Portal (14 page)

There was also the complication that big bro was the team captain. And then there was Kellan. One nice big soup of reasons that meant that this was going to be a challenging day to say the least. Still, it would be worth it in the end, at least for me. Just something I had to do. Harry and Kellan would have to learn to deal with it just the same as all the other boys.

I missed my dad. He was a permanent fixture at my games. I wondered how he was doing. Had I just gone missing from his life? Was he desperately searching for me? I would have to find a way of contacting him.

I reached over and turned the alarm to the clock off seconds before the shrill noise would have filled the room. I rolled over to the side of the bed and sat up, contemplating my room. I kind of liked it being tidy. It was really handy to be able to find everything. I heard a knock at the door and Harry poked his head in.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure, Harry. Are you ready for the tryouts? I’m guessing that you’re not really trying out but selecting? What’s Coach Stanislaw like?”

“He’s ok. He is Russian, I think. A bit hard to understand at times but he knows his stuff. And yes, I will be the team captain this year. We are going to be selecting a new assistant captain; Kellan is the favorite. What was up between the two of you yesterday?”

I sighed and shrugged, not really knowing how to begin to discuss my love life with my brother, it felt wrong. I changed the subject.

“Any pointers? I’m still trying out, you know.”

“I was sort of hoping that you had reconsidered. If you are certain that you want to put yourself through this, then of course I’ll support you any way I can. I wish I had known about this sooner, we could’ve spent some time during summer practicing. Did you tell Kellan?”

“No, not yet. I don’t really feel the need to.”

Harry looked at me quizzically, “Oh, don’t you two tell each other everything? He may freak when he sees you at the tryouts without being forewarned. Do you want me to break it to him?”

“Harry, I’m not sure how to break it to him. You know, it sounds silly any way I say it. He hasn’t even seen me skate, lately anyway. It would be totally out of the blue. He would think I’ve flipped. I’m not sure it’s going to be any better coming from you. I’m thinking it may be better if he just sees me skate, maybe I can convince him on ice.”

Harry looked unconvinced, “I think it’s a mistake not to tell him, but I guess we’ll have to deal with the consequences. Did you manage to pick up a kit yesterday? Mom’s still here, she could show you how to put it all on.”

“I did. I tried it all on at the store. I am fairly certain I can manage. Besides, I haven’t told Mom yet.”

“Shrimp, you’re going to start quite a circus today,” he laughed. “I have your forms here, all filled out. You’ll need to take it to the nurse for a signature though. I enclosed your last physical, so you won’t need a new one.”

“Thanks, Harry, you are the best. I hate filling in forms.”

“I know!”

With that he handed me the forms and said, “See you at breakfast. I put my kit in your Jeep, do you need help with yours?”

“No!” I laughed, “That would totally blow my street cred!”

“Cheerleading street cred?” He laughed as he shut the door behind him avoiding the imaginary pom poms I threw at him.

I took a quick shower and put on my skinny jeans and Juicy top. I looked at myself in the mirror, pretty awesome. However, this Barbie look was not going to help me today. I looked so much fiercer with dark hair. I tried pulling it back. No, that didn’t help either. Perhaps Eyeblack would help? It would be a source of amusement anyway. I threw some black mascara (that would have to do!) in case I decided to fierce myself up, along with the forms into my backpack, and tossed the bedspread (whatever was the point of these?) on my bed and made my way to Ella’s room to get her up for breakfast.

Her door was wide open and there was no sign of her in her room so I headed down the stairs. I could hear her animated little voice from the kitchen. As I walked in, I saw that she had the rest of them totally attentive to her chatter. She was busy telling them what kind of house she thought we should buy when we moved to Hollywood. Mom was getting up as I came in.

“Good morning, Arizona. I have to rush off again! I feel as though I never see you. I’ll probably be late again.” She took her Kelly and Ames bags, and her keys from the counter then headed for the door with a wave. Rupert followed her out to the car.

Harry slid a plate over to me: bacon, eggs and toast. Perfect.

“Thanks, Harry! You’re up early this morning, Ella?”

“I wanted to have breakfast with Mom before she left. I had so much to tell her.”

“You’ve certainly been a busy girl. I bet she was excited to hear all about your auditions.”

“Yes, she is sad that she can’t come to New York with us. I told her that I would take a lot of pictures and text them to her.”

“That’s a great idea,” I said absentmindedly, biting into my toast, wondering if Kellan would show up for breakfast. I was not in my bunny pajamas and I missed him.

Rupert returned and we finished breakfast listening to Harry’s account of the meteor showers from last night.

“Can I stay up for the next one, Harry?” Ella begged.

“I’ll ask Mom. I can’t see why not,” said Harry leaning over to tug at her hair.

Harry got up and cleared the table, looked over at me and said, “We better get going.” He went over and kissed Ella and waved a goodbye at Rupert. I followed him out the door. He walked toward his bike and I looked at him fondly as he drove away. It was pretty awesome having a big brother. And he really was just perfect. I went to the garage and retrieved my kit and U+ from under the boxes and put them in my Jeep. There was no room at the back, so I threw the bag on the passenger seat.

Maria, Ali, Ariele and Simla were all waiting for me by my locker. Simla grabbed me first.

“We should talk,” she demanded.

“Sure, I’ll come and find you later.” The later would have to be much later maybe even never. She looked annoyed and grumped at me, but nodded and then walked over to where Justin was waiting for her.

I looked over to Maria, Ali and Ariele. Should I keep them apart or try to include Ariele in the group? I really wanted to include her. My only fear was that she would let something slip. I looked at her and immediately felt warm as she smiled at me. Of course I needed to include her! I needed her in my life. I went up to them and turned to Maria and Ali.

“This is Ariele. You know her from physics class, Maria. Our moms work together.”

Ali smiled at Ariele, “You’re the new girl. Welcome to Mountain View.”

Ariele did her best new girl smile, “Thanks.”

“Catch up with us at lunch, Ariele,” said Ali as the bell rang and we dispersed to our classes. I walked over with Maria.

“Maria, I like Ariele, she seems really cool. Can we include her in our group?”

“Of course we can. She does seem really nice.”

The morning passed quickly and we met up with Ali at lunch. We noticed that Ariele was sitting at the corner table on her own again and I beckoned her to join ours. She smiled gratefully and walked over, and Ali proceeded to do all the introductions. The girls were preoccupied taking about the next cheer sequence. I looked around to see if I could spot Harry and Kellan but there were no sign of them. It would soon be time. Ariele was fairly quiet through lunch.

I turned around and whispered to her, “Are you coming to the tryouts?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world! Where do you want to meet up?”

“By my Jeep after school.”

I turned around and whispered the same to Maria and asked her to pass it on to Ali.

The afternoon passed quickly and quietly. I didn’t run into Simla again and hoped to avoid her all together. I kept looking around to catch a glimpse of Kellan. I couldn’t stop thinking about last night; I didn’t see him at all.

Soon as the last bell sounded, I ran to my Jeep, Maria barely keeping up with me.

“Slow down, Arizona, you have plenty of time!”

“I know. I just want to make sure that Simla doesn’t catch up with me. I can do without her messing with me this afternoon.”

“Yes, she’s a real pain,” agreed Maria. “We never invited her to join our group. I wonder why she keeps bugging you. Can’t imagine what Justin sees in her! Can’t stand him either though.”

I rolled my eyes and nodded in agreement though I wasn’t quite sure what she meant about Justin. We waited by the Jeep for Ali and Ariele. They both arrived together with big smiles.

“I can’t wait to see their faces!” Ali said. “Maria told me that only Harry knows. You haven’t told Kellan yet?”

“No, I decided to surprise him,” I said with a wink.

“Not nice of you,” said Maria. “You should’ve told him. He’s going to be livid.”

I shrugged and got into the Jeep.

“There’s no space for anyone in here. I’ve got three kits. Can you guys meet me at the rink? I’ll wait in my Jeep until you arrive and we’ll walk in together.”

My phone buzzed, a text from Harry.

K and I are at the rink parking lot waiting for you and our kits

I texted back.

On my way

I spotted Harry and Kellan as I drove into the rink parking lot and parked my Jeep next to their bikes. The girls pulled in at the same time and parked next to me. We got out together. Harry and Kellan had already opened the back of the Jeep and were pulling their gear out. I walked over to them, Kellan smiled and pecked my cheek.

“Thanks for bringing my kit, Shrimp. I see we’ve got an audience, Harry.” He looked over and smiled at Ali, Maria and Ariele.

“You’re the new girl?”

“Yes, Kellan. This is Ariele,” introduced Ali.

Ariele nodded at Kellan and Harry. Harry went over and kissed Maria and then with a “See you inside,” and a sly wink at me turned and headed to the rink with Kellan.

We waited until they were safely inside and then I got my kit out of the car. We went inside and quickly made our way to the girl’s restroom. It was empty, so I opened up my bag and started changing into my hockey gear. It all smelled so new. I was used to my regular sweaty-sock smell. I was not one to clean my kit. Maria and Ali watched me in awe, Ariele yawned.

“You look fabulous, Arizona,” said Ali, “Really cute.”

Ariele giggled, “Real cute!”

I sighed, “I’m not really aiming for cute! Fierce, maybe.”

Ariele laughed, “Well, that Barbie blonde hair is not helping. Got some Eyeblack with you?”

I shook my head, “Mascara?”

Maria looked confused, “What’s Eyeblack?”

“Let me show you,” said Ariele as she brought out her kohl eyeliner. She drew warrior stripes under my eyes and laughed, “Now you look like warrior Barbie. Not sure that’s going to help with anything other than comic relief!”

I looked in the mirror and giggled. I looked totally ridiculous. The helmet should hide most of my face anyway, I put it on and pulled the cage over my face. What on earth had possessed me to get a pink one!

Ariele looked at me in horror, “Pink?”

I rolled my eyes at her, “I had an episode….” I stuffed my ponytail into my jersey as much as I could, grabbed my mouth guard, gloves, water and stick, and we headed out to the ice rink. I was starting to feel the butterflies now and looked around to Ali, Maria and Ariele. I smiled gratefully at them, thankful that they were here for me.

We walked into the rink together and I looked around to see if anyone had noticed us come in. No one, by the look of things. The other players were busy on the ice, already warming up. The girls surrounded me for a group hug before I stepped on the ice and joined the skaters already circling around. I noticed some heads turning back to glance at me, stupid pink helmet! A tall body drew up next to mine and skated along beside me, it was Harry. He beckoned me to follow him and we skated over to the bleachers where Dr. Lee and two other men were sitting. Harry took his helmet off and spoke to the bigger of the two men. Bigger as in huge!

“Coach, this is my sister, Arizona.”

“Arizona, this is Coach Stanislaw, our assistant Coach Pickett, and you know Dr. Lee our Director and Manager.”

Dr. Lee smiled at me and said, ‘I am glad you came, Arizona, nice helmet!”

Coach Stanislaw said gruffly, “Not sure that the helmet is going to make any difference, no points for cuteness here. It’s nice to meet you, Arizona. Your brother is our star player. I’m expecting a lot from you, so get out there and show me what you can do.”

I smiled and thanked them for allowing me to try out. Harry pulled at my sleeve to follow him back to the ice to continue with the warm ups. I skated, shaking Harry off. I didn’t want anyone to think he was babysitting me. He skated right back up to me again and shrugged at me confused.

“Harry, I have to be seen to be able to skate on my own! Please don’t take it personally but let me do this,” I pleaded.

He nodded hesitantly but skated off.

I noticed Kellan skate up to him and practically push him over to the wall. I ignored them, concentrating on my skating, finding a stray puck and heading over to the goals for some shots. I approached the goal zeroing in on the puck with my stick and ramming it dead center into the goal. Then I zipped behind the goal to turn and repeated the goal shot. I kept going, perfect every time. When the whistle sounded, everyone skated over to the box where the coaches had taken up position. I hurried over.

“For those who are new, I am Coach Stanislaw and this is Coach Pickett our assistant, and Dr. Lee our Manager,” he said pointing to each man. “We know most of you from last year, but have quite a few new boys trying out. There are more of you here to tryout than we have positions, so it will be tough. We do have a couple of reserve positions available this year. This tryout will take place over four sessions, each two hours long. Missing a session is not an option. Consider yourself cut if you do. I’ve already picked our captain and assistant captains. You all know Harry, he needs no introduction. Our assistant captains this year are Kellan and Mike.”