taking chances -adam banks

chapter one

evangeline holland
"They aren't evil you know."
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Today is the first day of school with the Ducks. They are joining my team- or I guess I'm joining their team. I don't really know how to feel... I mean last year they were team USA and I was playing here... on jv. Now they are joining the jv team on scholarships just like me. I just don't wanna be the worst on the team.

The school has an assembly to welcome the Ducks, we are meant to show them how kind and caring of a school we are! None of this is true, Eden Hall sucks. All that talk about communicating your feelings is a lie. No one here cares about what you have to say. Most of the teachers here suck. Only a few teachers seem to recognize I'm not my brother. So I don't really like any of them.

Stevie and I are sitting in the auditorium behind the varsity team.

"You know my brother lost his j.v slot when they brought you yo-yos here." Of course out of all people saying this it's Rick. Only five minutes into the day and he's already chirping some of the new players.

Rick Rylie is the captain of the varsity team and my brother's best friend. I've known him since we were kids- safe to say he's always been a jerk. But he's kinda like another older brother to me, in some weird, messed up way.

"Probably wasn't good enough." I've seen this girl on tv last year. Her name is Julie Gaffney. They call her "the cat". For some reason she was backup for team USA even though she's way better than the other one. I heard she won the state championship for Maine three years in a row! Talk about impressive.

"She's right Rick," I peer over his shoulder smiling. "I mean I still got my slot- says a bit about Lucas and his... skill." I laugh.

"Shut up Eve," Rick whips his head around at me. "Shouldn't you be sitting up there with them- those losers on a free ride?" Rick is projecting. He is literally from one of the richest families in the area. If anyone here is on a 'free ride' it's him.

"There aren't assigned seats genius. It isn't free ride either. You know, it's almost like someone's dad died and his family made a fund for the school to provide extra curricular activities! Oh wait- that's exactly what happened. " I slap the back of his neck. Before he can do anything the dean walks onto the stage. Thank God.

"WOAHH"

"AGHH"

Holy shit. The rest of the ducks fly through the curtain.

"Hi... we're the ducks." Charlie Conway. Their captain since pee-wees. The room erupts with laughter. Rick looks back at me with a smug look on his face.

"Oh Evie, those are your new teammates. Lucky... duck!" Rick laughs and nudges my brother.

"Lay off Rick." Scooter rolls his eyes.
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We have our first practice in ten minutes. As I get on the ice I can see them "warming up". They look like idiots... they are skating around while someone is chasing them with a rope. Orion's not gonna like this...

I skate onto the ice. They all stop and look confused. "You might wanna stop that. Orion'll have you skate laps." I start skating lines.

"And who are you?" Someone skates up to me.

"Evangeline Holland. Who are you?"