I collapsed on the bus completely tired. Josie was convinced that street
venders sell the best hot chocolate and had refused to buy the hot
chocolate from a chain restaurant. I nearly killed her. It was Edina. Edina
didn't even have chain restaurants. We had like name brand restaurants that
sold hot chocolate for like twenty bucks a pop. An hour later, we finally
found one, after missing another bus and having to stay in my personal hell
for another half hour.
"So tell me how you started skating." I asked her as we boarded the bus, hot chocolates in hand.
She took a quick slurp. "My mom taught me. She wasn't any good at it, but she said that everyone should know how to skate and swim. After I got the basics, which was like standing up for like five seconds," she giggled, "I tried to mimic the figure skaters I saw my mom watch on TV. My dad immediately got me lessons." She looked over at me. "You?"
"Family tradition." I shrugged. "My dad played hockey, my brother played hockey, my grandpa played field hockey supposedly, so I played hockey. I was trapped. Fortunately I liked it." I took a drink from my hot chocolate that was swiftly cooling. "Worst injury."
She frowned. "Broke my arm during a lift; Peter caught and edge and dropped me, but I wasn't too high up so I was lucky. But the injury that caused the most conflict with my dad was skating at my friend's house when I was twelve and my skate got stuck in a rut and I dislocated my shoulder when I fell. I missed all of my competitions that year." Her fingers moved around the paper cup filled with hot chocolate and her eyes focused on it. I could tell she was trying to avoid him as much as possible.
"Josie, you have to talk." I whispered to her and squeezing her hand as the bus lurched forward.
She shrugged. "Nothing to talk about. It's the past." She brought the hot chocolate to her lips and carefully took a sip.
I smirked. "The past makes the person you are today. For all I know you could be a convicted serial killer."
She rolled her eyes. "Why do you have to use my own words against me?"
"Because if you don't, you're going against your own advice; for fear of seeming like a hypocrite, you have to." I smirked. I thank God Josie likes to make big speeches on morality that I can use against her when she doesn't want to talk.
She sighed. "Well what do you want me to talk about?"
"Peter." I immediately say.
"What about him?"
I shrug. "Everything."
She blinked and bit her lip. "I don't know where to start."
I gripped her hand tighter. "Tell me what he was like, and we'll go from there."
She sighed hesitantly. "Well, he was funny as hell, and loved to play tricks on people." She started, taking a breath. "I've heard of some of the Duck pranks from Fulton, but Peter's were always done in good natured fun and never to get back at people. He was pretty much liked by everyone, and I know that sounds impossible but he was." Josie said closing her eyes almost as if she was visualizing him. "My father didn't personally like him, but he liked the fact that Peter and I won most of our competitions. Peter loved to win; loved it. And he loved everything he did to be as close to perfect as he could get it. And you could feel that when you got on the ice with him, it surged through the air like and electric current and you could help but do the same." She opened her eyes and let go of my hand letting her own settle in her lap. "And it came to a shock to everyone that he wanted to quit, my father and I especially. I remember him sitting me down and telling me that he loved skating, but he had found another passion, one that he felt he could make a stable career in; teaching. He used to be a junior coach, for our club. It was uh . . . going onto the little kid's ice time and doing group lessons. God he loved it. You could tell by the look on his face when the little kids would come up to him and give him hugs. He would have been a great teacher; you know one of those memorable ones that made learning fun, one that you would probably remember forever."
She seemed to be so solemn when she spoke about him, and although I was terrified to ask her anything, I knew I had to. "What about your last competition?"
She closed both of her eyes as I asked and rested her head on my shoulder. "When he told me that he was quitting, I immediately begged him to reconsider, saying that this was just a phase and if he quit, he would regret it for the rest of his life." She shook her head slightly and I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "He told me he knew exactly what he was doing and that we would still be friends no matter what, and when I got a new partner he would come out to see every single competition. That was when I begged him for one more. He refused, at first, but I convinced him that we needed to go out with a bang. He told me only for me, and we began practicing right away. I thought that if I had him back on the ice he would love it again and not want to skate anymore." She sniffed quietly. "And when he missed our turn at the competition, I had a feeling something was wrong." Her voice began to choke up and crackle a little. "But I didn't say anything. I didn't even ask someone to call him."
I kissed her hair quickly pulling her in tightly in my arms, her head resting in my chest and her arms squeezing my middle.
She took a breath and pulled out of my arms wiping the tears away. "They say he died instantly, so I'm happy he didn't feel any pain."
She closed her eyes and a tear slowly dripped down her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb and pulled her lips to mine.
"I don't want to cry anymore." She whispered as I pulled away from her, resting her forehead on mine. "You're tired of seeing me cry, and I'm tired of crying over him. I want to think about something else."
"What is your best memory with him?" I asked sighing.
She laughed. "Listening to him rant and rave about hockey, actually. He loved the Red Wings, and the North Stars, and was so upset when they moved to Dallas. Our coach thought it was so funny that he figure skated and loved hockey so much. So, our coach, found out want songs they play like between periods I guess, like 'We Will We Will Rock You' and stuff, and put them all together and called our program 'Tribute to Hockey' and what we did was wear hockey jerseys during the competition, and it looked like we were playing against each other and it was the most fun we ever had together competing. He looked so filled with energy." She looked over at me. "He looked like you when you think about hockey, when you talk about it. You get that look in your eyes like. . . I don't know what it is exactly, but I see it. You have it in you, whatever it is."
I frowned as she said this. "At first, when we met you didn't want to go out with me and know me and all that, and then you finally gave in. . ."
Josie smirked. "Why? Right?" She sighed and shook her head. "I thought I was setting myself up for heartbreak if I knew you. I figured that I would use you as a stand in for him, and I knew that wasn't fair to you, or Peter's memory. So I figured; what I don't know and what you don't know couldn't hurt either of us." She looked at me for a fraction of a second and looked down at her empty paper cup in her hands. "A look how well that plan worked."
"You plan may not have worked, but I reached my goal." I laughed quietly rubbing her shoulder, in hopes of comforting her.
"Can we not talk about this? Something that won't make me cry ok?" She sniffed rubbing her eye. "Anything. Oh! What time is your game tonight?"
I laughed. "Queen of subject changes. Six thirty." I replied as the bus stopped quickly and she reached down to grab her bag off the floor.
She nodded. "What time is it now?"
I rolled my eyes and looked down at my watch. "Five thirty, meaning we have a half hour of study time until I have to be at the arena."
"Wow Adam, what an exciting life you lead. . ." She groaned as she filed off the bus and stood on the sidewalk waiting for me.
I smirked. "You say that now, but when you ace your final exam you'll be thanking me."
"But Adam, my plan is to barely pass my final exam, so that my teacher will say to my father that I shouldn't take Spanish again." She laughed. "If I study, I'm going to ruin my plan."
"And if you don't study you'll get kicked out of school because you aren't living up to the Eden Hall standards." I shoot back at her throwing an arm over her shoulders and kicking her hair.
But I don't get a playful shove in response.
Josie's eyes stay on the ground and her shoulders slump under the weight of my arm. "Not that it matters." She whispers.
Fuck. I forgot about St. Maria's. I mean, how could I not? We were having so much fun just talking, laughing about last night, kicking McGill's ass, and reuniting with an old friend to even think about her being gone on Friday. Fuck. I'm going to be gone on Friday too. "Jose, don't say that. We'll figure it out."
She leaned against me as we walked through the cast iron gates of Eden Hall. "I hope so because I don't want this weekend to be our last."
I nodded resting my head on hers. "Me too."
~*~
In the change room everyone seemed to look at me funny. I'm not sure why, but I felt . . . dare I say it . . . giddy? It was as if trekking around Edina, and avoiding all educational opportunities to study, had energized me.
"Ok Banksie, one more grin like that, and I'm searching your room for drug paraphernalia." Russ said eying me. "And after living in my hood, I know what pot smells like."
I rolled my eyes.
Averman pulled his jersey over his head. "If Josie comes in pill form now, it would be an illegal drug." He shook his head. "She's basically moved into my room."
"Our room, Averman." I scoffed at him. "Besides, it's not my fault that we were placed in alphabetical order. If you want to complain about it, go talk to your ancestors." Our Captain smirked at this comment. "I don't know, I think I like this Banks. He has a certain, je ne sais quoi."
"What did we say about you using French Conaway? For all we know you could be badmouthing us all." Fulton replied tightening his skates.
"What did that mean anyways?" Guy asked as he stretched his arms a little.
Charlie shrugged. "I don't know what."
Portman threw a glove at him. "If you don't know, then don't start saying stuff in French."
"No, it means I don't know what!" Charlie replied rolling his eyes and throwing the glove back at him. "Besides, this isn't about me. It's about Banksie, being in looooove." He laughed walking past me and ruffling my hair.
I smoothed my hair back down and grabbed my hockey stick. "Shut up Spazway. You were worse with Lynda."
Half the team began making retching noises with the others pretended to cower in fright.
"I though we were never going to talk about that again. . ." Charlie said making a face and shooting glares at everyone. "Besides we should be talking hockey."
The girls chose this time to join us in our locker room. Julie quick took a spot in between the Bashes and Connie took her regular spot beside Guy. Orion quickly followed, wearing a serious face. "The game will be starting soon; we have to give the Knights a little bit though." He announced.
Charlie frowned. "Why? They were here over a half hour ago."
Orion shrugged. "Praying. I was with the ref when he knocked on the door and the Head Coach, Father Kelly, chewed him out for interrupting their prayers."
"Seriously?" Julie asked her eyes wide.
He nodded. "Whatever they seem to be doing is working team. They're undefeated and have two star players uh. . ." He flipped a page of his clipboard. "Daniel McGill, number twenty one and. . ." He flipped another page. "Ryan Larson, seventy-two."
The original Ducks exchanged looks mumbling to each other.
"You don't think. . ."
"Hawks maybe. . ." "Couldn't be. . ."
"Anything's possible. . ."
I kept my eyes down and the mumbles seemed to settle, and my name began to be whispered more and more frequently.
"Adam?" I heard Charlie ask quietly, but it sounded more like an order to speak.
I looked up. "What?" I licked my lips, my eyes trailing from each of my teammates.
Coach Orion looked around the room. "Something wrong guys? Banks? Conway?" He didn't seem worried about the game, just his players.
I shook my head. "It's nothing Coach Orion." I replied, trying to force my lips into curving up into a partial smile but failed miserably.
Coach eyed me carefully. "Banks, outside. Now." He turned the door and opened it, waiting for me to move.
I let of an aggravated sigh. "No fuckin' way." I grumbled just so Charlie, and a few teammates could hear me. I stood up and trudged toward the door, which Orion followed me out of and closed it securely.
He stood up straight. "Banks, I want you to tell me exactly is going on. Last time you were like this, you were completely out of it. Tell me right now, and that is an order."
I locked eyes with him. "There is nothing wrong Coach Orion. Last time was something completely different and I can handle this." I stopped and took a quick breath. "Believe me."
"You told me that last time Banks." He replied sternly. "Tell me now."
I rolled my eyes. "McGill and Larson were old teammates before I came onto the Ducks. I just patched things up with Larson and McGill still has a bit of a chip on his shoulder about the whole thing."
Orion blinked. "Bombay told me about that. Eagles; right?"
I shook my head. "Hawks."
He nodded. "Are you sure you want to play?"
My eyes shot up at him. "Yes! You think I'm just going to back out because one guy has a personal problem with me? That just gives me another reason to skate, so don't even think about benching me." I yelped at the Coach who eyed me carefully. I never was the type to speak out, like Charlie for example.
He sighed. "Ok. But you watch yourself."
I nodded carefully.
"Coach!" One of the referees called from down the hall. "The Knights are ready."
Orion turned around and nodded harshly and opened the door to the change room. "Ok boys."
"AND Girls!" Connie and Julie yelped. "God, get it right!" Poor Coach Orion. He never could get used to coaching girls on his team.
"Fine. Ok TEAM." He stressed shaking his head. "Game time."
I stood rigid as the team walked past me, filing out of the room watching me intently. I could feel each pair of eyes move over me. I listened to the crowd roar with spirit as the Ducks and Knights began to file out onto the ice. I stood frozen in place. I took a jagged, uneasy step forward towards the doors. For the first time since the unofficial JV/Varsity showdown, I was scared to go on the ice.
I so did not like that feeling.
~
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A/N: Omigod! Yikes! Ok, first I had this chapter partially typed out. And then I trashed it because . . . *turns to Ducks* what exactly did I say? Adam: "I believe it was it stank like a skunk's behind. But we thought it was good." *All Ducks agree* *author scoffs* Biased. Then I started rewriting it and it was good, but then I had to go sleep and while I was sleeping, my computer crashed! Luckily, my dad is supposedly a computer genius and I now worship the ground he walks on because he un-crashed it in under two hours. And then I began writing again, and then I rewrote the beginning and now I'm not too pleased with the ending of this chapter. It bugs me. Anyways, Fulton is officially mine. *gives Fulton a big squeeze* Because of him, I ACED my French vocabulary test! *Fulton grins* Fulton: "And yet I still don't know much French." He's my good luck charm.
Shout outs!
Beaner!!- Hey! It's you! Ok, what I was basing the whole Adam-Larson make up thing was that whole 'What did you do!' line in D1. Larson never seemed like a bad kid and always seemed to be the kid who got dragged into the situations. He's a follower. I hate to admit it. But he is. I AM going to write the game. I'm not sure how good it will be but, I'll try. Adam: "I signed a contract with Katie (the author) to never 'twirl, pivot or skip ever again.' Katie was terrified to find out that I did." I'm glad you won't lick Will. I actually kind of like Will as a character. I might use him in the sequel (YES SEQUEL!) to this story. It will be coming up soon. I'm not sure what the title will be. I'm thinking Bloody Valentine (and contrary to what you might think it has nothing to do with murder or anything.) or possibly Love and Mercy. I'm not sure. But *gasp* I'm pretty sure I'm making a sequel! Go me! I will forever love wee-Adam. Ok. Tell Guy to go away! Is he gone? Ok, we never tell them why people whisper such things. NEVER. I like it this way so they can live in their own reality. Ok? Ok he can come back now. AWW!! Guy!! You aren't the looked over Duck. The guys would say hi, unfortunately, they're sleeping. *sends Guy cyber hug* I love ya ok? No worries! Bye from the guys and Katie!
Erica- You are too sweet! You're twisting AND squealing! *grins* Too cool ! Ok, awesome writer? No. Ok writer maybe. *shrugs* We'll see. I'm glad you liked Adam getting with an old friend. I'm going to sleep soon too so! Night from the guys and Katie!
Jocelyn- Ok, you may not get this for a while, because I know you're reading my story, and it's like, really long. I was trying to convince my friend to read it and she looked at me like a madwoman. That and the fact SHE NEVER EVER SAW OR HEARD OF THE MOVIES! I was going to cry. I basically said she had to see the movies because I told her a) everybody had to see them. b) she was a fan of Dawson's Creek and has to see 'young Pacey' when really it's older Charlie, but whatev and c) I'm ordering her to! I'm glad you like some of my lines. Ok, that persuaded with candy line, actually happened. My math teacher last semester basically said that if we wanted a good make he can be persuaded with a) money or b) candy, especially around Halloween. But then again, this was the teacher who had a twenty minute conversation with the guys on pot, and bongs. *shakes head* it was so weird. Hopefully you get caught up soon. Thanks!!
SqUiDsLiLpYrO – Hey!! No hugging my main character guy person. Only I get to. *squeezes Adam and tells him to go to bed* Just kidding. Oh the people sneaking up on me, happens all the time. My mom LOVES to. It's so scary. But what's worse is them sneaking up on you and poking you in the sides. I do that and my knees give out and I'm on the floor. It's not fun. You had people behind you reading your review? Does that mean I have people reading my story? Does that mean that I have people reading my story and not reviewing! *laughs* whatever. Please review! It doesn't take long. If you don't that's ok, but its super cool if you do. I love your long reviews! They're great and usually super funny! It gives me a laugh so thanks! Uh. . . I better hurry up and wrap this up because I have school in the morning so later!
Rachel- Omigod! I'm SOOOOO sorry. Ok I read your review and then I was writing up responses and it disappeared! I didn't even realize it until I posted it. So I'm going to respond to both reviews! Ok. I have like this weird imagination. When I'm tired, it goes crazy. Like I hit my creative climax at midnight to 1 am! My mom gets so angry at me because I sleep until like noon. I thought Josie had a point. Adam basically knows everything (or so he thinks) about her and she's like, ho hum . . . sooo . . . you play hockey eh? And the Hawks, well you read last chapter so I don't think I need to explain do I? You had a 'thing' for Larson? I had a 'thing' for Adam, but I always thought that Larson wasn't actually a bad guy. I thought that Larson was just a kid who looked up to Riley and McGill, but completely freaked when his friend, hurt his other friend (Adam). I think Larson was just misunderstood and probably would have made a good Duck. Whoa . . . inspiration. *shakes head* Maybe later. I'm glad you like Josie! I like her too. She one of my better developed characters. I'm not sure where I got that hoity-toity etiquette loving hell-hole line from. Ok, I got the expression hoity-toity from a movie . . . etiquette- loving freak is my Food and nutrition teacher and hell-hole; well that's my high school. LOL it cam from lots of places! I plan to keep up my 'good' work! Thanks!
Shelbers- I'm glad Charlie is loving his vacation and you guys are loving my story! You guys are the reason why I keep writing. Ok not true. I keep writing so I don't lash out at people when they bug me. But you reviewers are a close second! That's EXACTLY what I thought. The whole Hawks team couldn't be all bad. They were badly influenced yes but not all bad. I blame Disney. Not that Disney is bad our anything is just that they have to have a clearly defined bad guy in the movie and they usually wear the color black. It's the stereotypical bad guy. Anyways thanks for the review!
Ok, I did these shout-outs really quickly because I wanted to post before I go to sleep. I'm was SO upset when Tara didn't review, but I read the last chapter of her story and understand she is busy so . . . no hard feelings. *wipes away tear* Anywho!
Review!
~Toodles!
"So tell me how you started skating." I asked her as we boarded the bus, hot chocolates in hand.
She took a quick slurp. "My mom taught me. She wasn't any good at it, but she said that everyone should know how to skate and swim. After I got the basics, which was like standing up for like five seconds," she giggled, "I tried to mimic the figure skaters I saw my mom watch on TV. My dad immediately got me lessons." She looked over at me. "You?"
"Family tradition." I shrugged. "My dad played hockey, my brother played hockey, my grandpa played field hockey supposedly, so I played hockey. I was trapped. Fortunately I liked it." I took a drink from my hot chocolate that was swiftly cooling. "Worst injury."
She frowned. "Broke my arm during a lift; Peter caught and edge and dropped me, but I wasn't too high up so I was lucky. But the injury that caused the most conflict with my dad was skating at my friend's house when I was twelve and my skate got stuck in a rut and I dislocated my shoulder when I fell. I missed all of my competitions that year." Her fingers moved around the paper cup filled with hot chocolate and her eyes focused on it. I could tell she was trying to avoid him as much as possible.
"Josie, you have to talk." I whispered to her and squeezing her hand as the bus lurched forward.
She shrugged. "Nothing to talk about. It's the past." She brought the hot chocolate to her lips and carefully took a sip.
I smirked. "The past makes the person you are today. For all I know you could be a convicted serial killer."
She rolled her eyes. "Why do you have to use my own words against me?"
"Because if you don't, you're going against your own advice; for fear of seeming like a hypocrite, you have to." I smirked. I thank God Josie likes to make big speeches on morality that I can use against her when she doesn't want to talk.
She sighed. "Well what do you want me to talk about?"
"Peter." I immediately say.
"What about him?"
I shrug. "Everything."
She blinked and bit her lip. "I don't know where to start."
I gripped her hand tighter. "Tell me what he was like, and we'll go from there."
She sighed hesitantly. "Well, he was funny as hell, and loved to play tricks on people." She started, taking a breath. "I've heard of some of the Duck pranks from Fulton, but Peter's were always done in good natured fun and never to get back at people. He was pretty much liked by everyone, and I know that sounds impossible but he was." Josie said closing her eyes almost as if she was visualizing him. "My father didn't personally like him, but he liked the fact that Peter and I won most of our competitions. Peter loved to win; loved it. And he loved everything he did to be as close to perfect as he could get it. And you could feel that when you got on the ice with him, it surged through the air like and electric current and you could help but do the same." She opened her eyes and let go of my hand letting her own settle in her lap. "And it came to a shock to everyone that he wanted to quit, my father and I especially. I remember him sitting me down and telling me that he loved skating, but he had found another passion, one that he felt he could make a stable career in; teaching. He used to be a junior coach, for our club. It was uh . . . going onto the little kid's ice time and doing group lessons. God he loved it. You could tell by the look on his face when the little kids would come up to him and give him hugs. He would have been a great teacher; you know one of those memorable ones that made learning fun, one that you would probably remember forever."
She seemed to be so solemn when she spoke about him, and although I was terrified to ask her anything, I knew I had to. "What about your last competition?"
She closed both of her eyes as I asked and rested her head on my shoulder. "When he told me that he was quitting, I immediately begged him to reconsider, saying that this was just a phase and if he quit, he would regret it for the rest of his life." She shook her head slightly and I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "He told me he knew exactly what he was doing and that we would still be friends no matter what, and when I got a new partner he would come out to see every single competition. That was when I begged him for one more. He refused, at first, but I convinced him that we needed to go out with a bang. He told me only for me, and we began practicing right away. I thought that if I had him back on the ice he would love it again and not want to skate anymore." She sniffed quietly. "And when he missed our turn at the competition, I had a feeling something was wrong." Her voice began to choke up and crackle a little. "But I didn't say anything. I didn't even ask someone to call him."
I kissed her hair quickly pulling her in tightly in my arms, her head resting in my chest and her arms squeezing my middle.
She took a breath and pulled out of my arms wiping the tears away. "They say he died instantly, so I'm happy he didn't feel any pain."
She closed her eyes and a tear slowly dripped down her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb and pulled her lips to mine.
"I don't want to cry anymore." She whispered as I pulled away from her, resting her forehead on mine. "You're tired of seeing me cry, and I'm tired of crying over him. I want to think about something else."
"What is your best memory with him?" I asked sighing.
She laughed. "Listening to him rant and rave about hockey, actually. He loved the Red Wings, and the North Stars, and was so upset when they moved to Dallas. Our coach thought it was so funny that he figure skated and loved hockey so much. So, our coach, found out want songs they play like between periods I guess, like 'We Will We Will Rock You' and stuff, and put them all together and called our program 'Tribute to Hockey' and what we did was wear hockey jerseys during the competition, and it looked like we were playing against each other and it was the most fun we ever had together competing. He looked so filled with energy." She looked over at me. "He looked like you when you think about hockey, when you talk about it. You get that look in your eyes like. . . I don't know what it is exactly, but I see it. You have it in you, whatever it is."
I frowned as she said this. "At first, when we met you didn't want to go out with me and know me and all that, and then you finally gave in. . ."
Josie smirked. "Why? Right?" She sighed and shook her head. "I thought I was setting myself up for heartbreak if I knew you. I figured that I would use you as a stand in for him, and I knew that wasn't fair to you, or Peter's memory. So I figured; what I don't know and what you don't know couldn't hurt either of us." She looked at me for a fraction of a second and looked down at her empty paper cup in her hands. "A look how well that plan worked."
"You plan may not have worked, but I reached my goal." I laughed quietly rubbing her shoulder, in hopes of comforting her.
"Can we not talk about this? Something that won't make me cry ok?" She sniffed rubbing her eye. "Anything. Oh! What time is your game tonight?"
I laughed. "Queen of subject changes. Six thirty." I replied as the bus stopped quickly and she reached down to grab her bag off the floor.
She nodded. "What time is it now?"
I rolled my eyes and looked down at my watch. "Five thirty, meaning we have a half hour of study time until I have to be at the arena."
"Wow Adam, what an exciting life you lead. . ." She groaned as she filed off the bus and stood on the sidewalk waiting for me.
I smirked. "You say that now, but when you ace your final exam you'll be thanking me."
"But Adam, my plan is to barely pass my final exam, so that my teacher will say to my father that I shouldn't take Spanish again." She laughed. "If I study, I'm going to ruin my plan."
"And if you don't study you'll get kicked out of school because you aren't living up to the Eden Hall standards." I shoot back at her throwing an arm over her shoulders and kicking her hair.
But I don't get a playful shove in response.
Josie's eyes stay on the ground and her shoulders slump under the weight of my arm. "Not that it matters." She whispers.
Fuck. I forgot about St. Maria's. I mean, how could I not? We were having so much fun just talking, laughing about last night, kicking McGill's ass, and reuniting with an old friend to even think about her being gone on Friday. Fuck. I'm going to be gone on Friday too. "Jose, don't say that. We'll figure it out."
She leaned against me as we walked through the cast iron gates of Eden Hall. "I hope so because I don't want this weekend to be our last."
I nodded resting my head on hers. "Me too."
~*~
In the change room everyone seemed to look at me funny. I'm not sure why, but I felt . . . dare I say it . . . giddy? It was as if trekking around Edina, and avoiding all educational opportunities to study, had energized me.
"Ok Banksie, one more grin like that, and I'm searching your room for drug paraphernalia." Russ said eying me. "And after living in my hood, I know what pot smells like."
I rolled my eyes.
Averman pulled his jersey over his head. "If Josie comes in pill form now, it would be an illegal drug." He shook his head. "She's basically moved into my room."
"Our room, Averman." I scoffed at him. "Besides, it's not my fault that we were placed in alphabetical order. If you want to complain about it, go talk to your ancestors." Our Captain smirked at this comment. "I don't know, I think I like this Banks. He has a certain, je ne sais quoi."
"What did we say about you using French Conaway? For all we know you could be badmouthing us all." Fulton replied tightening his skates.
"What did that mean anyways?" Guy asked as he stretched his arms a little.
Charlie shrugged. "I don't know what."
Portman threw a glove at him. "If you don't know, then don't start saying stuff in French."
"No, it means I don't know what!" Charlie replied rolling his eyes and throwing the glove back at him. "Besides, this isn't about me. It's about Banksie, being in looooove." He laughed walking past me and ruffling my hair.
I smoothed my hair back down and grabbed my hockey stick. "Shut up Spazway. You were worse with Lynda."
Half the team began making retching noises with the others pretended to cower in fright.
"I though we were never going to talk about that again. . ." Charlie said making a face and shooting glares at everyone. "Besides we should be talking hockey."
The girls chose this time to join us in our locker room. Julie quick took a spot in between the Bashes and Connie took her regular spot beside Guy. Orion quickly followed, wearing a serious face. "The game will be starting soon; we have to give the Knights a little bit though." He announced.
Charlie frowned. "Why? They were here over a half hour ago."
Orion shrugged. "Praying. I was with the ref when he knocked on the door and the Head Coach, Father Kelly, chewed him out for interrupting their prayers."
"Seriously?" Julie asked her eyes wide.
He nodded. "Whatever they seem to be doing is working team. They're undefeated and have two star players uh. . ." He flipped a page of his clipboard. "Daniel McGill, number twenty one and. . ." He flipped another page. "Ryan Larson, seventy-two."
The original Ducks exchanged looks mumbling to each other.
"You don't think. . ."
"Hawks maybe. . ." "Couldn't be. . ."
"Anything's possible. . ."
I kept my eyes down and the mumbles seemed to settle, and my name began to be whispered more and more frequently.
"Adam?" I heard Charlie ask quietly, but it sounded more like an order to speak.
I looked up. "What?" I licked my lips, my eyes trailing from each of my teammates.
Coach Orion looked around the room. "Something wrong guys? Banks? Conway?" He didn't seem worried about the game, just his players.
I shook my head. "It's nothing Coach Orion." I replied, trying to force my lips into curving up into a partial smile but failed miserably.
Coach eyed me carefully. "Banks, outside. Now." He turned the door and opened it, waiting for me to move.
I let of an aggravated sigh. "No fuckin' way." I grumbled just so Charlie, and a few teammates could hear me. I stood up and trudged toward the door, which Orion followed me out of and closed it securely.
He stood up straight. "Banks, I want you to tell me exactly is going on. Last time you were like this, you were completely out of it. Tell me right now, and that is an order."
I locked eyes with him. "There is nothing wrong Coach Orion. Last time was something completely different and I can handle this." I stopped and took a quick breath. "Believe me."
"You told me that last time Banks." He replied sternly. "Tell me now."
I rolled my eyes. "McGill and Larson were old teammates before I came onto the Ducks. I just patched things up with Larson and McGill still has a bit of a chip on his shoulder about the whole thing."
Orion blinked. "Bombay told me about that. Eagles; right?"
I shook my head. "Hawks."
He nodded. "Are you sure you want to play?"
My eyes shot up at him. "Yes! You think I'm just going to back out because one guy has a personal problem with me? That just gives me another reason to skate, so don't even think about benching me." I yelped at the Coach who eyed me carefully. I never was the type to speak out, like Charlie for example.
He sighed. "Ok. But you watch yourself."
I nodded carefully.
"Coach!" One of the referees called from down the hall. "The Knights are ready."
Orion turned around and nodded harshly and opened the door to the change room. "Ok boys."
"AND Girls!" Connie and Julie yelped. "God, get it right!" Poor Coach Orion. He never could get used to coaching girls on his team.
"Fine. Ok TEAM." He stressed shaking his head. "Game time."
I stood rigid as the team walked past me, filing out of the room watching me intently. I could feel each pair of eyes move over me. I listened to the crowd roar with spirit as the Ducks and Knights began to file out onto the ice. I stood frozen in place. I took a jagged, uneasy step forward towards the doors. For the first time since the unofficial JV/Varsity showdown, I was scared to go on the ice.
I so did not like that feeling.
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A/N: Omigod! Yikes! Ok, first I had this chapter partially typed out. And then I trashed it because . . . *turns to Ducks* what exactly did I say? Adam: "I believe it was it stank like a skunk's behind. But we thought it was good." *All Ducks agree* *author scoffs* Biased. Then I started rewriting it and it was good, but then I had to go sleep and while I was sleeping, my computer crashed! Luckily, my dad is supposedly a computer genius and I now worship the ground he walks on because he un-crashed it in under two hours. And then I began writing again, and then I rewrote the beginning and now I'm not too pleased with the ending of this chapter. It bugs me. Anyways, Fulton is officially mine. *gives Fulton a big squeeze* Because of him, I ACED my French vocabulary test! *Fulton grins* Fulton: "And yet I still don't know much French." He's my good luck charm.
Shout outs!
Beaner!!- Hey! It's you! Ok, what I was basing the whole Adam-Larson make up thing was that whole 'What did you do!' line in D1. Larson never seemed like a bad kid and always seemed to be the kid who got dragged into the situations. He's a follower. I hate to admit it. But he is. I AM going to write the game. I'm not sure how good it will be but, I'll try. Adam: "I signed a contract with Katie (the author) to never 'twirl, pivot or skip ever again.' Katie was terrified to find out that I did." I'm glad you won't lick Will. I actually kind of like Will as a character. I might use him in the sequel (YES SEQUEL!) to this story. It will be coming up soon. I'm not sure what the title will be. I'm thinking Bloody Valentine (and contrary to what you might think it has nothing to do with murder or anything.) or possibly Love and Mercy. I'm not sure. But *gasp* I'm pretty sure I'm making a sequel! Go me! I will forever love wee-Adam. Ok. Tell Guy to go away! Is he gone? Ok, we never tell them why people whisper such things. NEVER. I like it this way so they can live in their own reality. Ok? Ok he can come back now. AWW!! Guy!! You aren't the looked over Duck. The guys would say hi, unfortunately, they're sleeping. *sends Guy cyber hug* I love ya ok? No worries! Bye from the guys and Katie!
Erica- You are too sweet! You're twisting AND squealing! *grins* Too cool ! Ok, awesome writer? No. Ok writer maybe. *shrugs* We'll see. I'm glad you liked Adam getting with an old friend. I'm going to sleep soon too so! Night from the guys and Katie!
Jocelyn- Ok, you may not get this for a while, because I know you're reading my story, and it's like, really long. I was trying to convince my friend to read it and she looked at me like a madwoman. That and the fact SHE NEVER EVER SAW OR HEARD OF THE MOVIES! I was going to cry. I basically said she had to see the movies because I told her a) everybody had to see them. b) she was a fan of Dawson's Creek and has to see 'young Pacey' when really it's older Charlie, but whatev and c) I'm ordering her to! I'm glad you like some of my lines. Ok, that persuaded with candy line, actually happened. My math teacher last semester basically said that if we wanted a good make he can be persuaded with a) money or b) candy, especially around Halloween. But then again, this was the teacher who had a twenty minute conversation with the guys on pot, and bongs. *shakes head* it was so weird. Hopefully you get caught up soon. Thanks!!
SqUiDsLiLpYrO – Hey!! No hugging my main character guy person. Only I get to. *squeezes Adam and tells him to go to bed* Just kidding. Oh the people sneaking up on me, happens all the time. My mom LOVES to. It's so scary. But what's worse is them sneaking up on you and poking you in the sides. I do that and my knees give out and I'm on the floor. It's not fun. You had people behind you reading your review? Does that mean I have people reading my story? Does that mean that I have people reading my story and not reviewing! *laughs* whatever. Please review! It doesn't take long. If you don't that's ok, but its super cool if you do. I love your long reviews! They're great and usually super funny! It gives me a laugh so thanks! Uh. . . I better hurry up and wrap this up because I have school in the morning so later!
Rachel- Omigod! I'm SOOOOO sorry. Ok I read your review and then I was writing up responses and it disappeared! I didn't even realize it until I posted it. So I'm going to respond to both reviews! Ok. I have like this weird imagination. When I'm tired, it goes crazy. Like I hit my creative climax at midnight to 1 am! My mom gets so angry at me because I sleep until like noon. I thought Josie had a point. Adam basically knows everything (or so he thinks) about her and she's like, ho hum . . . sooo . . . you play hockey eh? And the Hawks, well you read last chapter so I don't think I need to explain do I? You had a 'thing' for Larson? I had a 'thing' for Adam, but I always thought that Larson wasn't actually a bad guy. I thought that Larson was just a kid who looked up to Riley and McGill, but completely freaked when his friend, hurt his other friend (Adam). I think Larson was just misunderstood and probably would have made a good Duck. Whoa . . . inspiration. *shakes head* Maybe later. I'm glad you like Josie! I like her too. She one of my better developed characters. I'm not sure where I got that hoity-toity etiquette loving hell-hole line from. Ok, I got the expression hoity-toity from a movie . . . etiquette- loving freak is my Food and nutrition teacher and hell-hole; well that's my high school. LOL it cam from lots of places! I plan to keep up my 'good' work! Thanks!
Shelbers- I'm glad Charlie is loving his vacation and you guys are loving my story! You guys are the reason why I keep writing. Ok not true. I keep writing so I don't lash out at people when they bug me. But you reviewers are a close second! That's EXACTLY what I thought. The whole Hawks team couldn't be all bad. They were badly influenced yes but not all bad. I blame Disney. Not that Disney is bad our anything is just that they have to have a clearly defined bad guy in the movie and they usually wear the color black. It's the stereotypical bad guy. Anyways thanks for the review!
Ok, I did these shout-outs really quickly because I wanted to post before I go to sleep. I'm was SO upset when Tara didn't review, but I read the last chapter of her story and understand she is busy so . . . no hard feelings. *wipes away tear* Anywho!
Review!
~Toodles!