𝐦𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 | 𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

"this"

The deafening sound of silence surrounded the girl as Adam Banks' words echoed throughout her head: I'm in love with you, Rowan.

Millions of thoughts rapidly spread around her mind. He loves her -- the boy she had known her entire life, the boy she loved for as long as she could remember, loves her. 

Adam sped into the locker room with a renewed spirit -- his stick and bag by his side. "Coach, I woke up, and the pain was gone," He smiled brightly, rotating his wrist with a stick in hand.

The joy that irrupted in the room was cut short as Gordon Bombay opened his mouth. "Adam, I'm sorry but we already have a full roster."

The silence became so loud as Russ Tyler started to take off his jersey, stopped by Charlie Conway. "He can have my spot. It's what I can do for the team, let me do it."

Adam grabbed Charlie's shoulder.  The action was full of so much gratitude as Charlie returned the touch on his back.

"Charlie, I need you on the bench, coaching right there with me," Bombay said, handing Charlie his clipboard.

"I believe you have a girl in the stands to impress," Charlie whispered to Adam, a smirk playing on his face.

"Always have."

Team USA hockey stared at the rink in awe. The stands were flooded with fans. Taking everything in, they skated out onto the ice and towards their bench. Adam locked eyes with Rowan for just a second. She gave him a small smile to which he returned with a large grin and wave.

"And she came," Averman commented, now standing next to Adam.

"Heads high! Stand tall! Fly straight! USA!"

"All the way!"

Averman took the face-off for the first period, immediately getting knocked down. It didn't take long for Guy to receive a similar check into the corner.

Goldberg set the puck behind the net, where Dean Portman took over, quickly getting hit intensely into the glass. Iceland received the puck and took a shot, stick save by Goldberg. The relief was short-lived when he got tripped besides the net, giving Iceland an early 1-0 lead.

"Too slow big boy!" Sanderson taunted.

"Alright, that's it!" Goldberg snapped, being held back by Dwayne and Kenny.

"Don't listen to him!" Dwayne said.

"Besides, that guy will kill you," Kenny added.

"Yeah right, well at least hold me back like I'm gonna kill him."