AN: Thanks for the reviews! Here's another chapter.

Center Of Attention
two. what goes around comes back around

Charlie yawned hugely as he sat down next to Fulton, who gave him a look that plainly said he was a lazy excuse for a human being. Charlie smiled, patted him on his back and then glanced over to Portman who was sitting a few seats down, next to Russ. It was good to have both Bash Brothers with them; he'd missed it.

"So what'd I miss?"

"A lot," Connie tells him from her usual seat next to Guy, who nodded almost absentmindedly. He was staring at something past Charlie, and, unable to help himself, Charlie turned into his seat. A bunch of kids wearing the Eden Hall Warriors logo (much like they'd done before, until they'd switched back to the Ducks, courtesy of their coaches) were sitting a few tables away. He noticed Adam with them, in conversation with someone. The guy looked surprisingly familiar.

"Who're they?" he asked as he turned back into his seat, taking a sip from Fulton's juice. He swallowed, ignored his friend's look and continued, "Why is Banksie with them?" He took another sip, if only to annoy Fulton some more.

"Hawks," replied Goldberg.

Charlie spat out his drink. Averman got hit. Julie blinked, warily. "That's the same reaction Goldberg had."

"What?" he hissed, turning in his seat so fast he almost knocked Fulton out of his. He stared at Adam's back, willing him to look at him. As though he'd felt Charlie's glare, Banks did, catching his eye. He wasn't the only one, as the guy next to him turned to see what Adam was looking at.

"Larson!" Charlie couldn't believe it when he recognized him. So it was true. Why the hell was Adam with the team who'd dumped him the minute he'd cleaned out his Hawks locker to join the Ducks? McGill had even shoved him against the goal's post. Adam had left the game with a concussion.

"Settle down, Charlie," Dwayne's reasonable voice echoed through his ears, and he glanced back towards the cowboy. "He got told to show 'em the ropes."

"Someone tell me what the hell I missed," Charlie mumbled, turning his back on the Hawks table. Or, rather, Eden Hall Warriors, JV. Once again he was reminded how glad he was to be able to remain a Duck.

Connie shrugged, "They were granted full scholarships, like us last year."

"But they're our age, so they're sophomores too. Coach Reilly pulled some strings to get them here. He'd tried to do it last year, too, but they choose us instead." Guy went on to explain, "Reilly asked the board whether Adam could help them settle in."

"Seems suspicious to me," Averman chirped.

"Yeah," Guy agreed. "They've all been acting as though Adam's on their team instead of ours. Decked Goldberg into his own locker when they passed him, but left Adam alone."

"Got a bruise the size of Mount Everest!" mumbled Goldberg, clearly irritated. "And we've only been back for twenty-four hours."

"What about Varsity?" Charlie took another glimpse at Banks, who'd turned back to talk to Larson, before he dragged his gaze to the other team. Varsity was bullying some kid. It looked like—shit.

Without another word, Charlie stood up from his seat. Fulton was quick to follow him, noticing it too. As they arrived, they could hear Scooter, "Leave him alone, Riley." Riley, however, merely laughed. He pushed Ken Wu into Charlie just as he was about to open his mouth. Charlie stumbled backwards at the sudden weight pushed into his chest, but Portman steadied him with a hand. At this moment, the entire Ducks team strolled up, standing behind their captain. All but one. "Look, it's the Ducks," Riley mocked, "Come to save their fallen comrade." He snarled at Kenny, who took another step back into Charlie in fear.

Riley suddenly smiled, looking past them. "Looks like a duck escaped the flock," he laughed, shoving past Charlie who scowled at him. His eyes trailed after Riley, hearing Scooter apologize to Julie in the background, before they settled on Adam. His scowl increased when he noticed Banks hadn't even moved and was simply staring at them.

Whatever, Charlie thought. Time for class, he'd talk to Banksie later.

Five classes and four and a half hours later, Charlie slid into his seat tiredly. It was his last class for today, English lit. Though Fulton usually sat by him, the Bash brother had opted sitting with his fellow brother instead. Charlie could hear them laugh some rows behind them. Banks walked in, then, with Larson by his side. Adam was even smiling. Ugh. Charlie didn't understand why the hell the two of them suddenly seemed so close. Had he missed something?

Larson nodded towards a seat in the back, obviously telling Adam to come sit with him. Charlie suddenly straightened, coughed in order to get Banks' attention, and then tapped his pencil on the desk next to him, indicating he wanted Adam to sit with him. After a slight hesitation, Adam smiled apolitically towards his former Hawks teammate and went to sit by his captain. Larson shrugged, but Charlie couldn't help but send him a smug grin.

And then he wasted no time in turning on Adam, "What the hell's Larson done to you, Preppy? Haven't seen you all day."

"Nothing. I'm just helping them get by."

"Just remember what team you're on, Banks."

Adam smirked, "You wouldn't allow me to forget."

"Damn right," Charlie murmured, though he exchanged a brief grin with his best friend, glad things were cool between them.

As soon as class was over, Charlie rose from his seat and, throwing a careless arm around Adam, began to steer him out the classroom. Banks gave him a look, but didn't argue. He'd see the Hawks later, if they had anything to say about it.

"The lost Duck has returned!" cried Averman, throwing his arms around Adam as the group of friends gathered. He began to sob dramatically, clutching to Adam's shirt as he sank to his knees. "Don't ever leave us again!"

Adam rolled his eyes good-humouredly as the rest laughed, "Get off me, Averman."

Averman stopped his little act and managed to pull himself upright, just as one of the Hawks slammed into his shoulder. Charlie had no idea which one it was, but the guy smirked at the rest of the Ducks, then inclined his head in acknowledgement towards Adam. Adam didn't return the greeting; instead he'd taken a hold of Averman to stop him from tumbling down.

"Who do they think they are?" Charlie heard Connie mutter behind him, "Varsity?"

"Forget about them," Julie replied, an arm around her friend, "We've got practice. Let's play some hockey."

Coach Orion started practice by allowing the Ducks to do their usual routine; have Dwayne round them up as though they were cattle. Connie shrieked as Dwayne skated towards her, and she quickly hid behind Adam, taking a hold of his shirt. "Go, go, go!" she called. Adam laughed and then began skating harder in order to avoid the lasso himself. After a while, Connie released the back of his shirt and slid over towards her boyfriend. Guy smiled at her, offered her his hand, and off they were again.

Charlie couldn't help but grin at the display, thinking back to his own girlfriend. Linda had shared only one of his classes, but he hadn't been able to talk to her seeing as Julie had pulled him along with her towards their next class. He hadn't thought much of it, too preoccupied with the Hawks, because he knew he'd see her later.

He saw Banksie skate near him and slowed down in order for him to catch up. "So, what's the deal with the Hawks?"

Adam gave him a look, "Didn't you ask me this about half an hour ago?" he replied, dryly.

Charlie shrugged, "Just looks like they're not gunning for you as much as us, man."

"I don't know," Banks shrugged, looking a little put out himself. "I guess Larson must have talked to them. We played some hockey together over the summer--"

"Wait, what?" Charlie frowned. This was news to him. "When the hell did this happen?"

"Probably when your tongue was down Linda's throat," Adam smirked. Charlie's arm flew above his head as he avoided it with a laugh. He sobered, "Larson visited. Said he was sorry."

"After four years?" Charlie snorted in disbelief. He rolled his eyes, "I don't believe it. They dropped you like a bad habit after you left the Hawks."

"Remind you of anyone?"

Charlie froze as he heard his friend's cool voice. He glanced back to Banks, who'd stopped skating. He, too, came to an abrupt halt, unaware the rest of the Ducks were watching them now.

"That was different," he spluttered, unable to come up with a better answer.

Adam smiled wryly, then shook his head. He began to skate again, passing Charlie. "No, it wasn't."

"Damn it, Banks!"

"Get off me, Charlie!"

"How'd you like it, Banks."

"Yeah, nice take out, you'd be in the box!"

"Go cry to your rich parents!"

Charlie snapped out of his daydream when he heard the whistle blow. He glanced at the ice, catching sight of Adam talking in hurried whispers with Julie, before he sighed and began to skate towards their coach.

It was going to be a long practice.