Chapter 1: The Break Up

"Look, all I'm saying is that you really should stop this."

"I don't have to stop doing anything."

"Why not? You're not supposed to do this."

"Talk to people. You need to stop being jealous."

"Jealous? You need to stop flirting."

"You know what Guy, I don't need this anymore. I'm gone."

And with that Connie walked off. Guy sat down on the bench and sighed. He didn't know what he was going to. She was always flirting with guys, but he wasn't supposed to do anything. A girl came and sat down next to him.

"Hi."

"Hey."

"So…how's it coming?"

"Fine."

"Really? I've seen you play at the school. I haven't seen you all summer."

"Oh."

"What have you been up to?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, come on."

"Really. Nothing."

"Well, maybe we can do something together?"

"Maybe."

"Do you want to go and grab some ice cream?"

"No. I got lots of work. Bye."

Guy got up and left the girl on the bench. He went home and started his homework. It seemed pointless. He and Connie were supposed to be together, and yet…she didn't seem to care. There was nothing he could do. She would keep on flirting with any guy she wanted without even caring about what it did to him. She would get mad at him for what seemed like no reason and then she would be all about him—he didn't get it.

Julie and Connie were in Connie's room. They were just hanging out. Julie was about to leave to go and meet Adam.

"So, what's going on with you and Guy?"

"Where did that come from?"

"Well, usually by now you've talked about him."

"Oh. Well, we broke up. It's not a big deal. But I don't think I'm going to get back with him this time."

"What happened?"

"I was talking to this guy and Guy got all mad and jealous for no reason at all. Then he tells me that I can't talk to other guys anymore."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"I'm not. I mean I've known Guy forever, I think it's time to move on. You know? I don't think I like him that way anymore, so I guess this is a good thing. But moving onto other things, how are you and Adam?"

"Good. Not seeing each other all summer still isn't fun, but what can you do, you know?"

"True."

"But he came and got you at the airport didn't he?"

"Yeah."

"Well, at least you have a good guy for a boyfriend."

"Guy's a good guy."

"Guy is not like Adam."

"Isn't that good?"

"Yeah. But I'm looking for someone, that's not Guy."

"Well, then I guess you'll find someone, since Guy is someone you don't find all the time."

"Julie, can we not talk about this any more?"

"Sure. Besides I gotta go."

"Why?"

"I told Adam I'd meet him in fifteen minutes."

"Okay. Well, I'll see you tomorrow. School starts."

"Yeah. I'm so excited. At least we can start playing hockey again."

"True. That'll be exciting. See you then."

"Bye."

Julie left Connie's house and headed to a park. She sat down on the bench that held Adam's things. He was skating around trying different things out. She sat and watched him for about twenty minutes before he came over to her. He sat down on the bench and he started taking off his skates.

"Sorry, I got started a bit late."

"That's okay."

"Are you ready for school? It's our last year."

"I know. It's hard thinking about it. It seems like we just played in the Goodwill Games, you know."

"Yeah, that's true."

"Guy and Connie broke up."

Adam looked up from his skates. "Why?"

"Well, she said it was because she was innocently talking to this guy and he got mad."

"But?"

"I know she was flirting with him. She always flirts."

"Did you tell her that?"

"No. How do you think that would sound? Hey Connie, I think the reason you broke up is because you were flirting with that guy just like you always do."

"I think that sounds reasonable."

"Adam, you can't just say that to someone." Adam finished putting his things in his bag and leaned forward.

"Sure you can. It's actually quite simple. I can do it for you if you want."

"That is definitely worse than me telling her."

"I really don't see the difference."

"Trust me, there is one and let's not cross it."

"Okay."

"Why do you think it is?"

"What?"

"You know."

"The difference?"

"No. Why Guy and Connie keep breaking up?"

"Well…I think it's her."

"Connie."

"She's the one that flirts. I think she wants Guy, but she sees other things she wants and she knows Guy will be there even if she leaves him, so she goes for it."

"I never thought of that."

"I think that if she were to see that Guy wouldn't always be there then she would realize how much she really wants him."

"You know Adam for a guy who eats, drinks, and breathes hockey, you're smart."

"Thanks, I think." Adam leaned back against the bench and Julie leaned against him. They stayed like that for a while before Adam started speaking again. "I have something for you." He handed her a small box. She opened it and so that it was a silver locket.

"Adam, wow. It's beautiful." She opened the locket and it was a picture of them on their first date. "What's the occasion?"

"Nothing, I wanted to give you a gift."

"Thank you."

She gave him a hug and he held her in his arms. She felt so comfortable and safe here. She didn't know why she had ever thought of being with anyone else. Adam always made her feel safe and loved. Now, he had never said he loved her, but she had never told him it either. She loved him, but she had realized it earlier on and didn't want to scare him. He was always quiet about his feelings, it took him long enough to even say that he wanted to go out with her and only her. She sighed; he was so wonderful.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing much. So have you heard from any schools yet?"

"Oh. That's right. The schools. Actually…oh wow. I told my dad I'd be home in ten minutes. Come on I'll bring you to the dorms."

He stood up and got all his things and then took her hand and they walked to his car. He opened her door and she got in, and then he got in on his side. They drove the way to the dorms in silence. She didn't know how to get into him. He just wouldn't talk about certain things. Oh, well. Adam got out and opened the door for Julie and helped her out.

"I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah."

They leaned together and kissed. She loved when he kissed her. It always made her feel weak at the knees. Who could've guessed that Adam Banks, one of the best hockey players, someone whose only focus in life was hockey was one of the best kissers she'd ever kissed. They pulled away and they hugged her. He kissed her on the forehead.

"Night."

"Have a good sleep."

Julie went into the dorms knowing that Adam was waiting for her to get in safely. When she opened the door she turned around and waved and Adam smiled and got in his corvette and left.