On The Ice

To California We Go

. . .

Ms. MacKay took us outside for our class today. We were all wearing our matching USA team track suits. Of course after the "indecent" at Hendrix, Guy and Connie made me sit next to Luis. At least Connie was on the other side of me. I'm not complaining about sitting next to Mendoza. It's just that what am I supposed do. I think I'll just sit there, ok I just need to stop thinking about it. Well I will just listen what Ms. MacKay is teaching us because she's teaching us about Greece. Which I love the mythology about it, one of the only things I paid attention to in school.

"Ancient Greece was the beginning of western civilization. See in Greece they didn't have professional sports or Wheaties boxes. So the athletes competed for another reason. Anybody?"

"Falafels?" Goldberg answers dumbly.

The whole team laughed expect for Luis, he just rolled his eyes. I would to, but I just tried to hold my laughter inside. The team also mocked and teased Goldberg for what he said. Charlie's hand went up after that.

"Charlie?" Ms. MacKay says while Charlie's hand goes down.

"Pride."

"That's right. Various City-states waved their flags and wore their home colors proudly."

"Did America always dominate?" Fulton asked.

As the sentence left his mouth most of the team was mocking him and laughing. I gave him the "really?" look, I kinda felt bad for him. He actually might have not known that so maybe we were being a little rude, but we were kidding. For the most part.

"No, American wasn't around back then. Don't forget that compared to other countries, America is still young. Still forming it's identity, America is a teenager. Just like you."

"Like us?" Jesse said curiously.

"You bet, a little awkward at times. But always on the verge of greatness."

While she said that I look at Luis and he looked at me at the same time. I started to play with the bracelet my dad gave me. I think he noticed it and looked down at my wrist.

"It's pretty." He whispered to me.

"Thank you, my dad got it for me." I said back.

We would have talked for longer but Fulton was looking at us with the "protective" stare. We both looked at him and then saw Jesse and Adam staring to. So we looked back at each other and just awkwardly smiled to each other.

. . .

We got started to get training right after class. Coach Bombay drove a car around while we were on skates rolling on the road. We were doing call back chants. I took my jacket and tied it around my waist.

"I don't know what I've been told."

"I don't know what I've been told."

"But USA will win the gold."

"But USA will win the gold."

"Listen up and listen good."

"Listen up and listen good."

"Were all headed for Hollywood."

Were all headed for Hollywood."

"Sound off!"

"1, 2"

"Sound off!"

"3, 4"

. . .

Next thing I knew it we were on a plane to California. I had a small backpack for small items and a luggage for clothing and shoes. I got seated in the middle section, with Connie and Julie. Behind us was Averman, Goldberg, and Jesse. Behind them was Fulton, Guy, and Luis. Infront of us was Adam, Charlie, and Ken. So during our flight we all were playing games. Then I started to listen to music and got sleepy. I was looking through my bag for a pillow, but I guess I didn't pack one.

"Hey, is it ok if I use your  shoulder as a pillow?"

I asked Connie but I was to busy looking in my bag for snacks. Then I grabbed some chips and then felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I turned my head to look over to it was Luis. Then he looked at confused and started to chuckle at me. Probably because I was just there looking at him and with my mouth open. He pointed at his ears and indicating the headphones I had  on. I totally forgot about that and that is probably why I couldn't hear a single word he was saying.

"Uh, so where did Connie go?" I say as I take out my ear buds.

"Oh she switched with me to sit with Germaine." He said while looking back at them. 

I looked back there to and saw that Julie left to. She swapped with Reed so he could sit with Portman and she could sit with Connie. So it was just me and Luis sitting next to each other.

"So are you going to rest your head or not?"

"Oh, uh yeah, if you don't mind."

"Not at all." So I just laid my head on his shoulder.

"So you want to watch a movie or something?" He asked while looking at me.

"Sure, you pick." I say while I look up at him.

He picked a funny movie and we shared earbuds. I picked up the bag of chips I have earlier and opened them. We shared the bag of chips and ate them while we watched the movie. When I opened the bag Adam looked back at us. I asked him if he wanted any chips, but he said no. Then looked over to Charlie and said something, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. So I just ignored it and thought he would tell me later.

. . .