Disclaimer - I do not own anything even remotely related to The Mighty Ducks. I only wish I had thought of them first…
Italics indicate character thought.
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"This is, like, complete insanity that we are talking on the phone pre-8am." Beau cradled her cell phone between her ear and her shoulder as she dug in her bag to grab some lip gloss.
Rachel laughed loudly through the line. "No kidding. But it's the only time we both have. You know, the last time we were both up this early and actually able to form complete sentences was when we left for Road Trip 2004."
"Yeah, but then we listened to music for the first three hours. If you don't speak, it doesn't count as being awake."
"It's disturbing to know that you didn't consider yourself awake as you were driving at 78 miles per hour on the highway, Beau. I'll keep that in mind for Road Trip 2005." She paused, unsure if she should ask what she was dying to know about. Before she could, Beau interrupted.
"Look babe. I've gotta get going. I'm at my building and class will be starting soon." She hefted a sigh, knowing Rachel more than well enough to know what was coming.
"Hey, Beau."
"Yes?"
"Tell me you aren't exposing your bra to random guys today."
Beau rolled her eyes as she glared up at the clear sky. "Thanks Rachel. You have a wonderful day too. Talk to you soon!" With that she hung up and pocketed her phone. She looked at the door of the old brick building and took a deep breath. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. Get your butt in there.
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Adam Banks walked into the locker room and through the back hallway to Coach Neumann's office. He had no idea the reason for the 8am summons, but he couldn't imagine anything that he had done.
Reaching the door he knocked and went in when he heard the coach beckoning him.
"Banks! Good to see you!" The man strode forward from behind his desk and gave Adam a firm handshake and a warm smile. Coach Gavin Neumann was young for college sports, only 28, but then theirs was a young program. He towered over Adam at nearly 6'5, his sandy blonde hair characteristically unruly and his skin forever tan. He was a good guy, a good coach, and Adam admired him immensely. He also never ever wanted to piss him off.
"It's good to see you too, Coach. How are things?" Adam dropped his bag as he picked a chair and watched as Coach Neumann moved back behind his cluttered desk and sat to face him.
"Things are good. New uniforms are in, and they look great, so I'm sure everyone will be excited. We've got two great new players, who I think you all are going to find to be great additions to the dynamic here. Did you all stay in shape over the summer?"
Adam nodded. "Yeah. We were out skating at least 4 days a week and we did the weights every other day, so I think everyone stayed conditioned. Maybe only Jesse, because he tore a tendon in his ankle, but I think you knew about that, right?"
Neumann grimaced. "I did know about it. I'm not sure what we're going to do with him. He just injures too easily. There's something a little off about it…"
"Well, I've got some exercises I did when I hurt my wrist in the Goodwill Games. I'm sure we could modify them for his ankle and he could do some strength training."
"See! That's why I love you Banks. It's not all about you. It's the team and what can you do to help." Coach leaned forward and propped his elbows on his desk, smiling broadly. "It's those kinds of things that make great players, Adam. And great captains." He paused, letting the information sink in.
Adam wasn't sure he had heard right. Captain? Is he making me Captain? Just don't say anything in case you misunderstood. He sat there, saying nothing, as the seconds drug on. So, this is awkward. Is he going to say something else?
Neumann's brow furrowed as he waited for Adam to speak. "Banks, did you just hear me offer you the captain position?"
Now it was Adam's turn to grin. "I did, but I wasn't sure. Coach Neumann, that is so great. I'm really honored, I mean…" he trailed off as the reality of the situation sunk in. Charlie. "Sir…Charlie, he's always been…" He shrugged, trying to find the right words. "As long as I've known him, as long as we all ever played together, Charlie was the captain." He shrugged again.
The coach seemed to consider this as he leaned back in his chair and swiveled to one side. "I know that, Adam. And Charlie is great captain material. He's a strong player, he's a good friend, and he's a born leader. And that's why I'd rather have you. I think it's time you got a chance to lead. I think you could be great, Banks, and I'd like you to take the reigns."
Charlie will understand, right? Adam smiled in spite of himself. Adam Banks, Captain.
It had a nice ring to it.