Unfair Advantage ) Adam Banks

ch 2, a warm welcoming

The entire day seemed to float by after that, considering Ripley's mind was completely focused on executing Orions plan.

She knew she could do everything he asked of her, considering she had been doing such simple tasks all her life. She wasn't even a tad nervous, completely confident her skills would shock the Ducks.

The bell signaling the end of the school day had just rang, which noted the first act of the plan.

'Make sure none of the Ducks see you getting ready.'

She knew she had about thirty minutes until her team started piling into the locker room to get changed, so she had to be quick.

She practically sprinted down the halls, weaving and dodging everyone she could. She had her gear bag in her left hand and as she was only about two more halls to the locker room when she noticed a familiar group of boys.

She first noticed Charlie, as he stuck out like a sore thumb with his Ducks jersey on. Soon, her eyes rested on Fulton, and Banks standing next to Charlie. She could overhear them chatting about the new environment, and pondering what playing hockey would be like here.

She kept her head down as she walked, her heavy equipment weighing down her arm. She knew even if they did look at her, they wouldn't recognize her, but she still felt like she had to avoid their eyes at all costs.

She finally had passed the boys and after that turned into the corridor where the designated hockey locker rooms were. She quickly opened the door, making sure no one else was making they way towards her, before shutting it behind her.

She changed the quickest she had ever changed and hid her uniform and limp bag in an unnoticed corner of the room. After securing her suit, she picked up her skates and walked through the door connecting the locker room to the actual ice rink. She gawked at the large room, wondering how her talent had ever brought her somewhere so amazing.

She noticed Orion sitting on one of the benches surrounding the rink, and made her way over to him. Ripley plopped down next to him, and began to pull her skates onto her feet.

"Are you nervous?" Orion said, interrupting the silence of the room.

She shook her head, lacing up her skates, "Nothing I've never done before."

"Atta-girl." He said, patting her back. "Now go on the opposite side of the rink and try to stay ducked down as long as possible. When I call you in, make sure you've got your helmet on, and don't take it off till I tell you to, okay?"

"Got it." She said, pulling her helmet over he head.

"Good. They should be getting ready to get dressed by now so start making your way over there. I'm gonna go to my office for a bit. I'll see you soon, kiddo." Orion said, making his way over to the side exit.

She smiled as he walked away, and began her walk over to the rink. She pushed the gate open and began to glide across the ice. She was disappointed she couldn't skate around, considering she had the huge rink all to herself. But as she heard distinct, loud chattering coming from the locker rooms, she knew she had to be quick.

She quickly made her way to the other side of the rink, exiting the rink and now sitting on the ground of the audience area waiting in anticipation to hear the locker room door open. And after only a few minutes of waiting, it did.

"Round up?" She heard a voice call out from the middle of the rink.

She pressed herself even farther against the wall, hoping she wouldn't ruin Orion's big surprise.

"Hey, Charlie, shouldn't we wait for the new coach before we mess around?"

Her ears caught more mumbles and chatters before she could make out the sound of skates hurriedly skating around the ice, some of them being right next to her ear.