I peeked around the corner. "Coast is clear. Come on." I said to Julie, Kenny, Averman, Luis, and Fulton. Luis led the way while the rest tied ropes to the Varsity player's dorm room doors. Julie and me slid the funnels under the doors. Kenny stood on Averman's shoulders to throw another one over the door. Connie and Guy were keeping watching from the roof while Dwayne kept a watch on the sides. Charlie and Russ were gone to get the ants from Dean Buckley's office.
"Did you get em?" Fulton asked as we met up with Charlie and Russ. "Yeah, only a couple, you know." Charlie said. "Here use the funnel."
"Hundred." Charlie added. I smirked. He turned over the jar and dropped the ants into the funnel. "Look at em go." Julie whispered. We all laughed as the Varsity players tried to open their doors. "Go on, go on. Let em out. Let em out." Charlie told me and I pulled the rope. The doors burst open. All the players ran into the hallway. "You think you're funny, huh? You think you're worth a damn? You're just white trash!" Rick yelled. Russ leaned around me. "Uh, who you callin white trash?" "That's right. We'll take you anytime, anywhere." Charlie said. "Tomorrow, dawn!" Rick yelled "I'm shivering in ma boots" I said sarcastically and then we all ran off. "I'm gonna kill you guys!" We heard Cole's voice shout. "Oh, boy. I think it's probably time to leave." We all ran off.
The Ducks all skated in a circle wearing their old jerseys. I skated over to Scooter, the Varsity team goalie after Julie skated away from him. "What are your intentions with my uh cousin?" I lied about the cousin part but he doesn't have to know. "Uh..." "I'm watching you." I said, skating away to the bench. Charlie took the first face off against Rick and was immediately pushed down. Connie and Guy skated in front of the guy who had the puck but he pushed them both down. Goldberg fell and the Varsity team got a goal. Charlie went behind the net and called out for the Flying V. The players on the ice joined him but most of them were knocked down.
Varsity got another goal. "Come on, defense.
Let's go." Julie said from next to me. "Hey!" I called out as Fulton was knocked down.
"Pick it up, boys! And Connie!" I called out as they kept getting pushed down. "Try the triple deke." Julie said to Charlie as he came towards the bench. I jumped over the boards onto the ice. Charlie did the triple deke but Scooter blocked it. Goldberg was pushed out of the net and Rick shot the puck in. "This is a mess." I said to Fulton as Connie tried to hit Rick. Charlie and Banks fought over the puck and Charlie grabbed him and they both fell into the net with Scooter. Everyone jumped off the bench. Julie and me both went after the same guy. They stopped when the lights turned on and a whistle was blown. "Freeze!" Coach Orion shouted out. "Hey! Hey! Break it up! Break it up now! Hey!" He said, pushing the Varsity players away. "It's a damn good thing I'm not your coach. Now, get your team our of here now!" He yelled at Rick.
"Varsity team, out! Let's go! Outta here! Let's go! You, out!" The Varsity team skated out.
"Well, congratulations. You just forfeited whatever mental edge you might have had over the varsity. Now they know they own you. This isn't the peewees. Your little Duck tricks are not gonna work at this level. Now, for the last time, stay away from the Varsity. And get those Duck jerseys off now. Let's go. Now. Come on, let's go.
Take them off!" Everyone besides Charlie and Fulton moved to take off their jerseys.
"The Ducks are dead. You got two choices, Conway. Take off the jersey right now or you don't play." "You're breaking up the best thing any of us ever had." Charlie said. "Well, it's time to grow up." "Grow up? Like you, huh? A washed up pro who has to show off to a bunch of kids. Geez, that's real grown up." "Okay, goodbye, Conway. Anybody else?" Charlie skated off and Fulton started going after him.
"Fulton!" I yelled out and he turned around. "You walk out, and we're over." Fulton hesitated for a bit before following after Charlie. My heart dropped to my ass, no literally.
"Alright. bye, Fulton." It was at that moment that I realized how I felt. I loved him. Julie placed a hand on my shoulder. "No one's forcing any of you to be here. It's your lives. You decide what to make of them." I looked over to Fulton's retreating figure with a blank look on my face. "Alright. Twenty laps, then hit the showers."
We had lost our game that night. Four to two.
Charlie and Fulton didn't show up to school the next day. I was on my bed doing my homework when there was a knock on the door.
Julie went to answer it. "I'll give you two some space." Julie said and left the room. I looked up as the door closed. It was Fulton.
"What do you want." I asked, setting my books to the side. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have walked out. Especially not like that. And I want you back, if that's what you want."
I uncrossed my arms. "nope." I said. "Sorry for not saying this sooner. And just know it's really hard for me, and that I've only ever said this to Julie, but... I love you." She said. "You don't have to say that." Fulton said.
"But it's true. I love you. I'm in love with you.
And I wanna be with you." I said. Fulton came closer. He placed his hands on my hips.
"Is this okay?" He asked. I nodded and placed my lips on his. It was the first time that it felt like our relationship was driven by love, and not lust. I pulled away and Fulton leaned in and kissed me once more. "I love you." "I love you."
