Chapter 9 - Cold
Adam went through the rest of the day like nothing was bothering him. As far as he was concerned Adam was fine as long as he had Soma.
Coach Orion had no idea what to do with Adam. At practice he was performing horribly. Adam wasn't playing anything like he usually did. Coach Orion couldn't figure out how Adam could go from being so good to acting like he had never played before. Especially since this was the week that counted. This was the week that teams were posted. The teams are based on how everyone does this week.
Coach Orion wanted Adam to play to his full potential. He just figured that this was Adam's way of staying off varsity another year.
Adam was succeeding since Coach Wilson wasn't even considering Banks to be moved up this year.
Coach Orion wished that Adam would play a little better or he will lose the JV starting center spot to Dwayne.
Coach Orion knew how far Adam would go to be a better player. He couldn't understand what was happening to Adam right now especially since Adam never said a word to anybody. He was quieter than normal.
The other Ducks didn't seem to be getting along with Adam very well at the time. The situation probably wasn't helped by the fact that Adam was a private person who kept a lot of things to himself.
Once when Coach Bombay wanted to know what was happening with his beloved players he told the coach about how Adam had played with a hurt wrist. Coach Orion hoped that Adam wasn't hiding some sort of injury.
Something was wrong.
After practice Coach Orion pulled Banks into his office. Adam seemed distant and uneasy from the second he stepped through the office door.
Coach Orion tried to get through to him by talking in a cheery tone to try and drown out the feeling that Adam's stone cold soul brought to the room. Coach said, "Hello Adam. You must be wondering why I asked you to come here. Please take a seat."
Adam just regarded him in the same distant tone with a hint of coldness in his voice by saying, "I haven't been at the top of the game during practices. I knew it was just a matter of time. Don't worry about my game. I'm just having a little bit of a slump. If that's all can I go? I have stuff I have to get done."
"No that isn't all. Now Adam please listen to me. If there's anything at all that's bothering you come to me and we can talk. I'm not concerned about your hockey slump even though that's what tipped me off most. What's going on with you? I want to help you Adam I just need to know the situation first."
"You really think you will be able to get some idea of what is going on with me. Well, I don't think you can. Goodbye Coach. I'll see you at practice tomorrow."
Adam abruptly left the office without another word. The short conversation with Adam made Coach Orion even more worried about his once star player.
The next day Coach Orion saw the exact same level of practice from Adam. He was skating sloppily. Adam wasn't hustling for the puck at all.
Adam seemed almost paler than usual. Other than that he didn't look sick, but that's the way he was playing.
The way he looked and was playing reminded Coach Orion of last season when he was playing with a temperature of 101.5.
Coach Orion called Adam over to him during a water break. He tried asking Adam again what was wrong. Adam bluntly answered him by saying there was nothing wrong. Very unconvincingly at that.
Coach Orion wanted Adam to do good today especially. Today was the last day before team rosters were made up. Adam would have to cover a lot of ice today to make up for the rest of the week, but he wasn't coming up with the difference so far.
Adam finished practice the way he had started, slowly and unmotivated.
After the practice ended the ninth through twelfth grade hockey hopefuls went to the locker rooms. They speculated about who was going on varsity this year.
Banks didn't care either way about anyone. He showered, changed, and got out of there.
The lists would be posted the next day before school so the players wouldn't have to wait through the weekend. The coaches understood the players' desire to know.
Adam quietly slipped back to the dorms. He didn't even bother showering when he got there.
The sweaty Adam threw his bags on his side of the room and started in on his homework. Adam finished the English paper that was due and got about halfway through his geometry homework before his concentration ran out.
He just sat there at the desk for around fifteen minutes before making another attempt at the assignment, but the proofs were getting the best of him that night. Adam sat over his homework just a while longer.
Finally he grabbed his coat and headed over to the girls' dorms. He needed to talk to Tiny to tell her what was on his mind and going on with him.
He knew she was worried and wanted to know, but he didn't know if she would understand.
Adam went straight to Tiny and Karen's room. Adam knocked twice before Karen answered. Karen opened the door while still talking to Tiny who was behind her.
When her sparkly eyes turned to person standing just outside her room a look of disgust came to them. Karen went to leave and very coldly brushed past Adam on the way to the door.
Adam gave a half smile then said, "She really doesn't like me. Does she?"
Tiny had an enchanted look on her face. She could barely remember the last time Adam had smiled and made a joke like that.
They had only been going out for around a month, but Adam had changed so much in that short time.
Tiny smiled back at Adam. He went to sit on the bed with her. Tiny put her homework away.
Adam looked her in the eyes and said, "Seriously though, I need to talk to you."
Adam tried to push the thoughts of Tiny not understanding back in his mind, but he just couldn't. He wanted to back out. He just wanted out.
Tiny asked, "What do you need to talk about Adam? Remember that you can tell me anything."
Adam took a deep breath. He had no idea what to say at this point. The words just started coming out of his mouth.
Adam said, "You have been great to me and I have loved the time that we've spent together. I can't keep this going though. I have to break up with you. I have to do this for myself. I hope you understand. I have to go, but I needed to do this. I'm sorry."
With that Adam gave Tiny a quick kiss on the cheek then wrapped his arms around her in a big hug. He couldn't believe that he had broken up with her.
The one person who still thought that he was worth something and he broke the relationship off. Adam felt her give him a hug back.
They hugged a bit longer then Adam went to leave. As he let Tiny go he could just see the tears welling up in her eyes. He could just see the hurt coming from her.
Adam got back to his room as fast as he could. Adam was so relieved that Guy wasn't there when he got back.
As soon as Adam closed the door he leaned against the door looking at the inside of his room. The room felt and looked empty especially on Adam's side of the room.
Adam had heard before that a room reflected what a person was like on the inside. Adam's room did exactly that. The room showed the emptiness in Adam.
He broke down crying. Adam got ready to go to bed even though it wasn't even 8 o'clock yet. Adam couldn't stop the tears.
He fell into a deep sleep. Adam has always fallen into a deep sleep after he has cried hard.
