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Chapter 1

I watched with a lump in my throat as my wife to be, began her final walk as a single woman, down the aisle to me. Looking back, I can remember how it all began…

It was after New Year of our senior year at the great Eden Hall academy. After the JV/Varsity showdown, I remained with the ducks for the remainder of our freshman year, feeling more needed and wanted by them than the Varsity. Though this year, myself and the ducks, were now the new Varsity team. We all had high expectations of this year, everyone hoping to earn a few college scout visits from their wanted colleges, and we all wanted to go out on top again, showing the whole school that beating the Varsity wasn't just a fluke. Coach Orion had backed down a little, though still pretty strict, when ever our grades did happen to drop below a B, which wasn't very often, he didn't immediately bench us, he gave us one chance to lift it back up, and if we still hadn't lifted it enough, he would then bench us. However he then would become a personal tutor towards us, helping us to lift our grade.

"This year is looking up already"? Connie squealed from behind us. She was walking next to Julie, a safe enough distance from us, so that any guy that passed wouldn't automatically think they were with us.

"How come I never noticed half of these guys last year"? Julie asked her friend, as her eyes followed one of the male students down the corridor.

"Down girl, there's plenty of time, and plenty of guys". Connie grabbed Julie's arm to prevent her body following her eyes.

"God help the cheerleaders, they've got competition". Russ commented.

Connie's mouth dropped open to say something in retaliation, but thankfully the bell rang, meaning the start of class. I headed to my first lesson of the day, along with Julie and Ken. We had algebra together, I hated this class, sure I could do the work, I hated the teacher.

"So, what are we doing after practice"? Julie asked, noticing the teacher had yet to arrive.

"I can't do anything, I gotta have dinner with my parents. They've invited my dad's work colleague and his family around. I have the duty of acting like the perfect son". I rolled my eyes in the thought.

"Poor lil ole Banksie". Julie giggled.

"You wouldn't be laughing if it was you. I thought if I moved into the dorms, I would get away with not having to do this kinda stuff, but unfortunately I didn't move quite far enough". I shook my head smiling.

"Hey you never know, you might enjoy yourself"? Ken snickered.

"Doubtful Ken, very doubtful". I managed to reply, before the whole room went silent on entry of the dreaded teacher.

After practice, I got dressed into a clean shirt and tie, which of course started the teasing. I knew it was only teasing, as everyone knew how I felt about having to go to dinner. I bid farewell to them as I left the rink, where my mother was waiting for me in the car. There was a little small talk from my mother, you know all the usual questions – how was school, how was hockey, was I eating right, I wasn't pushing myself too hard was I? The journey seemed to take 10 times longer than it should have, and by the time my mom had pulled into the driveway, she was giving me the full blown lecture about taking care of myself properly. Nothing I hadn't heard before.

I probably hadn't been in the house half an hour, before I was standing in the 'lobby', as my parents liked to call it in front of guests, ready to greet the guests. I was introduced to them as Adam, our youngest son, hockey star of Eden Hall. And as usual, my dad and his colleague began small talk as they lead us to the dining room, my mom and my dad's colleague's wife, struck up a conversation about the décor of the house. Leaving me the duty of entertaining the son and daughter. The daughter was pretty easy, all I had to do was wink at her, as well as introducing myself to them. The son, was a little different, I couldn't particularly strike up a conversation about hockey as he may not be into hockey. So small talk it was. Luckily I didn't have to do this for too long as dinner was served, but this in itself was bad enough – having to listen to my fathers conversation, whilst trying to act as though I was interested.

"So Adam, your Father tells me you play ice hockey for Eden Hall"? Obviously his and my dads conversation had ended.

"Yes sir". I answered politely.

"I never really understood ice hockey, footballs more my thing. It isn't as brutal".

"Hockey isn't particularly brutal sir. It can be at times, and like any good sport you always end up with a few bruises here and there. But it's no more dangerous than horse back riding, gymnastics or even football". My dad seemed pretty pleased with my answer.

This went on for another hour, until the guests finally left. After seeing the guests out, the three of us, headed back to the dining area, where we would no doubtedly have a nice family chat. Oh joy, this is what I'd been looking forward to all night. As expected, my dad asked me all the same questions my mom had on the way over here. Then, came the best part.

"Adam, me and your mother are going on a cruise for a few weeks to celebrate our wedding anniversary. You don't have to move back here during that time, but if you would like to then we are leaving you in complete charge of the house. There will be no cook or cleaners to help look after you".

"Ok, I'll think about it". I replied. "When do you go"?

"At the end of the week. All we expect is that you let us know if you will be coming here at all. You don't have to stay here for the full 2 weeks".

"And before you and your friends start planning a secret party – you are allowed to have a party. We have arranged for all the expensive items to be put into storage, so if by chance anything is ruined, it won't be anything irreplaceable". My mother told me.

"And the cars will be tightly locked away, so that if anyone fancies a midnight drive, they won't be getting one". My dad just had to point out.

All the rules were given, then to my utter most embarrassment, my father decided to repeat his speech about 'the birds and the bee's'. I sat there wanting the ground to simply swallow me up, but instead, I nodded along with the conversation, trying my hardest not to smirk or crack out laughing at how my dad was describing the whole 'soon you'll be feeling feeling's' part of the conversation. Eventually my mom drove me back to the dorms. When I got there, I took my hockey bag up to my room, then headed straight for the common room where I found all the ducks hanging out. Julie and Ken were trying to help Guy, Portman and Fulton with their English assignments, Averman, Goldberg, Russ and Dwayne were watching cartoons and Charlie, Connie and Luis were playing cards.

"Hey, how'd the dinner go"? Connie asked me as she took all the chips from their little game of poker.

"The usual, meet the guests, butter up the kids, make small talk over dinner, say goodnight, get told my parents are going away, have the house to myself for 2 whole weeks, be given permission for a party". I said quickly. I didn't dare tell them about my wonderful sex education refresher with my dad.

"Did you just… Did you say party"? Charlie stuttered, his mouth dropping open.

"Yes Charlie". I replied.

"You'll catch flies". Connie laughed as she leant over and pushed his mouth closed.

Over the following week there was more talk about my party. In fact I think the whole school was invited, though thankfully I knew not everyone would come, as there was no way that everyone would fit in my house. My parents were leaving me $300 to last me for the two weeks, hell that wouldn't last 2 minutes with this party, but luckily, I had a secret stash of money in my bank account. See every month my parents would give $200 as spending money since I lived away from home, but I never spent all of it.

My parents left on the Thursday evening, bringing me the money and house keys. Well since we were all underage to buy liquor, I gave the $300 to Fulton and Portman who looked just about 21. Luckily for me, Eden Hall closed for the weekend at lunch time on a Friday, so with this on our minds, we all rushed over to mine, to get ready. Between us, we had arranged for all the ducks who lived in the dorms, to stay at each others houses, as no doubtedly the party would only just be beginning when the curfew hit. So Julie was supposed to be staying at mine, Connie's parents were visiting friends so she was supposed to be staying with her Grandparents, but they were pretty strict so had told them she was staying in the dorms, but in reality she was going to stay here too. Ken and Luis were going with Averman, Dwayne and Russ was staying with Goldberg and Portman was obviously staying with Fulton. Charlie and Guy had originally been going home, but had decided to keep me company and save me from the girls.

Immediately on getting home, I unlocked the front door, and checked that my parents hadn't left anymore money knocking around for me. As promised, everything that they said was going into storage had, the garage was completely locked and all car keys had been removed. We set about decorating the place slightly, and during this time, the DJ I had hired arrived and set up. Not long after, everyone disappeared to get ready for tonight. With everyone gone, I rushed to get myself ready. Climbing into the overly large shower cubical. After having a shower, I went down the hall to my old room. Nothing had changed, it was still covered in hockey posters, more than half were of the ducks and the rest just heroes. I had chosen to wear a plain white and navy baseball shirt with my favorite worn blue jeans. When I thought I looked decent enough, I began heading back down, to where I could hear some of the ducks voices. On my way passed, I locked all the bedroom doors, there was no way I was going to be dragging couples out of them all night. My mom would freak if she knew complete strangers had been doing it in her bed. After making sure every room was locked, bar the bathroom, I headed downstairs, following the sound of voices. I came face to face with what looked like nearly 15 cases of beer.

"Where the hell did all this come from"? I wasn't expecting to be able to get this much beer for only $300.

"Well our man Fulton knows a few people". Portman said proudly.

"Who, what people"? Julie demanded to know. "Is all this stuff illegal"?

"Hey I don't care, as long as I'm not gonna have the cops busting in here turned midnight". I chuckled.

"Where's Connie anyway"? Charlie asked Julie.

"She had to go to her Grandparents to get ready. They're probably giving her a lecture of a lifetime". Julie answered.

An hour later, the party was well underway, it was a pretty good turnout and the DJ and beer were going down well. However none us were managing to enjoy ourselves just yet, as Connie had yet to arrive. I left my party in the hands of the ducks, and had donned my roller blades and jacket along with Charlie and began skating around looking for her. We'd been out about 15 minutes, when we caught a glimpse of her climbing off a bus and walking speedily toward my house. We caught up with her before she reached the end of the street. On calling her name, she turned around, to reveal her unusually large lower lip and blood stained shirt.

"What the hell happened to you"? Charlie asked in a very concerned way. I think the first thought that entered both our minds, was, had it been her grandparents that had done it, bit of an out there thought, but none of us had really met them before.

"It would seem Julie started chatting up one of the cheerleaders boyfriends, she tried threatening me, I retaliated, she punched me, I knocked her to the floor". She replied with a little difficulty.

With relief we both started laughing, before checking she had no other injuries. She made us promise not to tell Julie the truth, explaining she would be overcome with guilt, and never stop apologizing. When we got back, the ducks were waiting tensely for our arrival. She explained that she had gotten into a fight with a cheerleader, but didn't explain what about. I took her upstairs to the bathroom, to help clean her lip up, and lend her one of my shirts.

"This is gonna sting a little". I told her, as I dabbed her lip with some saline water. She nodded, then allowed me to begin. On my first touch, she winced and I'm sure I saw tears forming in her eyes. "Sorry". I whispered as I looked deep into her brown eyes, seeing the pain she was trying to hide. I stood there for a few seconds but it felt like eternity, just gazing into her eyes. Realizing what I was doing I immediately put my attention on cleaning her lip up. After I had cleaned her lip up, I collected some ice wrapped in a cloth from the kitchen. I left her holding it to her lip, whilst I went in search for a shirt that would fit her. I returned with a pale blue shirt or a rusty red sweater. She took the shirt from me, thanking me, as I left her to change in peace.

By the time I got back down to the party, where it was well under way. All the ducks had a drink, and had now begun enjoying themselves. Charlie tossed me a can of beer which I immediately opened and took a few gulps. 5 minutes later, Connie appeared, she looked stunning, even if my shirt was a little on the big side. The party really got under way, though I couldn't help but notice that every time I saw Julie, she had a can in her hand and was getting more and more wasted. By 10, the party had quietened down a little but was still going strong. I was stood in a group with Connie, Charlie, Guy and Fulton. We were stood watching the dance floor, taking notice of what all the ducks were doing – Averman, Goldberg, Russ, Ken and Dwayne were all trying impress some girls by stood huddled in a corner eying them, Portman was having a go at chatting a girl up and Luis was succeeding in chatting a girl up. Julie was stood off to one side, flirting with who I recognized as one of the track team. Again did she have a can in her hand.

"How many has Julie had"? Guy asked anyone who might have an idea of the answer.

"Too many". Connie headed forward, obviously going to collect Julie before the situation got more heated than it already was.

Connie got over to her and took her hand, trying to pull her toward us. The guy however obviously had other plans and said something to her. Connie retaliated and continued pulling Julie our way. Julie seemed contented to stay with us for a while, but soon ended up dancing with some unknown guy. Averman came over and asked Connie to dance, which she willingly obliged to, leaving us to keep an eye on Julie. Well we did, until a fight broke out between 2 football players. During the time it took to split them up, Julie had begun heading upstairs with the latest guy. But worse to come he was the boyfriend of the cheerleader that Connie had, had a run in with earlier. She followed them to the top of the stairs, where she began berating Julie. Connie jumped to her defense telling the girl to back off as well as trying to keep Julie and this guy apart. Well one thing led to another and the two ended up fighting. The cheerleader dragged Connie toward her, causing them both to tumble down the stairs, fighting as they landed in a heap at the bottom. The guy Julie was with, ran down the stairs after them, leaving Julie laughing her head off.

"Crazy bitch". Connie threw a few punches.

"At least I'm not a hore". She screamed back, tugging at Connie's hair.

We separated them quickly, forcing the cheerleader and her boyfriend to leave. By now all the ducks had surrounded Connie, who to add to her split lip from earlier, had an array of fresh cuts on her cheek bone and forehead.

"You ok"? Charlie asked her.

"Yeah, never better". She winced as I put pressure on her forehead to stop the trickle of blood. "Will someone go take care of her, before she goes flying down the stairs either being pushed by me or falling down them through her own drunken state". Connie gestured toward the still laughing Julie.

After all the excitement, the party died down further. Julie was now sat in a chair surrounded by Portman and Fulton, whilst Charlie and Guy began having chugging contests – well that was them going to be passed out before their heads hit the pillows. Connie was dancing with Averman, Dwayne, Russ, Goldberg and Ken whilst Luis was still chatting up girls, though by now it was a different one. By 1am, the party had just about ended and the last few people were leaving. Russ had called for 2 cabs to get them all home, and whilst they were waiting, they helped me and Connie get, the now passed out Julie and the very drunk Guy and Charlie up into their beds. Connie made sure Julie was facing downwards so that if she did decide to spew at the very least she wouldn't choke on it. After they were all comfy, I headed back downstairs with the guys. After they had left I locked the door and took a good look around. The place was a tip, cans of beer everywhere. I headed to the kitchen for a bin bag, I wasn't tired yet, so getting a little more tidied now would save time tomorrow or later as it was now tomorrow. I turned around and the got the fright of my life, Connie was stood a few steps away from me.

"I thought you'd gone to bed"?

"Nah. Any case I signed up for the cleanup committee". She smiled.

"Come here, you're bleeding again". I grabbed a paper napkin and dabbed it on the now ice water.

"Julie again. She's just decided to come round and grab my head in a hug". She laughed as she lifted herself up onto the kitchen work surface. On my touch, she winced gently but didn't pull away. "I pity any guy that takes her to a party". She chuckled.

"She doesn't know how lucky she is having a friend like you". I continued dabbing away the blood.

"Hey, any of you guys would have done the same, well maybe not be dragged down the stairs by a crazy cheerleader, but ya know".

"You had quite a fall there, are you sure you haven't got concussion or anything"? I asked her.

"Tell you what, how about you wake me every hour just to be on the safe side". She smiled, as I gazed into her powerful eyes, that seemed to sparkle with mischief.

"Sure thing". And with that I leant up and brushed my lips gently against hers. I began pulling away, when she pulled me back, heating the kiss with every second.

So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!