Challenge | Adam Banks

ELEVEN

Though she wasn't sure how, Delanie hadn't noticed the curly haired brunette that sat at the lab table behind her in chemistry. But after Friday's game, the sight of Charlie Conway made her smile. The boy met her gaze as she entered the classroom after lunch and sent her a grin. "Hey Delanie," he greeted happily.

The girl took a seat at her usual table, though she made sure to sit in the seat that faced him, her back towards the board. She smiled softly, "Hey Charlie."

There were a few minutes before the bell rang, an opportunity that Charlie seized. One of Delanie's usual seat partners was sitting with her friend at a different table for the time being, so Charlie slipped into her usual seat, smiling at the girl across from him. Delanie raised an eyebrow, "Can I help you?"

"Okay so I don't want to pry," Charlie started, holding his hands up defensively, "but I have a question that's been killing me to ask you since Julie told me."

Delanie had a feeling she knew where this was going, but kept her lips sealed as she nodded for him to go on. Charlie took a deep breath. "So Banks-"

"Nope," Delanie interrupted, shaking her head, "I'm gonna stop you right there."

"Okay but why?" Charlie pressed, "he's not that bad. Even if he is on varsity."

Delanie shook her head, "Sorry Charlie. I know you're friends or whatever, but he's just not my favorite person."

"Julie told me he was egging you on today in class," the boy admitted, a guilty look on his face, "I'm sure he was just messing around. I-"

"Really Charlie, you don't have to do this," Delanie interjected impatiently. The boy pressed his lips together in a line as his new friend sighed. "Look, Adam doesn't like me, I don't like him. That's just how it is."

Charlie let out a sigh, but didn't push further. It was obvious that he had tried his best, but to no avail. Delanie figured that Julie must have put the brunette up to it, considering that she seemed to be very interested in making amends between her two history partners.

As for Delanie, she couldn't really care less. Or so she said. The blonde boy burned a hole in the back of her mind perpetually, but it wasn't as though she was going to admit that to anyone. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be his friend or if she actually wanted him to fall off the face of the earth. Had she been mean to him? Absolutely. Did she deserve his banter? Undoubtedly. Did that change the situation in even the tiniest bit? Nope.

As Charlie moved back to his assigned seat, Delanie decided that she was done thinking about Adam Banks for the day.

At least... she thought she was.

- -

Delanie met Mabel outside of her arts classroom shortly after the last bell of the day. The blonde exited the room with a brunette girl who Delanie thought she recognized from somewhere, but couldn't quite pinpoint where. Mabel grinned at the sight of her best friend. "Laney, this is Connie. She's one of Julie's teammates," the bubbly girl introduced, bouncing on the soles of her feet.

Delanie offered the girl a smile, which was promptly returned. Connie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Julie's talked about you a lot!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, "and so has Adam."

Delanie felt her blood run cold. "Adam?" she asked delicately, certain that her disbelief was clear on her face. Mabel furrowed her eyebrows. She knew all about Delanie and Adam's relationship, so she hadn't a clue as to why the varsity athlete would be bringing her friend up in any situation.

Connie nodded, clearly not understanding the unspoken gravity of the moment. "Well yeah," she started, "aren't you his history partner?"

Oh, Delanie thought, that makes sense. She wasn't sure why she thought it would be anything more, and she was even less sure as to why she wanted it to be something more. She wasn't one who typically thirsted for drama, yet here she was, subconsciously hoping that he was talking about her behind her back.

Just because he's cute doesn't mean he's crush-worthy, Laney. You know that.

The silence that had washed over the three girls startled Connie, who shifted on her feet uncomfortably. "Um, did I-"

"No!" Delanie reassured quickly, shaking her head. She took a breath, "Sorry about that. I was just confused. After all..."

As her voice died off, Mabel's picked up. "Adam isn't particularly Delanie's favorite person," she explained gently, giving her new friend a tentative look.

Connie nodded, "Yep, I've heard that rumor. Which is actually why I've been dying to talk to you." Connie was sweet, but Delanie had already had this conversation once today. She was not looking forward to it again. She seemed to fail at hiding her discomfort, as Connie spoke quickly. "I don't want to bother you about Adam! Promise! I just want to be your friend."

That surprised Delanie. She wasn't quite sure why, as she had always had plenty of friends, but the idea of all of these hockey players genuinely wanting to be her friend was beguiling to her. Every hockey player she had ever known had wanted nothing to do with her- Jett Park included.

After a moment of surprise, Delanie smiled. "Well, as long as you're not going to beg me to be friends with Adam like Charlie does, I'd like that," she remarked, half-jokingly.

Connie smiled, "Promise. I will never bring up the crush that Adam definitely has on you." Her smile became sly, and Mabel couldn't help but laugh as Delanie rolled her eyes. Connie began to laugh as well, "Sorry, sorry. I had to."

Delanie shook her head, "Trust me, Adam Banks does not have a crush on me. There is no flirting involved in our conversations. Just arguing."

Connie nodded sadly. "I know, Julie told me. But it's fine, Adam sucks anyway. Julie and I are way better," she joked.

Delanie grinned, "Oh, I know."

Mabel jumped in, "Hey Connie, what was that place you were telling me about today? That you said I should really check out?"

"The Mall of America!" Connie chimed quickly, "I can't believe you've never been there!"

Delanie felt her jaw slack as she turned to her best friend. "You've never been to the Mall of America?" Delanie asked in disbelief. When the blonde shook her head, Delanie straightened her back, "It's decided. We're going. This weekend."

"I'm so in!" Connie cheered, "I'm sure Julie can come too?"

Mabel nodded quickly, "Of course! And I'll tell Rosa. I'm sure you'll love her, Con. She's a junior, but she's totally cool." Delanie hummed in agreement, and a broad smile flashed across Connie's lips.

"This is so rad," she said happily, "Julie and I have been talking about making more girl friends for like, months. I can't wait."

Delanie couldn't help but match her energy. She absolutely did not expect to become friends with the only two girls on Eden Hall's hockey team, but she wasn't complaining. Connie and Julie were great, and she was happy to have them in her court. Charlie wasn't half bad either. They had definitely proven her opinion on all hockey players wrong. And for once, being wrong felt so, so good.