forever yours • adam banks

chapter three

adam

To say my first day of high school was chaos is an understatement.

I mean it, because I honestly don't think I've ever had a crazier day in my life.

It started out with Ella, us sharing the most awkward interaction I could probably think of. I can't say that I'm not happy we've started interacting again, even if it's small. But I know better, so I'm just going to keep my distance.

I meet up with Charlie, Guy, Averman, and the other Ducks before school starts, and I see Ella with Sadie and Morgan walking towards the girls locker room. I point Julie and Connie in their direction, that way they know where to put their stuff for later.

Me and Charlie immediately compare our schedules once we get them, and to our dismay, we only have lunch together. I don't have many classes with the Ducks, just science and history with Guy and english with Connie. I do have lunch with all of them however, which I guess makes up for it.

Except there's also a bigger twist, I have three classes and lunch with Ella. History, science, english.

I can't say I'm mad about that either, because she had quite the glow up. I mean, she's always been pretty, but now it's like she's a whole new person.

If you ask Sadie, she'll obviously tell you that we're meant for each other. But it seems like if you ask anyone else in Edina, they'll pretty much say the same thing. It started when we were in sixth grade, when this... thing started happening. Me and Ella were slowly starting to be considered "untouchable" to anyone else, because everyone saw how well we complimented each other.

It's so cliché, and we would always laugh about it, but I never would've minded if it actually happened. I still wouldn't.

Anyway, I get lucky. I get assigned to sit next to her in science, and I'm assigned to sit behind her in english and history. My seats let me steal a glance or two at her every now and then. I swear Sadie caught me a few times, but I honestly don't care. I'm going to stare at a pretty girl, and Ella certainly fits that category.

I try to tune people out the rest of the day, because I just want to go to hockey. I cannot care less about Zach's old friends on the team, especially his "favorite little bros" Rick Riley and Scooter Holland. I don't exactly hate Scooter though, because he's always nice to me whenever we see each other. Rick on the other hand, is a whole different story. It doesn't really matter though, because I'm going to be playing JV with the Ducks. So honestly, what do I care about them?

The final bell snaps me out of my thoughts, as I gather my belongings and bolt to the locker room. I've been waiting for this all day, and I don't want to let a single moment go to waste.

I'm so glad I'm finally back to playing hockey with my friends.

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This first practice is a nightmare. What originally started out as a fun game of round-up has turned into hell. This Orion dude is hardcore. He first introduces himself and demands that we call him Coach or Coach Orion, one or the other. He then strips Charlie of his "C" and makes him do laps for the entire practice. I do what I do best, I keep my mouth shut and play hockey.

After practice ends, it's safe to say that Charlie is pissed about what Orion did to him on the ice earlier.

"I will teach you to play like WHAT? Starts with a W!!" his pissed voice echoes through the locker room as he furiously throws his equipment onto the floor.

As soon as the last word leaves his mouth, Orion comes storming in, rambling on and on about grades and how he expects us to play, how he wants the locker room clean fifteen minutes after we get back, etc. I've honestly zoned out until I hear Connie say, "Hey you guys, look! He posted our positions!"

I snap my attention over to the small white sheet of paper with all of our names on it, because this is what I've really been waiting for. This is the start of what I've been working for my entire life.

"I don't believe this! I play left side, not right!" Fulton yells angrily.

"THIRD LINE? Man that's a major diss!" Russ whines in disappointment.

I get up to the sheet and scan it for my name, but I don't see it. Hold on, what?

"I'm not even posted!" I'm so frustrated and confused. Why is my name not there?

"Yeah you are! Adam Banks, third line center... varsity?" Connie's voice trails off, as I let it sink in for a second.

"I made varsity?" I ask in disgust, turning around and dropping my head to look at my skates, not even bothering to look at any of my teammates. How am I supposed to face them after this?

Thoughts come swarming into my head about having to play with Zach's old teammates instead of my own, while Goldberg is having a meltdown about riding pine pony while Julie starts over him in net.

After that, the locker room is pretty much silent. No one bothers to talk, so I just pack my stuff up and leave. It's not like I'm going to be spending time with my friends anyway.

As I get outside, I see my dad's car waiting for me at the front of the rink.

"Hey kid! How was school? How was hockey?" his excited voice fills the car, even though I'm in no mood to answer his questions.

"It was fine, I made varsity." I say it a little quieter than usual, hoping that he wouldn't hear.

"That's my boy! Congratulations kiddo! What a way to follow in your brother's footsteps!" He gives me a big pat on the back before telling me that we are going to the Walker's house at 7:30 for a celebratory party. When I ask why, I learn that Sadie, Ella, and Morgan have all made varsity soccer, and Mr. and Mrs. Walker have basically turned it into a whole party to celebrate.

I honestly don't want to go, considering that our first game is tomorrow afternoon and the Ducks have their first game right before that, but I know I don't have a choice.