Chapter 6: What's Done is Done.

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*BeepBeepBeepBeep.*

"What the." Andy, who had been sleeping on her stomach, glanced up at the alarm clock. 6:30 am. She slammed it against the wall. "Oh man, I feel like I got a hangover or somethin'. What a nightmare... Hey, Erin?" Andy called out. "You wouldn't believe this horrible dream I had. I was like playin' hockey with the guys, and then Vanessa and I got chased down a hallway, and then Coach pinned me on the ground. not that I minded that part. and we like came back here, and I had to tell him everything. I mean everything...."

"Erin's not here, and that wasn't a dream."

Andy made a face and rolled over. "Aw, crap."

Coach Bombay sat down on the edge of the bed and placed his fingers under Andy's chin.

"I can't believe you're still talking to me," Andy sighed, pulling the covers up a bit further.

"Of course I'm still talking to you." Bombay's voice was gentle. "What's done is done; I understand why you did it." He slid his hand up to the side of her face.

Andy briefly closed her eyes, leaning into Bombay's hand. "I just hope the rest of the team is so understanding." She looked up into his eyes.

"I'm sure they will be, little miss Shadow Duck."

Andy groaned. "I should've never done that. but it doesn't matter now. It's over and done with, and in a few hours, I will be, too."

"Don't talk like that," Bombay's voice was soft as he leaned over and kissed Andy's forehead.

MEANWHILE, IN THE DUCKS LOCKER ROOM.

"Why on Earth did Coach make us get here so frickin' early?!" The Ducks' goalie, Phillip threw his gear down on a bench.

"Who knows why Coach does what he does. My guess is it's sprint time, boys!" Chad, being the sarcastic one, tried to lighten the mood, but without much success.

"Hey, guys, what's that?" Dana, who shared the defensive line with Ally, pointed to an envelope marked "DUCKS." tacked up on the corkboard in the back of the room.

Morgan carefully removed the envelope and proceeded to open it. "Guys, it's from Andy." She slowly read the letter inside outloud:

My dear Ducks,

I have lied to you for way too long. It is now time that you learn the truth about me. I have decieved you all into believing that my name is Andrea Knight. My name is Andrea, but not Andrea Knight. My real name is Andrea Marie "Wings" Tyler, and I am the so-called 'Shadow Duck'. I played pro hockey for a time, then, as most of you know, was forced to 'retire', I guess you'd say. Anyway, I played hockey at Eden Hall for two years before I went pro. Lately, upon returning to Minneapolis, I would skate in the arena at night with my old Duck teammates Charlie Conway, Guy Germaine, Connie Moreau, Les Averman, Dean Portman, and whoever else wanted to play. I never meant to decieve any of you; I changed my name for security purposes. My friendships with each of you are real... at least they are to me. I can understand if you do not want to be friends anymore... let alone teammates. Today is my last day at Eden Hall. The University I was attending found the missing credits from Eden Hall that I need to graduate... Therefore, I will not be playing with you in the Iceland game in the International Ice Invitational in two weeks.... They kick me out of here today, although I will be there for the pep rally. I am truly sorry if I have hurt any of you in my conquest to live a normal life. Please forgive me. I know you can beat Iceland without me. You don't need my help. Good luck and God Bless.

~ Andrea M. Tyler aka "Wings"