Things changed for the Ducks after that game. Firstly the Warriors name was changed to the Ducks and the rest of the school were treating the Ducks like their heroes. Something Varsity used to be.
Connie had stayed in her dorm room most of the weekend occasionally half-heartedly celebrating the victory over the Varsity with the Ducks and throwing on a smile when people were watching.
In reality she was blue. Something was missing and she knew exactly what that something was, Rick. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she'd fallen in love with the tall handsome hockey player.
She'd almost gone to his dorm a few times but always chickened out at the last minute telling herself that they could never be together and to just let him go.
Julie had asked her if anything was wrong a number of times but Connie had just smiled and told her she was just worn out from the extra hockey practices and the game and all the celebrating.
Julie had accepted it at face value knowing it was better not to press the issue. She then told Connie that she was going on a date with Scooter the following weekend and that Portman was mighty upset about it.
"I told you, he likes you. He has since the Goodwill Games" Connie pointed out.
"He should know that I would never go out with him though, we're too close as friends to mess that up" Julie pointed out.
"Doesn't stop a guy from wanting you though" Connie said thinking about Rick for the 5 millionth time that day.
"I think I need to have a talk with him" Julie said slowly dreading it.
"I think you do too" Connie replied yawning.
"Do you think anything's going to be different tomorrow at school" Julie asked.
"Well Goldberg's suddenly popular and the girls are all asking after Portman so I'd say yeah" Connie replied climbing under her covers.
"Its gonna be strange huh" Julie mused.
"Yeah" Connie said tiredly.
"Night Cons"
"Night Jules"
…………………………………………...………………….
Connie wasn't surprised at school the next day when she got nothing but smiles and congratulatory words from the classmates who four days ago wouldn't even give her the time of day. She received endless date proposals which she politely turned all of them down because she didn't want to date anyone other than Rick, not that she'd admit it to anyone of course.
Traci and Luis began openly dating. She heard whispers that Rick had spent the entire weekend holed up in his dorm and was severely depressed about the break up on top of losing the game.
Charlie was proudly showing off his new girlfriend Linda to everyone and Connie was happy for them. They made a cute couple and she loved seeing one of her oldest friends happy.
Even if she was miserable.
So it came as a very big surprise when the entire Varsity team, led by their captain, approached the JV lunch table that was surrounded by both JV and Varsity cheerleaders.
Connie couldn't help but smile when she saw the goofy grin on Scooter's face as he looked at Julie. She also noticed that Portman looked ready to kill Scooter where he stood.
"Come to make more empty threats?" Charlie spoke with obvious distaste for the other team.
Rick shook his head.
"No we came to call a truce" he said trying his hardest not to look at Connie.
"Come again?" Russ blurted out.
"A truce. We feel that you've earned your place as the JV hockey team and we've decided to cut the bullshit and show you the respect you deserve" Rick said.
"I believe we've heard this all before" Fulton spoke up.
"I know and we're sorry for the clothes in the shower and the dinner bill and everything else we've done. We just want to concentrate on hockey now" Rick said looking at Charlie.
The Ducks remained silent whilst they thought it over.
"So truce?" Rick held his hand out to Charlie.
Charlie glanced around at the Ducks to see their thoughts. One by one they slowly nodded. Even if it was a fake truce they could always get the Varsity back later.
"Truce" Charlie accepted the offer and the two captains shook on it.
"We'll leave you to your lunch then. Congratulations on winning the game on Friday by the way" Rick said flashing a small smile.
"Thanks" Charlie said realising that this truce was for real.
Rick glanced at Connie on the way out. She quickly turned away and started talking to Fulton.
Rick looked down at his feet and walked away.
Connie glanced up at the empty doorway where he'd just left.
"Okay so that was weird" Averman said getting the entire Ducks' attention.
"I know but it'll be good to know we'll have our clothes dry after a game now" Guy said.
"Yeah" the Ducks agreed.
"So who do we play pranks on now?" Goldberg asked.
"I dunno, the cheerleaders?" Julie said with an evil smirk.
"Great plan!" Connie agreed.
"NO!" the boys protested.
"Spoilsports" Julie and Connie said at the same time.
"Do you think its for real Charlie?" Ken asked hopefully. He was sick to death of having his lunch stolen every day by Cole and Riley.
"Yeah its for real" Charlie felt confident.
…………………………………………...………………………..
Charlie was right a month went by without the Varsity pulling any kind of stunt or prank on them. Some of them had even asked them for help with their hockey skills.
Julie and Scooter were openly dating now and Portman had decided to 'build a bridge and get over it' and Julie had put it. He was now pursuing the Varsity Cheerleaders who were more than happy to receive his attention.
Rick kept his distance. He'd smile and say hello to the Ducks in the hallways and acknowledged them with the respect every human being deserved but other than that he stayed away. Even looking at Connie was too much to bear.
Connie was alone in her dorm when Julie and the rest of the team came bursting in.
"Is it true?" Julie asked with fire in her eyes.
"Is what true?" Connie asked puzzled.
"You and Rick Riley. Is it true?" Julie asked.
Connie glanced at the group and noticed Adam who looked guilty.
She took a deep breath and sighed "Yes" she said barely above a whisper.
"How could you?" Julie screamed.
"What about you? You were into Scooter the whole time Varsity were playing tricks on us so don't pretend you're little Miss Innocent" Connie accused.
"I….I…." Julie was at a loss for words.
"And besides, Rick and I are over. Have been since way before the showdown and you know what else? It is none of your business who I choose to go out with" Connie yelled.
"It is when he's our sworn enemy" Charlie butted in.
"Oh shut up Charlie, you weren't even here" Julie surprisingly stood up for Connie.
"Hey leave Charlie alone, it was your mistake Connie" Guy was angry. He hadn't realised that Connie would move on from him and it was hurting him like crazy.
"No it wasn't a mistake. He's actually a really nice guy once you get to know him but you know what? I was so worried about what you guys would think that I let the one person I love go" Connie blurted it out before she realised what she was saying.
"You love him?" Fulton asked surprised.
"What?" Connie snapped around.
"You just said 'the one person you love'. Do you love him?" Fulton repeated his question.
Connie looked down at her feet. A tear slowly trickled down her cheek as she nodded.
"Yes" she whispered.
The Ducks gasped. No one expected that.
"Out" Julie ordered the boys to leave.
"What?" Charlie asked.
"Get out now!" Julie pointed to the door.
The boys understood that they'd gone too far and left the room before knives were thrown.
"Connie, I" Julie started.
"Just save it. I'm in love with 'our sworn enemy' as Charlie put it and I've just lost all of my friends as well as Rick" Connie went to leave.
"Connie wait! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have judged you like that" Julie held a hand out to stop Connie from leaving.
"No, I shouldn't have been with him in the first place. I tried so hard to stop it happening but I just couldn't bear to be away from him. I still can't" Connie admitted.
"Does he love you?" Julie asked.
"I don't know" Connie admitted.
"Well shouldn't you go find out?" Julie said with a smile playing on her lips.
"But what about." Connie said
"I'll deal with the boys" Julie interrupted.
"Now go!" Julie ordered.
Connie grinned and gave her friend a hug "Thanks" she said feeling more nervous than she ever had before.
What if he rejects me?
Just do it! She told herself as she ran for the door and ignored the boys standing around her doorway.
"Connie!" they called trying to run after her.
"Let her go, its something she has to do" Julie called them back.
Her legs were aching by the time she made it to Rick's dorm.
She paused outside the door wondering if she was being stupid.
Then she remembered Julie's little pep talk and knocked urgently on the door.
"Alright, I'm coming" she heard Rick say.
He opened the door.
"Connie?" he started to say but was cut off by the brunette jumping on him and pressing her lips to his.
Rick was caught by surprise but nevertheless he melted into the embrace wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into him.
"I love you" Connie broke the kiss of to tell him.
"What?" Rick hadn't heard properly.
"I love you" Connie repeated looking nervous.
Rick broke out into a grin as he kissed her again.
"I love you too" he replied.
A/N - and that's it! If I keep going it will end up being a hugely long fic with no real point to it and that would suck! Thanks everyone who reviewed, taking the time to review my fic means a lot and inspires me to keep writing fics.
