AAOOOSC! Wheatie Bits!

E. 10. "Beware of Green" (10/10)

The days come and go and before the three former Wheat Kings teammates knew it, the preseason season has ended. That means the professionals are now out to play regular season in every league with the rosters for the main season set and ready.

Which leads to two large batches of luggage set by the front door.

Across from the front door in the dining room, the three friends sitting around the dining table with Kale being the only one eating breakfast.

Kale pokes at his waffle with his fork. "Well, I guess this is the last breakfast I'll be having with you guys." He stops his movements and lifts his large, sad eyes up the two.

To his left, Nolan frowns at him with disapproval. "You make it sound like we're never gonna see each other again."

"Well, we practically are..." He lowers his eyes back on his plain waffle and continues pinching it. "...for the season." He halts his motions. "We're gonna be in different leagues."

"The first signee goes to the AHL," Reid states flatly ahead of him. "Goodie."

Nolan pulls his smartphone from his pocket and holds it up to the two. "But we'll still be in contact, right?" He then peers at his phone's screen, spotting a reminder on its lock screen. "Oh goodness, I have to go." He instantly pushes himself away from the table and stands up.

Kale perks his head up and watches his tall friend round the table toward the front door. "Wait, already?"

"Yeah, I can't miss my flight," Nolan exclaims from the living room.

"'Flight'?" He knits his eyebrows at him with confusion. "But you can fly."

Nolan halts in front of the front door and faces the defenceman. "Not with all my luggage." He holds a hand out at his pile of luggage.

Kale stares at the two suitcases and bags by his feet. "Right..."

"I should get going too," Reid is heard saying from next to Kale.

Kale whirls to his right, spotting the skater standing up. "Really?"

"Yeah." He shrugs. "I don't wanna be late for my flight." He begins making his way to the front door.

Kale stands up as well and follows him. "But isn't it in the evening?"

He picks up his single bag and swings it over his shoulder. "I'm bad at mazes."

Kale nods with his mouth shaped like a small "o." "Oh..."

Next to Reid, Nolan holds his arms out to him. "Kale."

Kale turns to the tallest friend. "I'm gonna miss you." He accepts his hug and embraces him tightly.

"Same here." Nolan pats his back. "Be good for the Wheat Kings." He pulls away and looks deeply into his eyes while holding onto his upper arms. "Make me proud."

Kale's open smile appears on his face. "Of course."

"And tell the rookies about how great of a captain I was." He shoots him his large, signature dazzling grin and lets go of him.

Kale chuckles. "Sure."

"Tell them about me too!" Reid exclaims before ending with his famous, large closed smile.

"I'll tell them about you both." Kale points to them with each hand.

Reid throws his hands in the air. "Yay!" He spins to face the other forward. "We're legends!"

"You got that right!" He high-fives him with both hands.

Kale gazes at the two of his professional, non-junior friends. "I hope you guys will go far in the pros. I'll be watching you guys!"

"Awesome!" Nolan clasps his hands by his chest with an excited look. "My number is still my favourite, famous number—number nineteen—so look out for me!"

Reid warily shifts his downcast eyes. "Good luck watching me..."

Kale points to him. "I'll follow you—" He redirects his pointer finger to the taller friend. "—and watch Pat."

Reid gives him a thumbs up. "Got it."

"Well," Nolan starts off with a nonchalant tone, "I'm going now." He reaches down to his luggage and pulls up a handle in each of his hands as he straightens up again.

Reid grabs a duffel bag with his free hand.

Kale sighs heavily at the scene of his close friends getting ready to leave him behind. He then dejectedly strolls past them to open the door. He holds it open with longing eyes on them.

"Bye, Pat."

Nolan steps up to him with a proud look. "Bye, green Kale." He spots Kale's watering eyes. "Well, actually you're now red."

"Redbor kale."

He shoots him a perplexed look. "Excuse me?"

"Redbor kale." Kale takes in a deep breath, calming his emotions. "It's a type of kale that's red. I've been researching."

Nolan lets out an amused giggle. "How funny!" He nudges him. "I love that." He then calms himself and says meaningfully, "But whether you're red or green or yourself, I'll always remember you and miss you."

"Thanks." Kale hugs him tightly for a moment before letting him go. "Set fashionable trends in the Flyers."

Nolan gives him a smug smile. "I'm planning to. So long." With that, he breezes past him and steps outside.

Kale watches him effortlessly make his way down the porch steps before crossing the front yard and onto the sidewalk.

"Kale Chips...!"

Kale turns to his left, spotting Reid holding a fist out at him. He returns him a fist bump.

Reid drops his fist with a smirk. "I hope to see you in the AHL."

Kale raises his eyebrows. "Better than the juniors."

"I'll send you puns and memes when I can." A big, playful grin grows on his face.

Kale chortles at the thought of the nonsensical videos. "Yes, please. Those never get old for me." He then straightens up with another thought. "Oh, and text me when you land."

Reid clicks his tongue as he adjusts the bag over his shoulder. "Will do! But I have a knock-knock joke."

"Okay—" Kale juts his chin at him. "—shoot."

"Knock, knock."

"Who's there?"

"Abyssinia."

"Abyssinia who?"

"Abyssinia soon!" With that, Reid bounds past him and out of the house before closing the door behind him.

Kale perks up with shock as the red door covers the doorway, blocking him from seeing his friend.

With a heavy sigh, Kale turns around and presses his back against the door. He peers up with a wistful expression at the humble, warm living room, dining room, and kitchen, the areas his friends just occupied.

His friends that are now heading to another country to play on different teams.

Once upon a time, they were all in one team, the team they met each other and bonded together in, had the worst days and the best days in. And now they flew out of the nest to higher levels of the sport and he is the last one left, the one left behind.

Kale lets out a exhale as a sense of resolve grows in him. "Another reason to work hard to get into the professionals."

The End of AAOOOSC! Wheatie Bits!

Following story to read: AAOOOSC! Exposed!