Chapter 14

That Saturday was our first game with Adam on the team. Since the post-detention practice, the rest of the guys people on the team had returned to their normal, happy-go-lucky (for the most part) state of being. That being the case, there was quite the commotion in the locker room before the game. I sat on a bench, fully dressed (aside from my helmet, which was set next to me) and silently giggling at the antics of my teammates. I occasionally glanced over at the jersey that was to belong to Adam if he so wished, sighing with slight dread at the large 99 on the back. I knew he loved being number 9, and Gordie Howe was one of his idols. But as much as Adam loved Mr. Hockey, he also loved Wayne "The Great One" Gretzky, so the number change wasn't all that terrible.

As the door creaked open, the locker room silenced. Everyone moved out of the little nooks and corners toward the center of the room, myself included. Behind the mask Adam had created and worn for years of his life, I could see that he was nervous. Behind him, Coach entered the locker room.

"Hey," Coach said as he clapped Adam on the back lightly. "Wasn't sure if you'd show up."

"Yeah, whatever," Adam half-mumbled. "I just wanna play hockey." This time, he was a bit louder.

"Good," Bombay said to him. He turned and addressed the rest of the team. "Ducks, you all know Adam Banks." There was barely a second of silence before someone spoke up.

"On behalf of the Ducks, I'd like to say welcome..-" Charlie, who knew both sides of Adam (the human side and the hockey side), was cut off (although it was more like he trailed off) by Jesse, who halted my brother by putting a hand to Charlie's chest to stop him and standing up.

"Cake-eater," Jesse spat at Adam, glaring at him.

"Ooh, the Jess-man, dissin' the new guy, the Jess-ster-"

"Shut up, Averman!" Jesse snapped.

"It was just a joke.." Averman mumbled as Jesse moved toward Adam.

"Puttin' on a Ducks jersey doesn't mean you're a real Duck," he said, his face in Adam's. Giving the former Hawk one last dirty look, the older Hall brother shoved his way between Adam and Coach, the rest of the team following, Charlie last and reluctantly. I stayed behind for a moment. Coach looked toward his departing players, and turned back to Adam.

"They're a good group once you get to know 'em," he said. Adam just looked at him.

"I bet," he half-mumbled again, casting his eyes down toward his feet.

"Wel, suit up. I'll see you on the ice," Bombay started to leave. "And Claire," he called over his shoulder, "you have less than five minutes before I want to see you out there." I smiled and waved to him. As soon as the locker door closed again, I stood up and walked toward one of my best friends. He dropped his hockey bag and put down his stick, and I engulfed him into a hug. I felt his arms wrap around me, as well as the shaking of his body. I eventually pulled away, and reached up to wipe away the few tears that had escaped Adam's eyes, his mask beginning to crack.

I had to talk to him. Needed to tell him something. But my promise to myself would make that impossible. I will never use my voice again, as long as I have control over it. I glared at the ceiling in frustration for a few seconds. Well y'know what? I DON'T CARE! This is Adam. My absolute best friend after Charlie. I have to do this. And with that thought, I stood up onto my tiptoes to whisper into his ear.

"Hang in there, Ads. It'll be okay. Once you hit rock bottom, the only place you can go is up." I pulled away to see his grinning face, before being pulled into another hug.

"Claire," he started after he released me, "I really needed that. Thanks. Now get out there before Bombay kills you." I stuck my tongue out of him as I walked backward toward the locker room door, turning around and walking out to the sound of his laughter.

With 8:54 left in the second, we were losing 1-0 against the Huskies. Adam was playing really well for not really playing; for most of the first period, Charlie and I were the only ones passing to him. Eventually, more and more of the team started to pass to him, and he managed to score a goal and tie the game. Needless to say, Jesse was not pleased as the goal was celebrated.

With 0:16 left in the third, the game was still tied.

"Goldberg!" Coach half-shouted over the team during a timeout. "You're gonna sit this one out."

"What?" Was a general statement from a few individuals.

"You're pulling the goalie while we're tied?" Karp asked incredulously. His statement caused a bit of an uproar amongst the team.

"Listen, listen, listen! A tie isn't gonna help us, we need the win. Okay, Fulton, yu'e our extra man. Everybody: get the puck to Fulton. That's your job."

"Are we pulling the Statue of Liberty play?" Fulton asked.

"Yeah.?" Connie sort of asked.

"No," Coach told us. "Take your shot. You may only get one, so it's gotta be good."

"But coach, one outta one?" Fulton half asked.

"Soft hands, Fulton. Concentration, not strength." Guy spoke with a wisdom well beyond his years.

"That's right! Okay? Let's get the Huskies! Let's go!" Coach ushered those of us who needed to be on the ice off of the bench and we (Jesse, Charlie, Adam, Averman, Fulton, and I) skated over to the ref for the face off. The puck immediately went back to Fulton, but a Husky got the puck and started skating toward our net. Fulton caught up to him and recovered the puck, shoving the other kid in the process. He brought it back to the Huskies' blue line, and lined up to shoot. So many people were yelling at him to shoot, it was overwhelming me. We skated away from the net as we anticipated his shot. 9 seconds. 8. 7. He shot. THe puck zoomed toward the net, Huskies diving out of the way. The puck burst through the back of the net as the clock changed from 0:01 to 0:00. The ref blew his whistle. We, as well as all of our parents, were ecstatically screaming and celebrating our win. I skated to Fulton and crashed into him, pulling him into a huge hug. Th rest f the skaters that were out with us piled on a well.

"WE MADE THE PLAYOFFS!" I heard Coach yell in the background.

We were going to the playoffs. Adam was on the team. Everyone (almost everyone) was starting to warm up to him. Life was good.

A/N: She speaks! And they won! Infrequent updates are in full swing. Thanks, school -_-

Hopefully I'll update again by this time next week...

Aaanyway, what do you guys think of Claire speaking? Yea or Nay? Let me know.

Reviewers:

ChelBell2016: Glad you love it! Here's an update :)