┎
THOSE OCEAN EYES ARE
SOMETHING I CAN LOOK
INTO EVERYDAY
┚
A HOCKEY TEAM LEADS THEMSELVES TO
VICTORY. EVERYTHING GOES PERFECTLY WELL UNTIL
ALEX IS MET WITH BLUE...
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[ T H E N E X T D A Y ]
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CHARLIE AND I ALWAYS WENT TO MOM'S WORKPLACE at the nearby diner after school. Today was the day after the whole team just kind of broke apart. I was drinking my favorite vanilla milkshake that my mom made while also helping Charlie with his homework "So, how is it going between you and Banks?" Charlie brings up suddenly.
"Charlie. You're supposed to be working on homework," I change the subject.
"But, come on! He's gonna be on our team soon anyways," Charlie begs.
"Charlie, I already told you nothing is going on between me and Banks and nothing ever will," I say sipping on my smooth milkshake.
"Now, get back to work before you fail," I added laughing.
As time went by, Charlie kept asking for help and soon enough we felt a presence over us. "Hey," the voice says. I look over to see Bombay with sad eyes. This might not end well "Can I sit?"
"Sure," Charlie says. Bombay takes his seat next to Charlie.
"You talk to the guys?" he asks.
"We tried," I sigh setting down my pencil.
"They think we're traitors for even showing up," Charlie explains.
"Guess they really hate me, huh?" Bombay huffs.
Everything went silent for a few seconds before I spoke: "Is it true you were really a Hawk?"
Bombay took a moment to think about his answer "Yeah."
"Peter said you blew a really big game once," Charlie mentions.
"Yeah, well, Peter's right. It was the last game of the state finals. We were tied 2-2 at the end of the third period. I get a penalty shot. Go in, I triple-deke. I fake the goalie right out of his pads. The puck's headed in and then... Clang!" Bombay punches his fist to the sound of a 'clang'. Charlie and I groan at the thought of his missing shot.
"Hits the post. We lost in overtime. A quarter of an inch this way and it would've gone in. A quarter of an inch, guys," Bombay hisses at the memory.
"Well, yeah, but a quarter of an inch the other way, and you would've missed completely," I shrug thinking about the possibility.
"I never thought of it that way," Bombay softly sighs.
"At least you got to play in a championship game. God, that must've been so cool," Charlie smiles.
"Hey, can I get you a cup of coffee?" mom asks interrupting our conversation.
"I'd love one," Bombay says. Mom walks away with a warm smile. Bombay kept his eyes on her, Charlie and I notice he was checking her out.
"You know, she has many fine qualities that men find attractive," I explain from behind Charlie to coach. He kept his daze onto mom for a moment and then looks at us.
"I know that Alex. That fact hasn't escaped me. So, what kind of guys does she usually date?" Bombay asks.
"Jerks. I mean, most of 'em like her, but as soon as they catch a glimpse of me, Bow! Warp Speed! They are gone," Charlie says.
"Don't take it personally, guys," Bombay says.
"Oh, I wouldn't even care. Except it's not fair to our mom," Charlie says.
"She deserves somebody nice," I sigh.
"Are you gonna come over for dinner again?" Charlie asks with hope in his voice.
"I don't know, Charlie. I'm not sure it's such a good idea. See, that's what I wanted to talk to you guys about. I, um, talked to Jesse and Terry's dad... And he's gonna take over coaching for the rest of the year," Bombay sadly announces.
"You're quitting?" we exclaim. I could feel my body forming its tears. My view of Bombay and Charlie started becoming cloudy.
"I'm stepping aside to keep the team together. The guys can't play for somebody they don't trust," Bombay explains his sudden exit.
"I trust you!" Charlie and I exclaim. My tears threaten themselves.
"The other guys do, too. They just don't know it. You gotta talk to 'em," Charlie exclaims. I could hear from the sound of his voice that he was breaking down.
"Charlie, Alex, I've done all I can," Bombay huffs.
"No, you haven't. You gotta tell 'em. You gotta make 'em understand. You can't walk out on the Ducks. We're your team," I beg tears now falling only down my face.
"No, you're not," Bombay argues.
"We are, too!" Charlie exclaims.
"We weren't even the Ducks until you came along. You made us, and now you're stuck with us," I say running off far away from any of this reality. For the first time I thought everything was going to be fine here I am cuddling up to Charlie for comfort. I just couldn't believe he would give us up, just like that!
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[ A U T H O R ' S N O T E ] Short chapter today but I still hope you're enjoying these chapters!
