in reverse-adam banks(1)

chapter 22 - remember when

sorry i didn't have time to proofread please point out any mistakes

Layla's POV

Luckily for me, I wasn't carried back to the car this time. We had stopped at the ice rink where we had our very first hockey practice together. But the whole time we were skating around, I felt like something was off like this wasn't where they actually wanted to come.

"Um hey boys," I called to them, coming to a stop. "Why am I getting a feeling that this isn't the big destination you wanted to take me to?" They exchanged a look, and Scooter came up to me while Riley went to the car.

"Because my dear Layla," he said extending his hand out to me, "we had to stall a little bit."

Grabbing my hand and practically dragging me towards the car, I was gently thrown back into the backseat and we took off again.

There aren't many times that I'm speechless, but this was definitely one of them. Our car pulled to a stop in front of Mickey's Diner. How the two boys found out that the ducks were here was beyond me, but that wasn't what impressed me. It was the gesture. The offer to both me and the entirety of the ducks to make peace and move on. To put whatever childish games went on prior to this moment to the past.

Grinning like an idiot, I pulled the both of them into a hug and whispered a thank you before heading inside.

The two boys did a handshake before they went inside, knowing this was a good call. Essentially, they bridged an unnecessary gap between the two teams.

Adam' POV

We were all laughing. Something that Averman, surprise, had said sent us all into laughter that trickled to a stop when the trio walked in. They were probably the last three people that my team was expecting to see right now. I gave Layla a smile so hopefully she didn't turn around and leave.

Before we left the school to come here, Scooter and Riley stopped me in the hall. I'll admit, I was slightly terrified at first, especially because Layla wasn't there. But it was actually a pleasant conversation. They apologized, something I really didn't see coming, and asked how the two teams could try to move past this. It didn't take me long at all to realize they were doing this for Layla. I think they knew how bad she felt about all the tension already happening. So, I told them where they could find us when we left. That way they could help her try to accomplish her amends.

And so they stood in the doorway, seemingly debating whether or not to come in. After what seemed like an eternity, Connie finally stood up and pulled Layla towards us. Once she did that everyone sort of fell back into what was already happening and the two boys entered.

They approached me first. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charlie tense up. I chuckled a little inside, know it would be a while before he completely trusted them.

"Thank you, Banksie," Scooter said quietly. "I know that this means a lot to Layla. And I wouldn't mine being friends with you guys. You don't seem too bad."

My eyes wandered over to where Layla was now deep in conversation with Connie, Julie, Averman, and Kenny. She looked so happy and content with the new peace between the teams. I smiled, glad I could help with that.

"Oh I just figured that this was a better solution to the constant war." I turned my attention back to the two boys just in time to see Scooter drop a smile and for Riley to grimace at my comment.

"That was....uncalled for I suppose," he said with a trace of a smile. "I really am sorry though. I don't realize how much this team meant to you and how close you all were. We've never had that outside of the three of us really. Maybe that's what this was. We just wanted-"

His gaze shifted to the rest of the ducks and he trailed off into his thoughts, leaving me with an equal deal to think about. Did he mean what he said?  Should I trust him? 

Problems for another day.

"Since you're here, and of course welcome, it seems fitting that I formally introduce you to the team." I stood from my seat with a mock flourish and proceeded to parade the boys around the room introducing them to everyone. Some seemed more receptive and friendly than others, others being mainly Charlie, but it was an overall peaceful affair.

Layla seemed happy. In her eyes I guess she saw what she had been trying to fabricate, a sort of union between the teams. That camaraderie and friendship that very clearly wasn't there before.

And truthfully, it seemed that almost all of us were open to it.

AH CHAPTER YOURE WELCOME. plan was to have this out weeks ago but then school and i got so busy. anyways. here's a bit of a shorter chapter that's kind of a placeholder before i transition into the next section.

NOW TO THE READERS;
should i continue on with another part/act in this book or create a new book? or any other ideas you may have thanks.