Julie and Connie locked eyes. They both knew it was one of the Ducks, and they both knew that none of the other Ducks knew of Connie's problems like Julie knew.
Connie bolted for the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
The joys of senior housing.
The person knocked again.
"Coming!" Julie called. She checked the mirror, making she sure looked presentable, and opened the door.
"Russ," she was surprised.
"Umm, hey Jules," he scratched at the back of his head.
The two looked at each other, noting the changes that occurred over the summer. Russ had lost some weight, and shaved his head.
Julie had cut her hair short, and filled out.
"Can I come in?" Russ asked, after a few moments of silence. He didn't understand why he was so nervous. It was just Julie.
Well, maybe the fact that they hadn't talked in two months had something to do with it.
Julie opened the door wider, granting him access.
Russ stepped inside and sat down on a bed. He couldn't take his eyes off Julie. Her new haircut made her look older. He loved it. And he longed to run his fingers through her hair.
"How was your summer?" Julie asked.
"Ehh, not bad," he shrugged, "It was good to be back in L.A."
"Yea, same here about Maine," Julie was facing her hands in her lap, but looking at him out of the corner of her eye.
She felt as if her heart were beating faster, and it probably was.
Just seeing Russ brought the memories of this past spring rushing back to her.
This wasn't Russ "Knuckle Puck" Tyler, the jokester and prankster that the team knew. This was a new Russ, a shy and scared Russ, one awkward around those of the opposite sex - namely Julie.
Julie always had a thing for Russ. It was weird. She never a million years imagined to fall for him. She thought her type was more like Adam and Guy, maybe even Charlie. More of a gentlemen. But since day one, she was drawn to Russ' down-to-earth charm and his sense of humor.
Unsurely, Russ reached over for her hand.
And Julie knew.
She just knew.
She knew that this was the boy, the man, she was going to marry.
That was last April, after the others conveniently ditched out on them after a movie. That moment was ruined however, when Connie came rushing back, her eyes flooded, managing to squeak out an "I did it, I did it."
Julie, of course, had to calm down and rescue her best friend, and ended up leaving Russ for the night.
But that didn't stop their feelings.
It had been love at first touch.
Julie sighed.
Russ stood, "I'm gonna get going, I'm in 305," he offered, "Feel free to visit."
She smiled, "Sure."
"Now, let's just hope Dwayne and Averman haven't hid all my crap," Russ laughed on his way out the door.
"He gone?" Connie popped her head out of the bathroom. Her eyes weren't red anymore, and her hair has been tossed into a careless ponytail.
"He's gone."
"He still likes you," Connie smiled.
Julie shook her head. She didn't know what to think. Her and Matt decided to break it off before she came back to school, so that wasn't standing her in way.
But, she felt like she betrayed Russ.
"Julie," Connie sat down across from her, and made eye contact, "I'm serious. Don't let it slip away from you, like I did. It's not fun."
Julie just stared at her friend, suddenly feeling so incredibly sorry.
The breakup of Connie and Guy took everyone by surprise, including Guy. He didn't see it coming, he thought everything was going good between them. And that one night, when they all went out to the movies, after they went their separate ways, Connie just hit him with the news.
What was odd about it, was not only was Guy heartbroken, but Connie too. No one really knew how it affected Guy. The only one he ever really talked to was Connie, but that outlet had been taken away. Nowadays, Guy just kept to himself. Connie though, had Julie to confide in, and in the months that followed, all Connie talked about was how she screwed up by breaking up with Guy, and if she could only get him back.
During the weeks leading up to summer though, Connie's talk turned from "how to get Guy back" to "I wonder if he has a thing for Adam."
Julie nodded, vowing to herself she wasn't going to make the same mistakes Connie made.
Nearly three weeks into the school year, and already Julie had a book report for her Advanced Placement English Literature class, a test in her Advanced Placement Calculus class, an eight page lab for her Advanced Placement Biology class, and a ten page research paper for her Advanced Placement United States History class. She liked the AP classes, they were challenging, and she knew that if she were in regular classes, she would be bored, but the amount of work given to her in such a short time was absurd. And the worst part of it? It was all due Wednesday, and her test was Tuesday.
Today was Friday.
She dropped her books onto her desk, and dropped herself into the chair. Looking at her watch, she saw she had a good 45 minutes till she had to leave for practice, enough time to get started on the Biology lab write up.
She'd barely written her name on the paper, when the door slammed open and slammed shut.
Julie closed her eyes. She had a long day, and didn't know if she could deal with Connie right now.
But Connie was her best friend, and Julie just couldn't ignore her.
So she slowly rotated in her chair, ready to listen with open ears.
However, all she heard was the slamming of the bathroom door, followed by the sound of the shower.
Apparently, Connie didn't want to talk.
Julie shrugged and returned to her lab.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in!" she called cheerfully.
"Hey Jules," Averman said, grinning a bit suspiciously. Julie recognized the grin, but was too tired to call him on it.
"Hi Averman."
"What are you doing tonight?"
"Homework. I have a ton."
"Oh. We were all going to go out to the diner after practice. Kind of like a reunion. It'll be the first time we'll all get a chance to hang out, aside from practice."
Julie stared at him for a moment, "Can I let you know at practice?"
"Of course."
"Okay - and let Connie know."
"You got it," Julie said, eyeing the greyish black box Averman was holding. Again, she didn't feel like asking about it.
As soon as Averman left, she turned back to her lab.
She was working for about 15 minutes, before someone else knocked on the door.
She got up and threw the door open, annoyed that everyone kept disturbing her.
"Can I help you Goldberg?" she asked sweetly.
"I was just wondering if you've seen my play station. It was in my room this morning, but when I came back after classes, it was gone."
"Try Averman, I thought I saw him with it."
"Thanks Jules."
Julie nodded and just shut the door.
She sat back down at the desk, and stared at the paper, sure someone was waiting to interrupt her. So she figured that if she didn't start, no one could bother her.
Wrong.
Connie came barreling out of bathroom and stormed around the bedroom. Slamming drawers, and cursing underneath her breath.
Julie stared at her book.
Connie sighed.
Julie flipped a page.
Connie sighed louder.
Julie turned another page.
"Well?"
Julie turned to look at Connie.
"Aren't you going to ask?" Connie said impatiently.
"Connie dear, I love you, and I do care, but I need to get this work done."
"Fine," she growled, slamming one last drawer closed and stomped back towards the bathroom.
Julie pursed her lips together and went over to the bathroom, knocking softly, "Cons, I didn't mean it like that."
But before Connie could answer, someone knocked at the door.
Quickly, Connie spoke, "If it's Guy, I'm not here."
Julie shook her head. Where would she say that Connie is? They've got practice in twenty minutes.
"What?" Julie flung the door open, pissed that she hadn't gotten anything done.
"Is Connie around?" Guy asked, looking a bit scared at Julie's rage.
Julie shifted her eyes towards the bathroom, and Guy nodded, "Oh."
"Want me to deliver a message?"
"Nah, I'm alright," Guy's voice sounded defeated and wounded. For a moment, Julie was concerned. She'd never seen Guy like this.
Guy bent down and picked up his hockey bag, ready to head to practice.
Julie however, reached out, grabbing a hold of his arm lightly, "Hey, if you need to talk to someone, I know I'm not Connie or anything, but you can always come to me. Any of us for that matter."
Guy just shrugged, "I can deal by myself," he said softly.
Julie let go, and watched him walk down towards the exit of the dorms.
When she shut the door, with the plan of gathering her things for practice, Connie flew out of the bathroom, speaking what seemed like a mile and minute.
"Whowasit? WasitGuy? What'dhewant? Didhesayanythingaboutme? Ishegonnacomeback? Didheleaveamessage? Doeshewannatalk? What'dyousay? DidhesayanythingaboutAdam? Huh? Whathappened?"
Julie stared at Connie, unable to make out any word, except for Adam's name and the word message.
"What?" Julie asked again.
Connie rolled her eyes, "What did he want?"
"Nothing. He just asked if you were here. And he didn't say anything about Adam. Why would he?"
"Adam kind of spread the word today at lunch at he had an announcement, and he was going to tell us at practice today. And after that, Guy seemed pretty out of it, preoccupied or something. And I know Guy's always like that, but this was more so than usual. And I said something to him, and he snapped at me, and I snapped back. I don't think we could ever be friends."
"Connie. Please. I'm sure you're just overreacting. There's no reason why you and Guy can't be friends."
"Whatever. You ready?" she said, picking up her hockey bag and stick, and moving to stand by the door.
Julie stared at Connie dumbfounded, for the second time in about 5 minutes. How did Connie do that? Change her moods so quickly? 10 minutes ago, Connie was out to kill the world, and now here she was, the original happy-go-lucky girl that everyone perceived her to be.
"Uh, yea, ready," Julie grabbed her own bag, and the two headed for the rink.
At practice, it was spread around for the girls to go to the guy's locker room after they've changed, because Adam did have something to say.
"I think he's admitting he is gay," Connie said, while the two girls changed separately from the boys.
They had been discussing what Adam's possible announcement could be.
"Why do you think that?"
Connie shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I can't figure out any other reason. Besides, I mean think about. Every other guy on the Ducks have had girlfriends at some point. Even Goldie and Averman have been on dates. Adam though, is a good looking 17 year old boy who has never been on a date. He could have his pick of any girl in the school, and he chooses to fly solo. And we can't blame hockey, because face it, that kid has got natural talent. He doesn't need to practice like some of the others for his gift. And it's not that he spends all his time doing schoolwork because we all know that kids a genius. We all witnessed him not touch a book for his AP Exams last spring, and then we all found out in July he got 4's and 5's on the tests. He does what's required, and that's it. He doesn't go above and beyond for school. He has a ton of free time, but yet, chooses not to pursue girls. He's got to be gay."
Julie laughed. Sometimes, Connie was just too much. But she had to admit that Connie was probably right. Connie had this uncanny talent of being able to read people like books.
The girls finished dressing, and headed back to the boys locker room. They knocked to let the guys know they were there, and then waited for the okay.
Adam came and opened the door for them, acknowledging them both separately.
The girls nodded their hellos, and sat just inside the door, ready for a quick escape if needed. They had decided that what they talked about, or rather what Connie talked about, was going to be Adam's announcement. Next, they talked about what the others would think about it, and they actually thought that some of them may not be too happy.
So near the door they sat.
Adam sat back down, awaiting for everyone to finish up.
Julie looked around the guys locker room. Adam's locker was next to Guy on one side, and Fulton on the other. Guy sat expectantly, watching Adam's eyes flit across the room. Fulton was practically sitting inside his locker, biting his nails. Averman was on the other side of Guy, and was waiting as well, folding and refolding the same shirt to pass time. Next to Averman, Ken and Dwayne chatted softly.
Across from Fulton was Portman, who was bobbing his head to his head phones. Next to him Goldberg was trying not to fall asleep. Luis was sitting closest to the girls, and he was conversing quietly with Connie about some class they were both in. On the other side of Luis, was Charlie. Adam kept glancing at Charlie, who sat with his back towards the room, reorganizing his locker. Between Charlie and Goldberg, was Russ, who, when Julie looked at him, was looking back at her.
Her eyes locked with his, and she could of sworn she saw sorrow in Russ' eyes.
She turned away, suddenly interested in Averman's "Save A Tree - Eat A Beaver" shirt. She couldn't take the intensity of Russ' stare, and even after she turned away, she knew he was still watching her.
She felt like shit for what she let happen over the summer.
Adam cleared his throat, trying to get Charlie's attention.
Charlie didn't turn around, just spoke into his locker, "Go on Adam, I'm listening," his voice sounded spiteful, and Julie vaguely wondered if they had fought.
Connie nudged her in the ribs and leaned in to whisper, "Luis said he overheard the two of them yelling at each other last night."
"Okay guys," Adam looked at everyone.
Dwayne and Ken had quieted, Averman stopped folding his shirt, Portman took off his headphones, and Fulton had sat up.
Next to Adam, Guy stared at him, his eyes not once leaving Adam.
"There's something I think you should know. Just for the reason that I think it's about time you guys know," Adam was now staring at his hands.
Silence came over the room. Charlie still hadn't turned around, but he stopped moving things. Anyone could tell that he was actually listening.
Adam took a deep breath, glanced at Guy, and looked at the Connie and Julie, who were leaning against each other, both exhausted.
"I'm gay," he said, quickly expelling all the air he just took in.
Averman's shirt fell off his lap, and Portman dropped his headphones.
Charlie threw one of the pucks he'd been stacking, into the locker, grabbed his bag, and stormed out.
Guy had an odd look of ... happiness?
Connie nudged Julie in the ribs again, "Told you," she hissed.
Julie smiled.
Portman was the second to do anything, and he stood, and walked over to Adam.
Adam, afraid he was gonna get yelled at or something, stood up, ready to defend himself.
Portman, however, had other ideas, and hugged Adam, patting him on the back, saying, "This changes nothing."
"Yea Banks, you're still a cake-eater," Goldberg chuckled nervously.
Guy stood up next to Adam, and dropped a hand on his shoulder, "No one thinks less of you," he said.
"Except Charlie," Averman looked at the locker room door, that their captain had escaped through.
Adam looked sadly at the door too, and bolted out of it a moment later.
"He's chasing Charlie," Connie whispered to Julie again.
"Connie - shut up," Julie giggled. She had been giving Julie a play-by-play since Portman stood up.
Connie grinned.
"Dinner anyone?" Averman asked the quiet room.
Everyone gladly agreed.
