A.N. You guys are so great! The enthusiasm in your reviews is so motivating! ^_^



The locker room was silent as Julie followed Guy and Connie inside. A few of the team mumbled hello, but the general atmosphere was one of misery. Julie noticed that Banks was already in front of his locker, taping his wrist which had been flaring up lately. Scenes from her dream came back to her, and she felt her cheeks flush.

Deliberately turning away with a heavy sigh, Julie sat down in front of her locker and began to dress for practice. You're being pathetic, she admonished herself. Suck it up and stop acting all girly. Finished lacing her skates, she grabbed her mask and stick and stalked out of the locker room with Connie hot on her heels.

Anyway, as I was saying, Connie began brightly.

Moreau, you are far too perky for a girl with a massive hangover, Julie said, glancing over her shoulder quickly to make sure no one had followed them out.

Connie shrugged. I'm cursed with a great metabolism. Hung over one minute, perfect the next.

Rolling her eyes, Julie stepped onto the ice and skated sluggishly towards the goal. What joy is mine, she muttered bleakly. Connie followed with slightly more energy.

So, how do you know? she asked as Julie set her mask, stick and gloves on top of the net.

How do I know what, Connie? she returned, keeping a careful eye on the hallway leading to the locker room. There was no way she was going to let any of the guys hear this conversation.

How do you know he doesn't think of you that way? I mean, have you ever asked him?

Of course not. Wouldn't that be slightly obvious?

You're right. Connie tilted her head, considering, then brightened. You want me to ask him?

Julie stared at her friend in shock. No, I don't want you to ask him, she whispered violently, spotting the boys heading out of the locker room. Julie said on a sigh, I don't want him to know that I think of him as anything but a teammate, okay?

Shrugging one shoulder, Connie fiddled with her helmet as the first of the boys skated onto the ice. Your call, she muttered.

As each player took the ice, they fell into the growing line of Ducks skating laps around the rink. Charlie skated inside the line, yelling out encouragement and suggestions to his teammates.

Stay down low, he reminded Fulton before skating to catch up with Julie.

And how was your night? he asked, eyes dancing with mischief.

Just peachy, she muttered back.

When she didn't offer any further conversation, Charlie began to skate away. Try not to lag behind today, Gaffney, he tossed over his shoulder. Julie heard a few of the other players stifling laughter at his comment.

Rolling her eyes, Julie shrugged off his teasing remark and continued to warm up with her teammates. Nothing is going to rile me today, Julie decided. I don't have enough energy to waste any fighting.

By the time Coach Orion arrived at the rink for practice, the Ducks had finished warming up and were either skating aimlessly or chatting in small groups. Blowing the whistle, Orion motioned for the Ducks to gather in the middle of the rink.

Morning, team!

Morning, Coach Orion, the team answered, starting strong, but tapering off to mumbles.

Noting the bags under their eyes, he raised an eyebrow. Take a knee, he commanded, watching as some of the team wavered as if off-balance. Frowning, he studied each face, growing more frustrated as he went. You all partied last night, didn't you, he accused.

Guilty looks spread throughout the group and no one looked him in the eye. Sighing, he rubbed his forehead. You knew we have to prepare for Monday's game against Whitehall Academy!

Averman winced. Not so loud, Coach.

Shut up, Averman, Russ hissed, nudging his teammate with his elbow and causing him to tilt precariously.

This is pathetic, Orion muttered. Well, as long as you're here, we might as well get to work. Gaffney, get between the posts! Everyone else line up!

Julie skated over to the goal, striking both posts out of habit before settling between the posts, glove ready. Let's go guys! she called out as the Ducks lined up and Orion dumped a box-ful of pucks on the ice.

Now, all you have to do is concentrate on the puck. Just don't pay attention to who's shooting, she told herself, blocking the first few shots without her usual shouts of encouragement. See? It's totally working. I have no idea which one is Banks.

Just as she was thinking that, a puck flew past her head, stick side. Who was that? she thought distractedly. It wasn't Banks, he's coming up in about five--Crap. Giving up, she just accepted the fact that she could spot Banks in a crowd of a thousand and tried to concentrate on stopping the pucks flying at her. Banks' turn came and she grabbed it out of the air, but barely.

Glove side, she catalogued silently. Fancy.

After practice, she showered and changed as quickly as possible and hurried out the door, suppressing the urge to glance over at Banks' locker. She nearly collided with Coach Orion just outside the door.

Gaffney, exactly the person I wanted to see.

Shifting her bag strap on her shoulder, Julie furrowed her eyebrows. What's up, Coach?

Why don't you come to my office? Orion motioned for her to follow him. Hearing the locker room door swing open behind her as they walked away, Julie turned in time to see Connie, Charlie and Adam walk out the door.

Connie motioned to Orion and frowned as if asking, What's going on? Julie as she shook her head and shrugged to let them know she had no idea, and the three friends stared after her as she disappeared into Orion's office.

Once inside the office, Orion closed the door and walked around to sit behind the desk. Have a seat, Julie.

Setting her bag on the floor, she sat down gingerly. She'd never been called into the office before. He generally only called in players if he thought they were performing below their usual standard.

Was I too sluggish today? I didn't think it went that badly. I only let one goal in during the scrimmage. He can hardly be complaining about that... can he? she thought worriedly.

Orion cleared his throat. Julie, you're one of the best goalies in the country at this level.

Blinking, Julie couldn't think of anything to say. That was not at all what she had expected.

Orion pinched the bridge of his nose. And in a flash, Julie understood why she was there.

I'm a girl, Julie said flatly.

Orion sighed and nodded. There are a few colleges with female hockey teams. Hell, more pop up every year. If you want to continue in hockey, I'd suggest Dartmouth or Princeton, he said, conversationally.

But I won't make it past college level.

Orion met Julie's eyes for the first time since she sat down. No. You probably won't. Leaning forward, he clasped his hands on the desktop. Julie, you could beat seven eighths of the male players out there. But they don't allow girls in the minors. Julie nodded. And you know this already, he realized out loud, sitting back.

Yes sir. People have been telling me I wouldn't make it since I joined my team in peewees.

A wry smile appeared on Orion's lips. I hope you keep proving people wrong.

Julie grinned. I'm going to try my best.

Some colleges have already expressed an interest in you, Julie.

she asked, surprised. She'd noticed the scouts, but assumed they were for there to see Charlie or Banks.

Let me know which schools you're interested in and I'll make a few calls.

Thank you, Coach, Julie responded, awe coloring her voice.

Orion smiled and nodded. That's all I needed, Gaffney. Good job at practice today, he added as Julie left.

Hurrying out, she expected the rink to be deserted. Instead, she came around the corner and found the whole team waiting for her.

What the-- she started, her surprised outburst getting their attention. They all crowded around her as she stared at them in shock. What are all of you still doing here?

Julie, is everything okay? Charlie asked with concern.

Giving him a confused look, she answered, Everything's fine, Charlie. Looking around at her teammates, she hid her smile. It was nice to have a support group. You guys really didn't have to wait around. With that, she started to work her way through the mob.

What did Coach Orion want to talk to you about? Connie asked, pushing through the boys in Julie's wake.

Nothing. Don't worry about it, Connie.

Connie didn't stop dogging her heels. Right. No. Coach Orion never calls anyone in for idle chat.

Julie shrugged. He wants me to work on my stick, Julie tossed off casually.

she heard Connie mutter in her ear.

So what's the plan for today? Russ asked the team, rubbing his hands together.

most of the team responded.

Russ's expression would have melted the heart of a marble statue.

Sorry man, a history paper calls my name. Slapping his friend on the back, Averman walked past him on his way to the exit.



Portman looked up from his involved conversation with Fulton. Dude, I got a date with a cheerleader. Think I'm hanging with you?

Russ turned to Banks. Banksie? You must have your homework done already.

Laughing, Banks shook his head. I got a date with my calculus book, Russ. He and Charlie walked threw the doors into the sunlight.

Wonder if he has a hot calculus study partner, too, Julie tormented herself, hand tightening into a fist around the strap of her bag.

Russ was beginning to sound desperate.

Glad of the distraction, Julie turned to face him. she said with an apologetic smile.

Man, you guys are all lame, Russ grumbled as the team exited the building.




A.N. Don't worry, it won't be drawn out much longer. Next chapter's the last one. (I think. *looks confused*)