Week and a half later. Wednesday 5:30 p.m. – Moreau Residence
Connie walked through the door of her house. It was empty. Her parents were either still at work or on their way home and her older sister was most likely in an afternoon class. The loneliness and silence were strange. Most, if not all, of her Wednesday afternoons were spent with Guy just lounging around or napping on her bed. This time would be different.
The interaction had been very small between them. They never talked to each other, not even during practice when they were put on the same teams. During lunch, they sat on opposite ends of the table. The team thought it to be nothing more than a routine argument. With the exception of Julie and Charlie, the team didn't know how big of an argument it actually was. Yet, there was no displays of hostility or anger against each other. Connie and Guy just remained completely separate unless they had to be in the same room together, which only meant class and practice.
And now, Wednesday afternoon left a void she couldn't fill. She grabbed a water bottle and walked up to her room. The bed was nicely organized with pillows and a thick comforter; she remembered that Guy always jumped on the neatly laid out displayed just to tick her off. Now it was going to be just as clean as Connie had left it.
She took a swig of her water then placed the bottle on her nightstand next to the telephone. She stared at it for what felt like forever. There was a huge urge in her stomach to pick up the phone and dial his number…to tell him that she was sorry and that she missed him.
But she couldn't. Instead, Connie laid down on her bed and cried herself to sleep.
Three weeks later Friday 6:00 p.m. - Locker Room
Julie was in the locker room setting out her goalie gear for the home game that was about to start in an hour. One by one, she placed her pads on the bench ever so neatly. She always liked to arrive early to get a few moments of peace and quiet before the rest of the zoo arrived. The silence was pleasant.
Suddenly, the door slams open and she yelps out of fright.
"Sorry Jules! I didn't mean to scare you," the boy said apologetically while chuckling.
"Geez Guy, a little less force next time, will ya?" she clutched her chest. "What are you doing here so early anyway? No one is ever here besides me."
"I just got out of tutoring so I thought I'd come by and get a head start," he said and placed his bag down. "Anyway, so how's the Cat Lady doing these days?"
"You know, same as usual. School sucks and hockey rules my life. What else is new?" Guy laughed at her. "What about you?"
"School sucks and hockey rules my life," he offered.
"Touché."
Julie watched him as he took his outer clothing off and set out his jersey and pads. Guy was normally quiet. But he's looked so lost in himself lately, it's been impossible for anyone to read him. Julie knew why and it even broke her heart to witness her two friends becoming strangers to one another.
"She misses you, you know?" she told him.
"I miss her too." Guy didn't look at her but his voice was serious.
"She's hurting, Guy. You both are, without each other."
It's been nearly a month and a half since everything happened. In that time, there have been meaningless dates, more so on Guy's part; Wednesdays without nap sessions, and Sundays without anything. They greet each other occasionally but communication has been severely limited to "pass the puck" or "shoot." The team knew by now and although they tried to get the two to cheer up, it was hard. The dynamic had changed, Even so, they remained supportive as a team and friend group.
"I can't be with someone who doesn't want to be with me. That's just how it is, Jules," he responded honestly.
"But that's not how it is with you and Connie. There's so much more to it and you know that, Guy."
Guy finally looked at Julie but ignored her last comment. "I need to go talk to Orion. " Then he left the room with a defeated Julie standing in the center.
5:45 p.m. that same night - Bus Ride
"….and then Averman tripped and knocked Goldberg into Mrs. Reeves. We're told she'll be in the hospital for a couple of days."
Connie burst out laughing at Charlie's story of some classic Duck mishap in chemistry class. "Poor woman. I hope she's not too badly injured."
They were on the bus on the way to Eden Hall for their home game. It was always nice to catch up with Charlie; Connie found his presence comforting. His temper and erraticism were a mess but he was a damn good friend. Times like these, she needed one.
"So what's up with you?"
"Nothing really. Same old, same old." Connie stared absentmindedly out the window.
Charlie smirked and raised his eyebrow at her.
"What?"
"Just because we haven't talked about it, doesn't mean I don't know," he nudged her. "What am I to you now? Chopped liver? You used to come crying to me whenever you guys fought."
She punched him at the mention of crying. "I never cried, Conway." He put his hands up in defense. "So you've been talking to him? How is he?"
"You know Guy. When things get too much, he just closes up...gets quieter. Not around me as much but you know..." Charlie paused and watched as Connie started back out into the window. "He told me what happened, Cons."
She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "I wish it didn't happen. It really has been hard...just not being around him, you know?" Charlie nodded his head in understanding. "This isn't just some fight, Charlie. It felt different this time. He probably thinks our whole relationship meant nothing...that he meant nothing to me...that I don't love him. Would you forgive someone after that?" she asked rhetorically.
"You know I hate seeing you guys like this as much as the next guy. But you also know I'm not saying that because it's obvious. I've known both of you since diaper times. You've always had this weird, complicated thing going on. But neither you or Guy will ever stop feeling the way you do for each other. Yes, you've broken up...a million times. Yes, someone has tried to come between you guys, but you both never changed how you felt and that alone always brought you back together. So talk to him."
"Three months, Charlie. It's the longest we've ever been apart...I wouldn't even know what to say." She shook her head.
"How about 'Hi, How are you?'" Charlie offered wittingly. Connie answered with a glare while her captain chuckled. "Okay, okay. Listen, the moment you see him you'll know what to say. You just need to be honest with yourself and with Guy." The look on Connie's face didn't fully convince him. "Tell me something, what's it been like without him?"
"Shitty. Like something was missing."
"Then tell him that. And believe me, that'll be enough for a conversation that could last for days." He smirked. The great thing about Charlie was that he always knew everything about everyone. And much to Connie and Guy's advantage, his observations, coupled with his long friendship, always worked in their favor. "I don't know what was going in that little head of your but I can tell you that ConnieandGuy is far from being over. Go get your boy back. If you don't, then I will," he said excitedly.
Connie snorted and looked up at her captain, confidante, and close friend. "What would I do without you Charlie Conway?"
He chuckled and wrapped one arm around her. "You'd be a big ball of girly tears."
She punched his leg.