1 Cuts
The fourth session, the second cuts. Those cut today would be on JV. I am fairly secure as is Gavin and Colin, we don't believe we'll be out this early. All the Varsity and Ducks are secure, I think that's a little premature. I'm surprised some of them even made it this far. Some of the boys who have gone before have potential to be really good players. I told them I'd work with them once tryouts settled down.
The tryouts have gone well so far. I got to know a lot of the newby boys. They got used to me. Some turned out pretty cool. Colin turned out "unique" even though I was warned that his brother had been the haughty Varsity captain last year and king jerk of the school. I plan to keep close watch on Colin to make sure that he doesn't follow in his brother's footsteps. So far he's been good. The twins are great, quite the funny duo. Vachon and Daniels are a couple more that stand out. Daniels has to live in his brother shadow, the senior goalie. Scooter.
He's cool, Scooter is. Nicest of the Varsity. We have a sort of private joke between us. When I go against him he smirks and says "Now I actually have to work." I shoot back "Or you can just face the music and move out of my way." We keep score with each other. We've had a few arguments over the tally, when that happens we start over saying we're probably even anyway. His little brother has the same good humor.
Luke Smith, another older brother and varsity defensemen, perks up when we face each other, he enjoys our contests so. After our bought we exchange compliments or insults, for example "Where the hell did you learn that move?" or "Ha ha. I beat your ass." We're pretty even in our beat/block record. I don't think I've ever beaten him twice consecutively and vice versa.
I've been paired with Banks a few times. He's primarily a scorer. We like to show off to each other during the pre-practice shoot around. We've taught each other a few moves.
The Portman goon got really frustrated once when I dodged his check. He smirked at me and said something to the effect of "wimpy girl who can't take a check." He stopped that grumbling when I hit him. He respects me now and with him comes Reed.
I have a soft spot for Todd Stack. My brother's name was Todd, and he'd be Stack's age now. He's also a good player, and was one of the only people I didn't have to prove that I can play as well as any guy in order to be accepted. The first to treat me as just another Freshman. Why does he have to be named Todd, why does he have to be so similar to my brother? I have been a little reflective since I learned Stack's name. Gav noticed. I just said memories, and he left me alone. He knew I wouldn't talk until I wanted to.
Time to stop studying the faces, Coach Stevens is ready to read the dreaded list. "Remember, those listed will be on the JV team," he begins, "Averman," the ducks all have wide eyes, not one of them cut?! Oh no!(Sarcastically said if you didn't figure it out). Never mind that he was still playing. They are a bit too naïve, they weren't the best of the best, they were just some of the best upholding the rest. Back to the list. "Fournier, King, Marley, Matthews, Moreau, Tyler, Ware, and Wu." The Ducks are stunned speechless. Their little group can't stop staring at Coach. Four of their own regulated to the group of second to worst. Have I mentioned that at every gathering the ducks have their own group while the rest of us intermingle. I'm not even next to Gavin right now.
"Those of you not called show up an hour early tomorrow to receive your team assignments for the game."
We head off. The newly JV players look unhappy, a bit dejected. I slap Marley on the back. "Hey guys, at least you weren't in the first cuts." They shrug noncommittally. "Plus, JV is usually more fun. Less pressure."
Some smile at me, probably just to humor me. I smile knowingly back causing their smiles to become genuine.
Ware speaks up. "Yeah, and now we no longer have to worry. We have our place. You guys don't. Do you want to borrow my Tylenol or maybe some Pepto to settle your stomach?"
The others mock glare at him. Tension breaks and we start talking and joking as if it were just another practice.
Gavin leans over. "You're a miracle worker, you know?"
I frown at him. "How'd you come by that?"
"You set up this release of tension. You got guys comfortable with your gender, you snuck past Varsity superiority to find the inner fun lover, and you broke into the Duck secret society."
I think for a minute then smile. "And you know what?"
"You're not done yet."
We both break out in laughter.
R&R please!! Thank you.
The fourth session, the second cuts. Those cut today would be on JV. I am fairly secure as is Gavin and Colin, we don't believe we'll be out this early. All the Varsity and Ducks are secure, I think that's a little premature. I'm surprised some of them even made it this far. Some of the boys who have gone before have potential to be really good players. I told them I'd work with them once tryouts settled down.
The tryouts have gone well so far. I got to know a lot of the newby boys. They got used to me. Some turned out pretty cool. Colin turned out "unique" even though I was warned that his brother had been the haughty Varsity captain last year and king jerk of the school. I plan to keep close watch on Colin to make sure that he doesn't follow in his brother's footsteps. So far he's been good. The twins are great, quite the funny duo. Vachon and Daniels are a couple more that stand out. Daniels has to live in his brother shadow, the senior goalie. Scooter.
He's cool, Scooter is. Nicest of the Varsity. We have a sort of private joke between us. When I go against him he smirks and says "Now I actually have to work." I shoot back "Or you can just face the music and move out of my way." We keep score with each other. We've had a few arguments over the tally, when that happens we start over saying we're probably even anyway. His little brother has the same good humor.
Luke Smith, another older brother and varsity defensemen, perks up when we face each other, he enjoys our contests so. After our bought we exchange compliments or insults, for example "Where the hell did you learn that move?" or "Ha ha. I beat your ass." We're pretty even in our beat/block record. I don't think I've ever beaten him twice consecutively and vice versa.
I've been paired with Banks a few times. He's primarily a scorer. We like to show off to each other during the pre-practice shoot around. We've taught each other a few moves.
The Portman goon got really frustrated once when I dodged his check. He smirked at me and said something to the effect of "wimpy girl who can't take a check." He stopped that grumbling when I hit him. He respects me now and with him comes Reed.
I have a soft spot for Todd Stack. My brother's name was Todd, and he'd be Stack's age now. He's also a good player, and was one of the only people I didn't have to prove that I can play as well as any guy in order to be accepted. The first to treat me as just another Freshman. Why does he have to be named Todd, why does he have to be so similar to my brother? I have been a little reflective since I learned Stack's name. Gav noticed. I just said memories, and he left me alone. He knew I wouldn't talk until I wanted to.
Time to stop studying the faces, Coach Stevens is ready to read the dreaded list. "Remember, those listed will be on the JV team," he begins, "Averman," the ducks all have wide eyes, not one of them cut?! Oh no!(Sarcastically said if you didn't figure it out). Never mind that he was still playing. They are a bit too naïve, they weren't the best of the best, they were just some of the best upholding the rest. Back to the list. "Fournier, King, Marley, Matthews, Moreau, Tyler, Ware, and Wu." The Ducks are stunned speechless. Their little group can't stop staring at Coach. Four of their own regulated to the group of second to worst. Have I mentioned that at every gathering the ducks have their own group while the rest of us intermingle. I'm not even next to Gavin right now.
"Those of you not called show up an hour early tomorrow to receive your team assignments for the game."
We head off. The newly JV players look unhappy, a bit dejected. I slap Marley on the back. "Hey guys, at least you weren't in the first cuts." They shrug noncommittally. "Plus, JV is usually more fun. Less pressure."
Some smile at me, probably just to humor me. I smile knowingly back causing their smiles to become genuine.
Ware speaks up. "Yeah, and now we no longer have to worry. We have our place. You guys don't. Do you want to borrow my Tylenol or maybe some Pepto to settle your stomach?"
The others mock glare at him. Tension breaks and we start talking and joking as if it were just another practice.
Gavin leans over. "You're a miracle worker, you know?"
I frown at him. "How'd you come by that?"
"You set up this release of tension. You got guys comfortable with your gender, you snuck past Varsity superiority to find the inner fun lover, and you broke into the Duck secret society."
I think for a minute then smile. "And you know what?"
"You're not done yet."
We both break out in laughter.
R&R please!! Thank you.