"𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿, 𝗰𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿." || 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀

08 | "BANKS?!"

~next day~

we're sitting in the locker room, waiting for coach to come in so we can start warmups. i try to start a conversation with Peter, but he ignores me and seems mad. same with Jesse. what's their problem? coach walks in, "hey, why aren't you guys in uniform? we've got warmups in half an hour." he asks Peter and Jesse.

"alright, every one, listen up!" coach yells, every one being quiet. "i've got some good news. we're getting another player." coach informs and i look at Connie, who makes eye contact with me as we both smile. "Adam Banks." coach tells the player.

my face drops and my mouth hangs open, "WHAT?! BANKS?!" i exclaim. "WHAT?!" Charlie repeats me.

i cant believe this. Banks is a Hawk. he's a bully.

chatters and complaints are spread around the room in annoyment. "he's a Hawk!" Karp states. "he's a good player." coach corrects. i roll my eyes, "yeah, but HE IS A HAWK!" i repeat. "everybody hates him!" Jesse states and i nod. "yeah, we don't need him!" Connie fights. "i'm the coach. and i say we do need him. if we get into the playoffs, he's going to be a big help." coach states and i roll my eyes again. "if? all the sudden you don't think we're good enough?" Karp repeats coach. "no, he thinks we're losers. that's what he told Reilly! that we didn't even deserve to live!" Peter tells us and my eyes grow wide.

what? no...coach would never. he loves us, we're his players. his kids.

"what?" coach questions. "yeah, we heard you." Jesse tells coach. "that's not what i meant." coach informs. "and i saw a picture of you. missing that goal. you were a Hawk, weren't you?" Peter asks. "i guess you guys stick together 'till the very end. y'know what? i don't need your stinkin' equipment. and i don't need you as my coach." Peter finishes before throwing his jersey on the ground and walking out, the Hall brothers following the action.

"i can't believe this. alright, i'm going up to the bench because that's where i'm supposed to be. anyone who wants to join me, join me. anyone who doesn't? well." coach informs before walking out.

~

me, Fulton, and Charlie are the only ones skating on the ice when the ref comes up to coach. before the ref can even say anything, "we forfeit."

"Ducks forfeit, Flames, you win." the ref tells the other team and they start cheering.

~

me and Charlie are sitting at the bar at mom's restaurant, doing our homework. someone taps me on the shoulder, "hey, Conway's. can i sit?" coach asks and i realize he tapped Charlie with his other hand. me and Charlie nod and he sits in the seat in between us. "have either of y'all talked to the guys?" coach asks. "we tried. they think we're traitors for even showing up." Charlie answers. "i guess they really hate me, huh?" coach questions. "yeah. Connie won't even talk to me, and you know how close we are." i tell coach. "man...i'm sorry, Liv." coach apologizes. "is it true you were really a Hawk?" Charlie asks. "yeah." coach answers. "Peter said you blew a really big game once." i tell him. "yeah, well, Peter's right. it was the last game of the state finals. we were tied 2-2 at the end of 3rd period. i get a penalty shot. i go in, i triple deke, i fake the goalie right out of his pads! the puck is going in, bam, hits the post. we lost in overtime." coach explains. "a quarter of an inch and it would've gone in. a quarter of an inch, twins!" coach repeats himself. "well, yeah, but a quarter of an inch the other way and you would've completely missed." Charlie explains. "i never thought of it that way." coach admits. "at least you got to play in a championship game! god, that must've been so cool!" i imagine. "hey! can i get you a cup of coffee?" mom walks by and asks coach. "i'd love one." he nods and she smiles and walks over to the coffee machine, making the coffee. "you know, she has many fine qualities that men find attractive." Charlie tells coach. "i know that, Charlie. that fact hadn't escaped me. so, what kind of guys does she usually date?" coach asks. "jerks. i mean, most of 'em love her, but as soon as they catch a glimpse of me and Liv, pow! out the door." Charlie answers and i nod. "don't take it personally, kids." coach tells us. "oh, we don't even care. it's just not fair to our mom. she deserves somebody nice." i reply. "are you gonna come over for dinner again?" Charlie asks coach. "i don't know. i don't think that's such a good idea. see, that's what i wanted to talk to you two about. listen...i've asked Jesse and Terry's dad to take over. he'll be coaching the Ducks for the rest of the season." c̸o̸a̸c̸h̸ Bombay informs. "you're quitting?!" i feel my voice start to break. "i'm stepping aside to keep the team together. the team can't play for someone they don't trust." coach replies. "i trust you! Liv trusts you!" Charlie fights, tears in his eyes. "the other guys do too, they just don't know it! you've gotta talk to 'em!" i tell Bombay. "twins, i've done all i can." Bombay says. "no, you haven't! you gotta tell them! you've gotta make 'em understand! you cant walk out on the Ducks! we weren't even the Ducks before you came along! we were District Five!" Charlie reminds. "you made us, and now you're stuck with us!" i exclaim before running out of the restaurant in anger, sadness and overall just being overwhelmed, Charlie following. "Olivia! Charlie!" Bombay tries to bring us back but we continue running.

i cant believe him. he just broke two twelve year old's heart's. he's our coach, and we're his team. he can't leave because things get hard. because as he said,

Ducks never say die.