trying to make him see my point.
"Fine, just get out of here then," Charlie said not seeing my view at all. "I don't care. I don't need you, go." Charlie said.
I could see there was no point in trying to reason with him. Something was going on with Charlie. He had changed. He wasn't the same person I had known. He seemed to be angry at the world.
I walked slowly to the closest bus stop and headed back to Eden Hall. I went to my dorm room to grab something and then headed for the ice arena. I was hoping to catch Coach Orion in his office.
As I walked down the hallway toward his office I could see that the light was on and the door was open. I was in luck. I stopped outside the doorway and knocked on the door. Orion looked up and seemed surprised to see me.
"Come in," he told me.
"Coach, I'm sorry. Walking out yesterday was wrong and if its not too late I'd like to come back," I told him placing my Ducks jersey which I had stopped by the dorms for on his desk. Orion picked the jersey up and tossed it over onto the top of a box off to the side.
"Apology accepted. I'll see you out the game tonight," he told me and just like that I was back on the team. I still thought the guy could be a jerk but I was starting to see that he wasn't all bad. I left his office and headed off to find some of my friends.