The Mighty Ducks Imagines

Not So Secret

This is inspired by and ties into the first story in this book - Spirit of the Ducks. Based on a memory that our characters joke about at Twin Cities Slice. Let me know if I should do more stories that tie into previous ones like this.

I don't know what's going on with us lately. Maybe it's the fact that it's February and the world is still reeling from Valentines. Maybe it's because Connie and Guy have become insufferable with their love and amped up the PDA lately. Or maybe it's because we're in our late teenage years. Either way, I fear I may be falling for my best friend.

For as long as I can remember, Fulton's been by my side. He's been my closest friend for years and knows more about me than anyone else. We trust each other with our deepest darkest secrets. Despite how close we are, we've never been the kind of people to describe us as sibling-like. Perhaps that's why the team hits us with the occasional teasing. I know it's all jokes - besides, it'd be weird living without him.

Time and time again, I've been proven to be pretty blind to love and all that crap. A lot of the time I either don't see it or just assume the worst - the first few weeks after meeting Luis didn't help that. I've been getting better with it all, but I'm still new to this side of being a teenager - despite coming up on the end of my teenage years. The team jokes about me being single forever - even Bombay did a couple times.

In an attempt to understand and fall into a normal part of life for my age group, I talked to Connie, Julie and a few girls I've become friends with over the last few years here at Eden Hall. What I wanted to know most was what they looked for and how to know if you like someone more than a friend. They all seemed to say the same thing.

Loyalty was a big thing, as was being comfortable around them. Each thing they brought up reminded me of Fulton. In fact, he's the definition of perfect according to their standards. I'd never thought about him that way before. I'd never thought of anyone that way before. After that day, that's all I've been able to think about, especially being surrounded by couples in February.

After all these years, I don't know what to think. Do I have a crush on Fulton? Would he freak out if I said something? Am I just overthinking this? Who am I kidding - of course I am! This internal conflict has been frying my brain. At this point, I can't think about it too much without shutting down. Hopefully, I haven't been acting different to the point of Fulton realising. However, he's been a little different lately too. What's going on with us?

We've just finished yet another practice. The girls left earlier so we could hit the showers first. That being said, I get changed much quicker that Connie and Julie since they're exhausted and waiting for their boyfriends. Needing to clear my head, I head out before most of the guys leave the showers.

The past few days have been overwhelming in the sense that every little thing relating to romance and general relationships has become more present. I've been thinking about the Fulton situation recently - wishing my feelings were obvious to me.

I'm sitting on a wall opposite the rink, trying to clear my head with some fresh air. I'm gonna get better with all this someday but that may take a few years. I'm snapped out of my confusing thoughts by the presence of the person I have always favoured the most.

"Hey." Fulton gets my attention as he walks towards me.

"Hey." I look up at him.

"Connie said you rushed out. You okay?" He shows concern as he sits on the wall beside me.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?" He doesn't believe me - he knows me too well.

"Yeah. I've just been struggling to think straight lately." I shrug.