Author's Note- This is the hockey chapter, something to break my writer's block. It's taken me about a week to write this and has come out in bits and pieces so sorry if it doesn't flow well.
Thought I'd clarify this for even Jessi who writes this was confused about the time period. It's late February/early March 1999, Connie transferred at the end of first semester (mid-January). Kapeesh? (There's a word I haven't used in awhile). It will all come into play eventually.
Also if you read this, feedback is much appreciated. It helps us know whether or not we're overdoing certain issues or ideas as well as pushes us in the right direction. We're going to be toying with some serious and sensitive issues coming up and your comments will be our basis for how much or how little we cover it. Danke.
Disclaimer- I don't own crap. The thoughts on chicks hockey however, aren't my own. A bit of satire if you will.~*~
[Wiccan-One14] Thanks. Adam is being a bit of a dick, stupid homophobe. But as Dave Barry once said, "The characters just take on minds of their own and you can't stop them. Damn characters."
[crazy4nc128] Ha ha, I suppose Adam isn't high in anyone's books anymore. Thanks for the faithful reviews, they're encouraging.
[Padfoots Pirate] Go back to bed Kaitlin. We need to chill again sometime 'aight? Fo' sha? Holler. Marquez made me a homie today, what can I say.
[Nygoldfish54] Thanks for going out of your way to IM me. It made me smile.
[C-Chan96] I need your input on the Charlie situation, fellow queen of Spazzway angst. So if you read this, share your thoughts on the whole ordeal. And daskvi dane for updating 'One Way Ticket'. You're my hero.
~*~
"Banks get out there," Orion growled. Slipping his mouth guard into place with his tongue, he tumbled over the barrier feeling slightly disoriented not have the presence of their captain. Glancing quickly at the scoreboard he noted they were down 2 to 1 with a mere 1:37 left in the third and Portman in the box for another 47 seconds. What a way to end the regular season, he thought as he glided half hazardly into the Duck's zone where the Cadets had possession.
"Banks skate!" the gruff voice bellowed from the bench, prompting him to pick up more speed as he went to guard the open St. Thomas player in front of the net, watching diligently as Dwayne wrestled the puck out of the corner from a some goon and passed it across to Averman, who wove behind the net through one of the wingers and passed the puck up the boards where an open point was standing. Ken hustled across from behind the blue line to where he was supposed to be in position, but was too late, as the open Cadet d had passed across to another player who wound up, shooting top shelf past Julie's open glove.
As the mass of blue gathered in front of the net, slapping the hand and butting heads with the scorer, the Ducks glided away from the scene heads down. Portman slowly stepped out of the box, forlorn, eyes on the ice. Adam glanced out of the corner of the eye where Dwayne had skated up to the net to offer Julie some support.
"Change it up," Orion spat in disgust, not looking up to eye the clock, which now read 3-1, 23 seconds remaining. Silently the next line of Fulton, Luis and Guy shuffled out onto the ice and glided to centre ice for the face off, backed by a discouraged Portman and Russ. Watching the puck drop, Adam's eyes drifted away from the ice and towards the stands.
He had been playing hockey for 15 years and had never taken his eyes off the ice long enough to notice anything but the condescending scowls of his dad. Obliviously he let his vision gaze around the bleachers. A sea of blue flooded one end of the rink, while countering them weakly was a feeble mass of red. He couldn't blame the Eden Hall fan's lack of enthusiasm, the returning state champion's season was a measly 12-17, and this game would conclude a 9 game loosing streak. Senioritis, the loss of Connie and other regular teenage issues had put a damper on their performance, unfortunately in the vital time that scholarships were offered and futures secured.
The buzzer snapped him out of his daze, his eyes returning to the ice, mind in the direction of reality. They had just lost to the Saint Thomas Cadets, the laughing stock of Minnesota high school hockey, the players from the all boys school that were continually taunted about being fags and queers. Strong way to head off into the playoffs.
Adam slowly stood up and swung himself over the bench, the Duck's silence overpowered by the cheers of the opposing fans. As the melancholy team lined up at centre ice to shake hands, Banks eyed their infuriated yet reserved coach swallowing a trickle of spit which stuck to his dry throat, thinking perhaps it was good Charlie wasn't there, for Orion's demeanor meant hell in the locker room.
~*~
This game had a definite different feel than the millions of games she had played with the Ducks. Leaning over the boards in anticipation Connie noted the cleaner skating and game plays, the fast finesse moves and heightened atmosphere. As one of the Select players flew down the far boards with possession, more gracefully than Ken she confirmed her good decision making in coming to Colorado. Darcy, the girl with the puck, skated swiftly around the taller blonde d from the other team, deaked the goalie and with ease shot top shelf.
The short brunette shuffled quickly over to the bench to the cheers of her teammates. If only Julie could be here to see this, she'd be amazed, Connie grinned reaching her stick across the boards in ritual. When Connie had left the Ducks they were bordering on the edge of demise. After being together, some for 10 years, tensions were running high and beginning to affect the performance on the ice. With the Select Connie didn't have to worry about dating a teammate or stifling rumours that were flying around the school, or even getting pummeled by a guy Portman's size.
Even the sheer aptitude on the team was enough to rival the Ducks. Darcy was a fast, vivacious little girl with moves that would compete with Adam. Maddy their 1st line left winger and captain was a contender for strongest leadership with Charlie. Averman could get his ear talked off by Lana, their quirky 2nd line defenseman, or should she say woman. Jenna, their goalie, was only 14 and eligible to play for the U15 team, but was moved up, and would be able to take Goldberg in a shootout. The only other goaltender Connie had seen with such raw talent was Julie, who unfortunately thought she was above women's hockey. Kristina was a tough cookie and got in her fair share of scuffles. The short sophomore would be clobbered by someone Portman's size, but there weren't any girls that big and fighting wasn't part of the game. It was skill, not brute force that won tournaments, a real showcase of talent.
As Darcy and the rest of the first line filed back onto the bench and the cheering had subsided, Connie hopped the boards to join her linemates at centre ice. The scoreboard read 4-1 for the Select's favour against the DU girls and the rink was pulsating in exhilaration.
Who needed the Ducks anymore?