Traitor // Adam Banks

"Happy First Day!"

The long awaited first day of school at Eden Hall Academy had arrived. Most freshmen come from connecting schools where they'd have other familiar faces in their grade but I was a different story.

My mother and I moved from California to Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you're wondering what happened to my father, I think that would be a story for another time.

I had practically grown up on the ice, playing hockey for club teams and even my middle schools team. I had always been the best on my teams, but only because I'd learned from the best.

My uncle, Ted Orion, a former NHL player, taught me everything I know. Every summer, he'd come down to California from Minnesota to help me on the ice. I owed it all to him.

Ted worked at Eden Hall as the JV hockey coach which I had recently heard was about to be home of the USA Ducks after the team had received scholarships.

Recently, my mother and I had been struggling in California. It wasn't a financial situation, but a personal situation.

My uncle reached out to us and convinced Eden Hall to offer me a spot on the JV hockey team. Of course, I wouldn't receive a scholarship but an opportunity to better my hockey skills and experience a real team with full time coaching from my uncle.

My mother and I took the opportunity and left California. I was going to live on campus full time while my mom found a place in Minneapolis and dealt with unfinished business in California.

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Two Days Earlier...
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With the help of both my mom and my uncle, we managed to move all of my things into my dorm room. I had so far been the only person moved into my room.

I laid on my bed while my uncle and my mom walked out to go find a vending machine. The view from my window was absolutely gorgeous, overlooking the rest of the school. It reminded me of Hogwarts.

Just then, the door to my dorm room opened and in came a girl carrying three bags over her shoulders with a bunch of stuffed animals in her hand. She practically collapsed next to her bed and dumped everything on the ground. "Hello." I greeted her with a smile.

She looked up at me, out of breath, "Hi. I'm- uh- J- Julie." She said, holding out her hand to shake mine.

I shook her hand, "I'm Sofia. You need some help?" I asked Julie.

She nodded her head and sighed, "I was hoping you'd ask that."

I got up off my bed and started pulling bags off of Julie, one bag reading "USA HOCKEY" on it.

"You play hockey?" I questioned Julie with excitement.

Julie nodded her head, "I'm here on scholarsh-" she began but I interrupted her.

"I know! USA Mighty Ducks, right?" I beamed.

Julie laughed, "You sure know a lot, do you play?" She asked.

I nodded my head, "I'm actually on the JV team here. My uncle is the coach. I just wish I could have a scholarship like you guys." I mentioned.

She didn't know how to respond, "So, do you live in Minneapolis?" Julie asked.

I shook my head, "Well, I'm from California but my mother and I just moved here as of like last week."

Julie started grabbing bags, "What happened to your dad?" She asked straightforward.

I looked over at her with an awkward pause, "What do you mean?" I mumbled.

She stopped, "I'm sorry, you said your mom and you moved here. Is your dad not around?"

"He is. My parents are just in the midst of divorcing." I added before the dorm room door opened once again.

Another girl walked in carrying less bags than Julie. "Julie!" The girl dropped everything and ran to hug her.

"This is Connie." Julie introduced me to our other roommate, "She's also on the hockey team. I guess they made this the girls hockey dorm." She laughed.

I slightly laughed, uncomfortable by how comfortable they were together. "You're playing on the hockey team here at Eden Hall?" Connie asked me as she started moving her things.

I nodded, "Yea. My uncles the JV hockey coach." I said.

"You're uncle is Coach Orion?" She asked.

I looked over at her, "Yea, why?" I laughed.

Her jaw dropped, "Wasn't he on the NHL? You must be really good!" Connie added.

Julie jumped in, "Of course she is, they don't let just anyone on the hockey team." She said as she fist bumped both of us at the same time.

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First Day
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I woke up bright and earlier then normal so I'd have time to pick out an outfit for the first day. My roommates, Julie and Connie were still asleep.

I picked out an outfit and grabbed my makeup bag to take to the bathroom. By the time I was finished with my makeup, Julie was awake and Connie was no where to be found.

"You excited to meet everyone today?" Julie asked me, referring to the hockey team.

I set my things down, "Oh, is it bad that I'm nervous?" I slightly laughed to hopefully not make her feel unwelcoming.

Julie was picking through her clothes, "I was nervous when I first met them. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll love you." She reassured me.

I smiled and picked up a perfume before spraying it. Connie walked in, "Happy first day!" She said, full of excitement.

Julie and I looked over at her, "Yay..." we said less enthusiastically with a laugh.

"Well, I'm going to head out to my first class." I stated as I grabbed my backpack from the floor.

Julie and Connie both waved goodbye as I left. I walked through the hallway till I reached some grand doors that led to the school entrance.

I walked to my first class, arriving around ten minutes early. A few students were already seated, talking amongst each other. I didn't know anyone so I decided to take a walk around the hallway.

Just before the bell was going to ring, I hurried into the class and sat down behind a boy who seemed oddly familiar.

He had brown curly hair and looked pretty tall, but I couldn't quite place where I'd seen him from...