I wake up the next morning and stare at the ceiling above my bed, listening to my mother slam dishes around in the kitchen. She is upset that dad spends all his time moping about the house and watching ESPN and he's yelling back that she's never home so how would she know. I count the cracks and realize there's 99 and giggle at the realization that's Banks' hockey number. Thinking that sort of thing usually distracts me from my parent's newly found marital unhappiness.

Normally one of them drives me to class, but today I don't feel like even talking to them. We live on campus anyway so it's not that far. I'll walk, or roll as the case maybe. I get out of bed and get dressed trying to be as quiet as possible. I hope my mother and father don't hear me. Then they'll want to take me, I just want them to ignore me today.

My backpack is on the floor in front of the door and I reach down to grab it resting it on my lap. Almost out, just a few more feet and I will have escaped undetected. I twist the knob and yank the door open swiftly, just in time to hear my father yell.

"Where the hell are you going?" I turn around startled and notice that he is actually screaming at mom, who is on her way out to back door.

"What do you care Ted?" She snaps as the screen door clinks.

Swiftly I propel myself down the ramp and out into the driveway. I'm halfway down the sidewalk before I hear my mother's car start, followed by my father's truck and I wonder if they'll see me. Luckily they go in the other direction, I'm safe. I draw closer to campus and start to feel a bit less stressed. There's just something about the sprawling Eden Hall grounds that ease my mind.

"Hey, Orion, where are you going?" I as I cross in front of the boy's dorms I hear a familiar voice and look to see Ken and Russ exiting together, laughing.

I roll my eyes. "Class, remember it's a Wednesday, that means there's school today."

Russ looks at Ken and smirks. "There's classes on Wednesday buddy?"

"Sure Russ," His teammate nods. "You remember them they're the things that happen between breakfast and lunch, then lunch and practice."

"Oh, right. Speaking of practice, where's your old man Becky?"

I sigh. "I'm not sure, I hope he's back for practice though, I wanted to go and there'd be no reason if he's not there."

The boys looked at each other and snorted and I knew what was coming. I turn bright red before Kenny can even get the words out. "You can always come and watch Banks."

"Keep it up Wu, and I'll have Daddy bench your butt.'

"You're a delight Beck, really you are. Walk you to class?" A forth voice chimes in.

"Speak of the devil." Russ whispers. "Hey Banksie, good morning pal. See you later Becky."

I bite the inside of my cheek and crack my knuckles. "Hi Adam."

"Hey, how are you doing?" The hockey star grins down at me with his pearl white teeth and crystal eyes.

It's funny, I could I say the truth and tell him terrible. But somehow when he's looking at me like that, even my parents arguing doesn't seem that bad. I know this is just a fantasy, I'm just the coaches handicapped daughter and he's Adam Banks for crying out loud. Varsity hockey, National Honor Society, Student Council and let's not forget homecoming prince. A guy like that will never want a girl like me. I'm cursed to be the coaches daughter forever. I know that's all I'll ever be to him.

"I'm good." I lie quickly. "I'm gonna get going."

"Hold on." He grabs the handles on the back of my chair and pulls me back. "I'm walking you remember kiddo, so keep your arms and legs inside the chair at all times. If there's any question you guide will be glad to answer them."

Have I ever told you life sucks?