Chapter 15

Balancing our schedules created a hectic life for me and Adam. With practice on Mondays and occasionally on Fridays, dance on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and both the playoffs and a dance recital coming up, not to mention school, where both of us were being tormented by Hawks. It was a struggle, but neither of us would give it up for all the money in the world.

The next weekend, Coach took the entire team out to the Minnesota North Stars' stadium. We got to see the end of their practice, and none of us could believe our eyes.

"What're we doing here?" I heard Charlie ask Coach.

"It's a little playoffs present," he muttered back. The North Stars then started to come off of the ice, and two of them stopped to talk to us because one recognized coach.

"Hey, Gordo! Gordon Bombay, right?" Basil McRae, one of my all-time favorite players asked.

"You remember me?" Coach asked in return, slightly shocked.

"Sure, from PeeWees." Basil then turned to the other player, Mike Modano. "This guy used to rule in PeeWees."

"Oh yeah? I heard you were a farmer." Mike responded, looking toward Bombay.

"Actually, I became a lawyer. I'm coaching PeeWee now and this is my team, the Ducks. Ducks, this is Basil McRae and Mike Modano." At this, a general chorus of "We know" and "Duh!," as well as several other sarcastic comments, arose from the team. "Alright, alright," Bombay countered to try to quiet them.

"Hey, Ducks. Listen to this guy. He knows what he's talkin' about." Basil said to us. He then turned back to Bombay. "If you ever want a shot, let me know. I'll get you a tryout with the minor league club." Bombay nodded in return.

"Thanks," he said appreciatively, shaking Basil's hand. The adults exchanged goodbyes and Bombay turned his attention back to us.

"Alright, let's have some fun!" And with those words, we pulled some of our equipment on over our clothes, shoved our gloves onto our hands, and hit the ice.

Connie and Guy started off by skating while they held hands, and I smirked at Connie, making her blush and then glare at me.

"Hey, Speedster!" I heard Jesse call me. I skated over to him quickly and stopped right in front of him, sending snow flying onto his legs. He just rolled his eyes.

"So Jesse and I were thinking," Peter grinned mischievously. "How cool would it be if you skated between Connie and Guy like reallyreallyreally fast," and yes he said it just like that, "and hopefully knocked them over?" I just looked at him for a moment before motioning Charlie over.

"What's up, Claire?" My brother asked as he came to a stop beside me.

"Peter and I want her to skate between Connie and Guy really fast. Y'know, give 'em a bit of a hard time." Jesse briefed my brother.

"Oh, you're gonna have to make it worth it to Claire. Ten dollars?" He looked at me for approval. I gestured to Peter, and then to Jesse before nodding. "Each. Ten dollars each." The troublemakers grumbled and rolled their eyes as they each pulled out bills. I took Peter's $10 and both of Jesse's $5s before pocketing them and skating around the rink to build up some speed.

After a full lap around, I located Connie and Guy and made a beeline for them, aiming directly toward where their gloved hands were connected. As I made contact, the force pulled their hands apart and fung both of them to the ground. I skated off, stopping at the opposite end of the rink to get as far away from Connie as possible.

"CLAIRE CONWAY YOU ARE SO DEAD!" Connie shouted, skating toward me. I ran away from her and over to Fulton, dragging him to the corner and holding him in front of me.

"Nuh-uh Claire, no way am I letting you get me involved in this," he said as he tried to skate away. I held on, causing him to drag me along as he attempted to escape. Nevertheless, it was unnecessary; Connie swooped in from behind, grabbing my arm and tearing my grip off of Fulton before pushing me away in revenge. I landed sprawled out on the ice, silently laughing as I slid down to the corner. I heard Connie's shrieks behind me, the other girl having launched herself onto the ice behind me. We stopped in a heap against the boards, both of us out of breath. Connie regained her composure first, offering a hand to help me up. I graciously accepted, and we skated away, giggling about how stupid the boys looked.

Watching the North Stars play the Hartford Whalers was an exciting opportunity, and seeing it with the whole team made it that much more exciting. I was sandwiched between Charlie and Adam, as I was the only one who could stand to sit between the two. We stood silently for the national anthem, cheered when the North Stars scored, and booed when the Whalers scored.

Once, just after Basil McRae shot the puck into the net, I felt Adam shift uncomfortably as we sat back down. I glanced past him and saw the issue: Matthew Larson, Ryan McGill, and Edward Jameson. I rolled my eyes and grabbed Adam's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. He just looked at me, and I shot him a small smile. Forget them, I tried to convey. He smiled back, seeming to get my message, and we both turned back to the game as I let my hand drop back to my lap.

After watching the North Stars absolutely cream the Whalers, Charlie and I were delivered home by Coach. We said hello and goodnight to our mom, and immediately crashed on our beds, ready to sleep until 11:00 the next morning and do all of the homework that we always saved until Sunday.

A/N: I'm not dead, I promise! School has been sucky and the hockey season has started which means I have less time after school and on the weekends because of my games and practices, as well as those of both of my brothers. Aaaaanyway, I hope this makes up for my not posting and whatnot. I hope all of my American friends had good Thanksgivings (I've been off of school since Wednesday and had half days Monday and Tuesday. I'm not looking forward to Monday) and I hope no one died on Black Friday.

Reviewers:
Guest: Glad you love it! And yeah I guess it is pretty cute XD. Here's more for ya ;D