LEARNING TO FLY

Chapter Two - Preppie

Victoria Andersen pursed her lips together as stared down at the class schedule she held in her hand. She had about five minutes to get to her locker, grab her stuff for the next few periods, and then head for biology. Normally she had no trouble with moving fast in between classes. The problem now was, she had absolutely no idea of where everything was located in this new school.

The girl shook her head and groaned mentally. Being a new kid totally sucked. Not that she had any choice in the matter, anyway. It wasn't her idea to be uprooted from the nice public high school she had gone to for her freshman year. She had been, as usual, overruled by the superior force that had always controlled everything else in her life- her parents.

"Oh, well." Victoria thought with a shrug. There was no sense in moping over something she could never change anyway. That was a lesson she had learned a long time ago.

Deciding to just make for her locker and from there find another student who could give her directions, Victoria readjusted the shoulder strap of her knapsack and continued to walk down the hall.

It took her less than a minute to reach her destination. As she was digging through the pocket of her bag for the piece of paper on which she had jotted down her locker combination, she suddenly became aware of the somebody's presence right behind her. Turning her head around slightly, her blue eyes fell on the face of a tall, handsome boy with dark hair and a cute smile.

"Victoria. Hey." the boy greeted, his gaze turning warm as it beheld her. "How's it going?"

A full smile broke across Victoria' s lips as she recognized him. "Rick! Am I glad to see you!" she exclaimed, whirling around to face him fully.

Rick Riley laughed. "Gee, I'm flattered." he teased her. "Never knew I meant that much to you already."

"Don't get cocky." Victoria retorted with a grin. "It's just so good to finally come across a familiar face, that's all."

She had known Rick Riley since they were just kids, as their parents had always been good friends with each other. In fact, when Mr. and Mrs. Andersen had decided to finally send their only child to a private institution for high school, it was Rick's father that had suggested Eden Hall Academy. Victoria's parents, of course, were quick in accepting Mr. Riley's recommendation, especially when they heard that Rick was currently in his senior year at that school. Mr. and Mrs. Andersen had always fancied the thought of their daughter getting together with one of the most eligible teenage boys in their social circle. Unfortunately for them, however, Victoria's interest in Rick went nowhere beyond their childhood friendship. True, he may be handsome, smart, and sweet towards her, but she just couldn't see him as anything more than a big brother. He wasn't her type at all.

"Oh, come on." Rick said, cutting into Victoria's train of thought as he looked at her with concern. "Your first day blues couldn't be that bad, could they?"

"No." Victoria confessed. "I'm actually doing pretty well. Except for that fact that I can't seem to find my way around to any of my classes. I've got a feeling I'll be accumulating a whole bunch of tardy slips today."

Rick chuckled. "That's not such a big problem." he chided. "Tell you what. I'll be glad to walk you to every one of your classes for the rest of the day. Then maybe during lunch break I could give you a little tour round campus, just to get you better acquainted with the place."

Victoria's eyes widened. "I don't want you to go through so much trouble for me." she protested. "Really, that's not necessary. I know you're busy and. . ."

Rick shook his head. "For a friend like you, I've got all the time to spare." he assured her. "It's not going to be a bother. After all, I did promise Dad I'd help you out on your first day."

Victoria smiled at him gratefully. "Well, when you put that way. . . thanks."

After she had dug out a couple of textbooks from her locker, Rick took Victoria's backpack from her and together they headed for her biology class.

"So," Rick said as they walked along. "Have you thought about what extra-curricular activities you'll be taking on for this school year?"

"Not really." Victoria answered with a shrug. "I haven't quite familiarized myself with what goes on around this school yet." She gave his arm a nudge. "Though I have noticed, Captain, that hockey does seem to be quite a big hit around here."

Rick smiled. "Well, with so many state championships in the bag, can you really blame us?" he pointed out. "The sport's what makes our school so famous."

"Yeah, true." Victoria admitted.

"Anyway, I was just thinking. . ." Rick said, moving on to another topic. "Maybe you should consider trying out for the cheerleading squad. They're a little short of talent this year and could really use someone like you."

"Me? A cheerleader?" Victoria repeated somewhat incredulously.

"Yeah, why not?" Rick told her. "I mean, you were a cheerleader in your last school right?"

Victoria nodded. She did agree to be part of the squad last year-as the only freshman in fact-but that was only because many of the girls were her good friends. She had already seen some of the Eden Hall cheerleaders hanging around in little groups dressed in their short skirted uniforms, and they certainly didn't seem to be type of girls she could actually enjoy being with. She wasn't sure if she would even be able to fit in that crowd. They just seemed too. . . girly.

"Um, well, let me think that one over okay?" Victoria said at last. "I'll consider it." This seemed to be enough for Rick, who just nodded and flashed her yet another one of his winning smiles.

"Excuse me."

A deep voice that came from behind them interrupted their conversation. Both turned their heads to look at who had called, and upon doing so Victoria caught sight of one of the cutest boys she had ever seen. He had dark wavy hair and deep brown eyes, eyes that seemed to hold in them a certain charm. The guy was no where near as buff as Rick, but was just as tall, and his serious face hinted at a hidden intelligence behind his youth.

Ignoring Rick's presence completely, the stranger faced Victoria and reached out with his hand. "I think this is yours."

Victoria blinked in surprise as she stared at the fountain pen the boy was holding out to her.

"Oh, thank you!" she said gratefully as she took it from him. "I didn't even realize that I'd dropped it."

The boy nodded. "No problem." he said curtly, then turned to leave.

But before he could make a move to do so, Rick spoke up. "Well, well. Nice to see you again, Conway."

Victoria stared at Rick in mild surprise. Why had his voice turned so sour and sardonic all of a sudden? She had never heard anything like that come out of him before.

The other boy turned back around slowly. His eyes were cold as he met Rick's glare evenly. "Always a pleasure, Riley." he bit back just as sarcastically.

"You had a restful summer I hope?" Rick sneered.

"What's it to you?" the boy shot back, his tone fiercely defensive.

Rick let loose a harsh laugh. "Absolutely nothing." he snapped. "All I know is you're gonna need it. You got past us last year out of our sheer generosity, but we're not about go easy on you again. You and your little Ducks are going down."

The boy smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. "Generosity?" he scoffed. "In your dreams, Riley. Face it; the Warriors are over the hill. And we're gonna be happy to prove it to the whole school a second time around."

"See you on the ice. . . Captain."

With that last taunt, he spun on his heel and walked away before Rick could further retaliate.

"Rick?" Victoria said hesitantly, touching her friend on the arm. Judging from the color of his face, he looked like was about to burst with rage any second. "You okay?"

It took Rick a moment to shake himself free of his furious glare. With a sigh, his face went back to its normal self and he turned to Victoria.

"I'm sorry you had to see all that." he told her in a soft, apologetic tone. "That guy just really danced on my last nerve, you know?"

Victoria almost wanted to point out that it was he, not the other guy, who had started the verbal combat in the first place, but then quickly decided against it. Instead, she patted Rick's arm reassuringly.

"I understand. It's no problem." she replied. "Who was that anyway?"

Rick scowled. "Charlie Conway. Punk captain of the JV hockey team, and the guy I hate most in this entire school. The world, even."

For a moment Victoria was taken aback by more surprise. She couldn't remember the last time she heard Rick speak so vehemently about anyone.

"Why all the tension between you guys?" she questioned. "I mean, if you're both hockey captains for the same school, shouldn't there be camaraderie somewhere in the picture?"

Rick shook his head, the sharpness returning to his brown eyes. "Not at all. Ever since Conway and his band of juvenile delinquents stepped into Eden Hall, they've done nothing but ruin our school, something I could never forgive them for." he growled.

"They're called the Ducks, right?" Victoria said thoughtfully. She remembered seeing their picture somewhere in the Eden Hall Academy information materials Mr. Riley had sent her parents.

"Yeah." Rick's frown grew even deeper at the mention of the name. "I still can't believe that'll be the name of our school's team once those little low-lives take over varsity."

Victoria decided to just ignore the nastiness of his words. Maybe there really was just some bitter history between him and the JV, something she wouldn't understand.

"If they're the junior varsity, what year would that make them?" she asked lightly.

Rick's eyebrows knitted together. "Sophomores." he answered, spitting out the word as if it were poison.

Victoria's heart skipped a beat with an excitement that surprised even herself. If the Ducks were in the same year level as herself, that meant. . . she would eventually get to see Charlie again. He was bound to be in at least one of her classes. Though she knew an instant attraction to Rick's mortal enemy was the last thing she needed on her first day in Eden Hall, she just couldn't help herself. There was just something about him. Maybe it was the clever gleam in his brown eyes, or the intriguing sullenness on his handsome face, or the mystery of his seemingly bad boy demeanor. Well, whatever it was, it sure caught her interest.

"I guess I should warn you now, Victoria." Rick said, snapping the girl out of her daydream. "Stay away from those losers. They're gonna bring you nothing but trouble."

"But, how am I supposed to know that if I don't meet them first?" Victoria protested.

Rick threw her a stern look. "You'll just have to trust me on this." he told her firmly. "You don't want to risk getting suspended or kicked out, do you?"

Victoria hesitated. The kids from the JV team couldn't be that bad. She was positive Rick's antagonism against the Ducks were fueling his advice, but she knew him well enough to know he was not going to let her go till she agreed with him.

"Promise me you'll stay away from them.." Rick pressed.

Victoria flashed him a smile, but mentally crossed her fingers.

"Okay, okay. I promise."

* * *

Julie leafed idly thorough the Seventeen magazine that lay open at her lap. It was the lunch period, and she knew she should be famished, but the excitement that was twisting her stomach into knots drove away any hunger pangs that she should have been feeling.

The pretty blonde sighed impatiently and glanced down at her watch for probably the hundredth time in the past ten minutes. When was he ever gonna. . .

Suddenly, a pair of warm hands clamped gently over her eyes, initiating a surprised gasp from the girl's lips.

"Guess who?" a low, teasing voice whispered close into her ear, causing an involuntary shiver to creep through her skin.

Julie grinned, her heart suddenly brightening at the sound of the familiar tone. "No duh." she groaned, grabbing the two hands and prying them off her face. "That has got to be the lamest and oldest gimmick in the book."

She opened her blue eyes and saw the wonderful sight she had been aching to see for weeks now.

Scooter smiled down at her and lifted an affectionate hand to her soft hair. "Hey, Beautiful."

Julie smiled back wryly, fighting against the weakening in her knees as she rose from her seat. "Hey yourself." she returned.

As she stood, Scooter wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pulled her close. "I've missed you." he murmured, before leaning in to capture her lips.

"I've missed you too." Julie managed to whisper back when they parted. She took a moment to catch her breath as she clung on to Scooter's broad shoulders. Otherwise, she would have just collapsed to the ground from the aftermath effect of his kiss.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Scooter said, as they sat back down on the bench together. "I had to talk to a couple of teachers about something."

Julie shook her head. "Forget that." she said quickly. She reached over and squeezed his hand. "I wanna know how your summer went. Tell me about your vacation in Australia. How was it?"

Scooter laughed at his girlfriend's enthusiasm. "Cool enough." he said with a shrug. "But it was the same old thing."

He drew her hand to his lips and planted a kiss on her fingers. "I guess what sucked most of all about it was the separation from you." he told her.

"That makes two of us." Julie sighed, trying not to act too pathetic even with all the giddy happiness swimming inside of her.

Scooter's warm hazel eyes sparkled. "There's something I've been waiting for weeks to tell you." he told her mysteriously.

The eagerness in his voice caught Julie's attention instantly. "Really? What is it?"

Her boyfriend grinned and paused for effect before finally blurting out his news. "I'm quitting varsity." he announced. "Actually, I already have. I just confirmed it with Coach Wilson this morning."

"WHAT?!!"

Julie gaped at Scooter in disbelief, not quite sure if she had heard his statement correctly. She studied his face to see if she was just kidding her, but the expression she saw told her this was not a joke.

"Y-you're giving up hockey?" she managed to stammer. "But why?"

Scooter's bright smile began to fade as he noticed her reaction was not the pleased one he had anticipated. "I could think of a hundred reasons." he replied, his brow creasing. "But mostly I'm doing it for you."

"Me?!" Julie said incredulously. "What does throwing away your future got to do with me?"

Scooter stared at her. "Throwing away my future?" he repeated. "Julie, giving up hockey is a long shot from throwing away my future."

Julie scowled. "Don't kid me, Scooter." she told him. "I know as well as you do that you were on your way to being accepted to some of the top college teams in the country. That was your sure ticket towards an NHL career! What on earth possessed you into thinking of giving it all up?"

Scooter sighed. "Julie, it's really not that big a deal." he insisted. "I was never really interested in college hockey anyway, or going pro for that matter."

Julie gave him a look that plainly told him she thought he was crazy. "You weren't?"

"Nope." Scooter said with a matching shake of his head. "That's what people always assumed, but the truth is, hockey is little more than a pastime to me. I played for fun more than anything."

He paused and shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then last year made me see that hockey's actually stopped being fun. Under Riley it's become way too grim and violent for my liking."

He then smiled and touched Julie's face briefly. "Besides, I realized that if I stick myself to those guys again this year, it would just create problems in our relationship. The JV-Varsity war isn't over yet, and I don't think I can stand hanging out with those jerks anymore. I'll never be able to go along with their pranks of bullying and hurting you and the Ducks."

Leaning close, he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Especially you." he murmured, the warmth of his gaze causing Julie's heart to melt. "You mean so much to me Julie. You know that right?"

Julie smiled up him dreamily and managed to nod. "I love you, Scooter." she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug.

Scooter chucked as he held her close, running his gentle fingers through her silky hair. "I love you too, Gaffney."

When they finally pulled away, Scooter grinned and gave her hand a squeeze. "Actually, my quitting the Warriors is only the first part of the news." he told her mysteriously. "You didn't think I was going to spend my senior year doing nothing but bum around, did you?"

Julie looked at him in puzzlement. "What are you talking about?" she asked warily.

"I'm gonna try to get into another sport to replace hockey." Scooter explained. "I've decided to try out for the swim team."

Julie's eyes lit up. "Really?" she exclaimed. "That's great! At least it'll be something to preoccupy yourself with, right? I never knew you were a swimmer, though."

"Are you kidding?" Scooter said with a laugh. "Why else do you think I love Australia so much? I'm practically part fish!"

"That's fascinating." Julie laughed with him and squeezed his hand affectionately. "You really are full of surprises, Scooter."

"So I'm taking it that you agree with all these decisions of mine?" Scooter asked, his brow creasing slightly as he gazed down at his girlfriend expectantly. "I have your approval?"

Julie nodded her head resolutely. "Of course, silly!" she assured him, touched by how much her opinion seemed to matter to him. "I'll support you in anything you choose; don't ever doubt that. I know how smart you are, and I know you can be trusted to always do the right thing."

Scooter gazed back at her with deep fondness and shook his head. "I knew it."

"Knew what?"

He smiled and brushed her cheek gently with the back of his hand. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew that you would be the one for me. And I was right. You're the best girlfriend in the world, Jules, and I'm just so lucky to have you."

Julie grinned. "That's funny, 'cause I remember when I first saw you, I hated your Warrior guts." she teased.

Scooter pouted, feigning hurt. "But I'm not a Warrior now, am I?"

Julie shook her head and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "No. You're not." she said softly. "I don't think you ever were. You never belonged with those stuck-up jerks, and I'm so grateful you were able to show me that."

Scooter smiled back. "I'm glad you let me." he murmured, stroking her pretty face. "I can't imagine what life would have been like if I'd never met you, Julie."

"Same here." Julie whispered. "You're the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me."

Sensing him draw closer for a kiss, Julie tilted her chin up slightly and closed her eyes in anticipation. Before their lips could meet however, a loud voice caused Scooter to withdraw in surprise.

"Huh? What's up with that, Cat Lady?" a familiarly boisterous drawl sounded from behind the couple. "I thought it was agreed the Ducks were the best thing that's ever happened to any one of us!"

Julie turned her head to glare at the three boys snickering and standing behind the bench where she and Scooter sat.

"What do you guys think you're doing here?" she hissed, throwing them all dagger-looks.

"Easy, Julie." Goldberg teased. "We just saw two you while passing by and thought of saying hi to Scooter."

"Hey guys." Scooter acknowledged the Ducks with a friendly smile. If he had been embarrassed or irritated at having his private moment with Julie interrupted, he did not show it. "How's it going?"

"Same old." Averman replied with a grin. "What about you?" He glanced at Julie and a mischievous look crossed his face. "Seen any good action lately?"

Scooter chuckled good naturedly. "Well, I figure this is a good time as any to share the news with you." he said. "I'm quitting varsity this year."

The eyes of all three Ducks widened with surprise.

"No kidding!" Russ exclaimed. "You serious?! But why?"

Scooter smiled and shrugged. "Personal reasons." he answered simply, throwing Julie a meaningful sideway glance. "But I guess you can say I just finally got tired of being Warrior. So from now on, I'm a free man."

"That's awesome, man! Congratulations!" Goldberg cheered, giving the older boy a slap on the back. "Best decision you could ever make."

"So you're going to give up hockey just like that?" Averman asked, apparently unable to fully understand how such a thing was possible. Scooter was, after all, one of the school's most prized players.

"Hey, just because I'm not in varsity doesn't mean I'll never be able to pick up a stick or glove again." Scooter said lightly. "Besides, since I've got other talents and interests, there are other options open."

"Hey, that's right!" Russ said suddenly. "Speaking of hockey, Charlie asked us to round up the team for some schoolyard puck after school." He looked at Julie as he said this, but then turned to Scooter afterwards. "You should come play with us. Since you're no Warrior anymore, there shouldn't be any more problems with you being seen with us."

Scooter looked hesitant, but hopeful. "You sure?" he asked. Ever since he started dating Julie, her teammates had learned to accept and treat him as a friend, but he had never really hung out with them much to avoid further conflict between their two teams.

"Absolutely." Goldberg assured him. "You've become practically an honorary Duck anyway. And now that you've cut your ties with those jerks, you may even become full-fledged!"

"Well . . ." Scooter took in the sight of Julie's hopeful face and finally sighed. "All right. If you say so." he relented with a smile. "Thanks, guys."

Just then, the distant sound of a ringing school bell interrupted their conversation.

Russ groaned. "That dang stupid thing always rings too soon." he muttered.

"Yeah, well, we gotta go you two." Averman told the couple. "We'll catch you later. Julie, you just take care of getting Scooter to the right place after school, all right?"

"Sure." Julie said with a nod and wave as her three friends began to walk away. "See you!"

"Well," Scooter said with a chuckle when he and Julie were alone again. "You just gotta love those guys. They're almost as remarkable as you, Jules."

Julie made a face. "I don't think I like that." she joked. "Being compared to them does not make a very flattering compliment."

"Hey, they may be bit rough around the edges, but they're good people and true friends. That's what's important." Scooter told her seriously. "And they're right, you know. Being a part of the Ducks should be the most wonderful blessing that's ever passed your life."

Julie stared at her boyfriend's face and noticed the growing sadness on his expression as he spoke of this. Poor Scooter. She only realized it now, but before she came along, the Warriors were the only friends he's ever really known. And now that he was turning his back on them, he must be feeling so alone and out of place.

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it comfortingly. "You heard what Goldberg said, Scooter." she told him gently. "You've practically become a Duck yourself. Every one of us has come to see you as a friend. So you have not just me, but you have us. All of us."

Scooter smiled back and kissed her cheek again. "Having you is more than enough." he responded. "But I'm honored to be also seen as a Duck. Thanks, Julie."

"Anytime." Julie whispered, slipping her arm around his waist as they both rose from the bench to head back indoors for their next class.

* * *

"Hey Banksie! Over here!"

Charlie held up his arm and waved at the tall blonde boy skating out through the gates of Eden Hall Academy. The boy caught sight of Charlie where he sat on the bench and immediately headed over.

"Hey." Adam greeted with a smile, plopping down on the bench beside his team captain. "I can't believe we didn't run into each other the whole day today. So, how did your new classes go? Have any fun?"

Charlie smirked and continued with his work of strapping on his in- line skates. "Do you even have to ask?" he said dryly.

Adam groaned and leaned back in his seat. "I can't believe you still haven't dropped that negative attitude of yours!" he exclaimed. "I thought a year in this school would give you the chance to see it's really not so bad. All the Ducks have already managed to adjust except for you!"

Charlie remained silent as his friend continued to admonish him. The truth was, he had already learned to admit that Eden Hall was not as intolerable as he had declared it to be in his first year. He had grown to appreciate it for all the traditions it stood for as well as the good quality of its education. And though he still could not get along with many of the school's preppy jerks and snobs, he had on the other hand managed to make friends with a number of the other students.

If he were to be honest, the only thing about Eden Hall that really bothered him was Linda. This was, of course, ironic, since it was only last year when he had declared that the pretty girl was the only thing he liked about the school. After the breakup however, it just hurt him so much to think about her, much less see her around. He had run into her a couple of times that day and they had exchanged a few words. Linda still treated him nicely, as though they were just good friends between whom nothing has changed. Charlie, however, did not have the same ability to put up any such act.

Unlike what they had agreed on that they should do, he didn't think that he going to be able to move on. He didn't want to let her go. He didn't know how, but he was going to win her back. He just had to.

"Uh, Charlie?"

Adam's voice, though soft, pulled Charlie from his thoughts and caught his attention once again.

"Yeah?" he mumbled, as he adjusted the last strap on his right skate.

"It's Linda, isn't it?" Adam asked quietly.

Charlie was not surprised that this friend was able to figure out what as bothering him. Though he had not know him for as long as he had Goldberg or Averman, Adam had still gotten pretty close to him over the last few years. Though they were actually opposite personalities, their friendship held an unusual sort of bond that allowed them to understand each other and get along well in spite of their differences. It was not seldom that they shared their problems with one another. However, that day, Charlie was in no mood for counsel. What he needed was to get his mind of his troubles.

"Look, Adam, I don't feel much like talking about it now." Charlie muttered uncomfortably at last. Grabbing his helmet, he slid it onto his head as he got to his feet.

"Of course." Adam said quickly, looking apologetic as he stood up as well. "I just want you to know that when you do decide that you want to, I'm here for you man."

Charlie managed a smile. "Sure. Thanks man." he mumbled. Picking up his backpack from the grass and slinging it over his shoulder, he nodded. "Let's get going. The others are probably waiting for us by now."

Adam grinned. "Right. . . I'll race you then!" he shouted, before taking off down the street.

"Hey, no fair Cake Eater!" Charlie yelled. Then, laughing in spite of himself, he pumped on his skates and sped after his friend.

* * *

COMING UP . . . Chapter 3 - ENCOUNTER