Disclaimer: Once again, I own diddly-squat. The song in this chapter is by Yellowcard called Cigarette. I don't own this either.
Chapter 4
We're Here
Team USA was here. After months of preparation, it was time for the Junior Goodwill Games to begin. For three months, Coach Bombay drilled and worked the kids into a well-oiled hockey machine, all while incorportating a little fun along with it. The kids had bonded through the boot camp and were more of a family than ever. No longer were they the Ducks and the Newbies, they were Team USA with no division line visible.
Adam smiled as Tibbles led Team USA into the UCLA arena where the hockey games would be held. He looked over at the newly bonded team looking sharp in Hendrix-sponsored apparell sporting the USA red, white, and blue . Fulton and Portman, after butting heads – literally - in the beginning, were smacking each other playfully, showing off their strength. Goldberg, Dwayne, Kenny, and Averman were discussing some movie they saw. Charlie and Jesse were laughing over some joke, and Connie and Guy were attached at the hip, taking pictures with Julie.
Adam's smile grew wider as he studied the beautiful goalie. As the days of training grew to months, he began spending more time with Julie. They had a lot in common, and after that first day conversation after practice, the bond they had formed continued to grow stronger. The rest of the team had deemed it a bit weird that their leading scorer and skillful goalie had formed a close friendship, but Adam knew that as many times he had scored on Julie, she had shut him down.
Adam sneaked up behind Julie, grabbing her around the waist with one arm and snatching the camera with the other, he spun her in a circle as she flailed trying to smack him. Adam laughed at her frustration.
"C'mon Jules, you've got a long time to take pictures. Savor the moment."
Julie growled as she reached for the camera, but Adam held it high above her head. "Adam, that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm just making the moments a bit more permenant. Banks, this isn't fair, you're too tall! Dammit, Adam, give me the camera!"
By this time, the whole team was in witness to this absurd scene and were laughing uproariously along with Adam. Still grinning, Adam lowered the camera.
"All right, Cat Lady, I'll give it back. One condition though."
Julie scowled, "What?"
Adam leaned in and gave her a devastating grin, "Take a picture with me."
Julie rolled her eyes and relented. Adam threw an arm around her shoulders. Raising the camera and putting his head close to hers, he smiled broadly and snapped the picture. As he turned to Julie, he caught the big smile she wore. A genuine one, not like the sarcastic smirk he expected her to wear after tortuting her in front of the team. The smile led Adam to wonder if she was harboring feelings for him the way he was for her.
Adam slumped on the bench next to Charlie, exhausted from his shift on the ice. Their first game of the tournament had pit Team USA against the tenth-seeded team from Trinidad/Tobago. So far, the USA had no problems with this team as they led six to nothing. Adam was fairly pleased with his performance this game, scoring two of the six goals. His attention wandered to the stands where he saw two distinguished looking gentlemen scribbling furiously on pads at their laps.
"Hey, Adam, you got a girl in the stands?" Charlie's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Adam looked towards him as Charlie grinned, knowing full well the girl Adam wanted was on the other side of the bench.
"Naw, man, scouts. Look at them."
"Don't worry about scouts, Adam." Charlie scoffed. "Just play your best." Adam shook his head. Just then, Coach Bombay's voice cut into his reverie.
"Banks, get in there!" Adam reached into his jersey, and kissed the charm around his neck before clambering over the boards to join the action.
Anxious to impress the scouts scrutinizing from the stands, Adam corralled a loose puck deep in the USA zone. As he neared center ice, Adam chanced a look at the stands. His momental lapse in concentration permitted a Trinidad player to swipe the puck from under him. Adam turned to watch helplessly as the Trinidad player deked past Guy on the blue line and put the puck past Goldburg for a goal. Adam cursed himself as he skated toward center ice for the face off. Nice going, Cake-Eater. He thought to himself. That really impressed the scouts.
Adam stepped inside the dorm room and plopped his bags on the bed. Although he was excited to be rooming with Charlie, Jesse, and Guy, he was still pissed at himself for allowing that goal to happen. Feeling the need to clear his head, Adam grabbed his guitar and headed out to the patio that connected all of Team USA's dorm rooms.
Sitting on a chair overlooking the view of the lake, Adam laid the guitar across his lap and, digging a pick out of his pocket, began to play. The melody was slow and mournful in relation to his emotions. Knowing that he didn't have the best singing voice, Adam began to sing along softly with the melody.
Watching the days burning out like a cigarette, just a few drags to go
You built me up and you broke me down somehow
Everything just seemed so clear to me, nothing left to know
I'll love you right and I'll love you pure, right now
How can you say, that it's too late
To save us now
And I would wait for you (oh), if you would wait for me (yeah)
And I will wait for you (oh), if you will wait for me (yeah)…
Adam stopped abruptly, sighing frustrated with himself.
"Don't stop, that was really beautiful." Adam turned to find Julie standing at the doorway of his dorm watching him intently. "I didn't know you played the guitar."
Adam shrugged, "Just something I picked up on." He subconciously rubbed the charm around his neck.
"I don't mean to pry, but what's that thing you wear around your neck? You always seem to touch it."
Adam looked down at the medal. "It's a good luck charm of St. Sebastian, the patron saint of atheletes. My dad gave it to me when I first started hockey. I never take it off."
Julie nodded, "Can I ask you something?"
Adam held his breath, She's gonna ask if I like her. What am I gonna say?! "Sure, what?"
Julie smiled at him, "Will you keep playing?"
Adam nodded as he picked up his guitar.
Watching the days burning out like a cigarette, just a few drags to go
You built me up and you broke me down somehow
Everything just seemed so clear to me, nothing left to know
I'll love you right and I'll love you pure, right now
How can you say, that it's too late
To save us now
And I would wait for you (oh), if you would wait for me (yeah)
And I will wait for you (oh), if you will wait for me (yeah)
Intoxicated the edge is serrated, so easily torn from the core
I blushed the first time, but you blushed the last time my eyes in your mind
Regenerated these feelings of hatred, I long for your love evermore
You built me up and you broke me down this time
And I would wait for you (oh), if you would wait for me (yeah)
And I will wait for you (oh), if you will wait for me (yeah)
How can you say, that it's too late
To save us now
How can you say…
Sniffles…ah, such a sweet chapter. Don't you just love a guy who can play an instrument? I know I do. R&R please!
Roxie