Chapter three
Round 'em up

Outfit: cgi/set?id=86846092

***********************************3rd Person POV***************************************

It has been a few days since Malina found her self in Minnesota and she felt more at home every day, even though the pain was still there. She still hasn't found that thing that made the pain go a bit away. She wants to, but it is very difficult.

She doesn't know what could happen to make the pain hide. Her aunt had told her that maybe falling in love would be the answer, but how do you just fall in love? And do you even control that yourself? Malina spends a lot of time thinking about these things.
Also she thinks about why she can't fall. Maybe he won't catch her, maybe he won't feel the same and maybe she should just give up on falling in love, save herself those heartbreaks?

Les is worried about his cousin. He can see that she feels more at home, but he is also the one to hear her cry at night. He sometimes goes into her room at night and comforts her. It breaks his heart to hear her cry, because he feels as if she is his responsibility. He is the one to notice her eyes cloud with sadness every time someone mention anything that has something to do with her mom and sister. He is the only one to see her eyes go blank in fear every time they have to ride in a car. She might feel more at home, but she is quiet, too quiet, at least compared to how she used to be. She rarely talks and he hasn't heard one genuine laugh from her yet. He is worried that she will stop talking to him and the rest of the ducks.

His mother told him about some parts of Lina and hers conversation. His mother told him about the thing about falling in love. He wants her to if that's what is going to make her pain smaller, but on the other hand he doesn't her to. What if it instead of healing the pain makes it worse? What if it doesn't happen? There are so many things that could end up hurting her instead of healing her.

Connie Moreau is happy genuinely happy and why not? She got the boy of her dreams, he has always been her best friend and now they were even closer. She also got her best childhood friend back. The three of them had been inseparable when they were little and now they get another chance to be best friends. Connie had truly missed her. She is surrounded by boys all the time; she needed her best friend back. She needed her girl, but after all she is worried. Her best friend suddenly comes back after eight years, but she won't or she can't tell why she's back. Besides she is quiet, Lina almost never talks and when they were six they couldn't get Lina to be quiet. It scared Connie a lot. The fact that Lina changed, it isn't because she didn't think Lina would change, but Lina just changed far more than they ever thought she would. Connie and Guy talk about Lina a lot. They are both worried. They are both worried about their best friend. They wonder, often, about what happened? Something had to happen, to change her so much, something bad.

Charlie Conway is excited. Their coach is back in town and that means hockey. Charlie has heard Jan talk about Bombay becoming the coach of team USA all summer. Charlie is hoping that it will come true and that Coach Bombay will bring the ducks with him. Charlie is worried about Les, Guy and Connie. The three are always worrying about Lina and they are starting to worry the others too. They are always watching out, it's like being in room with bomb and one wrong word can trigger it.

They step carefully through the minefield, not only on their behalf, but also on the others behalf too.

*************************************Les Averman's POV*************************************

Today I'm going to work; I just don't know what I'm going to do with Lina. She can't come with me, but I can't leave her home alone. I walk across the hall and knock softly on Lina's door ''good morning Lina'' I whisper as I open the door. I don't get an answer, so I turn the lights on. She is lying on her bed, glasses on, book in hand, but eyes closed. She looks so peaceful, just lying there, with her book and glasses on.

I smile.
I smile because I think; well I know that this is the happiest she has and will be for a while. It is almost a shame to wake her up. Almost. ''Lina it's time to get up'' I whisper as I gently shake her. ''Gutemorgen'' Lina whispers in her small voice that I yet have to get used to. ''You have to wake up now Lina'' I say and shake her a bit more. She sits up in the bed and rubs her eyes ''I'll be down in a second'' she says as a polite way of saying 'Get out' ''alright, my mom made breakfast'' I say as I am half way out of the door.

''Good morning mom'' I reach the kitchen and greet my mother. ''Good morning Les'' she says, but just continues cooking. The smell of pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon fills the entire house as my mom continues.

''How is she?'' my mother asks, her gaze focused on the pans in front of her.

I think about for a bit; she didn't cry tonight, she didn't scream, she wasn't awake when I came into the room. I think she is doing better. ''I'm fine'' Lina's sharp voice cuts trough my thoughts and telling us that she's up. Her answer silences my mom and we make eye contact only for a second, but I can see that she doesn't believe that Lina is fine. I don't believe that she is fine, better? Yes, but fine? Not yet.

Our toaster dings, Lina grabs one of the bread slices and starts breaking small pieces of it and eating them. ''So what's the plan today?'' she asks as she puts another piece of bread in her mouth. ''Well Les has work so he can't be with you today'' my mother explains, probably thinking about what Lina could do instead of being with me. Lina nods telling us that she understands ''so what can I do?'' she asks and mom and I look at each other again, trying to get ideas. ''Well you could ask Connie if you could spend time with her, you know catch up?'' my mom suggests and it's a good suggestion, I mean Lina and Connie haven't seen each other that much these days. ''Nope can't do that'' Lina answers immediately and it makes me confused. Why can't she spend time with Connie today? ''Cons has a date with Guy'' Lina smirks at me and mom like she knows everything ''isn't there a park around here or something?'' Lina asks popping the last piece of bread in her mouth and waiting for mom or me to answer, but she was confusing me, again; why would she want to know that?
''Yes there is'' my mother pours the eggs over on a plate while she answers Lina's question ''but why do you want to know that?'' my mother asks Lina, looking up from her cooking and straight into Lina's eyes.
''I was just thinking I could take my board there and maybe read a book?'' Lina's statement sounds more like a question, as her voice grows weak towards the end of the sentence.

One thing caught my attention; her board. What does she mean with that?
''Your board?'' I ask and Lina's eyes fly up to meet mine ''yeah my skateboard'' she shrugs letting the sentence fall. ''I can follow you there on my way to work'' I say once I realized that she probably would need some help getting around in our town.

***********************************Guy Germaine's POV**************************************

''I know today is supposed to be about us, but I need to ask about something?'' Connie and I are walking hand in hand through town. ''What's bothering you Con?'' I am getting a bit worried, I meet her eyes when she says ''it's just Lina'' and I know what she means.

I am very worried about our best friend. It's just she's back after eight years, without her mother and sister and she won't tell us why, it's not normal, everything could have happened, but I don't have a clue. She left Germany, the place where she has been living, the place that has been her home for eight years now, but why? It's a question that haunts every duck.
''What do you think happened Guy?'' Connie asks me, hoping for me to comfort her, worry lighting through her every word. ''I don't know Con, I really don't know'' my voice has dropped to a whisper and I put my arm around her shoulder pulling her closer, trying to comfort her. ''She just seems so different, I don't know what to do'' her voice is getting slightly more panic-y and her eyes are getting teary. We've reached some sort of river with a place to look out on the wild water.
''I don't know what's wrong or what happened with Lina, but no matter what it is we're going to be there for her'' my voice gains strength and I take her hands in mine, looking in to her warm browns eyes ''and we've got each other, we've always had each other and I'm not going anywhere remember that'' a little smile forms on her lips and I can't help but smile too. I lean in, my face nearing hers millimeter by millimeter. We are so close now I can feel her breath over my lips, but just as our lips are about to touch a sound breaks the air, a quack.

Connie whipped her head around to face the noise so fast that her braid almost hit me in my face. Charlie, Averman and Jesse are standing there, skating gear on. Averman's voice cuts through the air and the noise from the water below ''The Quack attack is back Jack'' he yells.
I stand there not really wanting to leave our place, but Connie was ready to leave, to play hockey. Luckily we had our skating gear with us. ''Come on'' they all yelled as they saw my hesitation. I guess they're right; we have to go. When Connie is out of earshot I yell ''I was this close'' to the boys; holding up two fingers showing how close Connie and I were to kissing.

''So why are you getting us all together?'' I ask as we are skating towards Goldberg's diner. ''We are going to the Junior Goodwill games'' Averman says just as we reach the diner.
The Junior Goodwill games. Olympics for kids. International competition. This year it's in Los Angeles. Los Angeles. Wait..?

''Averman isn't that in L.A. this year?'' I asked realizing he might run into a problem, he responds quizzically and seemingly bored ''Yeah?'' I just raise my eyebrows and look at him waiting for him to figure it out. ''Shit!'' he finally realized that he has a cousin who a) just moved here and knows no one, but us ducks b) something has happened to her and he is the only who knows what. So he has someone depending on him, here in Minnesota.

''I can't go'' he mutters under his breath, thinking no one heard it, but of course I did. ''We'll figure something out'' I say, hoping to comfort him.
And maybe we won't, I don't tell him this of course, but maybe, just maybe he can't go and we can't do it without Les and if we can it won't be the same.

Maybe Lina can come with us?
It's a possibility, but it's pretty far fetched. I don't think Coach will mind, but there's the fact that her trip has to be paid for and I know Les' mom doesn't have the money. I hope we have some sponsors that are willing to pay, and then it might be a possibility.
I hope they both get to be there, even though Lina has only been here for a week or so, she is already a part of the ducks and we will miss her if she can't come.
I guess I have been caught up in thought 'cause the next thing I know is that Goldberg is falling down some sort of hill in the park.

We all laugh 'cause no matter how you look at it, it is pretty funny. We skate through the park cheering and just having fun. Suddenly we see Fulton; he's apparently beating up some of the hawks: Larson, McGill and some blonde dude.
Fulton tied them to a tree, but they were only wearing boxers, Fulton held up their clothes and yelled ''that I'll teach 'em to mess with the ducks'' we all cheered louder.

****************************************Malina's POV***************************************

I heard cheering from somewhere in the park and it sounds a lot like the ducks.
I find the sound source and sure enough it's them, I reach them in time to hear Fulton yell ''that I'll teach 'em to mess with the ducks'' I laugh 'cause right behind him is three boys tied to a tree, in their boxers. Connie must have heard my laugh 'cause she turns around ''Lina'' she yells surprised. We start skating towards somewhere I don't really know.

''What are you doing here?'' she asked, still surprised filled her voice. ''I was just reading a book'' I answer my voice a bit shy and timid as I realize everyone is looking at me. ''What about you guys?'' I ask wanting to turn the attention away from me. ''We have to go meet our coach'' Adam said excitement filled his eyes, making him look like a little kid seeing a Christmas tree for the first time. ''Why?'' curiosity sparked in side of my mind ''We have to go to L.A. to compete at the Junior Goodwill games'' Adam had a hard tome to contain his excitement I can see that.

And then the sentence falls, like a stone in a puddle. The words shatter my mind, like a bullet through a window.
I realize what it means.
They're leaving, they're all leaving.
''Oh'' that little word is all that leaves my lips. That little word is all I need to express how heartbroken that makes me.
I put on a smile, big and fake, trying to lace my voice with happiness I say ''that's great guys'' my voice falls a bit in the end, I smile a bit wider trying to convince them that I truly am happy.

My eyes meet Guy's. He is standing a little towards the back, next to Les. In his eyes I see that I didn't convince him. He knows I'm sad and maybe a bit disappointed about them leaving.

Can you blame me really?
I didn't expect them to put their lives on hold for me, but I didn't expect this. Of course I am happy for them, they all want to become professional hockey players and this might be the first step for them. I am happy for them, I am, but I thought that I was getting some time with my friends, but no. They had to go to L.A. leaving me here alone.

I guess it's just my luck.
Then there's the fact that I will be starting school without them.
It sucks.
I can't describe it differently; it just sucks.

''We're going to figure something out'' a voice breaks my train of thoughts. I look up to find Guy's eyes looking at me. I search his eyes for the lie that has to be there, but all I find is concern and hope.

I find myself nodding and my smile becomes just a tad bit more sincere.

We went a round a corner and the others start cheering, just one word over and over again ''coach'' they repeated the while skating towards a man who was smiling. Coach Bombay.

I grabbed Les' arm before he went over there ''I'm going home'' I said avoiding to look him directly in the eyes, I don't want him to see how hurt I am. Before he even had a chance to reply or say anything against it I was off.

****************************************3rd persons POV**********************************

Gordon noticed the girl on the skateboard right away, he saw her mainly because of three reasons 1) he hadn't seen her before and since it was the ducks that were supposed meet him here he would've known everyone 2) through the others cheering she was the only one silent and 3) she left.

Why she left Gordon had no idea, but he made a promise to him self to ask Averman later since it seemed as if he knows her.

Gordon had lived in this area for his entire life and he knew most of the people around here, but that girl, she was new.

He wondered a bit why Averman seemed a bit down after she left, but all thoughts of the new girl flew from his mind when the ducks surrounded him cheering ''coach'' over and over again.

Gordon smiled and thought ''it really is nice to be home again''

''So coach what's the plan?'' Charlie asks, once the limo left, eager to start playing hockey again. ''Well tomorrow we will get some new players and then we will start training'' the confusion was clear on every duck's face as they looked at each other searching for answers, in the end it was Guy that voiced every duck's thought ''New players?'' he asked ''we will get five of the best players in the USA to join the team'' Gordon explained and looked over the ducks. 'They've changed so much and then not at all'' he thought as he compare the faces starring up at him to when he last saw them. He couldn't believe it's been a year, a whole year since he has last seen his ducks.

''I want you to go home, rest and then we will meet at the skating rink tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. I will call your parents later to make sure you are all allowed to come with'' Gordon says and they all spread out skating home, chatting away excitingly.
''Averman'' Gordon yelled just as Les was about to disappear behind a street corner with Connie and Guy. Les said something to the other to and turned around, skating back.

''That girl that was here at first, who is she?'' Gordon asks and a nervous feeling creeps over Les. Les rubs his neck, a nervous habit of his.
''She's my cousin, she moved in a few days ago'' Les says his voice flat, trying not to give away more and Gordon can feel that he shouldn't pry more so he simply says ''I'll see you tomorrow'' and Les skated home.
Home to his mother and to Lina.

Lina arrived to her new home and stormed up to her newly decorated room and slammed the door shut.

She throws her self in her bed, burying her face in her pillowed and then the tears came.
She cried and she cried, she didn't know that one could cry so much as she had the last month and a half. In the end the crying wore her out and she fell asleep.

Les came home, running straight past his mother and up the stairs.

He opens the door to Lina's room, only to find her curled up in her bed with a pillow hugged to her chest. He wanted to apologize, but seeing her lying there, with red eyes and shiny cheeks. Only made him sad to think that he would leave her here all alone.