Summary: A tale of our favorite Ducks and where their lives take them, beginning Senior Year at Eden Hall. Focuses on Adam, Charlie, Julie, Dean, Connie, Guy…and more to come!
Disclaimer: The Mighty Ducks and all its characters belong to Disney. I do not own any of it!
Flying Together
By Rebecca
Chapter 4: Erica
"That's retarded Charlie," Adam argued as they walked back from the cafeteria late that same evening. "She died in her sleep. That was the whole point of the movie, stupid."
Charlie shook his head, "No man, she fell asleep. Went off to dream about Leonardo what's-his-name."
"No," he rolled his eyes, "Remember the line at the end? 'Die an old woman, warm in your bed?' Hello? She died!"
"Oh who cares, it's a boring movie anyway."
Adam, "Aww come on, the effects were cool."
Banks and Conway were at it again, in what was almost a ritual debate about movies. Tonight's topic was Titanic. Usually Adam got tired of the same old arguments from a friend who very obviously needed some refinement in taste, but it helped him get his mind off of things…one thing in particular.
"Nah, you could tell it was computer."
"Oh you could not. You were with us when we saw it. You, Linda, me-"
"And don't look now," Charlie stopped him with his arm and nodded his head toward the girl skipping down the path in front of him. "Speak of the devil."
Adam looked and groaned softly.
"Hey guys!" the girl said, her curly blond hair bouncing up and down as she slowed and stopped in front of them.
"Hi Erica," Adam said. Erica Stanton, neice of the Dean and so full of energy she was like a teenage version of Shirly Temple. She and Erica had dated a couple months back, but only at the extreme urging of Charlie Conway. Adam remembered that day all too well. Come on Banks, Julie's not available right now and you can't sit around moping every time you see her on the ice. His response had been what it always was: Shut up, Charlie. But he'd had a point. Besides, he'd sworn that this girl Erica was crazy about him…and crazy was definitely the word. They had gone on only a few dates, Titanic being one of them before Adam figured out that he just couldn't keep up. The girl moved way too fast and he'd never truly developed feelings for her.
"You know Erica we were just talkin' about you."
Erica's eyes lit up and turned hopefully to Adam, "Really? What about?"
"Oh, that day we all went to see Titanic. You know, when I was with Linda?"
"Oh that's right!" she exclaimed, "I had almost forgotten."
Charlie rolled his eyes. He and Erica had fifth period study hall together. Erica never forgot a word Adam had said to her, let alone an entire date.
"That sure was fun," she continued, Adam managing a weak smile and a nod. "Um, Adam I was actually uh, just coming to the cafeteria to find you. Can we talk for a minute?"
"Um-"
"Actually, I was just heading for the dorms," Charlie cut in, patting his buddy on the back. "Catch ya later Banks."
Banks shot him a you're-so-not-living-through-this-night look and nodded him off. He and Erica continued down the path alone.
They walked almost a full minute with only the scuffing of their sneakers against the sidewalk to break the silence. Adam definitely felt weird since it was the first time with Erica the she hadn't been chattering away. The reached the flagpole at the end of the quad and decided to sit down. It was then someone finally spoke.
"So, what's up Erica? Something wrong?" he managed.
"Um, yes…er no." She sighed and started to fidget with one of her curls.
"Come on. I told you I'd be your friend right? What's the matter."
She hesitated for only a minute, before the old fast-talking Erica returned, "Well that's just it Adam. This whole 'friends' thing. I'm a little confused. I mean, you said we'd be friends but I haven't really seen you around even for a couple months. Not unless you're skating under 80 pounds of hockey gear. And even then, it's hard to keep track of your number-"
"Whoa," he held his hands up in surrender. "Slow down ok? What do you mean?"
She sighed and slumped next to him on the flagpole stand. "We're not really friends are we? I mean, you don't like me at all do you?"
The girl was close to tears. He'd never known her to be so emotional, and for once, Adam really didn't know how to react. "Of course I like you," he began, slowly, trying not to say the wrong thing. "I just-"
"Don't like me that way I know. But why? I mean, I know I'm a bit pushy and we really don't know each other, but I had fun on our dates. Didn't you have fun?"
"Well, yeah," he stammered, "But-"
"Then what's wrong? Why couldn't we make it work?"
Adam shifted to face her as he cocked an eyebrow, "Erica, we had this conversation in October. Why are you bringing this up again?"
She looked down. "Cause I still like you."
Adam drew back. It was the first time she'd ever seemed vulnerable to him and he didn't quite know what to say. "Erica-"
She looked up at him again, "Couldn't we try again Adam? Just give it a try. I know you, you're not seeing anybody." Immediately his thoughts went to Julie. She was right. He wasn't seeing anybody. He never was. He'd never be with Julie. No no, there's nothing wrong with me and Scooter…Nothing was ever wrong with her and Scooter. Who was he kidding. He looked back at Erica.
Adam! Can you believe it? He asked me to prom! I'm a freshman and I'm going to prom.
"Come on Adam, say something."
I'd like to thanks, you guys go ahead. Scooter and I are gonna see that tomorrow night.
"Adam?"
No no, there's nothing wrong with me and Scooter.
He turned to Erica and gave another weak smile. "You know what? You're right. I think we could give it a try. I mean-"
But Banks couldn't get another word in. Erica threw her arms around his neck, pulled him forward and kissed him.
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…..stick with it folks…..trust me ;)