Chapter 3: Fighting The Chill
By Victory Thru Tears
Charlie's POVI make sure that Fulton and I are the first to leave. I kept my mouth shut while in the locker room, but any more and I would have blown up.
When I saw Luis hook Adam, I wanted to jump out onto the ice and beat him senseless. I've never seen Adam like he was right before he went into the penalty box. I tore me apart to see what the Ducks are making him become.
When they started on us in the locker room again, I didn't know how to stick up for Adam. It's because I'm supposed to be Captain. I don't want to be Captain anymore. I can't be a leader for those insensitive creeps. It doesn't matter how many games we win (We'd defeated the Hoover Tigers 6-2.), we're never going to be a team again.
I'm going to talk to Orion tomorrow, and tell him to hand over the job of Captain to someone else. The Ducks aren't mine any longer.
We join Taz and Maya, both of whom are wearing concerned expressions on their faces. They know enough about hockey to understand what Luis had done to Adam.
"Everything ok?" Maya asks, taking my arm.
I nod, knowing that I'm unable to speak.
"Where are Adam and Portman?" Taz asks.
"They're coming." Fulton answers.
We leave the rink area in silence, heading for the dinner hall. I'm glad that the girls are with us, its made things much easier. We know which Ducks are on our side, but they still stick together, leaving the 'Queertet' out.
Taz notices my downcast look, and pokes me in the side.
"What?" I grunt.
"Did you use any Irish?"
I give her a tentative smile. "Yeah, I did. I'm not sure if I said it right, though."
Fulton chuckles. "Yeah, and you didn't sound half as terrifying as Taz."
Taz grins. "What can I say? I aim to please."
The smile fades from my face as we continue on our way. The small moments of laughter are good, but they never make up for all of the miserable times.
- + - + -
Adam pants as he sets down the last box. It's the day after the game, and he is finally switching rooms with Guy. Fulton is sitting on my bed, already unpacking one of the boxes. Portman's down the hall, carrying one of Guy's boxes to his new dorm. Maya and Taz have lost themselves in our closet. I think that at one time they were trying to put Adam's clothes away, but now there is just lots of giggling coming from that direction. I can hear Guy coming down the hallway, probably to grab the rest of his things.
None of the other Ducks are around. They're off around campus, having fun, causing trouble, and being, well…Ducks.
Guy saunters into the room, a strange expression on his face. He looks…sad. He motions to Fulton and Adam.
"Hey, can we have a second?" he asks them cautiously.
"Yeah, sure." My friends give me an odd glance, but comply. Fulton stops for a moment, and comes back. He rummages through the closet and pulls out Taz and Maya. He puts an arm around their shoulders, and leads them out of the room. The door closes.
"I'm surprised you don't think I'm going to make a move on you." I shouldn't have said it. Guy looks hurt.
"Charlie, come on. You know I'm on your side. I hate what they're doing to you. You don't deserve it."
My heart almost stops as the blond boy throws his arms around me.
"Charlie, you're my best friend. I'm sorry."
With that, he runs out of the room.
I'm left stunned. Sure, Guy's always been a great friend to me, definitely one of my best. But with all that's going on, I'm surprised that he had the courage to do something like that.
The door opens a few moments later, and Adam comes in.
"The others left." He says quietly.
It's going to be awkward. Even though we've been dating for two years, we've never had to live together. I can't say that I'm not looking forward to it, though. I'll finally be able to go to sleep in his arms. I'm about to pull him into my embrace when there's a knock on the door.
Coach Orion steps in.
"You wanted to see me, Conway?"
I had tried to go to his office this morning, but he had been on the phone. Later I had been tied up with moving and everything.
"Uh, yeah, Coach." I glance at Adam. I haven't discussed my decision of giving up Captain with him. I don't know what his reaction would be. I decide that it's best for him to hear this, and clear my throat.
Before I can speak, Coach Orion starts speaking again.
"Banks, is this all of your stuff? Have you switched rooms with Germaine?"
Adam reluctantly nods. "I couldn't stay with Luis."
Coach sighs, and closes his eyes. "I wish you kids could tell me what's going on."
Adam and I exchange a look. He doesn't really mean that. If he knew, he'd flip out worse than the Ducks.
"Coach, I don't want to be Captain anymore." The words come tumbling out of my mouth.
His eyes open in surprise. "What, Conway?"
"I can't be Captain anymore."
"Why not?" Coach looks genuinely concerned.
"Differences."
"Dammit, there you go with these petty differences again! What is going on??"
Adam's looking at the ground. I'm not speaking either.
Orion sighs again. "Alright. You won't be Captain. Are you still going to play?"
I unenthusiastically nod. I'm not giving up on hockey yet, just the Ducks.
Coach turns to Adam. "Banks, would you like to be Captain, then?"
Talk about irony...the Ducks are even worse to Adam than they are to me. Adam shakes his head rapidly.
Coach exhales. I can tell he's pissed off by lack of understanding. "Well, fine. I'll just have to make a decision at practice tomorrow, then."
He storms out of our dorm without another word.
- + - + -
Adam and I have squeezed into my small bed. His head is on top of my shoulder, and I can feel his breath on my skin. He's been deep asleep for about an hour. I absentmindedly stroke his hair, and kiss his forehead. He makes a small noise, and shifts his position.
Adam opens his eyes, and moves his head up so that it is level with mine.
"Sleep." He commands.
I shrug.
He sighs, and slowly moves his fingertip over my eyelid, willing it to stay shut. I laugh, and he kisses my nose. He stays close to me, and within five seconds is dead asleep again. My eyes are still closed, but my senses are wide-awake. I find my mind drifting, thinking about the Ducks. Guy's probably fast asleep in his new dorm, and Luis is content without the 'pansy.' Connie's probably asleep too, although I wish she were dead. I reach the conclusion that all of the Ducks are sleeping. Why do I even care?
Adam sleepily kisses my shoulder, and I am filled with a surge of love for him.
I wonder if Fulton and Portman are doing the same thing right now.