The following day, the Ducks had a practice. Bombay was making them work during the off- season for the state championships next year. In the locker room, Julie did not look at Adam even once and he wasn't sure why.

Charlie, who was changing next to him, asked "Hey, so why's Julie giving you the cold shoulder? What'd you do?"

"I don't know…" he said while still looking at her.

"Alright, guys!" Gordon walked in. "I know you guys have a ton of homework to do but we need to keep in good shape for next year, the state championship is only 6 months away."

On the ice, the Ducks split up into two teams, as usual. Fulton, Dwayne, Luis, Kenny and Averman vs Connie, Guy, Jesse, Portman and Russ. While Goldberg was in a better than usual form, Julie was distracted and kept failing to save. Even Averman and Kenny scored. Gordon noticed her unusual behavior but he chalked it up to her overworking herself academically. He clapped his hands a few times and said "Charlie, take Dwayne's spot, Adam, you take Connie's." The players changed places. Things became suspicious for Gordon when he noticed Adam being just as distracted. He was usually more focused than anyone else on the ice but he kept failing to score...against Goldberg. Bombay blew his whistle and called for everyone to take a knee.

"I see...some of you are here only in body but not in spirit...and I get it, you guys are working hard in school...but if you have issues between each other, you need to resolve them before you step on the ice."

Everyone nodded awkwardly. He didn't think he'd get a productive practice so he let the team go. Julie changed quickly and rushed out, ignoring Connie's voice calling after her. Adam saw her go out and bid Charlie a quick "bye" before catching up to her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him. She had a serious look on her face.

"Julie...what's going on? You're ignoring me, you're distracted...Tell me what's bothering you!"

"Why don't you ask your dad!" she snapped back.

Adam made a confused face. "My dad...what are you talking about?"

"When you went upstairs to check on your mom, he told me I had no place in your life, that I was a distraction…"

Adam's face changed to an expression of horror. He put his hand on his face and exhaled sharply. "Julie, that doesn't matter to me…I love you…"

"Then you need to have a talk with your dad…" she said seriously and walked away.

He knew he had to do something or he was going to lose her...and forever live under his dad's control.

He quickly walked to Gordon's office and knocked on his door. Bombay motioned for him to come in.

"Coach…" Adam sat down opposite Gordon "...about today...I'm sorry I was distracted…" he didn't know how to explain himself.

"It's Julie, isn't it?" Gordon asked. Adam seemed a little embarrassed.

"Yeah…"

"Listen, Adam, I know it's none of my business but girls like Julie are rare...if you made a mistake and you truly care about her, you need to fix this."

"My dad doesn't think we should be dating." Adam blurted out.

Gordon raised his eyebrows. "I'm not surprised...I know how seriously he takes your hockey career. But Adam, you need to stand up for your feelings, otherwise you will always regret it! Julie deserves to see that you really love her and you deserve to be happy!"

Adam smiled faintly. "Thanks, coach."

"No problem." he patted Adam on the back.

That evening, Adam knocked on the girls' room. Julie opened the door and saw Adam standing there, his eyes full of confidence and resolve.

He gave her a sloppy but powerful kiss and told her "Julie, I don't care what my dad or anyone else says, I love you and I've felt so much more alive ever since we've been together. I'm not going to let anyone stand in the way of that!"

Julie's heart fluttered and she wanted to say something but before she could, Adam grabbed her hand and dragged her to his car. "Adam, what's going on? Where are we going?" She asked, very confused.

"Just get in!" he said, excitedly. They arrived at his house.

"Adam, what are we doing here?" she asked, this time sounding more annoyed than anything.

"You'll see!"

They both got out and Adam grabbed her hand and hurriedly walked inside the house. His mom and dad, who were watching TV in the living room, rushed out into the hallway to see what was going on.

"Adam…" his mom looked confused.

"Son, what is the meaning of this?" Philip glared at Adam.

Adam, who was still holding Julie's hand, took a deep breath and confidently addressed his parents. "Mom, dad, Julie and I will be together, whether you agree or not, we love each other and Julie is a great girl! And I want to make her happy! She makes me happy too! No one else I know loves hockey as much as I! Philip cut him off.

"Adam! I was clear!"

"Dear…" Cynthia interrupted him "...don't you remember that my father hated you? We had to hide and lie...is that what you want for your only child? She walked up to Adam and placed her hands on the sides of his face, tearing up. "Oh, honey...I am so proud of you! You have such a pure heart." She hugged him tight and then turned to Julie. "Julie...no other person has ever managed to see Adam for who he really is...a sweet, caring young man."

Adam looked slightly embarrassed at his mother's comments and smiled at Julie.

"I love him...so very much!" Julie said while looking at Adam and smiling at him. "And I promise to make him very happy!"

Cynthia hugged her. The three of them turned to Philip who was now speechless. He took a deep breath and said "I guess I owe you an apology, son." Philip said sheepishly. "I guess I never accepted the fact that someday you'd grow up and have a life beyond school and hockey."

"Dad…" Adam said quietly and hugged him.

"I owe you an apology, too, Julie...my wife is right about you." Julie nodded her head in forgiveness.

"Mom, dad...thanks!" Adam said smiling. Once again, he grabbed Julie's hand and rushed to his car.

"What now?" Julie asked with a huge grin on her face. Adam didn't reply, he just smirked at her. He drove to the dorms and told her "get your skates!" She smirked and rushed to her room to grab them. They walked to the nearby frozen lake where the moonlight reflection was creating a mesmerizing scenery. The pair skated hand in hand until late. They knew that for as long as they had each other's back, they were unstoppable both on and off the ice.

~Thanks for reading! If you like this story, please check out my Hawks themed one - "Of Hawks and Ducks" (it's more outside the box+ a sequel is on the way!) I will soon start uploading my other long story featuring Adam as the main character [Adam x OC] Stay tuned! ~

Anyaeversong