The next morning on the way to the Banks' house for brunch, I applied some nude lipstick on my lips in the mirror to match my nude plaid dress while I wore plain black flats and my hair was pinned back by a black barrette.

"Stop fussing." My mom looked over at me while diving the car.

"I'm not fussing, mom," Rolling my eyes I closed the mirror and flipped up the panel of the sun visor. "You know how I want to look my best in front of Phil and Juliet Banks." I then fluffed my hair.

When we arrived at the Banks house, there were a few cars parked in the driveway and three on the street. My mom also parked her car in the street since there wasn't any room in the driveway. When we got out of the car, I went into the back and grabbed the breakfast casserole carrying it in my hands, up the driveway.

My mom looked around, "Where are we supposed to go?"

Hearing chatter coming from the backyard, I gestured my head towards it, "I think the backyard." The two of us went into the backyard, my mom opened the gate for me. There were a lot of adults in the yard. Then I noticed the Banks family talking to an older couple, drinking mimosas in champagne glasses while Banksie drank his orange juice in his champagne glass. Juliet turned to us, she elbowed her husband lightly before they excused themselves with the other couple, walking over to us.

Juliet came over smiling, "Vicki! I'm so happy you and your mother could make it!"

Phil took the breakfast casserole from my hands, I turned to Banksie and we pulled each other in an embrace, "Mm, you look nice." I mumbled in his ear.

"So do you, Coach." He mumbled. We then broke away to find Phil introducing Juliet to my mom.

"It's so nice to meet you, Juliet." The two shook hands, smiling.

"Thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you too," She then took a sip of her mimosa. "Your daughter is an absolute dream! She is wonderful!" Juliet then looked over at me and fixed her blonde hair.

My mom turned her head to look at me, "Well she is an extraordinary girl." I smiled at her comment before Banksie led me away and grabbed me a champagne glass full of orange juice.

"Thank you," I smiled while taking the glass. The two of us sipped our drinks at the same time. "Did you start packing yet?" I asked, putting the stem of the glass in between my fingers.

Banksie scoffed, "No," He then shook his head before taking another sip. "Why, let me guess you started packing."

I chuckled, almost spilling my orange juice, "Hell no," I whispered. "I already feel homesick even though I haven't left home yet."

Banksie wrapped his arm around my shoulder, sipping his orange juice from his champagne glass, "It's ok Vicki, I understand," His voice was soft, then I leaned my head on his shoulder. "We'll be alright."

"I'll cheer to that," The two of us raised our glasses. "Here's to us being able to understand each other and our trip to LA."

Banksie smirked, "Cheers." We then clinked glasses together and sipped in unison.

I then looked around his backyard which was buzzing with chatter, "Now if we were invited to brunch, who are all these people?"

Banksie then finished his orange juice, "Well most of these are good friends of my parents and my grandparents." He gestured to the older couple the family was talking to when I arrived.

"Ah, I see so it's a farewell party for Banksie." Nodding, I took another sip of my orange juice.

"And you," Banksie added, wrapping his arm around mine as he led me away.

My face dropped, "Wait! Me?" He took me over to the patio where Phil, Juliet, and my mother came up to me with another glass of orange juice.

Juliet tapped her glass to get everyone's attention, "As you may or may not know, The Mighty Ducks have signed with Hendrix Hockey to play in the Junior Goodwill Game in Los Angeles," Phil, Juliet, and my mother turned to the two of us. "Our son is an athletic, talented, ambitious, determined player. We are very proud of you Adam," They smiled at their son. "Not only are we proud of our son, but we are also proud of his very good friend who has been like a daughter to us, Junior Assistant Coach Victoria Reed," Everyone smiled and clapped for me, which made me blush. Then Banksie wrapped his hand around my waist bringing me closer. My heart rate heightened at his action. "Victoria, thank you," I was surprised by Juliet's appreciation, I looked up at her. "For all that you've done for the Ducks and thank you for pushing our son to be his best," The audience cheered. "We wish you two well, make us, America, and yourselves proud." Juliet, Phil, and my mom raised their glasses, then the audience did the same.

"Cheers!" We all said in unison, then clinking our glasses together. Banksie and I exchanged smirks before we sipped our orange juice.

The Next Morning...

I woke up at 4 A.M. just to make sure I had everything ready and eat a somewhat decent breakfast since our flight to LA was at 6:45 and we would be on that plane for 9 hours.

Mom had made me some homemade family waffles before I left for my flight. Thankfully our car was big enough to hold all of my suitcases since Mr. Tibbles had written a long list of what we needed to bring and I had brought some extra things of my own too. One of which was not a bathing suit because I didn't have time to get one before going to LA.

The team was meeting up at the Minneapolis International Airport. When I got there, Charlie was being dropped off as well by his mom and stepdad, whom I wasn't too fond of.

When Charlie turned around to see our car pull up behind his, a wide Cheshire Cat smile painted his face.

When I got out we tackled each other while laughing, "I can't believe we're going to LA today!" We gripped each other's shoulders.

"I know right!" He smiled before Ms. Conway stepped out of the car with her husband.

"Ok, are you sure you got everything, Charlie?" She placed her hands on her hips.

"Yes, mom." He groaned, then my mom got out of the car walking over to us.

My mom raised her brow, "Ya, Vicki, do you have everything?"

"Mom," Rolling my eyes, I groaned. "With all the suitcases I have, I'm almost positive I have everything," I said nodding my head while walking over to the car, pulling my carryon bag out of the back seat, where three other suitcases were, slinging it over my shoulder, and pulling the three suitcases out.

Charlie also did the same while my mom pulled the other three out of the trunk of the car. When my mom hooked all three cases together, she brought them to me to hook the others together.

Charlie was ready with his three suitcases before I was, he stood in front of his mother and stepfather, "Ready yet?" He smirked, gesturing to my six suitcases.

"I think so." My voice was filled with uncertainty as I nodded my head.

Then I turned around to see my mother wiping away tears from her eyes, "I'm so proud of you," She croaked out before I embraced her in my arms. "If only your dad was here to see you play for our country." She sniffed.

"I know mom," My voice was soft as I tried to soothe her. "I know he would be proud of me." I lied.

When we broke away, Charlie went to embrace my mom and vice versa with me and Ms. Conway. The two of us grabbed our suitcase handles and started dragging them away into the airport.

When we got inside, Coach Bombay, Julie, Banksie, Dwayne, Fulton, and Dean we're sitting on their cases, chatting to each other. Banksie was facing towards the entrance of the airport, when he saw me, he shot up and jogged over to me. I started jogging to him, dragging my cases behind before we smiled at each other and jumped into each other's arms. Julie and the rest of them came running up to us, embracing each other.

I snuggled my face into his collarbone which was covered by a light blue button-up Ralph Lauren Polo shirt. His cologne made my nose perk up from its intoxicating perfume.

His chest vibrated from his laughter, "Do ya have enough suitcases?" He sarcastically chuckled before the two of us broke away.

"Oh ya, right," I said nodding my head and rolling my eyes with a playful smirk on my face. "Says the guy who brought more cases than Charlie." I gestured to his five black and grey matching Ralph Lauren suitcases plus his carry on bag.

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head playfully before walking away, greeting Charlie. Jules came up to me smiling with open arms, "Hey! It's great to see you again!" She smiled as we embraced each other.

"Same here! I'm surprised that Connie isn't here yet!" When we broke apart, I placed the one hand on my hip. "She's normally early for things like this." I looked around behind Jules then I turned around hearing the automatic sliding doors open.

Connie and Guy were walking into the airport hand in hand with their free hands pulling their suitcases, "Sorry we're late!" Connie waved her hand in the air, walking over to me with a smile. "Someone needed a ride." She then scrunched her face and elbowed Guy in the chest making him wince.

"It's alright," I reassured her, waving my hands in the air. "We're just waiting for Luis, Ken, Averman, Goldberg, and Jesse."

Guy leaned over to Connie's ear, "See I told ya we weren't the last ones." He mumbled making Connie elbow him again.

We all then sat down either on the floor or on our suitcases, chatting to each other waiting for the rest of the team to show up before we go through security. Right when everyone showed up, Mr. Tibbles came running through the door in his suit with his suitcase trailing behind, "Team! Wait up!" He threw his hand in the air as he ran up to us.

I had thought he took a plane to LA yesterday or after we finished practice, "Come on Don! Gotta get through security." Coach started rising up the escalator with his suitcases while the team trailed behind following him up the escalator.

Before we went through security, Mr. Tibbles had given us our tickets. Going through security was a breeze. The team being led by Coach and I as we looked up and down from our tickets to the surrounding area trying to find our gate.

Then I elbowed Coach lightly, "Flight 320 American Airlines Gate E." I pointed to a sign above us.

Coach smiled, "Great job Vicki!" He patted my back. "K, come on team!" Coach waved his hand in the air as we all dashed for the gate.

The plane was just boarding its passengers when we arrived, Coach Bombay showed the flight attendant lady our tickets before Mr. Tibbles pushed through to get to the front, "Hi, Don Tibbles, Hendrix Hockey Apparel," He smiled holding his hand out to the lady to shake. "I booked out the first class for this flight."

The flight attendant then lit up, "Oh! Yes! Right, this way everyone!" She then led us into the plane where we were all shocked and chattering about us flying first class.

"Y'all, I've never flown first class before-" Dwayne spoke up.

"Well, I don't think anyone has, besides for maybe Banksie." Jesse commented.

Banksie scoffed from behind me, "I haven't even flown first class before."

I turned around playfully smiling, "Well that's a shock." My eyebrows raised while I spoke.

When we got into the plane, the flight attendant pushed back a red curtain to reveal first class. White leather, red carpet, fancy lights, a nice big spacious red couch with a matching white fancy chair, white fuzzy rug, and a full bar. We all "oohed" and "aahed" at the sight, then walked in slowly.

Two pairs of seats faced each other with a window at each wall seat. I walked to the back corner and sat down on the seat, Jules followed me and sat across from me with Fulton smiling and sitting down next to me with Dean across from him.

"Now everyone if you could please stay in your seats, the plane will be taking off shortly." The flight attendant lady smiled, gave a curt nod of her head, and walked out.

My hands run over the white leather on the seats, then I took off my shoes, making myself comfortable and not wanting to get anything on the seat. The same flight attendant came on the speakers, welcoming us on our flight, going over the safety procedures, and welcoming Team USA on the flight in first class which made us all erupt into a cheer. The flight attendant then instructed us to fasten our seatbelts and enjoy the flight to LA.

The four of us fasten our seatbelts, then the plane slowly started moving and Fulton gripped my knee in surprise which made me look at him in concern, "Fulton, are you ok?" I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"No," He shook his head rapidly before exchanging looks with all of us. "I've never flown before."

Julie and I awed at Fulton, "It's alright Fulton, there's nothing to be nervous about." Julie smiled.

"Yea, when the plane picks up speed, just keep swallowing your saliva," He looked at me in confusion. "It helps."

He then looked at Jules and Dean who smiled sympathetically while nodding their heads. When the plane started picking up speed, his hand was still on my knee as he loudly and obnoxiously swallows his saliva. Looking out the window, I saw the plane lifted from the ground and the buildings and cars and people become smaller and smaller as we ascended into the clouds.

When the signal was all clear to take our seatbelts off, Fulton finally relaxed and took his hand off my knee, "Better?"

Fulton smiled at me while taking his seatbelt off, "Much." He then let out a faint moan and slouched down in his seat.

Chuckling, I got up from my seat and walked over to the couch, sprawling out in it like I owned it. Charlie came walking up to me pulling his head through the neck hole of his Ducks jersey, "Is this seat taken?" He gestured to a spot next to me where I was covering.

Looking around the couch, I looked up, "I mean I don't see any names," I then shrugged while Charlie laughed. "So I mean why not!" I groaned while putting my feet on the floor, then other people joined us.

Julie first came over, sitting next to me on the couch, sandwiching me in between her and Charlie, then Fulton came over with Dean who sat in the two chairs, then Connie, and then Dwayne, and Banksie was last who pulled a bar stool over and sat across from me. The seven of us all chattered about random stuff, me learning about hockey, hockey, Wayne Gretzky, The North Stars moving to Dallas and becoming the Dallas Stars, and more hockey.

Dwayne groaned and clutched his stomach, "I feel like a dead man in a desert."

"Huh?" He all looked over with scrunched up faces.

"I didn't have breakfast," All of us then nodded. "And I really wish I could have more than just peanuts."

I scrunched my face up again, "Dwayne, you do know in first class, everything is free, right?" I looked over at Dwayne who also had a confused scrunched up face.

"Wait, are ya sure because I don't wanna pay." He put a hand on his chest.

"Even if you do have to pay," I started, leaning forward. "The bill is going to Mr. Tibbles and Hendrix Hockey Apparel anyways," I whispered while half chuckling.

Dwayne got up smiling and walking over to the bar, he ordered whatever was available for breakfast and waited for it to be served to him.

One of the flight attendant ladies walked by, so I snagged her, "Oh, excuse me!" The girl stopped and smiled. "Can we have seven orange juices please?"

The girl nodded and smiled, "Sure thing!"

"Thank you," I paused, looking at her name tag. "Claire." She smiled and walked off to the bar to get our orange juices.

A waiter then came out with a fancy plate of scrambled eggs and silverware, placing it in front of Dwayne, then Claire came out with a tray of glasses filled with orange juices, handing them one by one carefully to us. Smiling at Claire, we all thanked her before she walked away to the bar. Looking over at Dwayne, he was inhaling the food on the plate.

The seven of us all enjoyed our drinks while talking about how we were going to dominate over the other countries, "Ok, guys, let's not try and jinx this." Waving my hand in the air, I sat my drink down on the table.

"Well, we are the best team in the USA!" Fulton retorted. "How can we not win?"

"Well let's just not be too cocky." Connie exchanged looks with everyone sitting around her.

"Americans are naturally cocky," Dwayne said with a mouthful of eggs. "It's in our DNA."

The seven of us all chatted for a bit before dispersing, I had gotten up to get more orange juice from the bar and to get my Walkman and headphones to listen to music. Again, I sprawled back out on the couch and started listening to Trevor Something staring at the roof of the plane.

Charlie came walking over again, he picked up my legs and put them over the floor, allowing him to sit down next to me. He then picked up my legs and put them over his lap.

Charlie said something I didn't hear, so I took my headphones off raising my brow, "Hmm?"

"What'cha listening to?" He repeated.

Smiling, I gave him my headphones, "Oh, Trevor Something."

Charlie then took the headphones and a smile formed on his face slowly as he listened to the song. I then sat up and adjusted myself so my head was laying on his arm while my legs were on top of his lap. He placed his hand on my lower thigh and started lightly drumming away making me fall asleep.