Realized I made a typo that I need to fix...Siara is actually almost 17, not 16. Sorry for any confusion that made. Hope you enjoy this chapter! It's a little shorter then the first, but it should be okay.

Cody and Humphrey were walking out of the gym, talking about the upcoming football game. They were joined by Hutch, a starting tight end. He was a really cool guy and they all got along really good. Hutch wasn't anything like Garth or his friends. He's more with Cody and his friends when it comes to confrontations.

"Nervous about the game on Friday?" Cody asked Hutch. Hutch smiled and said "Not really. The Raiders haven't been doing well this year so far." The Raiders were another football team from Jasper.

"Even so, don't just assume they can't come back. Don't underestimate any opponent." Humphrey said. Hutch nodded and said "Yeah, okay. But still, I think we'll be able to beat them."

"I think so, too. Any idea if there might be any way to get on the team?" Cody asked, making both of them look at him. "You wanna join the football team?" Humphrey asked, his eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, I do!" Cody said, smiling. Hutch shrugged and said "I can try talking to Coach about it. See what I can do."

"Thanks! I was going to try out at the start of the year, but never got around to it." Cody said. Humphrey chuckled and said "We know why you wanna get on the team!" Cody blushed a little and said "Hey, I've got my reasons..."

"And one of them's Lilly, right?" Hutch asked, smiling. Cody was too and shrugged, saying "Maybe. Problem?"

"Yeah, one. Garth." Humphrey said. Cody's smile went away and he said "Oh, right...I know he'll kick my ass if I start getting close to Lilly." Hutch nodded and said "Not only him, but he'd get his friends in on it, too."

"But you know what? It'd be worth it!" Cody said, smiling again. Humphrey chuckled and said "I suppose so if you really want to be with her."

"I really do. We've known each other since we were kids..." Cody said, thinking back a few years.

Flashback

Cody, Siara, Lilly and Kate were all friends when they were younger. Kate and Lilly only lived about ten minutes from their house and their parents were always getting together. Kate and Lilly's father was Winston and their mother Eve.

Winston was one of the lead designers at Boeing at the time. He helped design the F/A-18 fighter. He's still a designer, but mainly works from home. Eve works at Jasper Medical Center as well as Jenny, Cody and Siara's mother.

They were all up on a camping trip together at Jasper National Park for a week one summer. They'd been there for a couple days already and it was getting close to dinner time. The sun was down already and the fire was going strong.

Off to the side of the campsite in a clearing, Cody and Greg were tossing a football around. "A little farther..." Greg said as Cody ran further and further. He smiled and said "Alright, there! Incoming!" He tossed the football high and far to his son, spiraling it perfectly.

Cody turned around to see it coming and ran to the left to catch it. He jumped up and caught it before running back toward his dad, trying to get past him to score. Greg was ready for him, trying to stop him.

As he got closer, Cody did a quick jump to the side, easily getting past him. He touched a tree that they decided would be the end zone and started to celebrate. "Yeah! Awesome!" He yelled, throwing the ball on the ground. Greg laughed and said "Nice job, son! That's three in a row!"

"Thanks, Dad!" Cody said just as Jenny called over to them. "Alright, boys, dinner's ready!" She yelled, getting their attention. "Okay, honey! Come on, sport, let's get some dinner!" Greg said, putting his arm around Cody's shoulders. They walked back over and got some food, sitting down by the fire with everyone else.

After dinner, everyone sat around the fire talking and making jokes, having a great time like always. Everybody but one...Lilly. She was up on a small hill a little ways away, laying on a rock and staring up at the night sky.

Greg saw Cody looking over at her, a love-sick smile on his face. He smiled and nudged him, saying "Go talk to her..." Cody looked at him with an "are you sure" face that made Greg laugh. He nodded and Cody smiled at him before getting up and walking up the hill to her.

"Sure it beautiful, isn't it?" Lilly asked as he got there. He smiled and said "Yes, you are..." She blushed and quickly looked at him before he realized what he'd said. "Oh, sorry! Didn't meant to say that!" He said, looking away.

She giggled and said "It's alright...Thank you!" He turned back to her and smiled, laying down on the rock next to her. It was a little cold that night and she was starting to shiver. Cody noticed and slowly got closer to her, sharing his body heat. She blushed again and laid her head against his shoulder, already feeling warmer.

Greg and Jenny could see them from where they were, both of them smiling widely. Winston and Eve turned around and saw them as well. "They make a pretty cute couple..." Jenny said. Eve smiled and said "That they do...What do you think, honey?"

"I think they do, too." He said, kissing her cheek. Kate and Siara were asleep in a couple of the other chairs, oblivious as to what was going on. Back up on the hill, Lilly was starting to fall asleep. Cody looked at her and said "You look tired..."

She smiled a little and said "I am, but I don't wanna get up from here." He chuckled and put slowly put his arm around her, making sure she was okay with it. She didn't protest at all, but instead cuddled closer to him, their bodies touching.

"Lilly, there's something I need-" Cody started when Jenny called "Okay, Cody, bed time! It's almost 1AM!" He let out a frustrated sigh and Lilly giggled, saying "What was it you were saying?"

"I...I was going to say...Never mind, it's not important. See you tommorow." He said, getting up and going down to his tent. Lilly sat up and watched him walk away, wondering what he was going to say.

"Was he going to say he likes me?" She wondered, thoughts running through her head like a freight train. "Lilly, honey, time for bed, too." Eve said, smiling. She nodded and went back down to the fire, hugging her Mom and Dad.

"Goodnight, guys! See you in the morning!" She said, walking over to her tent which was on the other side of the campsite from Cody's. Her and Kate shared a tent, but she'd have it to herself for a little while longer.

She quickly changed into her pajamas before getting into her sleeping bag, quickly falling asleep. She only slept what seemed like a few minutes before something woke her up. Her eyes opened to see a faint glow coming from outside.

She quietly opened the tent to see Cody sitting by the fire pit, poking some hot coals that were giving off an orange glow. She went out and over to him, sitting in the chair next to him. "What're you doing up right now?" She quietly asked since everyone else was asleep.

"Couldn't sleep...What about you?" He asked, staring at the burning coals. She shrugged and said "Same here, I guess..." He simply nodded and they sat in silence for a few minutes before Lilly asked "What were you going to say to me earlier?"

"Eh, it was nothing important..." He said, blushing a little. She smiled and said "Why don't I believe that?" He smiled too and said "Because you never believe anything I say."

"That's not true! I believe a lot of what you say!" She said, giggling. He chuckled and said "Right...So, you really wanna know?"

"Yes, I do! What was it?" She asked, her heart beating a little faster in anticipation. He took a breath and nervously said "I was going to say...You're really beautiful in the moonlight!" She blushed under her fur and said "R-really? You really think so?"

"Of course I do! You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!" He said, blushing too. She smiled and said "Well, thank you! That's really sweet!" He smiled back at her and said "You're welcome!"

She moved her chair closer to his so that they were inches apart and rested her head on his shoulder, a huge smile on her face. He put his arm around her again and laid his head against hers, closing his eyes. They fell asleep like that, looking like the perfect couple. Unknown to them, they weren't the only ones awake.

Greg was sitting up inside his and Jenny's tent, looking out at them through the mesh window. He had a smile on his face and quietly said "Good job, son...You'll get her eventually."

End of Flashback

"That was probably the best summer ever! Stupid thing is that I never had the nerve to ask her out...Then high school started and she ended up with Garth." Cody said, hanging his head. Humphrey put his paw on his shoulder and said "Hey, don't be too hard on yourself. You didn't know that would happen. Just keep believing you two will be together someday."

Cody smiled and said "Thanks, man! I really appreciate that!" Humphrey smiled and said "No problem...Well, I gotta head home. I'll see you guys tommorow, alright?"

"Yep, see you later!" Hutch said, waving to him. "So, if you don't mind me asking, why do you wanna be with Lilly so bad?"

"Because I love her. I have ever since that night years ago. What I felt that night with her was more then just a really good friendship..." Cody said, smiling. He nodded and said "I can understand that. I was only curious was all."

"It's cool, I'm not mad or anything. I'm actually kinda relieved to get that off my chest. I've been feeling like I needed to tell someone." Cody said, chuckling.

"Did you ever tell her?" Hutch asked. Cody shook his head and said "No, I never did. I had every chance in the world, but just couldn't for some reason."

"Well, you'll get another eventually, I'm sure!" He said, smiling too. About then, they got out to the parking lot and Hutch said "Well, I need to head out. See you tommorow! I'll talk to Coach in the morning and see what I can do."

"Thanks, Hutch! I appreciate it!" Cody said, doing a fist bump with him. Hutch walked over to his car and got in while Cody went toward the football field. Memories of days just hanging out with Lilly started flooding his mind, making him smile widely.

"God, I miss those days...Everything seemed so...perfect!" He thought. Then one memory came to his mind, one from just a few years ago, that got him upset.

Flashback

Cody and Lilly were hanging out at his house, playing games and watching TV. It was Lilly's birthday, the day she turned seventeen. She already spent the morning with her family, but decided to hang out with Cody for a few hours.

It was around 4:30PM when there was a knock at the door. Jenny went to the door and opened it, surprised by what she saw. "Jenny?" A man asked, dressed in a sailor's outfit.

"Yes. What can I do for you?" She asked. He took a breath and said "I wish I could say I was here on better circumstances..." She immediately knew what was going on and said "Wh-what happened?"

"I'm sorry to tell you the your husband, Greg, was killed in action over Iraq. You have our deepest condolences." He said, handing her a properly folded flag. Cody heard what he said and immediately ran over, saying "Wait, what!?"

"I'm sorry, son..." The man said, tears in his eyes. Jenny broke down crying and Cody pulled her into a hug, letting her cry on him. Lilly was watching and was in tears as well. "H-how'd it ha-happen?" Jenny asked, sobbing.

"He was doing a BDA mission over Tehran when his plane was shot down by enemy fire. They were too low to eject in time..." He said, wiping his eyes. Cody started to cry as well and said "Do you know if he had any last wishes?"

"Yes, two...Jenny, he asked over the radio as they went down to tell you that he will always love you, in this life and the next. You are is soulmate and he could never love anyone more then he does you." He said. She weakly smiled and said "Thank y-you so much!"

"And for you, Cody..." He said, pulling out Greg's dogtags. "...He asked that you wear these with honour and pride. To never forget him and always know he'll be with you." Cody took them and said "Thank you, I will!"

"Again, I'm sorry for your loss..." He said. Jenny hugged him and said "Thank you..." She let go of him and he took a step back, giving them both a salute. Cody stood proud and returned it, making Jenny smile.

"Please try to have a nice day." He said, turning around and walking to his car. Jenny closed the door and they went over to the couch, sitting down together.

"I'm SO sorry, guys...I can't imagine how upset you are!" Lilly said, wiping her eyes. Jenny smiled at her and said "Thanks, honey...I'm sorry for you having to hear all that on your birthday."

"No, it's okay, really. Are you guys gonna be okay?" She asked. Cody nodded and said "Yeah, we'll be alright...It'll just take a little time to get back to normal."

"Okay, just making sure. I know neither of you want to go anywhere right now, but could I get a ride home soon? I feel you two need some privacy right now." Lilly said. Cody smiled and said "Sure, I'll give you a ride home. You gonna be okay, Mom?"

"Yeah, I'll be okay, don't worry." She said, smiling at them both. "Alright. We can go now if you want to, Lilly." Cody said. She nodded and said "Sure. I'll see you later, Jenny." Jenny hugged her and said "See you later, Lilly. Have a good night!"

"Thanks!" Lilly said as she and Cody went out the door together. As soon as he closed it, she turned around and hugged him, saying "If you ever need anyone to talk to, just call me. Okay?"

"Okay, Lilly..." Cody said, hugging her back. She let go a few seconds later and they got in his car, driving back to her house.

End of Flashback

Cody quickly shook his head to clear his mind of that day. "Gotta quit going back to that..." He thought. He kept walking toward the football field, hoping it wouldn't be too long until they left.

When he got there, both the cheer team and football team were already practicing. Lilly saw Cody going over to the bleachers and smiled, but he didn't see it. Garth happened to look over and saw him along with Lilly smiling.

"What the...What's he doing here?" Garth asked, getting annoyed. One of his friends and teammates, Fang, looked over and said "Looks like he's just watching. Come on, keep your head in the game!"

Garth silently growled to himself and went back to the practice drills. Meanwhile, Cody took his Calculus book out and started working on the day's homework, trying to get an early jump. It would be about an hour or so until practice was over. Plenty of time to get at least half of it done.