I am so incredibly sorry it took me five months to upload this but here it is.

Chapter 30: Homecomming

Soon Saturday rolled around and with it came homecoming. Lizzy slid into her dress after her shower and then slipped over to see Julie and Connie. Once they finished with their own hair and makeup, they helped her with hers. Then the three of them walked out to meet the boys who were all dressed and waiting in the lobby of the dorm. The boys greeted them then Kyle stepped forward and looked stunned. "You look amazing," Kyle said.

"Thank you. You look great too." Lizzy grinned.

"Well, this is awkward," Fulton said after a moment. "So um ... My dad loaned me his camera. Why don't we all get pictures then head out?" Everyone agreed and first up was the group photo. Fulton stood behind the camera on the tripod and arranged everyone in order before he set the timer and slipped into the group. A few photos later, Fulton motioned Kyle over from where he had been sitting on the bench. "You're part of this group now too. Come on, get in here," Fulton told him. Kyle reluctantly joined the group and after a few shots Fulton dismissed everyone except Kyle, Lizzy, Guy, and Connie as the rest were meeting their dates at the other dorm. Fulton took Connie and Guy's photos first and then took a few of Lizzy and Kyle.

"Fult, you meeting Aly at the gym?" Lizzy asked.

"Yeah," he answered.

"You need anything ..."

"I'll know who to ask."

Lizzy smiled then took Kyle's arm and let him lead her to the gym. They spent most of the dance talking to his friends or dancing. One such time, talking about the upcoming hockey game, a confused look began to make its way around the circle starting with Brown who was standing next to her. "I didn't think the plan was that complicated," Lizzy said.

"What? Oh, no it's not the plan. We were barely listening to that. It's Sara. Who is she talking to? Last time I checked, she couldn't stand 90% of the guys at this school. Claims we're all too ... how was it your friends described us?" Brown asked.

"Preppy," Lizzy answered.

"That's it. What makes a guy like that, one that can cut a suit like that, so not preppy? What makes him different?" Brown asked.

"You recognize style on another man?" Lizzy asked, her eyebrows shooting up.

"Part of Hawk mentality, know your opponent," Kyle told her.

"Right." She looked around the gym and though she had come to know a lot of the students, she couldn't find the Sara they were talking about. She looked up at Kyle confused and he stepped behind her. He turned her slightly and directed her gaze to Sara. She smirked as her eyes landed on the couple. "Just because he cuts a good suit doesn't make him a preppy. In fact that guy is about as far from a preppy as you can get," Lizzy told them. "He just happens to be one of those guys who looks just as at home in a monkey suit as he does in a Team USA Ducks' jersey."

"That's a Duck? No, it can't be," Brown said, shaking his head.

"You doubt me?" Lizzy asked.

He instantly backpedaled. "No, of course not, you of all people know your Ducks but—"

"Fine then, I'll go find out," Lizzy said. She smirked and made her way across the gym to the dark haired Duck flirting with the blonde girl. "Hi, I don't mean to interrupt," she started.

"But you are," he told her as he shot her his best glare.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lizzy said. She looked down and bit her lip.

"Chill, Mav, what do you need?" Portman finally relented.

"Can you face those jerks and wave? They doubted that I know my Ducks and what you once told me."

Now he looked curious. "And what did I tell you?"

"That you look just as at home in a monkey suit as you do in a t-shirt and baggy jeans."

Portman rolled his eyes and did as she asked. When he turned back to Lizzy, he raised an eyebrow. "Now, why do I indulge you?"

"Because I'm your favorite." Lizzy grinned.

"Fulton's my favorite. Come on, Mav."

"Like I said, they doubted me and you like me and don't like when people doubt me and my knowledge of my Ducks." Lizzy pouted.

"We're all Ducks," Sara said, speaking up for the first time since Lizzy walked over.

"Not that kind of Duck," Lizzy said.

"Oh," Sara said.

"I'm an idiot. I didn't introduce myself. I'm—"

"You don't have to. Everyone in this school knows who you are. Pitcher on the baseball team and dating Kyle Riley. You date Kyle Riley and everyone knows who you are," Sara said.

"Oh, okay."

"But it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Lizzy meet Sara," Portman said.

"Good to meet you. You know, he's a really great guy and as I said before, I'm the idiot." Sara blushed and Portman rolled his eyes. "You want me to go, don't you?"

Portman gave her his 'what do you think?' look and she smirked.

"Fine, I'll go find Fulton or Luis, they always entertain me and I'm a little fed up with Hawks at the moment," Lizzy said.

"I haven't seen Fulton in an hour or so and Luis is over there," Portman said, motioning to the back of the gym. Lizzy nodded and made her way to Luis all the while looking around for Fulton who she still couldn't find. When she did get to Luis, he instantly pulled her onto the dance floor. She knew his breakup with Anna was hard on him but he seemed to be pushing it aside to try and enjoy the night.

"Are you alright?" Lizzy asked.

"Yeah, I know why we had to break up but it doesn't stop it from hurting."

"Anything I can do?"

"Just what you're doing. Be a good friend."

"That I can do."

"Sometimes, I wonder what we did to deserve you," Luis said, hugging her close.

"You became friends with my cousin and you stuck by him. Even when you didn't have to," Lizzy answered.

"Everything alright with you and Riley?"

"Just fine. Kinda odd how much time we spend with his friends but I'll accept that. It's our first date."

"And you're dancing with someone else?"

"My friend. Anyone who can't tolerate my friends doesn't deserve my heart and no offense, but you're not my type. I'd date Fulton before I'd date you." Lizzy grinned and Luis nodded. When Lizzy did find Fulton, he was talking to Kyle but she couldn't tell what it was about. Luis gave her a gentle hug when the song ended and made his way to Julie who he roped in to dancing with him. Lizzy gave the two boys a few more moments alone then made her way over.

"I'm serious, Riley. As easy as that was, this will be so much easier," Fulton was saying.

"I trust you, I just—oh hey," Kyle said. He cut himself off when he saw her.

"Everything alright?" she asked. "He wasn't threatening you, was he?"

"We were coming to an understanding," Kyle answered.

"Fulton," Lizzy pressed.

"As fun as that would be, no. It had almost nothing to do with you," Fulton answered smiling.

"However, I do think I have an idea about what to do with you," Kyle said.

"Oh you do, do you?"

"Yes, it may even help."

"Should I worry?"

"Of course not. Dance with me, pretty girl."

"Nope, don't think I will."

"Did I say something wrong?"

"What do you think?"

"I think I'm not a mind reader."

"Not saying you have to be. Fulton," Lizzy said.

"Yes, ma'am," he answered. He took her hand and led her back to the dance floor. "Aly is great before you ask. So am I."

"Wasn't going to."

"How much time has Kyle spent with the Ducks?"

"He hasn't even offered though granted I haven't asked him too either."

"Not even Adam?"

"Yes, but that's usually when Adam reminds him. I know I shouldn't expect much since the bad blood is still there but I don't know."

"He should still offer, especially if you're hanging with his friends."

"I'm not crazy?

"No. Even though he has every right to worry about you and Port, he should offer. At the very least to see if there's something there for himself."

"Should something be there?"

"Friendship."

"Thanks, Fult."

"Anytime."

First thing Monday morning at breakfast, Fulton handed out the photos he had taken and then Tuesday, Kyle sat down with the Ducks for lunch. Though he was still wary of the team as a whole, he could see that a few of them looked a bit more welcoming than the rest. He looked at Julie across the table and then at Lizzy next to him. "So the guys and I have been talking and while we fully respect your right to handle this on your own should you decide to, we've come up with a plan to get the both of you off the bench, for good," he explained to them.

"Don't do anything stupid," Lizzy warned.

"What exactly is this plan of yours?" Julie asked.

"To boycott any practice Wilson attends."

"According to rumors, Wilson doesn't attend practice after the first week," Lizzy replied.

"He does, just not that often. We won't do it this week but if you don't play against the Cardinals, we'll start next week. It's not right. You both deserve better."

"And when your shot at a free ride to college evaporates because of this?" Lizzy asked.

"Free ride? Look at me, Lizzy. I could piss off every scout from here to LA and still get a free ride to college. What was it one of your friends once said to my brother and Cole? "Mommy and Daddy gave us everything?" I could go to Harvard for undergrad and graduate school, law school, whatever, and my dad would pay for it in full. I don't need a scholarship. On top of all that, if we protest practice and not the game, Wilson will fold before we get in trouble. He'll fold before anyone else finds out. We stick together and he can't bench the entire team. It'll kill the school's reputation and our shot at state this year.

"Let us think about it," Julie said.

"Ok." Kyle nodded. "So Liz, I was thinking if you're not busy you'd like to join me and some of my friends in a couple rounds of laser tag. We do it about once a month on Saturday. We rent out the whole place."

Lizzy looked at Adam who reluctantly nodded. "If Adam goes with."

"That's fine."

"And I have another condition." Kyle's jaw tightened but he nodded. Lizzy looked at Fulton who spoke softly and she smiled. "On Sunday the 14 of us are getting together at Mickey's to hang out. I want you there. Two o'clock in the afternoon. We usually have ice cream."

"Lizzy, beautiful, the Ducks and I—" The bell rang ending his sentence and their lunch. "Lizzy," he started.

"I have to get to class. This conversation is not over," Lizzy answered.

Kyle sighed but didn't say anything as they all cleared their garbage. As they walked to class, Julie turned to Lizzy. "What do you think?" Julie asked.

"Maybe I should dump him. Especially if he can't tolerate my friends."

"Maybe but maybe you could include him in smaller events with less of us before springing the entire team on him. Bad blood is hard to overcome."

"Okay, point taken, but you were asking about the protest. Like Kyle said, if the entire team sticks together he can't bench everyone. And if you're worried about your scholarships, they won't revoke them. Getting one to college, the scouts don't come to practice and no offense, you and Guy are probably the only two on the team that couldn't flat out afford college and you sitting the bench is not getting you a scholarship."

"You're actually considering this?"

"We don't do this, what kind of message do we send to the girls out there who look up to us? To men who think they can get away with thinking like this?" Lizzy asked.

"You really think the team will stand behind us?" Julie countered.

"At least four maybe five guarantee, the rest if they want to keep Kyle as a friend and I can assure you, they really do."

"Okay. I guess it's worth a shot."

"If we want things to change, it's got to start with us."

"Yeah, later." Julie ran off to her class and Lizzy slipped inside hers. Lizzy thought over what Julie had said and found some validity to it. So she asked Kyle to join them for lunch on Friday.

"You want me to join you, Moreau, Goldberg, and Reed for lunch?" Kyle asked.

"You forgot Conway." Lizzy smirked.

"It's not that I don't like your friends."

"But you don't."

"No, I barely know them. I just don't want to spend my entire lunchtime with people who are only going to hate on me."

"Then give them 10 minutes. Just 10 minutes and if they're mean or hating on you or anything like that, then you're free to go back to your friends."

"Okay, fine." So on Friday, Kyle reluctantly brought his lunch over to sit with the Ducks. It was a little tense and awkward until Charlie reached out and asked how Kyle felt about the Stars moving to Dallas. Kyle relaxed at the question and when the bell rang to end the lunch period they had moved passed the childhood rivalry. "I have to admit that wasn't so bad," Kyle admitted to Lizzy as he walked her to class.

"I told you it wouldn't be. So, what about Sunday?"

"Lizzy, I can't."

"Oh, ok." She looked away and tried not to let it bother her.

At practice, about halfway through, she slid to a stop next to the assistant coach. "Jacobs, I don't have the answer you're looking for," he told her.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't make the roster for tomorrow night's game. That's up to Wilson."

"Coach."

"No, I can't even influence him. I know you want to play and if you play during games as well as you scrimmage during practice, I would rather have you on the ice for most of the game but I don't get to make that call."

"Not for Julie either?"

"Not for Julie either. I'm trying but that man is set in his ways."

"There's nothing you can do?"

"Your father would have a better chance of persuading him than I would."

"Thanks anyway."

After practice, once everyone had finished changing, Wilson walked into the locker room. He crossed the room in several strides and posted a sheet of paper on the bulletin board. "Roster for tomorrow's game. Show up on time and ready to play," Wilson said. He crossed the room again and Brown stood up to look. He scanned the names then looked at Kyle and shook his head. Kyle sighed and Lizzy followed Wilson out of the locker room.

"Coach," she said.

"It's non-negotiable. I've made my decision," Wilson answered stopping, but not turning to look at her.

"You know who my brother is, right? You should. You let him on the team in his sophomore year. Don't you think I'd be just as good as him or better if he taught me to score?"

"Maybe but it's a proven fact that girls will never be able to pack the same kind of power or domination on the ice that men can."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Wilson turned and looked at her for a moment. "You will never play a day of varsity hockey while I am coach. I brought you on to shut Orion up and the board. You should never have expected to play." Wilson walked off and Lizzy sighed. Knowing the only way she was going to get her anger out was painting since she was too tired to practice either baseball or hockey, she took her bag from Kyle who had brought it out and turned to storm off to her room.

"I'm not playing again. When Wilson shows up to practice, I expect a protest," Lizzy told him.

"Got it," Kyle answered.