Author's Note: Anyone who knows my stories, knows that I HATE author's notes, but this one needs it - This is the prequel to both my stories, Finally Home and I Will Carry You. Though both of those stories focused on Adam and Guy, with a side order of Charlie - this story doesn't. Instead, this story takes you back before the time that Adam and Charlie broke up - it's a story of the other ducks' senior year. While I don't feel that Finally Home and I Will Carry You need to be read before this, it kind of makes sense to, as certain things may be alluded to - especially the behavior of Adam, Guy, and Charlie, who are not big characters.
Anyways - enjoy reading and feel free to ask any questions, and most importantly, review!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Ducks, though I sometimes pretend to. If you don't recognize it - it's not yours ....
"... this is the story of a girl, who cried a river and drowned the whole world ..."
Julie sat patiently, waiting for her flight to be called. Her, Dwayne, Ken, Luis, and Russ all were catching flights back to their respective homes that day for the summer. Portman's parents had picked him up the day before.
Dwayne's flight left first, at 1:15 pm. Luis had a 3:05 flight, and was gone as well. It was almost 5 now, Julie's flight was scheduled to leave at 5:35. They should be calling her flight any minute.
Ken and Russ, who were both flying back together at 6, sat on either side.
Julie looked over at Ken, who was thoroughly engrossed in some magazine. By the pictures, it looked like figure skating.
When she turned to see what Russ was doing, her forehead made perfect contact with his nose.
"Jesus Jules, watch where you're headed," Russ leaned back, rubbing at his nose.
"I'm sorry," she chuckled resting her hand on Russ' knee.
He covered her smaller hand with his own.
"Flight 936 to Bangor Maine is now boarding at Gate E, Flight 936 to Bangor, Gate E," the voice came over the loud speaker.
Julie stood slowly.
"Yo Wu, watch my bag," Russ asked, well, more like told Ken, before turning to Julie. He picked up her carry on bag and after placing a hand on the small of her back, beginning to guide her towards her gate.
Looking ahead, Julie snaked an arm around Russ' middle, and leaned in to him, "I'm gonna miss you," she said softly.
He kissed her silky hair and responded, "Me too Catwoman."
"I mean, it's unfair. We just got together and now we have to spend the whole summer apart!"
"It's only two and a half months. It'll go by quick. I'll call and write all the time. And you'll be with your friends, and forget about me anyways," he smirked.
She elbowed him in the ribs, "I could never forget you Russ. You mean so much to me."
"You say that now," Russ frowned playfully.
They slowed, having reached Julie's gate.
"You have your ticket?"
Julie pulled it from her pocket and unfolded it, "Right here," she fought to keep her emotions in check.
"Jules, we'll be back together before you know it. And we'll be seniors! Hell, I'll steal Banks' car to drive you anywhere."
Julie sniffled and nodded.
"Don't cry Jules - I can't stand to see you cry," he wiped at a stray tear with his thumb.
She closed her eyes, trying to store away how his rough fingers felt against her skin.
"I'm sorry," she croaked out, and within moments, she had thrown her arms around him, "I don't want to leave without you," she cried.
"Julie," Russ sighed, holding her close.
"Flight 936 to Bangor Maine, last call for boarding."
"You should go," he said reluctantly. Damn, how he wished he could go with her.
She nodded, and before either of them knew it, their lips were crushed together. Neither knew who initiated it, but did it honestly matter?
Finally, Russ broke contact, "You're gonna miss your plane."
"So?"
"Julie."
"I know," she took her bag from him, replacing it with her free hand.
She started to walk towards the gate, but just before her hand slipped out of his, she squeezed it, and she looked over her shoulder, mouthing, "I love you."
She walked to the flight attendant, who checked her ticket and gave her the go ahead. She cast one last look at Russ, before disappearing down the terminal.
That was two and a half months ago. Ten weeks.
A lot can happen in 10 weeks.
The first two weeks, Julie and Russ talked every night on the phone. But their nightly phone calls tapered off and by the fifth week, they seemed to have forgotten each other. Julie had met Matthew at her summer job, and things happened fast between the two. She stopped returning Russ' calls.
And by the end of the summer, she wanted to finish her high school in Bangor, with Matt.
Her parents were all for it. They missed having her around, what parents wouldn't miss their child? But it was Matt who talked her into going back to Eden Hall, reminding her about hockey.
And with her memories of hockey, was Russ.
So now, here she was, in a cab on her way to Eden Hall from the airport. Her parents had shipped her things, and Julie only had two bags.
The cab pulled up to the main building of Eden Hall Academy and Julie sighed. She paid the driver and climbed out of the back seat.
She shook her head and went into the gymnasium to check in. She dragged her bags behind her and went to the first table, promptly giving her name, "Gaffney, Julie."
"JULIE!!"
She looked around, looking for the caller of her name.
Connie blind sided her from the left, "Jules! We're rooming together! 413!"
Julie smiled, "Good Cons - I'm not in the mood to deal with anyone other than you."
Connie gave an unsure smile, figuring Julie would tell her later. Connie stood with Julie as she went through the rest of check in.
When they got back to the room, Julie flopped onto her chosen bed. She could already tell this was gonna be a long year.
"Have you seen Charlie? He's looking good, I overheard him talking to Banks. They're rooming together. They seemed pretty happy about. I think I heard that Averman is with Dwayne. I know Goldberg's with Russ. I think Ken is with some kid named Jake. Portman and Fulton are of course rooming together. And I heard Luis talking about rooming with Guy," Connie babbled.
If Julie had been paying attention, she would of heard the way Connie's voice cracked on Guy's name. They had been broken up for a while now, but everyone knew that Connie still had feelings for him, even if it was her that broke up with him.
But Julie had stopped listening after Connie said Russ.
Russ.
God, she hadn't though about Russ in weeks. She could still remember that day at the airport. The way it felt with his arms around her, and his calloused thumb drifting across her cheek.
She promised Russ that she wouldn't forget him.
And she did.
"Gosh, I'm such a horrible person," she mumbled.
"What?" Connie looked up from the dresser where she was folding her clothes, and putting them away.
"Nothing," Julie said.
"Hey," Connie said, turning around to lean against the dresser, "Are you and Russ still together? I mean, things were pretty hot and heavy between you two at the end of last year."
Julie sat up and shrugged, "I met someone over the summer, Matt. And things with Russ kind of faded. I haven't talked to him in a while."
"Oh."
"What about you Cons? Meet anyone this summer?"
"Nah, just hung around with the guys," Connie turned back to her clothes.
Julie got the feeling that Connie had lied, and she scrambled off her bed, and lightly touched Connie's shoulder.
Connie knew that Julie had caught on. She turned around to face her friend, her eyes red and teary.
"Connie," Julie pulled the brunette into a hug.
Connie draped both of her arms around her best friend, and cried into her shoulder.
Julie could feel the longing in Connie's hug. The longing for a friend.
Ever since Connie and Guy had broke up over 6 months ago, Connie distanced herself from everyone but Julie. Now, Julie was afraid that she may be the last of Connie's friends.
"Oh, Julie, I'm sorry," Connie jumped back, "I didn't mean to cry all over you. You're probably upset about Russ and Matt and here I am, crying for no reason," Connie scrubbed at her eyes with the heels of her palms.
"Connie, look at me," Julie shook her shoulders, "If it's making you cry, then obviously something is hurting you. And I don't want you to ever feel like your problems are too petty for me to listen. I'm your best friend, and you're mine. We can tell each other anything."
Connie nodded, and slipped over to sit on the bed, "It's just that, I feel so..." she trailed off.
And as fortune would have it, someone knocked on the door.