Sophomore Year Duck Style
I sprinted through the full parking lot, running across campus, it would have been much more dramatic if I wasn't freezing and tripping in the snow. I smiled as I saw the hockey rink come into view, throwing open the front doors I was met with the sound of booing. That can't be good.
Coming into the stands I found both teams off the ice, it was half time. I looked at the score board and cursed under my breath, 5-0 Hyenas. This is not good! Turning on my heel I marched to the locker room, I halted right in front of the door.
I fiddled with the strap of my hockey bag, nervously. Am I doing the right thing? Would the Ducks even want me here? Most likely not…but that's not going to stop me in the slightest. I placed my ear to the door and heard a muffled voice…Coach Orion, probably giving them a prep talk. I took in a deep breath.
It's now or never.
Pushing open the door I walked in to see everyone looking at me in surprise. I gave a sheepish smile, and started playing with my hockey stick.
"Granger what are you doing here?" Coach asked as I gave a faint smile.
"What do you think? I'm here to play hockey." The Ducks started whispering to each other as Connie asked.
"What about your debutante ball?" I shrugged easily.
"I skipped it, it wasn't worth it. I love hockey more, it's what I want to do." Portman snorted and snidely remarked.
"Oh so now you figured that out." I sighed as the Ducks murmured in agreement, they were a tough crowd.
"Guys, I know I haven't been here for you guys for the past couple of weeks, and I'm sorry. It's just…my mom has never been proud of me and she wanted me to do this so badly! If I had known this was going to happen I wouldn't have. I've become someone I'm not and I left you guys in the dust. I wish I could take it back but I can't, I can only move on from here." I paused watching as the Ducks took in my words. With an impish smile I declared.
"Besides what do you have to lose? You're already losing 5-0." The Ducks laughed nodding their heads. I gave a hopeful smile to the Ducks and Coach.
"So can I come back?" Please say yes! I don't know what to do without the Ducks. The Ducks all looked at Charlie who looked to Coach who nodded to Charlie who smiled to me.
"Welcome back Su." Cheers erupted as everyone grouped hug. I felt a pair of arms go around my waist pulling me into the chest of Adam.
"Glad to have you back." He whispered into my ear kissing my cheek. I smiled up at him.
"Glad to be back." I turned to the Ducks and yelled.
"Now let's do this!"
--
"And here are the Ducks coming out for the third and final period. They'll need a miracle to win against the tough Hyenas. Wait a second is that…it is! It's Su Granger! She's back and no doubt ready to lead the Ducks to victory!" Josh enthusiastically yelled as I was met by cheering. I smiled and waved at the audience, seeing Duck parents such as Mrs. Conway and the Banks. My eyes widened as I saw my parents sitting next to the Banks. They smiled at me, as I smiled back.
"Granger get over here!" Coach yelled as I hurried to the bench huddling with everyone else. We huddled up as Coach gave us the low down.
"Granger take the face off." Coach said as I nodded and skated to the center of the ice going up against McGill…great. He smirked at me as we placed our hockey sticks down.
"Ready for pain Granger?" I narrowed my eyes, seeing as his glance went to my shoulder.
"Bring it on McGill." The puck dropped as I slapped it to Adam before knocking McGill down, hard to the ice. I quickly followed after Charlie and Adam who were passing the puck to one another while maneuvering around the Hyenas. Just as Adam neared the net he hit the puck backwards and it sailed towards me.
I faked right and then shot it forward watching as it went past the goalie. The buzzard went off as everyone cheered. I skated past McGill and taunted.
"That's one." He sneered back.
"That's your only one."
"Sure it is." I skated to the right wing as Adam took the face off against Larson. He shot the puck to me as I shot it to Fulton who did his signature shot producing another score for us 5-2.
I skated to the bench and sat down next to Connie as Luis took my spot.
"Hey." She said softly as I briefly nodded taking a sip of water. MY eyes glued to the ice, I hadn't realized how much I missed playing till just now.
"Su, I'm sorry." I turned to Connie quirking an eyebrow confused.
"For what?" She sighed and looked down.
"Oh…for that." I said realizing what she was talking about, I shrugged.
"Don't be, I kinda deserved it." She looked at me with wide eyes and shook her head, her braid flapping around.
"How can you say that?" I again shrugged glancing at the ice for a split second.
"Easy, because it's true. I wasn't there for you guys, plain and simple."
"But we treated you horribly!"
"Not too bad, I was expecting worse actually. But oh well."
"But-"
"Connie, I forgive you! Just let me watch the game." I said hoping to shut her up. I love apologies just like the next person but not when I am watching a hockey game…it just annoys me. She stared at me for a few minutes before hugging me tightly taking me by surprise. Goldberg, Averman and Russ snickered from where they were sitting as I glared at them. I slowly hugged her back.
"Ok this is…nice. Now please let go!" She giggled nodding as we watched the game. Charlie scrambled behind Julie's net and held up his arms in the V formation.
"Flying V!" He yelled as I muttered.
"I love it when they do the V." Adam, Luis, the Bash Brothers and Kenny scrambled behind them as they did our infamous Flying V. I watched as they passed the puck amongst themselves easily making it through the Hyenas defense, Charlie obtained the puck and it went flying forward going past the goalies legs.
I cheered with the rest of the Ducks as Coach called line change. Goldberg, Averman, Russ and Connie headed out as the Bash Brothers and Adam came back in. Adam took a seat next to me.
"Hey Su, can I talk to you?" I twitched, not again. I slowly turned to him.
"Yes?" I asked trying to keep calm. Just breathe in and out. In and out.
"I've been thinking and I've realized I haven't been the greatest boyfriend to you or friend."
"Don't too be too hard on yourself." I said quickly turning away from him as Portman smashed McGill into the boards. I smirked deviously…he had it coming.
"You're making me feel guilty now, here I've been treating you like crap and you forgive me. You're great you know that?"
"Yep. Great. Whatever." I murmured watching as a Hyena tried scoring on Julie. Luckily she blocked him. That's my girl.
"What I'm really trying to say is I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?"
"Did it a long time ago, can I please watch the game?" I asked as he nodded slowly, wondering why I was brushing him off. Hello, watching hockey here, doesn't anyone get that? Adam then headed out to the ice as Charlie came in. He took Adam's spot.
"Hey Su." He said quietly looking down, I knew that look. It was the-I'm-going-to-apologize-for-being-a-jerk-look. Why me? Why now? Honestly.
"Yes?" I asked through clenched teeth, as Luis handled the puck zooming down the ice and scoring. Charlie didn't even notice it as he looked at me nervously. He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off harshly.
"I forgive you." I turned away looking at the ice with complete determination. Sadly Charlie just didn't get that.
"No Su, I have to do this. You're one of my best friends and I treated you awful. I'm-"
"SORRY! YES I KNOW! NOW GO AWAY!" I shrieked finally losing my patience, why will no one leave me in peace? It seemed the entire stadium was staring at me but I was beyond caring. I don't like it when people don't let me watch hockey…bad things happen when I don't get to watch hockey. Charlie stared at me for a long moment before muttering under his breath.
"Crazy girl." I screamed and started banging my head on the railing drawing the attention of my teammates.
"Stupid"-bang-"People"-bang-"Who"-bang-"Don't"-bang-"Let"-bang-"Me"-bang-"Watch"-bang-"Hockey!"
"Granger!" Coach's voice boomed as I turned glaring at him.
"WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY WANT?" I screamed again as he eyed me oddly.
"Go on the ice." He said simply as I rolled my eyes smiling hysterically. I think the apologies were getting to me.
"Why didn't you say so?" I hurried to the ice passing Kenny as he went back in. Charlie took the face off as I got the puck; I passed it to Adam who shot it in. I smiled but the moment was lost as I suddenly was face first on the ice. I groaned and turned on my back looking up at McGill…no shocker there, of course he'd push me down.
But at least I have backup. Mainly the Bash Brothers.
"You think it's cool to hit a girl?' Portman growled shoving McGill as Adam helped me up.
"You alright?" Adam as I nodded, Portman and Fulton were still ganging up on McGill. I say a ref eyeing us and I knew I had to stop the fight before it went out of control. I got in between the Bash Brothers and McGill.
"Guys stop. He isn't worth it." McGill smirked.
"Didn't know you cared, Granger?" I glared narrowing my eyes.
"I don't. But I'm not about to have our strongest players get kicked out of the game because they kicked your butt." I lightly pushed the Bash brothers away as they mumbled under their breaths.
"You should have let us take him, Su." Fulton grumbled as Portman nodded.
"As fun as it would be watching McGill get the living daylights beaten out of him, I'm not going to have you two get kicked out. I can handle my own fights and if I can't, I know you two are there waiting."
"Damn straight." Portman said as Fulton nodded eagerly. I shook my head chuckling, got to love those two. Biggest hearts around. I sat on the bench watching as we only had 20 seconds to go and we were tied. Goldberg, Adam, Charlie, Luis and Russ were on the ice as the puck dropped.
Luis passed it to Russ who passed it to Adam who faked right but secretly passed it back to Russ who did his knucklepuck. I was on my feet the instant the buzzard went off. Were won! We were the champs! Again!
"We did it!" I yelled hugging Coach tightly who returned it. We stormed the ice as the fans cheered, even varsity reluctantly clapped. Scooter seemed mighty proud of his girlfriend as Julie skated towards us. She, Connie and I did a girl hug, screaming and giggling like no tomorrow. I felt an arm pull me around before lips crashed down on mine. I smiled back kissing Adam, it had been days since our last kiss and I was loving the feeing of being in his arms.
He pulled away smiling as I returned it. I was enveloped in hugs as all the Ducks cheered and whatnot. I waved at me parents in the audience and was surprised when I saw tears in my Mom's eyes.
I guess I finally made her proud after all.
--
Everyone talked excitedly as we changed in the locker room. I had just changed into my sweats and tank top as Coach entered beaming.
"Great game Ducks!" He yelled as we quieted down listening to whatever speech he had made up in his head.
"I'm proud of you guys. It seemed rough in the first two periods but you completely turned it around in the last one. Those Hyenas never saw it coming and it's all thanks to Su." I blushed as everyone looked at me.
"Please, you guys could have won without me."
"Nonetheless, we needed you out there Su and you pulled through for us. When you were in here apologizing you shouldn't have been. Because you didn't do anything wrong we are the ones that should have been apologizing…Su where are you going?" I didn't answer as I raced passed him leaving behind a bunch of confused Ducks.
I really don't want to be apologized to at the moment. I think I might explode.
(My first chapter of 2008! You know what to do read and review! I do not own the Mighty Ducks!)
