The Education of Oliver Wood

Turning a New Leaf... Sorta

Oliver whistled to himself as he stood in front of his locker, changing into his workout clothes. After spending the evening going through the spare room and all its memorabilia - making repairs here and there - he had fallen in bed exhausted and didn't stir until his alarm went off.

Despite the emotional night, he felt more rested than he had in a long time. More than that, he hadn't had any nightmares. Or dreams at all at that matter. It was the most restful sleep he had gotten in what felt like years. Part of him felt like a new man when he quickly packed up his team bag and headed to the stadium that morning, eager to get to work.

"What's this?"

Oliver glanced over his shoulder, seeing Wilda standing there, a small smile but curious look on her face.

"Are you seriously here early?" she asked, starting towards her locker.

"Thought it best to get off to a good start," he said good-naturedly, turning back to his locker and missing her mouth drop open.

Oliver began whistling again as she set about to getting ready, though she couldn't help but shoot hopeful looks his way.

"Blimey, what's this racket?" Carpenter said as he and Walters stumbled in next, the rest of the team just behind them.

Oliver looked over, noticing the tell-tale signs of a hangover on the two chasers' faces - Carpenter still had his sunglasses on. Though Oliver knew that all traces would be gone by the time they hit the gym.

"Late night?" Oliver asked, chuckling as he looked at them. Carpenter frowned as he pulled his sunglasses off.

"No thanks to you. We waited hours for you to come out," he replied.

"Sorry... had some things to take care of," Oliver said, pulling a t-shirt on and then sitting down to pull on his trainers. Half the team stopped what they were doing, all of them looking towards Oliver.

"What things?" Walters scoffed. "What could be more important than having a good time?"

"I was at George's a bit. Helped him clean up the shop. Then started work on clearing out some things at my flat. Meant to send word, but guess it slipped my mind," he said. Carpenter and Walters looked at each other and then back at Oliver. After he finished up with his laces, he stood. "See you lot in the gym."

Wilda couldn't help but smile after he left, happy to see the keeper in a much better mood than he had been in a while. She wasn't sure what it was about yesterday that had helped him out, but she was grateful for it.

"Cleaning? Wood?" she heard Carpenter say. "What the hell happened to him?"

"If it gets him blocking better, I don't much care," Benjy Williams said.

"True," Tonya added. Wilda looked over, seeing Carpenter with a confused look on his face as he finished getting ready.

"I think I know what it is," Walters said, some sort of realization hitting him.

"What?" Carpenter asked.

"Saw him walking with MacKenzie yesterday morning," Walters continued, starting to smile. Carpenter stopped what he was doing, looking at the other chaser. "Suppose they're getting back together?" Carpenter snorted.

"Fat chance of that. Saw her out on a date with Pucey last night," he said, pulling a shirt on. Wilda frowned.

"Think Wood knows?" Walters asked.

"If he doesn't, he will," Carpenter said, winking.

Wilda rolled her eyes, finishing up and then heading to the gym. She really didn't have the patience for dealing with Carpenter that morning or any of his schemes. It was rather confusing - for all purposes he appeared to be Wood's friend. And they were teammates. Which was why she didn't understand why he'd want to sabotage Wood's chances at staying on the team.