Here's the next chapter. Once again I don't own the Ducks nor do I own ACDC. All I own is Lizzy. Enjoy.
Chapter 37: I'll tell you I told you so.
Later that night I was doing some homework when someone knocked on my door. "It's open." I called.
"Hey Lizzy." Luis said as he came in.
"Hey Luis," I answered motioning for him to sit down. He sat on the edge of my desk and looked from me to his hands.
"If I asked you something would you laugh?"
"Depends on how funny it is."
"What if it sounds stupid and funny but I'm being serious?"
"Luis if it's a serious question I'm not going to laugh. Remember I do have big brothers and I know what it's like to be laughed at and picked on."
"Lizzy I need a favor." Luis sounded real hesitant about it. It was like he really wanted it but wasn't sure if I was the right person.
"Luis, I'll do just about anything for you within reason and if I can't then I'll find you someone who will."
"Lizzy can you help me learn to skate better?" He asked looking at the floor.
"Luis you're the quickest on the team and a damn good skater what do you need my help for?"
"I have a problem skating backwards and stopping."
"I thought Jan helped you learn to stop."
"If you didn't want to help me you just had to say so." He spat standing.
"Luis, wait," I called grabbing his arm. "I just want to know how much and what I have to work with before I get myself into something."
"So you will help then?"
"Of course I will, but first I need to know what Jan taught you and then we'll go from there."
"Thank you so much chica you're the best." He said kissing my hand.
"That's what they tell me." I answered.
"When though?" I looked through my planner.
"Looks like I have an opening on Wednesday or Thursday in the afternoon, which do you prefer?"
"What times?"
"Wednesday between the play and dinner or Thursday between Varsity and JV hockey practices."
"Wednesday if you don't mind."
"Alright Wednesday it is."
"Do you think one day will be enough?" Luis asked.
"Well today is Thursday, so we'll start on Wednesday the ninth, that's next Wednesday, and we'll see how much work we have to do then, but if we need the extra day which works better for you Saturday or Sunday?" I answered.
"Sunday."
"Ok good."
"Thanks Lizzy."
"Not a problem."
"Hey Lizzy, can I ask something of you?"
"Sure."
"Keep this quiet?"
"Of course."
"Hey Liz, a favor?" I heard Goldberg ask coming into the doorway.
"Sure Luis and I were finished right?"
"Yeah."
"Just remember Wednesday at 4:45."
"Yes ma'am." Luis said leaving the room.
"What is it Goldie?" I asked.
"I need a favor. Well two really."
"I'll help you the best I can alright?"
"Thanks I knew I could always count on you. The first isn't really for me it's for Kenny. He really likes this girl but is scared she'll turn him down if he asks her out. He wants to know what he should do."
"Shouldn't I be talking to him about this?"
"Well yeah but I guess he's better at giving advice than getting it."
"Tell him he needs to come talk to me so he can get better advice and you wouldn't have broken his trust."
"Ok cool now um...secondly I need you help. I want to learn how to play better hockey."
"As a defense man?"
"Yeah like that."
"Wouldn't Fulton or Dean be a better person to ask?"
"I guess but they both kinda scare me."
"Come on Goldie, neither will hurt you. How about Connie?"
"Lizzy I came to you because I knew you would help me improve faster than anyone else and because you wouldn't laugh at time. I want this shot to get better and maybe play varsity next year. They've given my grandfather a year to live and it would be special to all of us if he could see me play varsity before he dies." Goldberg said.
"It's just that I don't play defense, I'm a shooter. You know Matt plays center and Seth's a goalie so neither played much defense. I know enough to get the puck but usually I let the rest of the team do it." I said.
"Please."
"Alright, I'll try. The first thing we have to do is get you to skate better and maybe drop a few pounds. If you're real serious about this we need to get you into a workout and skating routine but it also means you need to lay off the snack foods a bit."
"A bit?" He asked looking horrified.
"Yeah try taking it down to snacks before practice and maybe after dinner. Instead of a cinnamon roll with breakfast try an apple or an orange or a banana. Instead of ice cream try frozen yogurt. They all taste almost as good but they're better for you. Not only will you shed a few pounds but you'll feel great and you'll be in shape. I don't want to change you I just want you to feel better about who you are and how fast you can skate on the ice."
"Um...ok."
"You don't believe me do you?"
"It's not that..."
"Yes it is. Alright then, take a look at Dean and Fulton. Who's the better hockey player?"
"In your opinion Fulton."
"Right, because Fulton is in better shape than Dean is. True Dean works out more but if watch the difference between how much they eat you'll notice that Dean will scarf down whatever is in front of him. Fulton on the other hand rarely eats chocolate or stuff with a lot of fat and calories in it unless it's potato chips. He's learned from Matt to watch what he eats so he doesn't end up in pain or slacking off." I said.
"That makes sense." Goldie said. "You really think this will help me as a better defenseman?"
"Yes I do Goldie, it might even get you your goalie spot back if you want it. Tell you what try this for a week and a half and after that if you don't feel that it's working we can try something else but you have to give it a chance. Oh and cut back on the fried foods too." I said.
"So what days can you help me?"
"We can do this first thing in the morning if you want. The gym is always open and few people go before class."
"What time?"
"Five or 5:30."
"That's early."
"I know but there will be less people and more free equipment."
"Good deal, what about skating?"
"Well how about Thursdays between JV and Varsity practice?"
"Any other days?"
"Saturday?"
"Can we do both?"
"I don't see why not."
"Thanks Lizzy."
"So this Saturday at 9:30 am?"
"Sure you're the best."
"So they tell me." I said. "Oh and don't forget your skates Saturday." Goldberg nodded and left. Ten minutes later Kenny came in. "Hey Kenny, what's up?"
"I need advice." Kenny said.
"Sure Doctor Jacobs is in what kind of advice do you need?"
"Relationship girl advice."
"Ah one of my specialties. Have a seat." I stood and walked to my door looking at my dry erase board. It currently said 'Lizzy loves Portman' with a smiley face under it, the times for hockey practice, and a big doodle of the sun and a stick figure that had been drawn by Fulton. I erased the doodle and wrote:
The Doc is in... I'm busy at the moment take a number...
1
2
3
4
5
6
Then I walked back inside and sat opposite of Kenny on my bed. "So tell the good Doctor all about this slight bump in the road." I said. He cracked a smile and then sighed.
"Well you see there's this girl I really like and she's kinda loud but can be gentle and I want to ask her out but I don't know if she'll say yes. Tell me Doc Jacobs what should I do?" Kenny proclaimed.
"First off I'm not gonna ask for a name, I don't need to know. Secondly how long have you known her and that you've liked her?"
"I've known her for about a year and a half and I've started liking her only for the past few months."
"Tell me a bit more about her."
"Well like I said she's generally gentle and shy but around just her friends and people she's comfortable with she's loud and can be a bit overbearing. I don't think she has a temper but only because I've never seen it. She generally stands up for the underdog and can get a bit forceful but she doesn't like to hurt people's feelings. She's in the art club and you do know her if only slightly."
"Alright." I said stroking my imaginary beard. "Ok, how well do you know her?"
"Not to well but I know she's into art, likes romantic movies, and is into some sports. She's also into alternative rock and heavy metal a bit."
"Ok so go on that Ken. I personally love art but I have a hard time telling you much about its history. There are other people I know that could tell you everything there is to know about a painting, sculpture, and the like but can't draw, paint, or sculpt worth crap. You have to figure out which type this girl is. Then again she could be both. I suggest taking her to get ice cream or to a movie or for a walk to get to know her better. If she likes hockey maybe you could ask her to come see one of your games or ask if you can see some of her work."
"But how? I know I want to ask her out and I kinda know what I want to do, not that you didn't have any great ideas, I just don't know how to ask her."
"Oh...well she normally hangs out with a couple of her friends right?"
"Yeah except after History class."
"Alright well...Hmmmm...you could always try the direct approach. Before she leaves History ask if you can talk to her and when she says yes ask her out. Either she'll say yes or she'll..." A knock at the door interrupted me. "Read the sign." I called.
"But Lizzy it's important." Connie said.
"Read the sign." I repeated.
"Fine," she huffed.
"Now where was I?"
"She'll say yes or..." Kenny prompted.
"Right, she'll say yes or she'll let you down easy. From what you've said and if it's who I'm thinking of she won't bluntly say no. If you're not up to the direct method, which is always the best girls always think guys have more balls if they're direct, then you can try asking her out through a note."
"Thanks ER I don't know how I could do this without you."
"Oh and another thing Dean and Fult will probably tease you about this."
"Yeah didn't plan on telling them."
"Good, anything else the good Doctor needs to know?"
"Nope just that you are good." I smiled and he left. I looked at my board and saw that Connie had left her name so I went to yell for her but saw most of the Ducks gathered near Charlie's door. I went down there and soon found out what was going on.
"Linda, I know you don't think it's fair but she was hurting and she needed her cousin. Come on just put yourself in my position. Do you expect me to get mad if your cousin was as upset as Lizzy was and you brushed me off for him?" Charlie asked.
"Of course not Charlie but that's different."
"How so?"
"It is Charlie."
"Tell me how Linda." Most of the Ducks had let me through and were now looking between me and the fighting couple as if expecting me to do something.
"It just is Charlie, my cousin is family and I'm stuck with them. You're my boyfriend and you should understand that family is one of the most important things to me."
"I understand that Linda, but I can't see why you don't. You know I love Lizzy to death and she's one of the most important people in my life, my mother being the most important. Linda, tell me why this situation is any different than it would be if you were in my shoes."
"It just is." Linda pouted. That's when my patience snapped.
"You know people only say that when they can't come up with a solid reason. It's the exact same Linda. Family is important to both of you and you need to understand, like he does, that family is always going to come first. You know you are just like the rest of the snobs around here."
"I am not a snob."
"Yes you are. You can't understand why you're not the most important person in your boyfriend's life, that's a snob. You've been dating for almost a year; you should get it by now. He's your boyfriend, but it could always go bad between the two of you and he'd never talk to you but he's stuck with me, no matter how much we fight and complain and argue we will always be stuck with each other. Learn that Byrns and you'll attract more boys and hold on to them that way."
"Charlie." She whined.
"Don't even start that Byrns not even 30 seconds ago you were yelling at him and now you want him to protect you. You are the most hypocritical idiotic snob I have ever met."
"Lizzy..." Charlie sighed rubbing his temples.
"What Charlie?"
"Don't get into this." He said.
"It's a little too late for that."
"Don't Liz, just don't."
"Don't what Charlie? Do you want me to stop arguing with her?"
"Yes."
"Why? This is the same kind of crap Bombay put you through for the past five years. I'm not going to stop now. I don't even see why you're putting up with this. You never took it from Tammy even though you liked her."
"Why don't you go make out with Banks? You told Larson you still liked him." Charlie snapped. My mouth dropped open. I really couldn't believe he had just said that.
"I never told Larson I liked Adam. I didn't confirm or deny that I still had that same juvenile crush but only Larson would know the boy's name. He's also the only one that knows for sure if that guy is still on the team. For all you know it could have been Jesse." I snapped. "Did I like Adam when we were younger? Sure, he was cute, sensitive, he supported me when no one else did, not even you Charlie, and he actually cared about me. But you know what? He's missing that one thing I look for in a guy that I want to date. A smart mouth. As much as I whine and complain about it that's the one thing a guy has to have to make the cut. Sure I still really like Adam because of all that but that doesn't mean I have a crush on him. You know what? If you want me out then I'll leave but know this, when she's being a real pain in the butt snob don't come running to me. The same goes for when she ends up cheating on you. The only thing I'm gonna say is 'I told you so'. Now bye CJ. Hope you enjoy this relationship while it lasts." I spat walking out and slamming the door behind me. I held my temper long enough to look around the crowd who was mainly looking around the hallway.
"I'm here Gator." Adam said.
"Thanks Ads. This what you wanted Connie?" I asked controlling my voice.
She nodded and then looked away. I walked back to my room and flung myself down on my bed on my stomach. Picking up my stereo remote I flipped though the five CD's landing on AC/DC and then buried my head in my arms. Later I heard my door open slowly and shut. Only Adam and Fulton would be stupid enough to come in when I was that upset. The bed dipped and I was pretty sure it was Fulton. I was shoved on my back and the person sat against my headboard. I crawled into his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck then started crying. Slowly he rocked me to sleep gently singing in my ear.
"Good night princess." That's when I knew it was Fulton. He flipped off the stereo and tucked me in. "Sweet dreams."
"Thank you." I whispered before snuggling in to my covers.
That's all for now for this one. Let me know what you think.