"And the Southside Skippers are the state champions for the fourth year in a row!" Dustin screams through the microphone. The team rushes us to hug Charley who scored the game winning goal.

"The leadership of Charley Evans is incredible, leading the team to state champs all four of the years she's been captain of this team. It's going to be tough replacing an amazing captain like her." Ben replies.

"Indeed Ben, before Charley this team was just another team. If I'm being honest here they probably wouldn't have even made it to sections without the leadership of Charley. Hopefully they'll be able to reserve some of it for after she leaves so they can continue this wondrous streak."

Charley and the team stand on the ice as they carry over the state trophy. They pose for a photo, their gold plated medals in between their teeth.

After that, they shake hands with the other team and skate off into the locker rooms. A news reporter is waiting by the bench to ask Charley some questions.

"Charley, how does it feel that it's your last year playing with this team?" The reporter asks, shoving a microphone and a camera in front of Charley's face.

"It's really bittersweet. I love this team and I've been playing with some of these people for four years and we've all gotten to know each other and we're just a big happy family." Charley says, out of breath, adrenaline still rushing from their win.

"Being the captain of this team for four years, how does it make you feel leaving them?"

"I'm really sad to be leaving, like I said we're all really close. Next years captains have already been selected and I'm hoping they can continue on with our state title. I'm confident in them, they're amazing athletes and have displayed great leadership so I'm excited to see what's in store for this team."

"Before you became captain, this team, which has been around for fifty years, has never won state or even a section title. How does that make you feel to lead the team to four state titles in a row?"

"Well, it's not just me doing it. These boys are amazing and I'm just happy that I was able to bring out the best skills in them and get us these wins. I'm so proud of all the boys and I'm really going to miss them."

"Now what's it like being the only girl on the team?" The reporter asks. Charley is starting to get annoyed with all the questions, she just wants to be in the locker room celebrating with her team.

"You know I've answered this many times before. No one really pays attention to it anymore. I've gained the respect of the players so it's not really a big deal anymore."

"One final question, there are rumors that they are retiring your number, is that true?"

"Yes, it is true. Number 7 will no longer be a jersey option. It's such an honor to have my number retired and I'm really grateful for it."

"Congratulations and thanks for your time Charley." Charley mutters a thank you and heads into the locker room. As soon as she walks in the boys cheer.

"Boys, I'm so proud of the way you've all played this year. You all are amazing and the skills you possess are incredible. I'm so sad this is my last year playing with you, but I hope you can find it in you to come back and win our state title again next year." The boys cheer.

An hour later, Charley, Noah, Jake and Kyle are lounging in Charley and Noah's basement eating junk food and watching movies.

"So, we leave for Minnesota next week, yea?" Noah asks, throwing a piece of popcorn in his mouth.

"Yup, we leave Monday morning." Charley replies. The four of them had been accepted onto an elite Canadian hockey team. They were playing a tournament in Minnesota next week. They continued onto Ilinois the week after if they won in Minnesota.

"God, if this goes right we'll be secured spots at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010." Kyle says dreamily. They all melt into their own little dream world as they think about making it to the Olympics.

"Charley, would you be playing for the girls or guys team?" Kyle asks.

"It's being disputed but I'd most likely end up on the girls team because the Olympics is basically separated by gender and the rules say that a girl plays on the girls team and boys play on boys team. But they're discussing it considering I've been playing on a boys team for the past 4 years."

"You play too rough to be on a girls team anyways." Noah teases. Charley shoots him a glare and flicks a piece of popcorn at him which he easily dodges. She rolls her eyes and stands up to look out the window in the backyard.

Fresh snow had fallen that day and the ground was covered in white. Frost sparkled in the moonlight on the bare branches of the trees. It was just after midnight so the only thing lighting up the yard was the moon. Charley's eyes settle on the rink in the back yard, same with the rest of the boys.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Noah asks as they all exchange knowing looks.

"Let's go."

Fifteen minutes later they were out on the rink. They all wore a simple pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt with various NHL jerseys over it. Charley had on her father's Montreal Canadians jersey while Noah was sporting a Toranto Maple Leafs one, which was where he was hoping to get drafted to. Kyle had on a Ottawa Senators jersey and Jake was wearing a Vancouver Canucks one. They hadn't bothered putting on any pads, just their helmets, gloves, skates and sticks.

The rink lights were fully on, giving them enough light to start a pick up game. They dragged the nets into their correct position before Charley dumped a bucket of pucks onto the ice.

"Alright, me and Kyle against you and Jake." Noah says, picking up a puck and skating to center ice.

"You're on." Charley grins, lining up next to him.

"You're going down bitch!" Jake yells and gives Kyle a small shove which earns a chuckle from all of them.

The games starts but after an hour the neighbors exit their homes and ask them to quiet down. They gather all the pucks back into the bucket and flip off the lights before heading inside.

"I'm going to miss that." Charley said, once they had settled back inside under dozens of pillows and blankets to keep them warm.

"Yea, they was always the best place to play." Jake agrees.

"We're all going to go off to college or get drafted. This winter might be the last time we ever skate on that pond." Charley sighs. She cuddles into Jake's side and he wraps his arms around her. Noah and Kyle smirk at them.

"What?" Charley asks innocently.

"Just admit you like each other and start dating already!" Kyle whines. Charley and Jake blush a deep red.

"We're going to head into the kitchen and grab some snacks." Noah grins, pulling Kyle up with him leaving just Jake and Charley alone in the basement. They're both silent, not daring to say a single thing.

Charley finally looks up at Jake and sees he's still blushing. She reaches up and brushes her fingers across his burning cheeks. He looks down at her and bites him lip, a conflicted look on his face. He seems to finally make a decision because the next thing Charley knows, Jake is pressing his lips to Charley's.

She immediately kisses back. Noah and Kyle were right, she had a little crush on Jake since they met. But they were teammates after all and having a relationship with your teammate seemed a little...weird.

But here they were, making out in Charley's basement in the middle of the night. Charley climbs into Jake's lap so she's straddling him and knots her fingers in his dirty blonde hair and pulls him closer. Jake's arms wrap around her waist, hugging her tight.

"God Charley, I've liked you since I first met you." Jake says, breathless, once they pull away. His lips land back on Charley's.

"Me too." she says when his lips leave hers and begin to trail down her neck.

"Settles it then, there's a new horror movie premiering tomorrow night, let's go." Jake mumbles against her skin. Charley's lips curl up into a smile. Jake knows how much she loves horror movies.

"It's a date." Charley says.

"God Charley you're beautiful." Jake's lips attack hers once more.

"Holy shit." Jake and Charley spring apart and find Noah and Kyle standing in the doorway with their mouths open, a couple bags of chips and water bottles in their hands.

"I figured Jake would ask her out, I didn't think we'd come back to find you guys hooking up." Noah adds, scratching his head.

"Sorry dude." Jake blushes.

"No, it's all good. You're a good guy, I trust you." Noah shrugs. Him and Kyle plop down on the couch.

"And, for your information, he did ask me out." Charley smirks, leaning against Jake's chest and wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms wrap around her waist and pull her closer to his chest so she's curled up in his lap.

"He did, did he? Where?"

"We're going to see that new horror movie tomorrow."

"Sounds fun. Let's watch a movie. Any suggestions?"

"Paranormal Activity!" Charley screams. They all laugh and Noah puts in the DVD as Charley curls up even closer to Jake.

Notes

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