lyndon williams

thursday, june 28th

"I am really going to miss living with you guys." Julie croaked while she put clothes into her suitcase. Me and Connie both looked at her as she started to cry.

We dropped our clothes and rushed to her side, "Hey Jules it'll be okay. We're all going to Adam's cabin in two days! Plus we'll be there for another week! You won't see us for a day! That's it." I tried cheering her up.

"I know, but I want to be able to play hockey with you guys. With everyone. Like Dean, and Luis, and Guy!" More tears came down her face. I felt one stream down mine.

"I bet we can find a way to play together or Bombay can!" Connie said.

I hugged them tighter trying to lighten Julie's mood, "Yeah! I mean we are all Ducks now right?"

"And ducks fly together don't they?" Connie added.

I suddenly stood up quick remembering what I had packed in my bag. I forgot about it the entire trip.

I threw my suitcase back open and dug under some clothes to find my Team USA drawstring Hendricks bag, and inside was a disposable camera. I got it at the airport and just shoved it in there.

"I have a great idea to save the memories! And make more at Adam's!" I jumped. I turned back around to show the girls. They stood up and eagerly nodded.

Connie grabbed her jacket, "Let's go take some pictures!"

"And we have to hurry, the plane leaves tonight." I said opening the door. The girls speed walked out. I followed the then to the elevator till we got stopped by Dylan and Sierra.

"Where are you guys go-" Dylan started.

"Say cheese!" I exclaimed while a bright flash reflected from them. We hopped into the elevator that they had just gotten out of and pressed two.

Once we got to the boys floor we ran to their room. We all knocked hard on their door until it finally opened. When the door was far enough open it revealed Charlie with a confused look.

"Are you guys done packing?" he questioned.

I clicked on the flash for the camera, "Nope. Smile."

He stuck his tongue out with a double chin and I clicked the button.

"That'll be a great picture." Connie laughed.

"Oh I know it will," Charlie sarcastically flaunted, "Come on in."

Adam and Guy we on their beds folding their hockey jerseys and putting things in their duffel bags when they saw we came in.

"Hey what're you doing here?" Guy asked giving me a big smile.

I smiled brightly back at him, "We're taking pictures before the plane leaves tonight. Then I was planning on taking some at Adam's cabin. Wanna take a picture?"

"Of course."

I tossed the camera to Connie, while Guy grabbed both of my hands. I stood on the edge of my toes to reach his face which was somehow really high compared to mine. I pressed my lips against his and to no ones surprise I felt fireworks in my stomach again.

"I hate how cute you guys are." Julie beamed. While my eyes were closed I could still see the bright light flash. As it finished I opened my eyes again to look at Guy. He smiled pulling away.

"Jules you and Dean are cute too, don't worry." I chuckled.

Guy swung his arm around me, "Just not as cute as me and Lyndon."

With the room laughing Connie handed me the camera and I took a picture of her and Julie as well as Charlie, Adam, Luis, and Guy. Adam had to force Luis and Connie to take a picture because Luis 'felt ugly'.

With 15 pictures left on the camera the seven of us went to go find the others before all of our flights left. We all wanted to fly home for a day to see everyone then go back to Minnesota to go to Adam's cabin.

After what we thought was extensive searching we found Fulton and Dean. They were sitting in the lobby almost cuddling.

"Hey lovebirds," Julie laughed, "Smile!"

I clicked the camera as they made funny faces.

"Oh bro! You should take a picture with Julie!" Fulton suggested.

Dean immediately stood up next to her. "Wanna take one? Only if you want too." he said.

"Of course I do." She said before whispering to me and Connie, "He's such a softie."

We laughed at her comment and clicked the picture.

"I hate how cute you guys are." I said with sarcasm. They both stuck their tongue out at me while I clicked the camera again.

I turned the camera back around to me and Connie while I clicked it a second time.

"We're definitely cuter." She playfully said.

I felt someone snake their arms around my waist, "Try again Connie." the voice said, I recognized it easily.

I gave the disposable to her and looked up at Guy. She clicked it and it flashed.

"What's going on here?" I heard another voice say. I turned my head back around to see Averman, Jesse, and Goldberg waiting.

I quickly snagged the camera from Connie and ran over. "Smile!"

They instantly obeyed and the camera flashed.

"Exactly that." I responded.

"So everyone's here. Except for...?" Jesse questioned.

I looked around to see if everyone was actually here, Guy's arms were still around my waist so when I turned around to look I saw him. I felt at peace.

"The only people we're missing is Russ, Dwayne and Kenny cause they had to leave for an early flight. But Russ is at home, he's flying tomorrow." Luis told everyone. "Where have you guys been?"

Averman's face turned to a bright blush, "Uhm it's nothing at all. We were just uh um packing."

Dean responded, "Okay?"

I pulled out my phone while everyone started talking.

catch catch🏒🥎
you better tell me why you're blushing later. you look like a tomato lmao

I watched him pull out his phone. He made her contact with me and gave me a sly nod.

I turned to Guy and looked up at him. He was already looking down in me and I felt like I was living in a fairytale. He was just perfect. His gorgeous green eyes, he amazing blonde hair, and his cheesy smile.

I sighed and looked down at my feet. He pulled my face up, "What's wrong? You were just so happy."

"I know, I just don't want to leave. Julie reminded me today about it and I just can't believe we won't get to play hockey together. Even if this was my first time playing. I don't want to not be with you guys every second of every day and I jus-"

He cut me off by pressing his finger to my lips.

"Don't worry about it. Or any of it. Whatever happens it happens. We'll see how it goes, if we end up doing long distance then we do it, if Bombay finds a way to keep us together then we'll be in the same city, "He grabbed my hand and intertwined it with his, "Just know that I will never leave you. For anyone or anything."

I pressed my forehead against this chest. This boy was the one.

-

"Alright shoes off and in the basket!"

After spending hours with my team and finishing packing with Sierra and Dylan, we had to leave for the airport. We'd all gotten flights to Minneapolis then Julie, Luis, and Dean would get on connecting ones. We all knew we'd see each other in two days because Hendricks agreed to pay for everyone's ticket back to Minnesota to go to Adam's cabin in Duluth.

I put my shoes and duffel bag into the bucket. I couldn't believe how much merchandise they had given us two weeks ago. I came with my softball uniform, a Nike duffel bag and suitcase full of random clothes. Now I'm leaving with 4 sweatshirts, 5 pairs of sweatpants, 12 pairs of socks, 8 T-shirts, two wind breakers, new hockey pads and sticks, two new jerseys, and at least 5 new duffle bags.

"Alright walk through." The TSA lady said in a monotone.

I walked through as the buzzer went off. I looked at my friends and family who were looking at me in shock.

A large man came walking around with a scanner. He scanned up and down and found out my neck went off. My '15' necklace.

"Wow Guy, what a nice boyfriend." Sierra laughed.

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Guy said sarcastically.

I grinned while I put my shoes on thinking that I was so happy to have them.

Once everyone and their families were through security we made it to our gate where we took up most of the room. It was a three hour flight from Los Angeles to Minneapolis. Meaning a two hour time difference. It was 7:30 right now and We would land around midnight. Also meaning, last minute hotel room. Double meaning, cranky dad.

"Hey did you guys book a hotel yet?" I asked while taking a seat in between Guy and Sierra. The whole team managed to sit next to each other in gate. While the parents all sat next to each other.

My dad looked at my mom then at Guy's mom, Jessie, "Well not exactly..."

I looked at Sierra, she would've stayed with us in the hotel. Then I looked at Guy who's as confused as the rest of us.

My mom saw the confusion easily, "We're staying at the Germaine's for a night! Then we'll drive back tomorrow and then Dylan will drive you guys to Adam's where you'll be staying for a week. And then we'll see what happens from there."

"Mom, where are they going to sleep? We only have one guest bedroom?" Guy asked.

"Well I was thinking they could all sleep in Marley's room since she has the full size mattresses on her bunk bed and then I'll blow up the air mattress so one of them could use that. The of course Dakota and Jane would sleep in the guest room."

"And Marley?"

"Would sleep in your.." She trailed off.

He nodded at the words wanting her to continue.

"She'll sleep in your room! I already put some crystals by your pillow so maybe she won't kick?" She tried reasoning. He sighed knowing that he'd be uncomfortable. Especially after that flight.

Being a people pleaser I couldn't stand people not being happy with choices. "Hey! What if I sleep in Guy's room with Marley, then he could have a bed to himself and I could deal with her kicking."

Jessie processed the thought. After two minutes she spoke again, "Yeah that will probably work. As long as you don't mind kicking."

"Oh I don't mind, me and Sierra used to share a bed whenever I would go camping with her, one morning I woke up from a bunch of bruises." I laughed. Everyone around laughed lighting up the mood.

"Alright we are now boarding flight 307 to Minneapolis, Minnesota." The man said over the intercom.

-

"Hey Lyndon. Wake up." I heard while getting nudged. My eyes fluttered open while my arm was being pushed. I fell asleep on that flight and was laying on Guy's arm. We both had one of my Airpods in and 'as long you care' by Ruel was playing still.

I lifted my head up, "I'm awake."

Soon we got everything that we needed and called a taxi. We took it to the Germaine's house and got settled in. Guy showed me to his room and insisted to wait till the morning for the grand tour. Marley was asleep and we did t want to turn the lights on. While Guy had fallen asleep on the taxi ride (Even though it was only 15 minutes).

"Goodnight love you!" My parents said while kissing me goodnight, Sierra and Dylan immediately crashed when we got in the door so I knew I wasn't getting one from them.

Even though he was half asleep he still managed to give me at least a 4 minute hug. I'm pretty sure he was sleep for two minutes but it was sweet. He kissed me on the forehead, which I returned it back to him.

I got into bed and almost instantly fell asleep until the door peaked open with the voice of someone I had just kissed goodnight too.

"Lyndon? Are you still awake?"