Note: I want to thank Disney and the writer's of the movie for providing
the framework of this chapter. A lot of it is taken right from the movie I
just added things here and there. Banksiesbabe99 thanks for your
enthusiastic review and I do get the gist of what you were trying to say.
Adriana3, here is your update hope you enjoy it. Crazy4nc128, glad you
approve of Scooter's actions and thanks for the review. Anne918, I'm glad
you're enjoying my elaboration on the movie. I personally always thought it
was weird that Charlie and Riley seemed to have decided what team should be
on and the coaches had nothing to do with but went right along with it so I
had to come up with some explanation for that one just for myself. Thank
you all for your continuing support.
Charlie's POV:
The conference room was packed. Dean Buckley was at the podium at the head of the table. The board was sitting at the table. Coach Orion and all of us were standing along one side of the table. Across from us stood most of the Varsity. Adam was standing with us even though he wasn't actually JV and if the scholarship was revoked it didn't matter to him, his parents could easily pick up the bill for Eden Hall. This had been where he was suppose to go to high school anyways. I was thankful though that Adam was with us to show support and if Orion and I had anything to do with it he would be back on JV soon anyway. I just had to figure out a way to pull it off still. The rest of the room was packed with interested students and faculty. ***flashback***
Orion had gathered us all in the common room of our dorm building. He filled us in on his conversation with Coach Bombay and their plans so far for the next day. He said Bombay was on his way to Eden Hall and I think we all felt like we might actually have a chance to win this battle now. We started walking out of the room.
"Charlie, I need to talk to you," Orion called. I stopped and headed back over to where he was still sitting at the table.
"What's up Coach?" I asked him.
"It's been brought to my attention that not all of Adam's recent jinjuries were caused at you're impromptu game lat week,"Orion began. Before he could say anything else I opened my mouth.
"Who told you?" I asked him quickly. My thought was that Adam was going to immediately think that I had told Orion about what had happened. I hadn't told anyone but that didn't mean Adam would believe that. Maybe Adam had changed his mind and told Orion himself?
"That doesn't matter," Orion told me trying to dismiss my question.
"Yes, it does," I told him. "Adam told me about what happened and how he actually hurt his shoulder but made me promise not to tell you or anyone. He's going to think I told you."
"Okay, calm down," Orion said. "If it will make you feel better, Scooter's the one who told me. He has the same concerns as you do. He doesn't want Adam to know he told me but he felt he had to. Since you already know most of the details I'll get right to the point. Adam's concerns are valid. If Riley gets in trouble for what he did Adam could very well be in more danger than he is now. However, I want to get him away from Riley. I want him back on JV. I talked to Coach Wilson and he agrees with me that this is the best course of action."
"Then what do you need me for?" I asked him.
"If we just switch Adam from Varsity back to JV than Riley is going to be suspicious. I need you're help to make it look like the switch has nothing to do with us or what happened."
"How am I suppose to do that?" I asked him.
"I don't know yet but together we'll think of something. That is if you're willing to help," Orion told me.
"Of course I am," I told him not only because Adam would be safer away from Varsity but because we needed him on our team. I know that last reason was a little selfish but it was how I felt. And I had a feeling that Adam would be happier of JV. ***end flashback***
I looked around at the board members. Dean Buckley had just asked for a motion to reconsider the cancellation of the scholarships but no one was moving. I noticed them looking at each other and shaking their heads. I couldn't believe it.
"I'm sorry, Coach, but unless there is a motion from a board member and a second, the decision must stand," Dean Buckley said.
Across the room from me I saw Riley and Scooter standing together. Both of them were smiling although Scooters looked faked. Riley whispered something to Scooter I couldn't quite make out and Scooter nodded. They had thought they had won. Only thing is, we weren't finished yet.
"You leave us no choice but to bring in our attorney," Coach Orion said then looking toward the door. I heard a Varsity player mutter "please" from somewhere on the other side of the room. The announcement took everyone in the room by surprised which had been part of Orion's plan.
I could hear people whispering among themselves wondering what was going on. The door opened and in strolled Coach Bombay in his suit with his briefcase.
"Dean Buckley, members of the board," Bombay started in an all business tone as he made his way through the crowd to where Dean Buckley stood at his podium. "As counsel for Coach Orion and the freshmen hockey team, I'm here today to set fourth your legal options, so that you may make the best possible decision for all parties concerned."
"Mr. Bombay, this isn't a legal proceeding," Dean Buckley said in a serious tone looking right at Coach Bombay. Bombay looked right back at him.
"Not yet, but I can assure you that it will be," Bombay informed him. "Do you mind?" Bombay asked as he handed his briefcase to Dean Buckley who took it. Bombay pulled something out of his briefcase which I recognized as the folder that our scholarships had come in.
"These scholarships," Bombay started as he turned to address the board members, "an offer, became a binding contract upon the signatures of the recipients and acceptance by the Ducks. They cannot be voided except for cause which, I guarantee you, you have none. Should you decide to pursue their cancellation, I will slap you with an injunction. I will tie this matter up in court for years, until long after these kids have gone on to college."
I could see Riley and his goons starting to look concerned across the room. It was nice to see those smug smiles of theirs wiped off their faces. The board members were starting to look worried too. At the podium, Dean Buckley wore a small smile. I think he was enjoying this.
"And I will collect damages," Bombay said continuing. "I will win. Because I am very, very good," Bombay told them leaning in between two of the board members his hands resting on the backs of their chairs. "You know why I'm so good? Because I had a good education. You gave it to me. And you're gonna give it to these kids," Bombay told them now starting back toward the head of the table.
"He is good," Orion whispered to me as Bombay passed us.
"Just getting started," I whispered back.
"Now some of you may be snobbish enough to believe that these kids don't belong at Eden Hall. Let me tell you, you are dead wrong. These are remarkable young people. You give them their full shot, and I promise you they will succeed. Not only on the ice, but in the classrooms as well. These people are my friends, and I know what they can do. Accordingly, I demand that you reinstate their scholarships, for their benefit as well as your own," Bombay said finishing up.
I saw Bombay and Orion shake hands. Across the room Cole and Riley were whispering. At the table the board members were whispering. Tom Riley looked totally disgusted with the turn of events. Finally the woman across from Mr. Riley spoke up.
"I move that the scholarships be reinstated," she said reluctantly. I couldn't help but start grinning.
"Is their a second?" Dean Buckley asked. The guy next to the woman raised his hand. "All in favor."
One by one the rest fo the board members raised their hands. "We have no choice," I heard one of them whisper.
"Scholarships reinstated," Buckley told us. My friends and I started cheering as did most of the students in the room. Bombay and Orion hugged quickly and then Coach Bombay gave me a hug.
"For Hans, Charlie," Bombay whispered to me. Across the room the Varsity looked very unhappy. I couldn't help but wonder if this was the first time Riley hadn't gotten something to go his way.
After the cheering died down everyone started heading out of the conference room. I walked out with Coach Bombay and Coach Orion.
"I've got some business in Chicago, but I'll be back soon. If you need anything, give me a call, all right. Okay? I mean it."
"Yeah. Thanks again Coach," I said shaking his hand. Coach Bombay walked off and Coach Orion put his hand on my shoulder.
"See you later," he told me referring to practice.
"See you," I told him. As I watched him walk away I heard Linda call my name as she came up beside me. I apologized to her as we started down the hallway.
"I'm just glad you're back," she told me with a smile. Man, I loved that smile.
"Congratulations..." I heard a totally sarcastic voice say. I looked away from Linda to find myself face to face with Riley. Behind him were the rest of the Varsity that were at the meeting and Mindy, Riley's girlfriend and the head cheer leader. "On destroying our school," Riley finished.
"Its our school too," I heard Ken tell him.
"Its everyone's school you stupid jock," Linda declared. I hadn't expected her to get involved in this.
"No it will never be your school. Don't you get it?" Riley said pointing his finger at Linda. I could feel myself starting to angry but I was determined not to let myself lose control. Riley turned to me. "You're our own little affirmative action, brought in for color to entertain us. But you couldn't even do that. Your fancy lawyer kept you in on a technicality - but you'll never belong.
"You'll never be anything more than a bunch of rejects her on a free ride," Cole said from behind Riley.
"Free ride," I heard Russ say incredulously from beside me. "Look at you, rich boy! Mummy and Daddy gave you everything, huh?" I was watching Scooter while Russ was talking. He was shooting daggers at Cole. I thought about him telling Orion about what had happened between Adam and Riley. Maybe not all of Varsity was so bad.
"Hey, JV- Varsity game's on Friday. Then we'll show the whole school what a joke you really are. Then maybe you'll leave on your own." Riley reached out to grab my tie and I pushed his hand away as he continued. "It'd be the only honorable thing to do."
I saw my chance. I couldn't believe Riley had made it this easy to get Banks off of Varsity.
"You know we're gonna hurt you," Cole said smiling. All of Varsity was smiling except for Scooter. He was still wearing a neutral expression.
"Listen, you guys had an unfair advantage last time," I told Riley. I was staring straight at Riley trying to show him that he didn't scare me. "You had one of us: Banksie," I said to him purposely using the name that Riley had used to refer to Banks at our dinner.
"Oh well, keep him," Riley told me falling right into my trap. Out of the corner of my eyes I was still watching Scooter. He was looking past my shoulder at something or someone. Probably Banks, I thought. "He never had the heart of a Warrior anyway," Riley said. I saw Scooter cast a look in Riley's direction real quick.
"Hey Biff, one more thing," Russ said. "One more thing. After we beat you the Warriors die and the Ducks fly."
"Hey, anything you say, loser. Hmm?" Riley said looking over at Russ. He chuckled as him and the rest of his group walked away.
"Jerks," Ken muttered from the other side of me.
"Good mover, Russ. Make'em even madder," Averman told Russ. He then turned to me. "Charlie, we gotta do something, man."
With that simple statement Averman proved something to me. Something that Hans had been trying to show me. The "C" didn't make me the leader. I made myself a leader and my teammates were going to look to me no matter what. Let Orion keep his stupid letter. I didn't need.
"Yeah, you're right. We've got to get to work," I told him and started walking down the hall in a different direction than the Varsity had taken. My teammates followed me.
We went back to our dorms and grabbed our practice gear and then headed for the ice arena. As a team we headed toward the ice arena. About halfway there Adam put his hand on my arm and held me back.
"What's up?" I asked him.
"Is Orion going to go for this?" he asked me. I knew he was referring to him being a part of JV again. After all it had been Orion who had bumped him up to Varsity.
"Don't worry about it. It will be fine," I told him. We were still walking toward the arena but we were back behind the others.
"You told him didn't you," Adam said stopping. I stopped myself and with a sigh turned and faced him. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this but it looked like it had.
"Adam, I didn't tell, please believe me," I told him.
"Then I know who did because if you're so sure he's going to be okay with this then he knows. I should've known he couldn't be trusted," Adam said.
"Hey, you guys coming," Fulton called. I looked back to see that the rest had stopped and were standing there waiting for us.
"Go ahead, we'll catch up," I called back. I watched as with a shrug Fulton turned and led the team on toward the arena. I turned back to Adam. "Look, Adam don't be mad at Scooter. He was only trying to look out for you."
"Look out for me how? By getting Riley even more pissed off at me."
"No, by telling someone who was in position to help what was going on," I told him. "Orion, agrees with you that if Riley gets in trouble it will only be worse in the long run. He wanted me to find a way to get you off of Varsity without Riley suspecting that the coaches know what is going on. Riley just gave me the perfect opportunity back there. He thinks its his decision that you're back on JV. He won't ever expect anything."
Adam didn't look at all convinced.
"Adam you belong with us. You belong with the Ducks. I know we haven't exactly been there for you lately but let us make it up to you. We'll protect you from Riley," I told him. "Well at least off the ice," I added. "I can't make any promises about what's going to happen in Friday's game."
"I think we're all on his hit list come Friday," Adam said finally smiling.
I put my arm around his shoulders and together we headed toward the ice arena.
Charlie's POV:
The conference room was packed. Dean Buckley was at the podium at the head of the table. The board was sitting at the table. Coach Orion and all of us were standing along one side of the table. Across from us stood most of the Varsity. Adam was standing with us even though he wasn't actually JV and if the scholarship was revoked it didn't matter to him, his parents could easily pick up the bill for Eden Hall. This had been where he was suppose to go to high school anyways. I was thankful though that Adam was with us to show support and if Orion and I had anything to do with it he would be back on JV soon anyway. I just had to figure out a way to pull it off still. The rest of the room was packed with interested students and faculty. ***flashback***
Orion had gathered us all in the common room of our dorm building. He filled us in on his conversation with Coach Bombay and their plans so far for the next day. He said Bombay was on his way to Eden Hall and I think we all felt like we might actually have a chance to win this battle now. We started walking out of the room.
"Charlie, I need to talk to you," Orion called. I stopped and headed back over to where he was still sitting at the table.
"What's up Coach?" I asked him.
"It's been brought to my attention that not all of Adam's recent jinjuries were caused at you're impromptu game lat week,"Orion began. Before he could say anything else I opened my mouth.
"Who told you?" I asked him quickly. My thought was that Adam was going to immediately think that I had told Orion about what had happened. I hadn't told anyone but that didn't mean Adam would believe that. Maybe Adam had changed his mind and told Orion himself?
"That doesn't matter," Orion told me trying to dismiss my question.
"Yes, it does," I told him. "Adam told me about what happened and how he actually hurt his shoulder but made me promise not to tell you or anyone. He's going to think I told you."
"Okay, calm down," Orion said. "If it will make you feel better, Scooter's the one who told me. He has the same concerns as you do. He doesn't want Adam to know he told me but he felt he had to. Since you already know most of the details I'll get right to the point. Adam's concerns are valid. If Riley gets in trouble for what he did Adam could very well be in more danger than he is now. However, I want to get him away from Riley. I want him back on JV. I talked to Coach Wilson and he agrees with me that this is the best course of action."
"Then what do you need me for?" I asked him.
"If we just switch Adam from Varsity back to JV than Riley is going to be suspicious. I need you're help to make it look like the switch has nothing to do with us or what happened."
"How am I suppose to do that?" I asked him.
"I don't know yet but together we'll think of something. That is if you're willing to help," Orion told me.
"Of course I am," I told him not only because Adam would be safer away from Varsity but because we needed him on our team. I know that last reason was a little selfish but it was how I felt. And I had a feeling that Adam would be happier of JV. ***end flashback***
I looked around at the board members. Dean Buckley had just asked for a motion to reconsider the cancellation of the scholarships but no one was moving. I noticed them looking at each other and shaking their heads. I couldn't believe it.
"I'm sorry, Coach, but unless there is a motion from a board member and a second, the decision must stand," Dean Buckley said.
Across the room from me I saw Riley and Scooter standing together. Both of them were smiling although Scooters looked faked. Riley whispered something to Scooter I couldn't quite make out and Scooter nodded. They had thought they had won. Only thing is, we weren't finished yet.
"You leave us no choice but to bring in our attorney," Coach Orion said then looking toward the door. I heard a Varsity player mutter "please" from somewhere on the other side of the room. The announcement took everyone in the room by surprised which had been part of Orion's plan.
I could hear people whispering among themselves wondering what was going on. The door opened and in strolled Coach Bombay in his suit with his briefcase.
"Dean Buckley, members of the board," Bombay started in an all business tone as he made his way through the crowd to where Dean Buckley stood at his podium. "As counsel for Coach Orion and the freshmen hockey team, I'm here today to set fourth your legal options, so that you may make the best possible decision for all parties concerned."
"Mr. Bombay, this isn't a legal proceeding," Dean Buckley said in a serious tone looking right at Coach Bombay. Bombay looked right back at him.
"Not yet, but I can assure you that it will be," Bombay informed him. "Do you mind?" Bombay asked as he handed his briefcase to Dean Buckley who took it. Bombay pulled something out of his briefcase which I recognized as the folder that our scholarships had come in.
"These scholarships," Bombay started as he turned to address the board members, "an offer, became a binding contract upon the signatures of the recipients and acceptance by the Ducks. They cannot be voided except for cause which, I guarantee you, you have none. Should you decide to pursue their cancellation, I will slap you with an injunction. I will tie this matter up in court for years, until long after these kids have gone on to college."
I could see Riley and his goons starting to look concerned across the room. It was nice to see those smug smiles of theirs wiped off their faces. The board members were starting to look worried too. At the podium, Dean Buckley wore a small smile. I think he was enjoying this.
"And I will collect damages," Bombay said continuing. "I will win. Because I am very, very good," Bombay told them leaning in between two of the board members his hands resting on the backs of their chairs. "You know why I'm so good? Because I had a good education. You gave it to me. And you're gonna give it to these kids," Bombay told them now starting back toward the head of the table.
"He is good," Orion whispered to me as Bombay passed us.
"Just getting started," I whispered back.
"Now some of you may be snobbish enough to believe that these kids don't belong at Eden Hall. Let me tell you, you are dead wrong. These are remarkable young people. You give them their full shot, and I promise you they will succeed. Not only on the ice, but in the classrooms as well. These people are my friends, and I know what they can do. Accordingly, I demand that you reinstate their scholarships, for their benefit as well as your own," Bombay said finishing up.
I saw Bombay and Orion shake hands. Across the room Cole and Riley were whispering. At the table the board members were whispering. Tom Riley looked totally disgusted with the turn of events. Finally the woman across from Mr. Riley spoke up.
"I move that the scholarships be reinstated," she said reluctantly. I couldn't help but start grinning.
"Is their a second?" Dean Buckley asked. The guy next to the woman raised his hand. "All in favor."
One by one the rest fo the board members raised their hands. "We have no choice," I heard one of them whisper.
"Scholarships reinstated," Buckley told us. My friends and I started cheering as did most of the students in the room. Bombay and Orion hugged quickly and then Coach Bombay gave me a hug.
"For Hans, Charlie," Bombay whispered to me. Across the room the Varsity looked very unhappy. I couldn't help but wonder if this was the first time Riley hadn't gotten something to go his way.
After the cheering died down everyone started heading out of the conference room. I walked out with Coach Bombay and Coach Orion.
"I've got some business in Chicago, but I'll be back soon. If you need anything, give me a call, all right. Okay? I mean it."
"Yeah. Thanks again Coach," I said shaking his hand. Coach Bombay walked off and Coach Orion put his hand on my shoulder.
"See you later," he told me referring to practice.
"See you," I told him. As I watched him walk away I heard Linda call my name as she came up beside me. I apologized to her as we started down the hallway.
"I'm just glad you're back," she told me with a smile. Man, I loved that smile.
"Congratulations..." I heard a totally sarcastic voice say. I looked away from Linda to find myself face to face with Riley. Behind him were the rest of the Varsity that were at the meeting and Mindy, Riley's girlfriend and the head cheer leader. "On destroying our school," Riley finished.
"Its our school too," I heard Ken tell him.
"Its everyone's school you stupid jock," Linda declared. I hadn't expected her to get involved in this.
"No it will never be your school. Don't you get it?" Riley said pointing his finger at Linda. I could feel myself starting to angry but I was determined not to let myself lose control. Riley turned to me. "You're our own little affirmative action, brought in for color to entertain us. But you couldn't even do that. Your fancy lawyer kept you in on a technicality - but you'll never belong.
"You'll never be anything more than a bunch of rejects her on a free ride," Cole said from behind Riley.
"Free ride," I heard Russ say incredulously from beside me. "Look at you, rich boy! Mummy and Daddy gave you everything, huh?" I was watching Scooter while Russ was talking. He was shooting daggers at Cole. I thought about him telling Orion about what had happened between Adam and Riley. Maybe not all of Varsity was so bad.
"Hey, JV- Varsity game's on Friday. Then we'll show the whole school what a joke you really are. Then maybe you'll leave on your own." Riley reached out to grab my tie and I pushed his hand away as he continued. "It'd be the only honorable thing to do."
I saw my chance. I couldn't believe Riley had made it this easy to get Banks off of Varsity.
"You know we're gonna hurt you," Cole said smiling. All of Varsity was smiling except for Scooter. He was still wearing a neutral expression.
"Listen, you guys had an unfair advantage last time," I told Riley. I was staring straight at Riley trying to show him that he didn't scare me. "You had one of us: Banksie," I said to him purposely using the name that Riley had used to refer to Banks at our dinner.
"Oh well, keep him," Riley told me falling right into my trap. Out of the corner of my eyes I was still watching Scooter. He was looking past my shoulder at something or someone. Probably Banks, I thought. "He never had the heart of a Warrior anyway," Riley said. I saw Scooter cast a look in Riley's direction real quick.
"Hey Biff, one more thing," Russ said. "One more thing. After we beat you the Warriors die and the Ducks fly."
"Hey, anything you say, loser. Hmm?" Riley said looking over at Russ. He chuckled as him and the rest of his group walked away.
"Jerks," Ken muttered from the other side of me.
"Good mover, Russ. Make'em even madder," Averman told Russ. He then turned to me. "Charlie, we gotta do something, man."
With that simple statement Averman proved something to me. Something that Hans had been trying to show me. The "C" didn't make me the leader. I made myself a leader and my teammates were going to look to me no matter what. Let Orion keep his stupid letter. I didn't need.
"Yeah, you're right. We've got to get to work," I told him and started walking down the hall in a different direction than the Varsity had taken. My teammates followed me.
We went back to our dorms and grabbed our practice gear and then headed for the ice arena. As a team we headed toward the ice arena. About halfway there Adam put his hand on my arm and held me back.
"What's up?" I asked him.
"Is Orion going to go for this?" he asked me. I knew he was referring to him being a part of JV again. After all it had been Orion who had bumped him up to Varsity.
"Don't worry about it. It will be fine," I told him. We were still walking toward the arena but we were back behind the others.
"You told him didn't you," Adam said stopping. I stopped myself and with a sigh turned and faced him. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this but it looked like it had.
"Adam, I didn't tell, please believe me," I told him.
"Then I know who did because if you're so sure he's going to be okay with this then he knows. I should've known he couldn't be trusted," Adam said.
"Hey, you guys coming," Fulton called. I looked back to see that the rest had stopped and were standing there waiting for us.
"Go ahead, we'll catch up," I called back. I watched as with a shrug Fulton turned and led the team on toward the arena. I turned back to Adam. "Look, Adam don't be mad at Scooter. He was only trying to look out for you."
"Look out for me how? By getting Riley even more pissed off at me."
"No, by telling someone who was in position to help what was going on," I told him. "Orion, agrees with you that if Riley gets in trouble it will only be worse in the long run. He wanted me to find a way to get you off of Varsity without Riley suspecting that the coaches know what is going on. Riley just gave me the perfect opportunity back there. He thinks its his decision that you're back on JV. He won't ever expect anything."
Adam didn't look at all convinced.
"Adam you belong with us. You belong with the Ducks. I know we haven't exactly been there for you lately but let us make it up to you. We'll protect you from Riley," I told him. "Well at least off the ice," I added. "I can't make any promises about what's going to happen in Friday's game."
"I think we're all on his hit list come Friday," Adam said finally smiling.
I put my arm around his shoulders and together we headed toward the ice arena.