Lucky Shot- Adam Banks

17-Pictures-VP

August 8, 1994

The entire week I was home, I was with Adam. We skated together, ate together, watched fireworks, and even slept in the same bed every night. I knew I would dread the moment I had to leave again. I told myself it wasn't going to be awful, but when I lost sight of Adam standing in the airport, I almost ditched the flight and ran back to him.

Charlie had told me how lonely Adam had been. He rarely did things with anyone else anymore. I felt bad for Adam. I know how I would feel if he left me.

When I got back to Vista Point, I relaxed at the familiar buildings and architecture. It was very much like Hogwarts from Harry Potter, but not as big I guess.

The more I settled back into Vista, the more I realized how much I missed my odd group of friends. Cam, Brody, and Tanner were my closest friends, but Miles knew what to say to get me fired up. When I'm more angry, I get more aggressive, making it easier to shove people to the ground.

The summer was nearing a close. Early August was approaching, meaning real school and actual people that don't eat, breath, sleep hockey. When they gave us our uniforms, I was actually excited. I always thought it would be so much easier to have your outfit always picked out for you.

School starts tomorrow and everything is laid out- backpack and uniform perfectly placed.

I still answered my friends letters, but every time one from my parents came in, I hesitated. They sent 5 letters, but I only answered once. And it wasn't even a good letter, just me telling them I'm fine and I'm excited for school. That's it. That's all they deserve.

When my alarm goes off, I quickly get up and get ready for the day. I straightened my hair and put on a school headband that got sent with everything else.

I put on the plaid skirt and button up shirt. I put on the red vest over that. I kinda thought it looked good.

I took a breath, put on my heavy backpack, and walked out the door.

I forgot how many people had shown up yesterday, so when I walked out the door into a sea of girls, I was surprised to say the least.

One girl bumped into me, "I'm so sorry,"

I chuckle, "No it's okay, do you need help?"

The blonde girl had two boxes full of paper in each box. It looked really heavy.

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

I smile and take one of the boxes in my arms, "What's your name?"

"My names Jacqueline, but everyone calls me Jackie. My dad's a teacher here, thats why I'm hauling around these heavy boxes." Jackie says, trying to rearrange the box in her arm.

"I'm Ava," I say, "who do you have first hour?"

"My dad, Fole."

I look at the schedule in my open hand, "No way, me too."

"Awesome, and the way the grade is split up here is by class A, B, C, D. We are in B, it says it at the top of the schedule."

I look down at the paper again. She's right, at the top of the schedule it says Avalon Carter: B.

Jackie and I talk the rest of the way to the classroom. She shows me all of the school buildings and tells me that she's here on a music scholarship. I explain that I'm here for hockey and she says 'That's badass.'

She also tells me that she is in dorm 154, down the hall from mine.

When we get to Mr. Foles classroom, I see Cam and Miles sitting in there. I wave at them and Jackie looks at me like I'm crazy, "You know them?"

My eyebrows furrow, "Yeah we play hockey?"

"They're the most popular people in school, Cam, Brody, and Tanner. Miles is a solid second."

"Well I've been playing with them since May, so they aren't that popular to me." I explain, and take a seat next to the boys. Jackie sits down in a chair in front of me.

Mr. Fole is the English teacher, so we start out our morning receiving the book 'Of Mice And Men'. We are told to read a chapter a night and write about it the next day. Easy.

My second class is art, and instead of there being different people in each class, you stay with the same people all day. It's weird.

The day goes by fast. At lunch, I sit with the hockey team and Jackie tags along. After the school day is over, I have practice from 2-4. Coach K said he's seen a lot of improvement in me. Said my shots have been going in more, I've been handling the puck better, and I'm even better at defense than I was before.

Our first game is September 8th. Cam told me that Vista has been the number one team in California for 7 years, High school and Junior High. Coach K started the winning streak.

If I'm being honest, I like Coach K more than I like Coach Bombay. Kraft cares, but doesn't let that interfere with his coaching. He's tough, but I'd rather him tell me what I'm going wrong rather than just shrug it off like Bombay does.

After practice, we all go and eat dinner at the dining hall. A few more girls sit with us than before, and Miles tells me that Tanner and Brody made a bet to see who can get more girls throughout the year. I thought it was disgusting, but no one would listen to me anyways. There are nasty rumors going around about me. Most of them are that the only reason I play hockey are for the boys.

Most of the boys know that I'm strung up on Adam, so they haven't made an effort. Yeah I'm good friends with a few of them, but I would never date them.

After dinner, Miles walks me back to my dorm, which is easier said than done. The hallway was filled with girls, and at least fifteen of them were saying hi to Miles and giving me dirty looks.

When we stop at my door, I take my keys out and start to open it.

"Uh Goodnight," I say and I start to close the door, but Miles' hand catches it before it closes.

"Ava I need to ask you something," he takes a deep breath, but stops. His eyes wander behind me and pain overtakes his face, "never mind. I forgot. Goodnight."

And with that he lets the door shut. I'm a little taken aback by that, but once I turn around and look at what he was looking at, I'm not as confused.

My wall, decked out in pictures of me and Adam. That's what he was looking at. I think he was going to ask me out, but the pictures reminded him of Adam.

I could be wrong. I don't take Miles as someone who would go after me, but why else would he care about a few pictures of me and another guy.

Whatever, I probably would have said no anyways.

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So...what do we think about that???

I think that's the first and last chapter of only Vista that I'll do. It just doesn't hit like Minnesota does.
Basically what just happened there was yes, Miles was going to ask her out, but when he saw the pictures of Adam, he knew he would never have a solid. chance with her because of the way she loves Adam. Miles spared himself the embarrassment and just forgot about it.

So I hope you guys enjoyed it and chapter 18 will be out pretty soon!

With love, M