Chapter 14—Astrid's try out for Eden Hall Academy, Hockey
An hour and a half later
Gunnar's POV
I gave father a ride back vo vhe house.
"I NEED TO GET YOUR PLANE RESERVATIONS IN ORDER SO THAT YOU CAN COME HOME ON FRIDAY MORNING. ASTRID LET'S GO," Father said.
"If you don't mind Pabbi I vant vo go vith Gunnar to practice. Bella said something about hanging out afterwards. I vhought ve might go to a kvikmynd (movie). If that's okay," Astrid said.
"YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT AMERICAN MOVIES," Father said.
"What about the new James Bond movie vhat wasn't made in America," Astrid said.
"WHAT IS THE RATING AGAIN?" Father said.
"PG 13, So Astrid could see it since she's 13," I said.
"DID YOU NOT SEE IT IN ÍSLAND?" Father said.
"No, Mamma would not let me," Astrid said.
"HMM," Father said.
"If not ve could go see Stuart Little, that looks cute," I said.
"A movie about a vat," Astrid said.
"It's not a vat it's a mouse a cute little mouse," I said.
"EW," Astrid said.
"FINE GO AND SEE THE MOVIE," Father said.
"THANK YOU PABBI," Astrid squealed as she hugged him and kissed his cheek.
Vhen Astrid and I got down vo vhe rink the ducks vere in the middle of climbing vhe ladder, I guess Coach Orion already vent vhrough defensive and offensive drills since it vas now almost one.
"VOW, Vhis is amazing Gunnar," Astrid said.
"Veah, I know," I said.
"Do vou vhink vhat Coach vill like me?" Astrid said.
"Vhat is vhere not to like about you? Vour a Stahl aren't vou?" I asked.
"Veah I guess," Astrid said as she was starting to put on my skates. I had vo lend her my skates, an extra pair of socks vhat I stole from Adam's locker, my pads, helmet, and my stick. After I was placed on the injured list I cleaned out my locker of the gym clothes and such.
Soon we heard a whistle blow and Coach Orion said, "Take a knee,' Once they all were on their knees, 'alright great practice today, let's stay strong for each other for the next 3 days at the tourney, Remember game day attire tomorrow. Be here between 12:45 and 1:20. The bus leaves at 130, the game is at 4 o'clock. Captain do you have anything to say?"
"Let's get this one back into the win column," Adam said.
"All right good practice, go hit the showers, Portman can I see you for a minute," Coach said.
Portman's POV
"All right good practice, go hit the showers, Portman can I see you for a minute," Coach said.
"What in the fuck did you do now?" Fulton whispered to me.
"I have no idea," I whispered back.
"Do you want me to hang back?" Fulton whispered back.
"Yeah," I said.
Once everyone was cleared off the ice except for one person that I noticed was starting to warm up on the ice. Who in the hell was that "Dean?" I heard.
"What did I do now?" I asked.
"You didn't do anything; I need to see if this girl that is trying out is any good and I was wondering if you would play defense with her?" Orion said to me. I never liked being formal with anybody. When the others called our tutor Ms. MacKay for the Goodwill Games I would always say yo teach. I have done that every year since.
"Is that why Babe is going back into the net and Ace and Connie on the ice?" I said referring to the girls.
"Portman when are you going to give Julie the respect that she deserves?" Orion said.
"According to my watch a quarter to never," I said.
"Just get ready on the line," Orion said.
"Whatever you say," I said.
Astrids POV
As soon as I finished warming up and Coach Orion was done talking to Portman he said, "Are you ready?"
"Ves Sir," I said.
"Alright Skating drill, going that way," Coach Orion said and then he skated away.
I swallowed hard and got ready on vhe red line. Vith vhe vhistle I started vo skate vowards vhe end circle and vhen around it when I got back to the blue line I stopped and did vhe cross ice skate vhere I vould pick up on my opposite foot and skate along vhe blue line until I vas in vhe middle then I vas allowed vo skate forward to the red line vhere I had to cross ice skate along the red line until I was almost to the boards. Vhen I had vo do vhe same thing as before on vhe opposite blue line, vhen I had vo veave around vhe end circle's on vhe opposite side. Vhen I skated back to the red line.
"Very good, Astrid, 35 seconds," Coach Orion said.
"Please I could go faster than that," Portman said.
"Enough Portman. Alright, Julie, Ace and Connie get out here," Coach Orion said.
"Astrid I want you to start with the puck on the red line, pass it to Ace on the right once you get to the blue then Ace will pass it to Connie on the left at the red line and Connie will pass it back to you on the far blue line and you shoot and score. Understand, Ladies?" Coach Orion said.
"Yes, sir," Bella and Connie said.
"Ves," I said.
"Alright let's see it," Coach Orion said.
I vook one of vhe pucks down vo vhe far red line on vhe Coach's whistle I did vhe skating towards the blue line where I passed it voo Bella and vhen I kept going forward passing her on the left then she shot it over to Connie vhat dribbled it for a few minutes and vhen passed it back vo me on vhe blue line I vripled deke and vhen vent stick side on Julie and scored.
"Whoa, that's better than your brother," Connie said.
"Vell my brother is an idiot," I said.
"I am not an idiot, loser," Gunnar yelled.
"Take it easy Gunnar," Adam velled, vho just joined my brother on vhe bench vith vet hair, so I knew vhat he vas first in vhe showers. Because none of vhe other male ducks had come out yet.
"Nice work," Coach Orion said.
"She is as good as Gunnar, maybe better," Bella said.
"3 shot lane. Astrid I want you to take the first position first Ace you in second position and Connie you on the three position and then you will rotate to the left and run it twice more,' Coach Orion said. While the three of us were heading to the far-right corner away from Julie, Coach Orion was setting out some cones for us to use. 'Ladies you are allowed to shoot at Julie anywhere you see fit."
I nodded and vhen Orion skated away, on the vhistle I knew vhat it vas my vurn I vent straight down vhe boards was on my right side, I skated fast down the lane and shot my puck into vhe five hole from vhe vop of vhe circle. Just as Julie vas recovering from my shot, Bella vas vinding up and shooting at her vhich Julie stopped easily. Then Connie vas up shooting vhich vent vide.
Vhen ve switched places. I vaited for Connie vo be at vhe blue line before I skated hard down vhe ice again following Connie. I had to cut hard vo vhe vight around vhe first cone and vhen cut hard vo vhe left around vhe second cone. Connie delayed her shot and vhen shot at Julie which Julie caught and votally missed my shot vhich vent into vhe first hole, Julie recovered for Bella's next shot vhich she caught.
Vhen ve switched places again, I had vo vait for Bella vo get vo the blue line before Connie headed for vhe first cone, once she was around that it was my vurn to head for vhe first cone. I skated hard down the ice again, I had to cut hard vo vhe vight around vhe first cone and vhen cut to the left around the third cone. Julie had stopped both Bellas and Connie's shoots easily and I vas stupid vo go glove side vhere I vas stopped. Vhen a whistle blew, "very good, Ace and Connie you can go and get changed lets go Portman," Coach Orion said.
"About fucking damn time," Portman yelled.
Coach Orion took the cones away and in several spots along vhe ice vhere pucks. "Alright Astrid, your job is to get as many of the pucks as you can to the goal. Portman you know your job," Coach Orion said.
"Yeah," Portman said as he skated away.
Once ve vere face to face on the center ice, Portman said; "Coming out to play with the big boys?"
"farðu til andskotans (go to hell)," I said.
"What the fuck does that mean?" Portman said.
"Vou vill find out," I said.
I skated past him and headed for vhe boards vo get vhe puck. Portman came on top of me, and I deked away from him and shot the first puck on goal. It vent vide. I vent into the corner and Portman vas on top of me.
"Fight for it Astrid," Gunnar yelled.
"Come on, come on," Portman said.
I slid the puck past his skates and vhen got myself one on one with Julie, vhere I scored. I vent for the puck immediately vo my left and then Portman got in front of me and I faked one vay and vent another, votally faking him out vhere I vook a shot on Julie and she saved it. Vhen Portman and I vere in a foot race for the puck on vhe far right circle. I barely beat him vo vhe puck and managed vo sail it down vo vhe end of vhe ice. Vhich Julie caught easily. I vhen raced back down vhe ice and managed vo grab vhe same puck vhat I just shot sailed around the cage and put vhe puck in vhe net. Vhe next vhing I knew I ran into vhe wall and Portman slammed into me, sending me down onto vhe ice.
"Vou Jerk, how could vou do that to my baby sister?" Gunnar yelled at Portman.
"Well, if she can't stand the heat she should get out of the kitchen," Portman said.
"What the fuck does that mean," Gunnar yelled.
"Are you okay, Astrid?" Adam said.
"I … I vhink so," I said.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Adam said as he held up a few of his fingers.
"Three," I said.
"Good," Adam said.
Vhen a whistle blew, "Portman and Stahl hit vhe showers," Coach Orion said.
"Are you okay sis?" Gunnar said after Portman left vhe ice.
"Veah, I vhink vhat I can stand," I said.
Vhe next vhing I knew Adam and Gunnar vere helping me up on my feet and I vas skating towards Coach Orion.
"I have seen enough for today, Go hit the showers," Coach Orion said. When I looked on the bench the majority of the ducks were watching the show that Portman and I were putting on.
I failed. I knew vhat I had done so. Vhen Julie caught up vo me outside of vhe girls locker room she said, "Hey you did good."
"I failed," I said as ve valked into vhe locker room.
"No, you ran into Dean Portman, trust me he is not an easy wall to break down," Julie said.
"But Coach Orion didn't say anything, I failed," I said.
"What do you mean you failed?" Connie said.
"I mean vhat I failed, I vant vo follow Gunnar here. I know how cheerful he sounds on vhe phone except for those few times a few vears ago. I vant to follow in his footsteps. Vhis campus is beautiful and I vant to come here and I failed," I said and vhen I started vo cry.
"I wouldn't worry about Coach Orion just yet. He is not an easy man to know, when you think of one way and it's the complete opposite. Trust me, I know he's been my coach for the last four years," Connie said.
"Well said Connie," Bella said.
Vhere was a knock at the door, "Who is it?" Julie said.
"It's Gunnar, Coach vants to see Astrid ASAP. and I want my stuff back!" Gunnar said.
"And my socks, you sock thief," Adam said.
"See Coach wants to see you, you better hurry up," Connie said as she put her arm around me I smiled. Then I quickly started to strip everything off and headed for the showers.
Gunnar's POV
"Tell Astrid I want to see her in my office ASAP," Coach Orion said to me and Adam as we were finishing cleaning up the pucks and cones and such from practice and Astrid's try out.
"Did she make the team?" Adam said with a hopeful look to his eyes.
"She's not even a freshman,vet," I said.
"Now Stahl," Coach said.
"Ves Coach," I said.
Adam and I returned everything to the equipment room and then made our way down to the girls locker room.
"I mean vhat I failed, I vant vo follow Gunnar here. I know how cheerful he sounds on vhe phone except for vhose few times a few vears ago. I vant vo follow in his footsteps. Vhis campus is beautiful and I vant to come here and I failed," Astrid said.
"I wouldn't worry about Coach Orion just yet. He is not an easy man to know, when you think of one way and it's the complete opposite. Trust me, I know he's been my coach for the last four years," Connie said.
"Well said Connie," Bella said.
I knocked at the door.
"Who is it?" Julie said.
"It's Gunnar, Coach vants to see Astrid ASAP. And I want my stuff back!" I said.
"And my socks, you sock thief," Adam said.
"See Coach wants to see you, you better hurry up," Connie said.
Within a few minutes Adam's socks came flying out and hit him in the head. Vhat I knew; vas vhanks of Bella she vas always vhrowing socks, underwear, pants, shorts, and shirts at Adam's head. I laughed because it was funny.
"That is not funny Gunnar, she might throw a skate at you," Adam said.
"No but I am going to hand them to you,' Connie said as she stood at the locker room door, 'skates, pads, gloves, jersey, stick and your helmet." Connie made sure that I had my helmet on my head. I am sure I looked ridiculous as I made my vay down to the locker room vo put my stuff away. Adam snickered behind my back the vhole vay.
"Not funny Adam," I said.
"Karama," Adam said.
After I put my stuff away and wiped vhe blades of my skates I returned vo vhe girls locker room. Both Connie and Bella were bringing vheir stuff down vo be stored in their lockers as I vas putting stuff away. I vwirled my vhumbs around and around a nervous habit vhat all of the Stahl's have had forever at least from my father's side of the family. Once Astrid appeared out of the girls locker room I showed her to Coach Orion's office.
"I'm nervous Gunnar," Astrid said.
"I am right here," I said.
"So are we," Adam, Bella and Connie said.
Astrid knocked on the door.
"Come in," Coach Orion said.
The five of us walked into his office. "Have a seat Astrid," Coach said.
Astrid and I sat down, "Það verður í lagi. (It's going to be okay.)" I said.
"ég veit (I know)" Astrid said.
"Astrid how old are you?" Coach Orion asked.
"Vhirteen, almost fourteen," Astrid said.
"I see and what's your grade?" Coach Orion asked with holding his fingers like they were in a teepee.
"I don't understand. Vhat do vou mean by grade?" Astrid asked.
"The year you are in school, sixth grade, seventh grade, etc." Adam said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh 8th level," Astrid said.
"Seventh Grade," I said.
"I see," Coach Orion said.
"I know vhat I failed," Astrid said.
"No, that is not true. I need to know you grade level and age so that I can make a recommendation to the Board of Directors for your admission to The Eden Hall Academy for the school year of 2001-2002," Coach Orion said.
"Seriously?" Adam said.
"I am as serious as I will ever be Adam. Astrid I need you to fill out this application, then I need a tape of your hockey moves and such. Oh, when you return to Iceland I need your school to send us transcripts of your education. So as long as you keep your grades up your.." Coach Orion said.
"VHANK VOU. GUNNAR I DID IT!" Astrid said.
"Congratulations," I said.
"Well now wait, the board of directors has a final say so, but we need all of these pieces before I go to them next month," Coach Orion said.
"Next month?" Bella and Adam said with their jaws open.
"Ves, it vakes vhe government 6-12 months vo green light an application for a student visa card for vhe first time. If renewed annually it vakes about 6 months," I said.
"Then of course there is the aptitude test that you have to take, that will happen in February, I assume you can find somewhere to take it?" Coach Orion said.
"Veah, at school. I am sure they vill let me," Astrid said.
"Wait how are you going to get everything between her in Iceland and you here in the United States?" Adam asked.
"Have you ever heard of United Parcel Service, Inc?" Coach Orion said.
"You mean that company with the big brown trucks?" Bella said.
"That would be the one Bella," Coach Orion said.
About 2 hours later we walked in at vhe Mall of America.
"Why are we here?" Charlie asked.
"Vhat ve have to celebrate," Gunnar said.
"It's what we...," Adam said.
"Right, What we have to celebrate," Gunnar said.
"Why could we not celebrate at Mickey's," Charlie said.
"Because we always go there. I told Astrid that I would take her to a movie," Gunnar said.
"Good," Adam said.
"Yeah like we could see a good picture," Charlie said as he scoffed.
"Well, the new Bond flick is still showing, that looks kind of good," Adam said.
"And how would you know?" Charlie asked.
"Um because I see the poster for it," Adam said.
"Can she even see it?' Charlie asked.
"She's thirteen, she can see it," Gunnar protested.
"Fine, sorry," Charlie said.
"Come on the show starts in 10 minutes, let's get our tickets and go in," Bella said as she got into the line.
When we were almost to the front, "Charlie are you coming?" I asked.
"Yeah," Charlie said.
"Hi there, will be 5 of us for the 4:30 showing of The World Is Not Enough," Bella said.
"That will be $27.50," the ticket agent said.
Gunnar pulled out his vallet vo pay for Adam, his and my vicket when Bella said, "I got it Gunnar." As she pulled out a 50-dollar bill.
"50 bucks, where did you get that?" Adam said.
"Birthday gift from the old man," Bella said.
"Enjoy the show," the ticket agent said.
After the movie we went to Mickeys and then home.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Father yelled.
"Pabbi I vold vou ve vere going vo vhe movies after practice and ve ran into some teammates of Gunnars and vhey took us vo vhere vas vhat place, Gunnar?" I said.
"Mickeys Dinning Car," Gunnar said.
"OH, WAS THE MOVIE GOOD?" Father yelled.
"Ves," I said.
"GOOD MAKE SURE YOU TWO GET TO BED EARLY WE HAVE 6:50AM FLIGHT TO WASHINGTON, DC," Father yelled.
"Ves Pabbi," Gunnar and I said.
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