Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Emily, and a few other random characters.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks fic "The Way Things Are". We recommend you read that one first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 16
November 27th, 1997
7:10 PM
Bella's POV
The doorbell rang.
"Ace can you get that?" Dad asked.
"Sure," I said, we weren't expecting anyone.
I made my way to the door and opened it. To find…
"Ads! What are you doing here?' I asked. He was crying, I looked down. 'Oh my God, your bleeding."
"Did you know?" he asked me.
"Did I know what?" I asked.
"Did you know that they were sending me away?" Adam said looking down, with tears falling out of his eyes.
"Yeah, I knew," I said quietly.
"And you didn't think to say anything! I thought you, Charlie and Gunnar would at least tell me the truth!" Adam squeaked.
"Adam, we wanted to. We really did. But Coach and Michele told us we weren't allowed. Then you wouldn't talk to me, I didn't know what to do," I said.
"I'm sick of this. You all are treating me like a child, I can fend for myself you know. I'm tired and I'm over it," Adam said.
And then he began to run off.
"ADAM!" I yelled but he didn't turn around he kept running. I could feel a tear make its way down on my face. I had nearly lost him before, but not like this though.
Charlie's POV:
Adam ran off, again. Problem is he's fast, not Luis fast but fast on foot. Once he's gone you don't have much of a chance of catching him. He could be in Canada by now and we would not know it. No one could deny that they guy was an athlete. Or used to be, I'm not sure where that all stands now.
We sat there in silence after Adam left. It was deafening to hear forks and spoons hit the plates. Fred, Mom, Gunnar, and I didn't stay after the meal, neither did Ms. Mackay's parents. Her parents said that they had other grandchildren to visit.
It's difficult yet I think we all kind of get it now. That we need to give him his space…. Within reason of course.
Adam's POV:
I was done. I was so fucking done with all the shit they kept throwing at me and I was never fast enough to dodge because I didn't read the signs.
I want to go home. But I'm not sure where home is now. Not Hennepin Avenue. Not Eden Hall. Not Bombay and MacKay's house.
So, I ran to the place I was always welcome at, where they always were happy for me and where they cared when no one else would.
I ran to the Conway's.
….
I knocked on the door of the apartment.
"HOW DARE YOU!" I screamed when Charlie answered the door. "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MY BEST FRIEND, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?"
"Hey Banksie, calm down. We all knew, but we're your team and we just want…." Charlie started.
"DON'T YOU DARE START SPURTING SOME SHIT ABOUT DUCKS FLY TOGETHER OR ONCE A DUCK ALWAYS A DUCK!" I yelled.
"Banksie I hate this as much as you do, can't you see that?" Charlie asked.
I just screamed at him in a way that weren't even words.
"God damn it, Adam calm down," Charlie said.
But I wouldn't.
"Calm down!" Charlie said before he did something unexpected.
He kissed me.
A/N: And that is unfortunately the end of this story. But fear not there is more. We are about to dive into the rest of sophomore year so be on the lookout for the next story: "The Way Things Should Be." It should be starting to post in the next week, but until then I am going to give you a little sample, enjoy! And as always please read and review! Thanks a bunch!
"Look I think it's cool, my uncle is gay, and my family doesn't have a problem with him."
"Really?"
"Yep, had his partner for like 20 years. I call him my aunt Frank."
….
No one cares. No one fucking cares what you think.
I was never good enough, so why bother. Why give me the call back or cast me?
Why would we even let me think that I would somehow make it.
Maybe ships don't sail at 15, but it sure as hell feels like they do.
For once can't something go right?
They all say it was fate and everything happens for a reason.
So, is that the reason? Just to make me feel more worthless than I already do.
Because if it is job well done.
….
"Whoa, slow down and freeze. Adam did what?"
…..
"But state,' He said catching up to me and grabbing my hand. 'We won't make it anywhere without you."
"Charlie!"
"All I'm saying is that hockey's your life, it's important."
"More important than my brother?"
…
"DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH YOU IDIOT? I TOLD YOU BEFORE IT'S NOT YOUR TIME."
…
May 26th and 27th passed along the same way as normal. I was starting to get very hungry, but I had to remind myself mind over matter. I am a fat pig. By the end of day 3, I was sure I lost 10 pounds. But I noticed that I was starting to feel tired, sluggish, and not willing to concentrate. Especially during the school day.
…..
"Are you sure? Like really, completely 100 percent sure? Because I…. I…. I… don't know what I am doing in that field."
…
"Ten miles of running daily, Yoga, Swimming for the last half hour, lifting weights, water crunches. Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?"
"I am still me,'' I said as I laid on my back in the pool, getting ready to do my crunches, 'but Coach Orion said that we needed to do a summer training program. I don't know about you Charlie, but I want to go and play College Hockey, there are a ton of universities that are starting Women's Hockey programs in the fall, I want to get a scholarship to go. I want to play in the Olympics in 2002 in Salt Lake City. One… two… three... four…"
….
"YOU WANT DEATH WE HAVE LOTS OF IT AROUND HERE! GO AHEAD SUCK IT IN!' He yelled at me, he had the face mask on my face to kill me. 'GO AHEAD SUCK IT IN, I AM NOT STOPPING YOU."
…
I ran around Sacramento. I wasn't sure how far I ran but I know I ran a long way. I was mad at Charlie, Gunnar, Adam, Mom, Dad and Dr. Caseman. I needed to run just like I need food and water. I ended up at some park and watch the sunset. I didn't end up back at the hospital until almost 10:00 pm. Again, I had to convince Adam's nurses to let me stay with him. I said that I had nowhere else to go. I was lucky that I could stay in Adam's room.
….
"I think that I am going to let you guys go ahead and go back to Minnesota. I am going to stay in California for a few more days and then fly home."
…..
"Wait, we are moving back to Minneapolis next summer? I thought we were moving back in January?"