The Hockey Player

11

The next game day, Nyx and Joe were hanging outside in the backyard. Joe wanted Nyx to play him some of his favorite songs on her guitar. "Okay, give me a break, my hand is crampy up" Nyx put her guitar to the side. "Fine," Joe sighed dramatically. Nyx tossed his hair up.

Just then, Rebecca walked out with Dean Buckley beside her. "Nyx, Mr.Buckley is here. He was hoping to talk to you". Nyx and Joe shared a look before standing up. Nyx walked closer to Dean Buckley.

"What can I help you with?" Nyx asked, Joe stood next to her. "I know that today is game day and I know that you're not performing due to it being an away game but I just informed the team about this news. We have a board meeting scheduled tomorrow, and the JV is on the agenda." Mr.Buckley stated. "What about?" Nyx questioned. "The board is going to approve the withdrawal of their scholarships." Mr.Buckley replied.

"Why?" Joe asked angrily, but Nyx put her hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "While I share my brother's statement. What does that have to do with me? I'm not in the JV." Nyx asks, crossing her arms.

"Well, with JV no longer needing your help with hyping the crowd. I was hoping that you can continue doing it. I know that your classmates have truly enjoyed your performance. The Varsity is hoping that you will continue to do it for them." Mr. Buckley explained. "They have cheerleaders for that," Nyx responded. "Yeah but they would like you to hype the crowd. Your drama teacher is fine with you doing it." Mr.Buckley replied.

Nyx scoffed, "With all due respect, I decline the Varsity offer. I do not want to do it. They have cheerleaders for that, they clearly wanted them so badly since they made the JV cheerleaders refuse. Well now I'm refusing to do it for them." Nyx answered.

Mr.Buckley nodded before walking away. "What an asshole," Joe whispered under his breath. "Yeah tell me about it" Nyx said, glaring where he was standing.

The next day, Nyx went to support the ducks at the board meeting. Corinne joined her. "Do I have a motion for reconsideration?" Dean Buckley asked, looking at the board but no one spoke. "I'm sorry, Coach, but unless there is a motion from a board member and a second, the decision must stand." Dean told Coach Orion.

Orion nods, looking at Dean Buckley, "You leave us no choice but to bring in our attorney." The door opened and everyone turned. Gordon Bombay made his way through the crowd.

"Dean Buckley, members of the board. As counsel for Coach Orion... and the freshman hockey team, I'm here today to set forth your legal options, so that you may make the best possible decision for all parties concerned."  Bombay made his way to the front. "Mr. Bombay, this isn't a legal proceeding." Mr.Buckley informed him. "Not yet, but I can assure you that it will be. Do you mind?" Gordon asks, holding his briefcase. Dean Buckley held it for him. He took out a booklet.

"These scholarships...an offer...became a binding contract upon the signatures of the recipients...and acceptance by the Ducks.They cannot be voided except for cause which, I guarantee you, you have none. Should you decide to pursue their cancellation, I will slap you with an injunction. I will tie this matter up in court for years, until long after these kids have gone on to college. And I will collect damages. I will win. Because I am very, very good. You know why I'm so good? Because I had a good education. You gave it to me. And you're gonna give it to these kids. Now some of you may be snobbish enough to believe that... These Ducks don't belong at Eden Hall. Let me tell you, you are dead wrong. These are remarkable young people. You give them their full shot, and I promise you they will succeed. Not only on the ice, but in the classrooms as well. These people are my friends, and I know what they can do. Accordingly, I demand that you reinstate their scholarships, for their benefit and for your own." Gordon advised, looking at the board members.

They talked among themselves until finally one of them spoke. "I move that the scholarships... be reinstated." "Is there a second?" Mr. Buckley asked, another raised their hands "All in favor?" He said until each one of them raised their hand."Scholarships reinstated."

Most in the room started to cheer. Everyone made their way out of the room. Nyx went to try to find Luis. Once she did, she hugged him. "Hey thanks for coming" He whispered. Nyx pulled away,"We're friends remember"

Luis smirks at her words, "I like to think that we're working our way to being more than just friends" He said, going to hold her hand. "I don't know about that?" Nyx acted confused, but letting him take a hold of her hand. They made their way with the ducks when they came faced with Varsity.

"Congratulations... in destroying our school." Riley said, looking mainly at Charlie.

"It's everyone's school" Corinne barked back, glaring at Rile

"No, it'll never be your school. Don't you get it ? You're our own little affirmative action, brought in for color to entertain us. But you couldn't even do that, you need another freshman to do that for you all. Your fancy lawyer kept you in on a technicality, but you'll never belong. You'll never be anything more... than a bunch of rejects here on a free ride." Riley looked at the ducks with a disgusting look.

"Free ride? Look at you, rich boy! Mummy and Daddy gave you everything, huh?" Russ scoffed, looking at them up and down. "Hey,J.V.-Varsity game's on Friday. Then we'll show the whole school what a joke you really are. Then maybe you'll leave on your own. It'd be the only honorable thing to do." Riley tried to touch Charlie's tie but Charlie hit his hand away.

"You know we're gonna hurt you." Cole taunted behind Riley. "Listen, you guys had an unfair advantage last time. You had one of us: Banksie." Charlie sneered, glaring at Riley.

Riley shrugged,looking at Adam "Oh, well, keep him. He never had the heart of a Warrior anyway." Russ piped, "Hey, Biff, one more thing. After we beat you, the Warriors die and the Ducks fly."

"Hey, anything you say, loser. Hmm?" Riley said before walking and the varsity following him. "Good move, Russ. Make 'em even madder." Averman complained, turning to Charlie. " Charlie, we gotta do something, man."

"Yeah, you're right. We've gotta get to work." Charlie agreed, walking towards the rink.