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after we dropped everyone's bags in the dorms, we made our way outside so coach could introduce us to the school.

"please welcome to the podium the head coach and leader of the mighty ducks, gordon bombay."

we all cheered as coach made his way up to the podium, us all standing behind him with our jerseys on with our parents sat in the crowd before us.

"thank you. it's a great honour to be here today to introduce you to a truly great group of kids. sure, they can be a little rambunctious  they've run me ragged and played more than they're fair share of pranks. i still haven't forgotten about those eggs. but i hung in there and they hung in there for me. we became the quack attack, the flying v and the bash brothers and even a bash babe. i've never had a better time. these kids are winners, each and every one of them. but more than that, these are good people. i hope that they enrich and enliven your school and your lives the way they have mine. now i hand you over to the capable hands of my old biology teacher and the current headmaster of eden hall, dean buckley." he spoke as we clapped for him.

"why does it sound like he's saying goodbye," i whispered to no one in particular but before anyone could reply buckley started talking.

"gordon bombay has a lot to be proud of. we are happy to welcome the ducks to our great educational institution. so, today it gives me the great pleasure to award you these full athletic scholarships to the eden hall academy. where we hope the ducks will be happy warriors and lead us onto glory." buckley continued as everyone in the crowd clapped for us, including my dad.

we stood off the podium as charlie walked off to speak to coach as we talked amongst ourselves. i looked over in time to see charlie storming away from coach and coach began making his way to us.

"hey guys can i speak to you for a second?" coach asked as we all gathered round him.

"i wanted to tell you guys that i'm not being your coach this year, the junior goodwill committee have given me an opportunity that i can't pass up," he spoke as we all stared at him in shock.

"you'll still be my team in my eyes, the ducks for life. i just wanted to say goodbye before i go, some wise person once told me you live and you learn and what's life without a bit of a risk and she's right, you have a team that are willing to do anything for you," he looked at me , "people that are willing to take punishments for you, you have your team and you guys will always have me i just won't be here, so thank you for the wild ride," he finished with a sad sigh.

dean walked off looking annoyed, everyone said goodbye until it was just me and coach stood in silence.

"she's seems like a wise person who told you that," i laughed as my eyes welled up with tears.

"yeah she is," he told me as we began walking near the lake.

"i support your decision, the team will come round and so will charlie he just needs time, you're the best coach and even though we didn't always get along you changed my life for the better and i will always be grateful for you. what's life without a bit of risk hey?" i said with a sad chuckle as he pulled me into a hug.

"i'll miss you athena, look after everyone for me," he whispered.

"i will coach don't worry, the sky's the limit coach, reach for the stars," i told him before walking off to go and find charlie as silent tears streamed down my face.

i found charlie not long after sat on a bench, once he heard my footsteps he looked up and we both let out a laugh after seeing both of our puffy eyes and red noses.

"i'm not even mad, i'm just sad," he whispered as i sat next to him.

"i know but he's living his life and so are we, we have to move on eventually," i whispered rubbing his back.

"i'm not ready yet," he said as he looked at me.

"and that's okay, now let's go home and eat some ice cream," i told him as i grabbed him arm pulling him off the bench.

"what would i do without you athena?" he asked.

"honestly your life would be very boring now cheer up sweet cheeks!" i laughed as we made our way back home.

charlie is like the twin brother i never asked for but i'm grateful for him i just hope nothing changes.

hope... what a strange thing.