Jake Maddox - Ice Rink Rookie

Pilar Ramirez skated around the ice. Free skating time was almost over, but she wanted to do one last lap. She zipped around the final curve. She loved going fast!

As Pilar came off the ice, she saw her best friend waving to her. Her friend Sarah was wearing a hockey uniform. She was about to practice with her hockey team, the Frost Valley Ice Dogs.

Hey, Pilar! Sarah said, walking over. I didnt know you were coming to the rink today.

Hi! Yeah, my mom was supposed to be busy all afternoon, but her plans got canceled. So I asked her to bring me over, Pilar replied. Skating is so much fun!

You know, I was watching you skate. With your kind of speed, you could be a great hockey player, Sarah said.

Pilar laughed. This wasnt the first time Sarah had mentioned hockey to her. Are you trying to get me to join the Ice Dogs again? she asked.

Sarah smiled. Maybe! But seriously, she added, it would be awesome to have you on the team. Just think about it. BFFs on the ice together!

It does sound pretty great, Pilar admitted. And I have been thinking about trying a team sport. I dont know a lot about hockey, though.

That doesnt matter, Sarah said. Coach Grace is a great teacher. Plus, our team really needs more players. We have fourteen girls, but we need sixteen. If we dont get a full team, we cant play.

Ill think about it, Pilar said. Then she paused. But if I try out, you have to promise you wont tell anyone about my foot.

Usually, Pilar didnt hide the fact that she had been born without part of her right foot. But this time was different.

Sarah looked surprised. Really? she asked. Why do you want to keep it a secret?

I dont want any special , Pilar explained. I wouldnt want anyone to act differently because they feel sorry for me.

All right. I wont say anything, Sarah promised. So, does that mean youll come to our next practice and try out?

Pilar thought for a second. She did like ice skating, and it would be fun to be on a team with her friend. Plus, she was always up for new challenges.

Finally, Pilar nodded. Im in! BFFs on ice! she shouted.

Two days later, Pilars mom pulled up to the ice . Pilar was going to her first practice with the Frost Valley Ice Dogs.

Ms. Ramirez hugged Pilar. Have fun today! she said. Just work hard like you always do. Im sure youll do great.

Thanks, Mom! Pilar said, stepping out of the car. Then she headed into the arena.

As soon as Pilar opened the door, Sarah rushed over. Im so glad youre here! she said. Are you ready to meet everyone?

Yeah, lets go! Pilar replied, smiling.

Sarah led Pilar to an exercise room. A bunch of Ice Dogs were there stretching.

Hey, everybody, Sarah said. This is Pilar. Shes practicing with us today.

In a blur, Pilar met Julia, Christina, Shea, Rachel, and Erika. Hi! Pilar said. I dont know a lot about hockey, but Im excited to learn.

Youll figure things out! Christina said.

Definitely, Rachel added. I didnt even know what icing was when I joined.

You mean icing means something other than frosting on a cake? Pilar asked.

All the girls laughed except Julia.

Wow, you really do have a lot to learn! Julia said, crossing her arms.

Pilar glanced over at Sarah. She had a feeling Julia was going to be tougher on her than the other girls.

The team finished stretching and went to the locker room. Sarah gave Pilar a hockey sweater, pads, and a helmet. Then Pilar sat at the very end of the bench, away from the rest of the girls. She started changing into her new gear.

After she put on her thick hockey socks, Pilar pulled on her right skate. It had a special inside that allowed her to push off with her right foot. Pilar was glad she had some privacy. She didnt want the other girls to see her foot and feel sorry for her.

When they had changed, the girls went onto the ice. Pilar felt awkward in the hockey gear. Skating with so much padding was tricky.

As she took a turn, Pilar lost her balance and fell. She sat on the ice for a few seconds. Getting up was always hard because she couldnt push off as well with her right foot.

I need to work on getting up faster. I cant take this long in a game! Pilar thought.

As Pilar was getting to her feet, Coach Grace came onto the ice with another player. The girl, Avery, was also trying out for the team.

Coach Grace called everyone together. Im so excited to have Pilar and Avery trying out today! she said. Id like to see how they skate with the team. So, lets do our regular warm-up and skate around the rink. Go!

The girls raced down the ice. Pilar was toward the front of the pack. She felt really good about how fast she could skate.

After three laps, Coach Grace took Pilar and Avery aside. She asked them to skate backward. Pilar was able to do it easily, but slowly. Avery had been on a travel team before and went a lot faster than Pilar.

Well, youre both great skaters, Coach said when they had finished. I would love to have you two join the team!

Pilar and Avery high-fived. The other girls skated over to congratulate them.

Sarah hugged Pilar. I knew you could do it! she exclaimed.

Coach Grace asked for quiet. Now that we have a full team, we can really get going! she said. I want everyone to welcome Pilar and Avery to the team. Also, Pilar has never played hockey before, so I want you all to help her learn the rules.

Just then, Pilar heard Julia mumble, Thats sure not going to be easy.

Pilar laughed to herself. I dont have to worry about Julia giving me any special treatment!

* * *

After the girls finished warming up, Coach Grace asked everyone to get their sticks. Pilar skated up to the coach.

Do you have a stick I could borrow for today, Coach? Pilar asked.

Of course, Coach Grace said, skating over to the boards. She handed Pilar a stick that came up to Pilars eyes.

This is way too big! Pilar thought. It was hard to hold the stick and keep her balance while she skated.

Coach Grace set up cones on the ice with pucks next to them. For the , the girls would skate to the pucks and tap them with their sticks.

When it was Pilars turn, she raced to the puck. But she had a hard time slowing down to tap it. She slid past the puck and reached back to get it. Splat! Down she went.

Sarah skated over. She offered Pilar a hand. Dont worry. Thats happened to all of us! she said.

Youll get the hang of it, Christina added.

Im glad that Sarah helped me up. If she hadnt, it might have taken me a while, Pilar thought as she rejoined the group. Im just going to have to work twice as hard to become a good player.

Wow, Pilar, you look so much better with your stick! Sarah said a few days later during practice. The girls had just finished the puck-tapping drill. This time, Pilar did it smoothly. And without falling.