forever yours • adam banks

chapter ten

ella

The days and weeks are starting to become longer. It's now October first, which means I've survived my first month of high school.

The school is now buzzing with the main events of the month. Homecoming and the fall sports JV-Varsity showdown games.

October is also my birthday month, so that gives me even more excitement to look forward to.

I'm older than most of my friends, because the cutoff here in Minnesota is September first. My birthday is October sixteenth, and I personally think it's the best day of the year. Morgan is next, she's a Christmas baby. She's lucky, because she gets double presents. After Morgan, Sadie comes about two weeks later, on January ninth. I'm glad we're going to be in Aspen to celebrate her birthday, that'll be so much fun.

The youngest of my closest friends is Adam, he's not until May. May sixteenth to be exact, which makes us exactly seven months apart. I always make fun of him for being younger than me, but he's never found it too funny.

Speaking of Adam, we haven't really talked much lately. We've both been so busy with our respective sports, but we always try to catch up in class before the bell rings or in the hallway on the way to class.

People always tell us that they assume we're together when they see us in the halls or in class, but the two of us and our friends both know differently. He's made it very clear he doesn't want a relationship.

Anyway, homecoming is soon! It's going to be on October fifteenth, two weeks from today. It's also happening the day before my birthday, which is on a Saturday. It already sounds like the best weekend I can think of.

With it being our freshman year, all of the girls, including me and my friends, are going crazy with excitement. The thought of what we'll wear, if we'll have dates, if we have dates who will they be, where we would go for pictures, among other things.

The thoughts swarm our heads, and it's all we talk about at soccer. All of the older girls think that it's, and I quote: "adorable how much we are planning into this."

It's our first big dance though! Of course we want everything to go perfectly. Besides, they were in our shoes at one point too.

I already know the dress I want to wear. It's a lilac color with iridescent blue and purple sequins. It'll make my dark hair pop, which is always a positive. I don't care if I have a date or not, that's the dress I'm wearing. And if I have a date, he'll have to match his outfit to mine. No ifs, ands, or buts. I know that sounds selfish, but I want my first homecoming to be one to remember.

After I get home from soccer, I run upstairs to my room to order the dress. It's truly perfect. Once the dress is ordered, I start to do some online shopping. I have no homework and nothing else to do, so why not treat myself a little bit?

As I'm scrolling through all of my favorite clothing websites, I hear a faint knock coming from the front door. I assume that it's probably some kind of delivery person, because my mom is always ordering things.

I hear the door swing open and listen as my mom puts on her welcoming voice, the one she uses whenever someone is at the front door.

"Hi sweetie! Ella's in her room, give me a second."

My heart jumps in my chest as I hear my mother yell, "Ella! Someone's here downstairs for you!"

I get up from my bed and make my way downstairs. I'm met with my mother grinning from ear to ear, as I lock eyes with the blonde I know all too well.

"Hey A!" I smile happily, receiving the same smile from the blonde.

"Hey El, I wanted to tell you something." he responds, sounding a little nervous.

"Sure, do you want to tell me here or do you want to go to my room?" I can tell by his body language that he's freaking out internally, so I don't even let him answer before I take his hand and lead him up to my room.

Deja vu? I think so.

I shut the door and sit down on my beanbag while he just stands awkwardly, shifting his weight between his feet. Finally, he blurts out something I never thought I'd hear from him.

"I'm going back to JV."

I'm a little shocked to be honest. Zach was on varsity all four years, and Adam also made the team as a freshman. I don't understand why he wants to go to a lower level, knowing how serious hockey is to him.

"Why?" I ask. This is so unlike him.

"Uh, well.." he starts, clearly still nervous.

"You can talk A, it's just me. It's okay, I won't judge you." I speak, trying to comfort him.

He takes a deep breath before he starts talking again.

"I don't like the way they're treating my friends, especially Rick. The showdown is at the end of next week, and I feel like I owe it to them to go back and help them win, especially after what I did. It's only for now though, I still have my spot on varsity. I probably wouldn't if it weren't for my brother, but I'll go back after the showdown. I already talked to Wilson and my parents about it. Wilson isn't happy at all, but he understands that I want to be there for my friends, so I guess that's a positive. My mom is more okay with it than my dad, but he eventually came around enough. I just want to show Rick that he can't and shouldn't mess with my friends and expect to not get revenge."

I listen as he rants, taking in every word. I understand where he is coming from, and I'm proud of him for fixing his mistakes. I stand up from my beanbag and walk over to Adam, wrapping him in a comforting hug. He freezes for a second, but hugs me back once he realizes that I'm against him.

I feel really bad for Adam. He's always living in the shadow of Zach and trying his best to become his own person, all while trying to please people at the same time.

"Rick's gonna be pissed." he mutters quietly, and I tighten my grip around him.

"Hey." I say quickly, letting go and looking up at him.

"You're the most talented hockey player I know. More than anyone, even Zach. You made the Ducks better, in peewees and on Team USA at the Goodwill Games. You've made varsity better, and you will make the Ducks, JV, JV Warriors, whatever they're called now better too. Don't worry about Rick Riley. He can take his attitude and shove it right up his ass. If he wants to pick on you for it, let it go in one ear and out the other. Besides, Zach will kill him if he hurts you. You know that. So don't worry A, you're doing the right thing."

His expression softens as he pulls me in for another hug. "Thanks El, I needed that." he says, sounding a lot calmer then when he first came over.

I pull away from the hug, probably for my own good. I don't know what I would've done if he kept holding me, and I don't think I want to know.

The vibe in the room suddenly becomes very awkward, so I take it upon myself to ask him to stay for dinner. We're having my dad's famous ribs, which I know are his favorite. Put them with salad, mac and cheese, and rolls, boom. You have a very hungry Adam. He agrees to stay, and my parents end up inviting Phil and Stacie, making it a little get together.

After dinner, I learn that Hofmann has given us the day off tomorrow, so the seniors took it upon themselves to plan the entire day for the team. Ice skating, a movie, dinner, and a sleepover at Callie's house.

I go to bed feeling super excited for tomorrow, and also grateful, for all that my freshman year has given me so far.