Chapter Text
Somewhere in New York
“Alya!!!!” called a tall woman in black boxing shorts wearing a yellow tank top.
“I’m right here, Nora, you don’t need to yell” said the girl who was called, she was wearing a plaid shirt with light blue jeans with some white sneakers and horned-rimmed glasses.
“Geez, why do you always have to yell, I was in the next room” said Alya
“Hey, mom wanted to know where Ezra is” asked Nora
Alya starts looking through her phone
“What are you-’’
“I know where he is” said Alya as she put her phone to her right ear
-
Somewhere elsewhere in New York
We see a couple of boys playing ice-hockey as one boy speeds towards the goal box, two defenders blocking his path.
“You’re not getting past us Ezra!” screamed one of the defenders.
In response, the boy smirked and hit the puck to his teammate near the outline, “I don't need to get past you two, the puck does!” as he sped round the other side. Once his teammate got the puck, Ezra called back for his teammate to pass it. “Pass it back!’’ As the teammate threw the puck to Erza, he sped up to receive it with his stick as he dashed further. The goalie, seeing Erza dashing towards him, readied himself to block the shot. “You’re not scoring today Ez!!!” As the boy smirked before sliding the puck between the goalie’s legs as it went in.
“GOAL!!!” Ezra cheered as his teammate skated over to him.
“Nice shot, man”
“What can I say, I’m on a roll today”
Before the two could talk any further, someone outside the rink called out to them.
“Dude, Ezra!” called the boy, “Your phone’s ringing”.
“Oh, give it here” Ezra called, as he swiftly skated his way over to the rink wall, the other boy handing him his phone.
“Huh, thanks man” said Ezra as he took the phone.
“It’s Alya, why’s she calling me” thought Ezra as he put the phone to his left
“Hey si-”
“WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU!!!”
“You don’t have to yell in my ear” said Ezra as he held the phone away from his ear
“I ask again, where. Are. You” asked Alya
“Uhh……..I’m with the guys, why” asked Ezra
“Did you forgot what day it is”
“No, it’s Tuesday”
“Ezra, we’re moving today”
As Ezra’s eyes widen at the news
“What!!!”
“Yeah, the flight is in 2 hours. Mom wants us to be ready, so get your butt back here” said Alya as she ended the call
-
As Ezra took the phone away from his ear
“Sorry guys, I’ve gotta get going” said Ezra as his friends gave him a smirk
“You forgot it was moving day, didn’t you”
“Shut up!’’ said Ezra exasperated.
“Well anyway see ya man”
“Make sure to keep us updated”
“You better get on the Paris hockey team”
“Yeah, so we can face each other when we go pro’s”
“Yeah I will, see ya guys, take care” said Ezra with a smile as he ran to the changing rooms.
His team responded after him “Take care, Ez!!!”
A while later Ezra came out running from the hockey rink, he was wearing black jeans with some orange sneakers while he was wearing his hoodie from his favourite team, the ‘New York Islanders’, as he had brown short hair and orange highlights waved in the wind.
-
Ezra arrived at the apartment he and his family had lived in since he and his sister could remember.
“EZRA!!!” shouted Alya.
“I’m here, I’m packing” Ezra responded as he rushed into his room,
Ezra rushed, chucking all of the clothes and things that he wanted to take to Paris into a pair of duffle bags.
“Hey Lil Skipper, where were you?” asked Nora as she walked into his room.
“Hockey” Ezra answered quickly, while carefully packing the last of his hockey gear.
“Fair enou- ”
“Nora, our flight is literally in an hour and a half, he needs to hurry up!” Alya interrupted, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.
“What, I respect him squeezing in a last workout before Paris.”
“I can’t believe you two sometimes’’ said Alya as Erza and Nora looked at her.
“Says the one who wanted to get one last autograph for Masjestia” said Erza as Alya looked shocked
“How do you know about that?” asked Alya as Ezra smirked.
“I do now” answered Ezra.
“Alright you two, time to go” Nora said as she hoisted the pair of twins onto her shoulders.
“Nora!” ”Bags!” said both twins.
“Oh yeah, the bags” Nora realised as she dropped the twins.
“OW” “ACK”
“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” said Nora nonchalantly.
“You dropped us on the ground,” “The cold hard ground” complained the twins.
“I used to drop you two like that all the time” Nora defended herself.
“Yeah, when we were kids” “On the grass in the park” countered the twins again.
“Your twin link thing is SO weird sometimes, you two know that” Nora said, as she walked out to the living room.
“Yeah, we know,” the twins said in unison, as they took their own bags.
-
“Where are those three?” questioned a woman in a maroon blouse with yellow accents and grey pants holding the hand of a little girl in a pink striped shirt.
“Don’t worry dear, I’m sure-” reassured a shorter, plump man in a floral shirt and green pants holding the hand of another little girl in a green striped shirt, as the front doors of the airport swung open.
“SAFE!” shouted Nora
“Nora” “PUT US DOWN!”
“Ok, Fine” Nora said as she dropped the twins again.
“Nora, again. Put us down. PUT” scolded Alya.
“Potato, Patato” said Nora nonchalantly.
“Sigh, it’s a miracle I have only ever been injured in hockey” said Ezra.
“Looks like you are all here” said the man
"Hey pops", "Hey dad" said the three
“Hey” said their father
“Alright” said the woman as she clapped her hands getting the attention of the 6
“We have one hour before our flight takes off” said the woman
“Alright-”
“No, Nora. we have an hour to get on our flight”
“Aw, come on Mom” whined Nora
“We want snacks” said both little girls as the man was about to go.
“Otis’’ said the woman
“Merlena, I just want-”
“I got it covered, Dad” said Ezra as he gave the young twins two energy bars
“You realize you just gave them more energy right?” said Alya as Ezra’s eyes widened.
“... Luckily, that is not my problem, it’s Nora’s”
“Why me” asked Nora
“Cause you chose to sit next to them” said the twins as Nora’s face fell
“Alright now, let’s get on the gate to board” said Merlena as the family went to board the plane
-
“Hey Alya, how longs the flight gonna be?” asked Ezra
Alya looked up from her phone," I don’t know, Nora.”
“... Ma, Pops. How long’s the flight?” asked Nora
But before Otis could answer Merlena beat him to the punch.
“It’ll be a seven and a half hour flight, kids”
“WHAT!!!!” cried the older Césaire children
“Keep yourselves entertained, it should be easy” said Otis as he put on a sleeping mask before immediately falling asleep with Merlena watching cooking shows
A few minutes later
“Are we there yet
are we there yet,
are we there yet” said both younger twins as the green striped shirt girl kicked Ezra’s seat
“Ow… no Etta, we are not there yet’’ said Ezra.
“Are we there yet” asked the pink striped shirt girl as she kicked Alya’s seat
“No…….. Ella, we are not there-” as she kicked again
“Nora!!!” yelled Alya, turning to the oldest Césaire sibling to discover………
“ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”
“She’s already asleep” said Ezra
“And Dad wonders what we inherited from him” said Alya
“Miss” called Ezra as he flagged down a flight attendant.
“Yes,” answered the flight attendant.
“Do you have kids shows on this flight”
“Yes, we do. One very popular one is a show called the-”
“NO!!!!” Alya interrupted in protest
“Alya, we don’t have a choice”
“But-”
“Do you want to deal with them for seven and half hours” asked Ezra as Alya’s eyes widen
“... Fine” whispered Alya
“What was that” said Ezra as he put his hand behind his ear
“I said fine” responded Alya annoyed
As the flight attendant turned the tv on for Etta and Ella, they became excited when they saw what was on the screen.
“Yay, the Sapotis” cheered the younger twins
“How many seasons do they have?” Alya questions
“Seven,” Ezra said as Alya sighed with relief. “Should keep them occupied till we get to Paris”
-
“Ahh, home sweet home” said Alya as she opened the door with the family following her into their new apartment.
“Don’t you mean, home new home” Ezra corrected as he was carrying the twins in, fast asleep on his back.
“Are you sure that you don’t need help son” asked Otis.
“No worries dad, I've been carrying these two on my back since I was eight, I’ll be fine” reassured Ezra.
“Is no one going to help me with these bags” said Nora as she was carrying all the bags
“I thought the great Anansi could carrying all those bags without any trouble” said Alya as Nora gave her a determined look
“Your darn right I can” said Nora as she carried the bags into the apartment
“Too easy” thought the older twins
“Alright, gently’’ said Nora as she placed the bags on the floor without making a sound
“Why are you being gently right now” asked Alya
“Cause I learned what happens when two little kids are woken up by loud noises” said Nora as she looked at both of the older twins
-
“Everyone, we have to discuss-” begun Merlena as Ezra put Etta and Ella on the couch which cause both girls to wake up
“Are we home yet” asked the twins sleepally
“Yup” said Ezra with a smile on his face
‘’Since everyone is awake, I have something to say about the rooms’’ said Merlena as the family paid attention
“Etta and Ella will be sharing a room”
“Yay!” said the younger set of twins
“Your father and I will be sharing a room, of course”
As Otis put both Etta and Ella to bed while she was giving the rest of the info
“Alya, Ezra……… the two of you will be sharing a room” said Merlena as the older twins eyes widen
“WHAT!!”
As Merlena pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Why do I have to share a room with her/him”
“Hey!!”
“So what, I can’t be a good roommate’’ asked Ezra
“I’m asking you that” said Alya
“Oh, I can be a good roommate’’ said Ezra as he grabbed his bag
“Oh no, I can be a better roommate than you could ever be’’ said Alya as she too grabbed her bag
“FINE” both twins yelled.
As both walked into their room and put their bags on their respective beds
“Dang it,” thought teens as they realised they’d been duped.
“Too easy” thought Merlena
“So…….” began Nora.
‘’Your room is at the end away from Ella and Eita but not not far from Alya and Ezra’’
“Ok” said Nora as she grabbed her bags
With nothing left to do Marlena too went to her room, this was a long day.
-
Wednesday
Ezra walks out of his and Alya’s shared room while shuffling his feet, “Morning Sis, where’s mom, dad and Nora?”
Alya drinks her coffee one sip at a time, looking off into the middle distance, “Mom is at the hotel looking around the kitchen, dad’s at the zoo for the in-person interview and Nora-”
“I’M BACK” said Nora loudly.
“...They are still asleep,” said Ezra, pointing toward the twin’s room.
“Sorry, forgot”
“Where were you anyway?” questioned Ezra.
“Had to start getting my gains in, early bird gets the workout” Nora said proudly.
“Not surprising, but Nora, I doubt you need any more gains, you’re already like a foot taller than everyone around you” complained Alya.
“I mean, gains are gains” defended Ezra as he started preparing himself coffee.
“Ezra, don’t encourage her,” Alya said.
“Alya, we are the two athletes of the family, we’ve gotta stick together” said Ezra.
“That’s the spirit, Lil Skipper,” cheered Nora.
“Nora, I’ve told you, I am not six anymore,” argued Ezra.
“Anyway, did mom and dad get us registered at the school yet?” continued Ezra.
“Nope, they said that it's our registration, so we've got to go do it,” clarified Alya.
“Alright, I think we can go get registered after we have breakfast- and we do not have a lot of groceries, Nora?” Ezra asked, after opening the refrigerator.
“Yeah, okay, I’ll get groceries after my afternoon workout,” said Nora.
“Nora” repeated Ezra, before a pause.
“...Fine, I’ll go after taking you two to get registered” she said defeated.
“Don’t forget to take the Etta and Ella with you, and don’t buy them candies” reminded Ezra.
“Yeah, I won’t and I won’t” confirmed Nora.
-
“Is this the school?” asked Alya.
The twins stood in front of a large tan, three-story building with a blue cobblestone roof. The banner above the main entrance reads ‘Francois Dupont Middle and High School’.
“Yep, this should be the place. If it’s not, they need to give the banner back to whoever they took it from” said Ezra, pointing to the banner.
Alya gave a chuckle, “yeah, I guess you’re right on that account”
“Come on, let's get this registration stuff over with. I gotta make sure Nora doesn't just get all protein again”
The twins entered the open courtyard, making they’re way to a flight of stairs to the second floor.
“I wonder if they have a school blog”
“Even if they didn’t, we both know you’d just make one anyway” Ezra joked while nudging his sister, “I’m hoping they have a hockey team, France has hockey right?
“Hold on let me check” as she scrolled through her phone
“......”
“......”
“......”
“Well” asked Ezra.
“Good news, there is one” as Ezra started to smile, “The bad news is that it’s a club team” as Alya looked up from her phone, and saw Ezra’s smile turn to a grin.
“What’s got you smiling so much?” questioned Alya.
“Club teams mean more chances to go pro,” said Ezra enthusiastically.
“I forgot you’re a total hockey junkie sometimes”
“Hey, I like hockey a reasonable amount” Ezra defended
“Nothing about your obsession with hockey is reasonable” replied Alya
“Just as normal as your obsession with superheroes” counter Ezra
“Hey! That is a low blow!”
“Anyway, what's the name?” Ezra questioned.
Alya shows Ezra the name of the team on her phone, leaving Ezra speechless.
“... Alya, do you realise what team that is?” Ezra asked incredulously.
“No, should I?” Alya asked.
“Alya, this is Paris’ OFFICIAL team” Ezra said to his sister, shaking her by the shoulders.
“I can't believe that Français Volants is making a youngs squad”
“Slow your horses there Ez, the registration”
“Right, sorry ………. so, when are tryouts”
“Tomorrow” Alya said as Ezra eyes widen
“TOMORROW!!!!!”
Alya covered her ears to Ezra’s yell.
“Calm down Ez, you’ll do fine. You don’t have to worry”
“Right……yeah, I can do it” said Ezra as they walked further into the school
They arrive at the top of the stairs to the office door.
“Ok, so who’s knocking and talking” Alya asked
“...”
“...”
“...”
“Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot” both twins chanted in unison.
Once they reveal their choices, Ezra had chosen rock and Alya had picked paper.
“Dang it”, “YES”
“That’s fifty wins for me, in all” cheered Alya
“That is just one win over me, sis” said Ezra
“A win is a win, Ez” Alya said with a smirk
Ezra rolled his eyes, he walked up to the office door and knocked.
“It is unlocked” said a low gruff voice of experience.
As Ezra opened the door and walked through with Alya, he was greeted by a large bald man with black bushy eyebrows. He had a graying beard, streaked with black. He wears a brown dress suit with a brown tie.
“Ah good morning, you two must be the Césaire twins. You may call me Mister Damocles” said the man.
“You already know about us, Mister Damocles?” Ezra asked.
“Yes, your parents had come to register the two of you earlier this morning” explained the principal.
“In that case, why are we here sir?” continued Ezra.
“For the final part of your registration, we need both your signatures. You’ll also receive a form of extra-curriculars with the papers” clarified Mr. Damocles.
“Alright , let's get this over with,” Alya said as she went for a pen.
Before she could take the pen, Ezra picked it up.
“Not so fast. Before we sign it, we’ve got to read it. Unless you want to attend this school and have no clue what the rules are” stated Ezra.
“Fine,” Alya said.
“Ah, I believe I can see which of you is the responsible one” the principal said with an amused hum.
“HEY” Alya objected while flipping through the forms, causing Ezra to softly laugh.
“Yeah, I’ll make sure she stays out of trouble, Mister Damocles,” Ezra said.
“Much appreciated, young man”
-
“So, that’s done and done” said Ezra as he put his hands behind his head
“Yeah so what are w-” said Alya as she saw something
“Ezra………”
As Ezra was gone until she looked to her right across the street
“You gotta be kidding me”
As Ezra all but ran toward a bakery down the street.
-
“So, your coffee senses are still as active as ever” as Ezra was still looking through the shop window
“Huff, Let’s go in coffee lover” said Alya as she nudged Ezra and walked into the shop.
-
As they both entered the shop, they saw it was a comfortable place that showed love and care for the business. Ezra could tell the moment he walked in, he could tell there is love and care here, and that meant the coffee would be great.
“Hello” said a voice as both twins turned and saw a woman standing by the counter greeting them.
She is a short woman with fair skin, short black hair with blue highlights and grey eyes. She wore a white Cheongsam with a red, black and gold plant design, periwinkle pants with black and white shoes. She also wore a silver band on her ring finger.
“Hello” said both twins
“What are the two of you just standing by the door for, please come in” said the woman as they both walked in.
“Are you two new to the city?” she asked “I’ve never seen you two around here before”
“Yeah we are ma’am, we just moved here” said Alya as Ezra stared around at the sweets on display.
“I’m Alya, by the way, and this is my idiot, coffee loving twin brother, Ezra” said Alya
“Oh, I’m Sabine, it is a pleasure to meet the two of you” said Sabine with a smile
“Yeah nice to meet you……….” said Alya as she looked at Ezra before elbowing him in the ribs.
“Ow … it is nice to meet you as well, Ma’am” said Ezra, glancing at his sister.
“What would the two of you like, we are a well known bakery”
“Do you have coffee?” asked Ezra with a serious face while Alya gave him a deadpan expression.
“Ez-”
“Of course, we do” said Sabine as Ezra’s face stared to smile
“Would you like cappuccino, americano, latte, espresso……..” listed Sabine as Ezra took her hands, surprising the woman
“Miss Sabine, you just got a customer for life” said Ezra with an excited look in his eyes.
“Bro, give the woman some space” Alya said, dragging her brother away, “Sorry Ma’am”
“It’s ok. I don’t mind” said Sabine
“Sorry, ma’am”
“It’s truly fine young man, you remind me of my daughter. She has a similar type of enthusiasm for the things she enjoys. I believe she is your age”
“Oh, well I hope we’ll meet her one day” said Alya
“Yeah, but now on to the matter of the coffee”
“Ah yes, which one do you want” asked Sabine
“One mocha please” “Americanno please” said the twins
“Coming up” said Sabine as she made the drinks and gave them to the twins
“That will be 4 euros please”
“Here, uh…….can I also have two crêpes” asked Ezra
“Oh sure, that will be 6 euros in total”
“Here” said Ezra
“Thank you, young man,” Sabine said, as she handed them the crepes on napkins.
“Thanks” said both twins
“Ok, so we've got our coffees and crêpes, so can w-” said Alya as she looked at her brother dumbfounded.
“Dear, you sho-” Sabine gently tried to warn as she saw what he was doing.
For the sight both saw was a crime against baked goods of Ezra dunking his crêpe in his coffee.
“What” said Ezra as he took a bite of his coffee-soaked crêpe.
“bro, you can’t be serious” said Alya
“Young man, what are you doing” asked Sabine
“Uh…eating my crêpe”
“No, before that, idiot” said Alya
“Oh, dipping my crêpe in-”
“EZRA!!”
“What?”
“Ez, did you forgot what where we are in” asked Alya
“Paris” Ezra said matter of factly.
“In which country” continued Alya
“Fran-Oh … I see what I’ve done” said Ezra as he turned to Sabine
“I’m so sorry for my crimes, please forgive me” Ezra apologised sheepishly.
“It’s fine,” Sabine waved off. “Just be glad that it was me and not my husband, he’d have kicked you out and possibly banned the both of you” said Sabine.
“Right” said Ezra as he quickly chugged the rest of his coffee
“That was scolding hot,” said Sabine with concern.
“Don’t worry, he’s already scorched his throat from doing that,” said Alya.
“That was embarrassing” said Ezra
“Yeah, you lucked out”
“You could have warned me!!!”
“How was I supposed to know!!!”
“...”
“...”
“Whatever, let’s go home” said Ezra
“Sure” said Alya
-
“We’re back” said Alya as both twins saw Nora with bags
“Oh, about time” said Nora
“Nora….” said Ezra
“Yeah”
“Let me see the bags”
“What you don’t trust me”
“I do….”
“So you shou-”
“But I also know that you grabbed extra protein”
“Fine…….”
Nora grumbled as she gave him the bags. With a few minutes passed, he put them on the counter.
“Ok, you got everything”
“See I told you, you can trust me”
“Alright, alright, I’m sorry”
“No prob, Lil Skipper”
“Again, I’m not six anymore” said Ezra as Alya couldn’t help but giggle.
“Alright, I’m gonna to go get some practice in” said Ezra as he grabbed his hockey bag.
“Oh, trying out for the team”
“Course”
“When”
“Tomorrow” said Alya
“TOMORROW!!!” yelled Nora as both twins covered their ears
“Chill big sis, you know I’ve got this”
“Yeah you do, go knock ‘em dead” encouraged Nora as both gave each other a fist bump
“Bye, see ya guys later” Ezra called as he walked out door
“See ya”
-
Ezra rushed to the subway, as he looked up from his phone
“Ok, location to the local ice rink found, it closes at 10 and I should be done by 5” said Ezra to himself as he boarded the subway.
A little while later, he got off and ran through the crowd
“Scuse me!!!”
He yelled as he weaved through the boarding passengers and found himself at his destination in 10 minutes
As the boy practiced, he did his routines and drills as they were second nature to him.
“Ezra moves through the defense, just the keeper to beat, he shoots … HE SCORES!!!!!” cheered Ezra
As he looked at his watch, his exhilarated expression changed to one of shock.
“Oh crud, I’m late!!!” Ezra exclaimed, as he ran back to the subway
A while later
As Ezra looked at the building, he saw his parents’ car at the driveway with a worried expression. He turned the doorknob and what waiting for him was his very angry mother
“Hey~ Mom~”
“...........”
“How was your day?”
“..............”
“So, how does the kit-”
“Where were you, young man?”
“... I was practising and lost track of time” Ezra said with a hint fear in his voice
“Is that all”
“Yes and I am sorry” said Ezra
His mother looked at him and gave a sigh
“At least call next time, ok”
“Yeah, will do”
As the family got together as Ezra and Alya talked about their day with the rest of the family doing the same as a while later they all went to bed
“So, you ready for tomorrow” asked Alya
“Yeah, I guess”
“Nervous”
“No, I’ve never been nervous when it comes to hockey” said Ezra with a smirk
“Well, if you say so, goodnight” Alya said as she switched off the lamp and rolled over in her bed.
“Night” said Ezra as he closed his eyes
As he tried and tried, and waited and waited but …… he couldn’t sleep.
“Ez”
“Yeah…”
“Can’t sleep”
“Nope”
“Try-” she was interrupted by a yawn, “ Try counting sheep” Alya said.
“Ok” said Ezra
“......”
“One sheep”
“Two Sheep”
“Three sheep”
“Four sh-”
Thump
“Count quietly!” said an irritated Alya as she threw her brother with a pillow.
“..Ow..sorry”
-
The next day
As Alya woke up and stretched, she saw Ezra was already up, packing his hockey gear.
“Mornin’ Ez” she said
“Good morning”
“Did you get any sleep”
“Just four hours”
As he said that Alya handed him a towel.
“Hmm”
“Take a shower” said Alya, to Ezra surprise
“It’s fine, I’ll shower when I get back,” Ezra said, going back to checking over his kit.
“No, it’s not” Alya pushed the towel into his hands, “You stink”
As Ezra looked at her
“What’s with that look”
“Normally you always want to shower first, so what’s with this”
As Alya looked at him
“Do you want to shower or not” said Alya as Ezra grabbed the towel and walked out
“Morning” said Ezra as he saw his family at the table
“Morning”
“Morning son”
“G’Morning little skipper”
As Ezra walked by them and into the bathroom
“What’s wrong with Ezra?” asked the younger twins
“He was something big today” said Nora seriously
As Merlena gave a sigh
“He has tryouts today”
“Can we go”
“Can we!! Can we!!”
“No we have to go get school supplies today” said Merlena
“But mom-”
“No buts”
A while later
Ezra came out of the bathroom, fully dressed as he grabbed his kit bag and got ready to walk out the door.
“See you guys later”
“You sure you know where to go son” asked Otis
“Yeah Dad, I’ve got my phone with me anyways, don’t worry. I’ll talk to you all later with the good news” Ezra said with a smirk as he closed the door.
-
“Ok, got off the subway, now where is that rink” said Ezra as he got his phone out
He pressed the screen but nothing happened
“Huh”
“That’s weird”
As he tried again
“Ok, something wrong” as his phone began to turn on and a message flashed on the screen.
Zero percent
Before his phone switched off again
‘Crud, I forgot to charge my phone last night’ Ezra thought, as he dug through his bag to find the charger and power bank.
“Hey there!!” called a voice from behind him.
“Huh” as Ezra turned he saw another boy running to him.
The boy was his age. He wore a black t-shirt with blue skinny jeans with a blue jean jacket, he wore black shoes and had long blonde hair tied in a man bun
“Are...you…umm...losed” the boy started, in broken English.
“...Are you trying to speak English” Ezra asked as the boy responded by nodding
“Yez”
“You can speak French, dude, I understand it” said Ezra as the boy breathed a sigh of relief.
“Oh, thank goodness, sorry, my english is not that good”
“It’s fine, I’m Ezra”
“Michael” he answered back as they shook hands
“So, why were you calling out to me” asked Ezra
“Right, you seemed lost, ” explained Michael
“Yeah, do you know where the Français Volants’s stadium is?” asked Ezra as Michael's eyes widened a little in amusement.
“Oh yeah, just around this corner and then take a left, should be on your right” Michael said as he pointed the way.
“Thanks man, see ya around” said Ezra as he ran all while Michael had a smile that reached his eyes
“Yeah….see ya”
-
“Phew made it” said Ezra as he ran into the stadium and it drew his attention immediately.
The ice, the gear, the many players practicing for the tryouts.
‘Man, this is going to be awesome’ thought the boy as someone approached him.
“Hello there, son” said a voice as Ezra turned to the person.
It’s an older man, by the fact that his hair was greying. He wore an official uniform of the team
“So, he’s probably the coach” whispered Ezra
“Hello, my name is Ezra Césaire”
“Nice to meet you, my name’s James, I'm your assistant coach” as both shook the other’s hand
“So, you here to try out” asked James
“Yup”
“Then, are you prepared”
“You bet, I played a lot in America” said Ezra as soon as he adhered his words the players stopped .
“What did you say” asked one of the players
“Uh…I…played in America” explained Ezra as some of the players glared at him before resuming their practice.
“Hey, what was…” said Ezra as he saw James was gone
“...That…all about”
As he made his way to the changing room; he saw many of the players, either giving him the stink eye or stealing the occasional dirty look.
‘What is with everybody’ was the question Ezra kept repeating in his head.
As he walked back out of the changing rooms, in gear, he saw many other players lining up.
“Ezra,” James said, bringing him out of his stupor, “Tryouts are over there” he pointed in the direction Ezra was looking.
“Right, thanks. Well, wish me luck, James” as he skated onto the ice.
Once Ezra was out of earshot, James let out a heavy sign
“That kid just dug his own grave”
“Welcome to official tryouts, we’ve a lot to do, so let’s get started” said a member of the staff as the boys did the drills with Ezra being in the lead, the other players glaring at him, while he was smiling.
A few hours later
“Good job everyone, we have some great results here. And here are your placement” as he shown the results
“Ok, where is my name……what”
‘C division’
“Ezra” James said, as if he already knew what Ezra was think
“Yeah…uh...James-”
Before he was able to really ask his question, someone walked out from a set of double doors. This person wore the same outfit as James but was older, with greying spiky hair. He had a look of pure authority.
“Line up” said the man as all the players but Ezra lined up
“Kid?” the man began again, looking at Ezra.
“Right, line up, got it” Ezra quickly said, as moved to stand with the rest.
“So, are these the new recruits, James”
“Yes coach”
“Good”
“Now that I have your attention, my name is Zeke, you guys can all address me as coach or coach Zeke. you are all under my care as my team and I will have no problems here. So any questions” said Zeke as Ezra raised his hand
“Yes”
“Coach, what is with the division thing”
As the players looked at him in shock and annoyance
“We have three divisions here, son. The A division, where the best players of the club are, the B division, where the players who couldn’t make the cut for A are, and finally, the C division, where the new recruits, with the least experience with us, are placed”
“With all due respect coach, shouldn’t the players be placed based on skill, not just their time with the club. Wouldn’t you want to use new talents to better the team”
“Then, prove it to me”
“Excuse me, sir”
“Every 3 months, we hold matches between the three divisions. If you play well, you can be promoted; if you play badly, you’ll be demoted”
“Then why wait, let’s play now” Ezra said, gripping his stick ready to play, with a fire glowing just behind his eye.
The coach looked him in the eyes for a moment, as if to decide whether to humor him or not.
“...Alright, A division, get ready” as the A division lined up.
“We got a match. C vs A”
As the teams lined up. There was someone Ezra was surprised to see there.
“Micheal”
“Hey Ezra, long time no see”
“You play for this team”
“Yeah, I’ve been playing for a few years now” as Micheal’s smile reached his eyes again, “are you ready to play”
“Let’s do this!” Ezra said excitedly.
The match did not go well. The A division played like a team, while in the C division, nearly every player was going at it alone. With no one in C passing and constant interceptions, the ending score was 18-0 for the A division. Ezra rarely got the puck.
After all the players finished changing, Ezra was the last to go as he changed, milling over the tryouts and the match. outside, as the rain started to pour.
“Ezra”
“...Micheal”
“Don’t feel bad man, it’s just how it is around here” Micheal said as he walked away, as someone else approached Ezra.
“Césaire ”
“Coach”
“I saw the tryouts, you did good”
“Thanks…”
“You know, I actually saw how you played”
“...Thanks, again” Ezra said again, starting to get confused
“No, no … I mean, back in America”
“Wait, what. Were you from America” said Ezra as he was shocked
“Yes I am. I started coaching here last year, but I did want to scout you back there; seem you decided to follow me here” said Zeke with a chuckle as Ezra couldn’t help but chuckle as well
“You’re a good kid and an amazing player,” Zeke pointed out.
“Well, what the point if…” as Zeke put his hand on Ezra’s shoulder
“Just take time, focus on making improvements”
“But how can I improve, if they don’t pass to me!!!!!” Ezra exclaimed frustrated
“Gain their trust” Zeke said matter-of-factly
“Gain their trust?” Ezra repeated
“Yeah, those boys have all been fighting tooth and nail to be here, and don’t want to lose their spots to somebody else. If you gain their trust, you can start really playing; who knows, maybe they’ll learn a thing or two from you, and improve themselves too. Just remember, you’re a good kid and a great player” Zeke said, as he walked to a car parked in front of the entrance.
As Ezra watched him, he started walking to the subway running through everything he’s learned about in the past few hours. Playing club hockey is gonna be more of a challenge than he initially thought it’d be.