Beaner- sorry the update wasn't fast but it is longer than most of my updates. I'm glad you liked Adam's email. I worked hard on that. I agree that Dwayne's email was a little harsh but oh well. Kids can be cruel at times. Hope you like this chapter.

Banksiesbabe99 - I'm glad you're enjoying this story. I like getting reviews even if they're only one word. At least I know people are reading. Thanks for reading.\

Spazzway99- Yep, Charlie did skate right to Adam's house and you finally get to read about the conversation. Hope you like it.

Anne918- I'm glad you like Dwayne's life in Texas. I plan on doing some more with that but it isn't in this chapter. I'm glad you like the idea of Adam and Dwayne being friends. I wanted to include one of the out of state Ducks and Dwayne just seemed to be the best choice.

Starr2- yeah I agree Dwayne was a bit harsh but hey it happens. Yes Charlie and Adam talk in this chapter and you got the idea of a window being involved right but I don't think its exactly how you're picturing it. Sorry the update took so long.

Rachel- hope you're just as happy with this update as the last one. I'm glad you like my Dwayne. It took awhile to figure out how I wanted to portray him. Enjoy this chapter.

Araya Arwen - glad you like the story. I will warn you though I have been slow in updating this story so far so you'll have to be patient. Hope you keep enjoying it though.

AN 8-14-12: Wow, this was a long chapter but I'm finally through it. I'm starting to get back into the story again myself and I think my original plotline for it is starting to come back. Svams - this just goes to show you what a simple thing as leaving a review can inspire. I hope you enjoy rereading the chapters.

Charlie's POV:

It wasn't long before I left the familiar surroundings of my neighborhood behind. As I skated toward Adam's house, the scenery changed as townhouses replaced apartment buildings and then those homes gave way to single family homes. The differences in our neighborhoods was the biggest difference between me and Adam and one that the Ducks and I held against him for awhile. Once we got to know Adam though we realized that despite where he came from he was a great person to be a friend with. That still didn't mean I didn't feel uncomfortable in Adam's neighborhood.

As I got close to Adam's house I took my roller blades off and switched back into my sneakers. When I reached his yard, I left the sidewalk and started across the yard using the trees and bushes as covers. The last ting I needed was to be spotted by Mr. Banks. The fact that it was now getting dark was to my advantage.

Making my way through the yard I headed for the side of the house I knew Adam's room was on. Standing next to the house I looked up at the second floor windows trying to figure out which ones went to Adam's room having only been in his house twice. I thought there was only one other room toward the front of the house before his, and I think it was his brother's room, so I counted three windows back. That window was the first window that had a light on in the room so I thought it was a pretty good chance that it was his.

I looked around on the ground and spotted a small broken piece of a stick on the ground. I took a couple of steps back and then threw the stick up at the window trying to get Adam's attention. I waited a few moments but no one came to the window. I picked the stick back up and tried again. This time I saw a shadow in the window. I was just hoping that it was Adam. As I kept watching the window opened and I saw Adam stick his head out the window and look around.

"Adam," I called up softly not wanting to draw anyone else's attention but his.

"Charlie!" Adam called back surprised. "What are you doing here? If my father finds you here..."

"I know," I told him cutting him off. "I already tried calling once and he told me not to bother calling again but I need to talk to you Adam."

"Charlie this isn't the best idea. We could both get in a lot of trouble," Adam told me, both looking and sounding worried which made me wonder what kind of conversation he'd had with his father this afternoon.

I wasn't about to give up though after coming this far.

"Adam please just listen too me. I'll say what I have to say from down here if you want."

I saw Adam shaking his head. "Hold on," Adam responded before I could say anything else. Before I knew it Adam was climbing out of his window and into the nearby tree. With a lot of grace and expertise he quickly made his way down the tree and was soon standing on the ground next to me.

"Do you do that a lot?" I couldn't help but ask him.

"Just because I'm a Cake-eater doesn't mean I don't know how to sneak out of my room," Adam told me with a smile.

I just shook my head. Somehow I never pictured Adam sneaking out of his house, especially not by climbing down a tree. Adam grabbed my arm and lead me over to the nearby bushes. We sat down on the ground on the other side of the bushes out of sight from the house.

"So what happened this afternoon?" I asked him. I had a feeling I already knew the answer but I wanted to hear it from him. I didn't want to go jumping to wrong conclusions and mess things up even more than they already were between us.

"The district is redrawing the lines," Adam told me confirming what I had concluded from Dwayne's email. "I'm supposed to be a Hawk this year."

I wasn't sure what to say. What if I said I was sorry to hear that and he was glad he was going to be a Hawk this year? Or if I told him I was happy for him and he didn't want to skate with the Hawks. I couldn't read him. I didn't know how he felt about the whole situation. I wasn't even sure which would be worse.

"Why weren't you there this afternoon Charlie?" Adam asked me before I could make up my mind what to say to him.

"I don't know," I told him. "I guess maybe I was afraid to go because there was nothing I could do about it. I mean the league wouldn't have listened to me and Bombay wasn't going. He feels as if he's mess things up for you enough last year."

"Even though I didn't realize it then, Bombay getting me on the Ducks last year was the best thing that ever happened to me," Adam said.

I was thrilled to hear that but it made me feel even worse. Even if things were out of my hands I should've gone to show support.

"I'm sorry Adam. I should've been there for you and I wasn't." I thought about what my Mom had told me earlier that night that just because we were on different teams didn't mean we couldn't be friends. "I still want to be your friend even if you are a Hawk this year."

"But my Dad..."

"Forget your Dad. So we can't call each other, so what. We have email and I'm sure you can sneak out from time to time and hang with us. Your Dad won't even have to know."

"Are the others going to even want me around?" Adam asked.

"Sure. No matter what the league says you're still a Duck," I told him even though I wasn't so sure about how Peter, Tommy, Tammy and Karp would feel about that. However I did know how Jesse and the others would feel. They would feel the same as I did.

Adam didn't say anything out of that and I couldn't stand the silence so I asked another question.

"What about school?"

Adam was supposed to go to public school with the rest of us this year. I knew it was his mother's idea but with all that had happened I couldn't help but wonder if that was still going to happen.

"I don't know," Adam told me. "I haven't heard anything one way or another from either of my parents."

"Adam," I started and then hesitated. I wasn't sure if this was the best question to ask. I wasn't even sure I wanted to know the answer but I needed to ask it. Besides, I knew that if I didn't ask the question I would be wondering about it and wishing I had. "Adam, do you want to skate with the Hawks?"

Adam didn't answer right away which I took to mean that the answer to my question was yes. He wanted to be back with the Hawks. He didn't want to be a Duck.

"No, Charlie I don't," Adam finally said so softly I could barely hear him. "At one time I would've loved going back to the Hawks but not anymore. Being a part of the Ducks allowed me to find something that I had been missing for a long time. Made me realize something that I hadn't realized I was missing - I found my love for the sport once again, Charlie. The real reason that I started playing hockey. I wasn't playing just to win, or just for my Dad, I was playing because it was fun. I'm going to miss that."

"You almost sound as if you'd rather not play this year than play for the Hawks," I said trying to get Adam to talk about what he was feeling instead of just bottling it all up inside.

"Yeah, you're right but that isn't an option," Adam told me. "I can't quit. My Dad would never go for that. My only hope is not making it through try outs on Friday."

"Adam, don't let your dad or Reilly or the Hawks ruin hockey for you. You're good. Man I wish I had half your talent," I told him honestly. "Don't let them take the fun from it."

"It's easy for you to say that, Charlie. You weren't there this afternoon. You didn't see the hate in their eyes. They don't want me on that team any more than I want to be there," Adam told me. "Look, I better get back inside before my Dad realizes I'm missing. Thanks for coming by Charlie."

"Adam, you're not alone. We're here for you. Whenever you need us."

"Thanks Charlie," he said and then hurried across the lawn to the tree outside his window. I watched him climb up the window not wanting to leave until I knew he was safely back inside his house.

Adam's POV:

I climbed quickly back up the tree after talking with Charlie. The talk had made me feel better. At least I knew my Dad's stupid protest and the league's decision wasn't going to cost me my friendship with Charlie. Although if my Dad caught me things could be much worse than they already were. I was just hoping that he or my Mom hadn't come looking for me while I was outside talking behind the bushes.

I grabbed hold of the window sill and pulled myself into the room as I saw my bedroom door start to open. Why hadn't I locked the door before my little escapade? I was still climbing through the window when my Mom walked into the room. I was glad it was her and not my Dad. I knew she was still going to be upset with me but it definitely wouldn't be as bad.

"Adam, what are you doing?" she asked quickly as she rushed over to the window as I climbed the rest of the way in.

"Climbing back in through the window," I replied easily, as if it was a common occurrence. I knew it wasn't the answer she was looking for. She gave me one of her looks and I knew I had better come up with a better answer, so I told her the truth. I had never lied to my Mom before in my life and I wasn't going to start now. I saved the lying for talking my way out of situations with my Dad.

"I climbed down the tree to talk to Charlie. Dad won't let me talk to him on the phone or see him and he came over to see me. I had to talk to him Mom."

"But climbing out the window?" she said as I sat down on my bed. I heard concern in her voice not anger and felt relieved. "Adam that's very dangerous. What if you had fallen? You could have broken your neck."

"I'm sorry," I told her and I was. I was sorry I had worried her but I just had to talk to Charlie and for some reason I think my Mom understood that.

"Adam, look I know this afternoon didn't go the way you wanted it too," my Mom told me sitting down next to me. " I saw how happy you've been skating with the Ducks and can see what a positive influence your new friends have been on you. All I want is your happiness so I won't stop you from seeing them but please don't ever disappear without telling me again. Okay?"

I nodded my head. At least I still had one ally in the house.

"Look, the reason I came up here to tell you about school. Your father wants you to go back to private school," She told me. I couldn't stop the groan that came out of my mouth despite figuring that was what my father would want. "He feels that you should be going to school with your teammates," she told me. "However, I put my foot down this time. Maybe I should do it more often, but standing up to your father isn't easy. However, I don't want you back at your old school after all the fights and stuff that took place last year. You're still going to public school this year but I need you to do something for me," she told me. "Please come right home after schoo. If you don't your Dad is going to know you're hanging around with your friends and right now it's best not to cross him on that."

I nodded my head. She had a point. At least I was going to get to see Charlie and the others during the school day. That was something. And I wouldn't have to worry about McGill and the others wanting to beat me up all day. They could save that for hockey practice.

"And one more thing, I know you don't want to be a Hawk and I don't blame you but please show a little bit of enthusiasm in front of your father about it. It means a lot to him and I know he doesn't show it but he does love you Adam," my Mom told me.

Somehow, I found that hard to believe. I couldn't remember the last time my Dad had told me that he loved me or that he was even proud of me. He usually only told me that I had done something wrong or that I wasn't living up to my potential. As hard as I tried I couldn't make him happy and I was about ready to give up trying, but if my Mom wanted me to show some enthusiasm about being a Hawk than I would do it. I would do it for her.

"Okay, Mom. I'll try," I told her.

"Thank-you," she told me giving me a hug.

After she had left I went to my computer and logged into my email. I wanted to send Charlie an email and let him know that I would still be going to school with him and the Ducks this year. Starting a new message, I had a feeling my email would be getting a lot of use this year.

Casey's POV:

I was in my room reading a book when I heard a knock at the door. I ignored it at first figuring that Charlie would get it like he usually did but then I heard a knock a second time. With a sigh I put my bookmark in the book and got up to go answer the door.

I opened the door to find Gordon Bombay standing there.

"Gordon, hi," I said surprised to see him. . "Come on in," I invited him. He looked disappointed by something and I had a feeling I knew what it was. "Is something wrong?" I asked, as the two of us sat next to each other on the couch.

Though it only lasted a few seconds, the pause Gordon took before answering the question seemed like an eternity.

"I ended up at the meeting this afternoon, despite my resolve not to go. I just couldn't stay away, so I slipped in just as the meeting was starting, and sat in the back row. I don't think anyone saw me."

"I would've went with you," I told him, supportively.

"I know," Gordon told me, meeting my gaze. It was times like these I wondered why I had told him I just wanted to be friends. "Anyway, Philip Banks got his way. Adam is back with the Hawks this year."

"Charlie is going to be crushed," I said knowing how close my son had gotten to Adam over the last year.

"So is Adam," he told me. "I could see it in his face as soon as his Dad started protesting the leagues decision to leave the lines how they were. No one there even stopped to consider what would be best for Adam. I almost got up and got into the argument myself."

"Then why didn't you?" I asked softly. Though initially I had my doubts about how much he cared about these kids, and perhaps in the beginning those doubts were founded, I knew each member of his team meant the world to Gordon. He was the best coach that District five had ever had and perhaps the best current coach in the league.

"Because I did the same thing to him last year. That protest about the district lines - that was for me. I wanted to get back at Reilly somehow. I wanted to beat him. I never once stopped to consider what bringing Adam onto the Ducks would mean for him. He was my key to winning games, despite knowing that the other kids didn't like him.

I smiled, knowing how hard that was for Gordon to admit. As much as he had done for these kids, being their coach had benefitted him then. "But at least you see that now and in the long run, I think it has been beneficial for him. I think Adam enjoyed himself more with the Ducks once he was accepted, and he and Charlie are good for each other. Their friendship has shown those kids that social class doesn't define what kind of person you are, more than anyone talking to them could ever do. Plus, Adam got to skate at the Junior Goodwill games. Everything considered, I think you have been a positive influence on his life."

"Yeah, maybe but what is going to happen to him now? Going back to the Hawks is not going to be easy for him."

"That's out of your control now," I told him.

Before anything else could be said, the apartment door opened and Charlie walked in. I hadn't even realized he had left, which didn't make me happy at all.

"Where have you been?" I asked him as Charlie slowly pushed the door closed.

"I'm sorry Mom, but I had to go see, Adam. I did get an answer earlier and Mr. Banks wouldn't let me talk to him. In fact, he told me to never call the house again but I had to see Adam. I had to talk to him."

While I could understand my son's desire to talk to his friend, I didn't approve of his actions.

"So you snuck out of here and went over to his house?" I said incredulously. All the bad things that could've happened came flooding to my mind. "Do you realize you could have gotten hurt on your trip over there and no one would have known where you were?"

"I'm sorry Mom," Charlie told me.

"Go to your room," I told him not wanting to carry this out any further in front of Gordon. Charlie didn't say anything as he headed for his room.

"Well, I guess he knows about the league's decision then," Gordon commented as Charlie shut the door to his bedroom.

"Yeah, I guess so," I said, not sure what else to say. Suddenly I was feeling as lost as Gordon was about what to do about this. I was beginning to see that this wasn't affecting just Adam and his family. It was affecting a lot of people - my son being one of them. "It's going to be a long hockey season, isn't it,?" I asked, not really needing the answer but wanting to say something to break the uncomfortable silence that had fallen over the room.

"Yeah, it is." Gordon told me. He put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. I was glad he was here and thankful for his support.

As I relaxed against Gordon, I thought about what I was going to say to my son. It wasn't the intent of his actions that I protested but the way he had gone about it. Conveying that to Charlie though wasn't going to be easy.

Adam's POV:

On Thursday, the new school year started. I had never looked forward to the start of school before in my life. It wasn't that I hated school, it really wasn't all that bad, but this year was different. I wanted out of the house and away from my Dad for awhile. I hadn't been grounded exactly, but not having any friends in my neighborhood anymore didn't make going outside that appealing. I did go out and skate some, and practiced shooting a bit in my driveway, but it wasn't the same. I wanted to see the Ducks but as my Dad didn't want me hanging out with them that wasn't the easiest thing to do anymore.

As I waited for the bus that morning I couldn't help but glance over at Shane Larson's house next door. I saw Shane and his sister come out of the house and head down the stone walkway to the sidewalk. Shane glanced briefly in my direction and then looked away as he continued on his way to the bus stop for the Edina Private School bus - the same place I had waited with him ever since kindergarten. Though Shane and I hadn't talked since right after I had joined the ducks, it felt strange not to be heading to the bus stop with him.

I knew that going to public school wasn't going to be easy. Except for the Ducks, I wouldn't know anybody, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about getting beat up by McGill and his goons. Instead I would probably be facing the public school versions of McGill. Just like the rest of the Ducks had at first, I knew I was going to face kids who didn't like me just because of the neighborhood that I came from.

The school bus pulled up at that point and I climbed on board. I looked at the unfamiliar faces and wondered if I was doing the right thing. I found and empty seat about halfway back and sat down, concentrating on the passing scenery rather than the conversations going on around me. I was hoping that if I left everyone alone they would leave me alone too.

At the school, I stepped off the bus and looked around for any of the other Ducks. I didn't see them. I knew Charlie had gotten my email because he had sent a reply to but I still didn't see him or any of the others. With a sigh, I headed toward the front doors by myself.

I had been given a tour of the school the week before when my Mom had enrolled me. The school guidance counselor had provided me with my schedule and showed me where all my classes would take place. Right now though, that tour seemed ages to go and the unfamiliar hallways might as well be a garden maze. After getting lost twice I finally found my locker. Opening it, I placed my lunch on the top shelf and hung up my jacket. I was about to shut the door when someone slammed it shut for me.

I turned around and found myself face to face with a mean looking kid. He was only about an inch taller than me but he was bigger and didn't look at all friendly. I tried to walk away but he side stepped and blocked my way.

"Hey, preppy," the big guy said. "I think you got lost. The rich snobs belong on the other side of the town."

I looked down at the floor. This wasn't going any better than the end of last year had gone. Before anything else could happen though I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Leave him alone."

Looking over my shoulder I saw Fulton Reed approaching us. Glancing back at the bully, I thought at firs he wasn't going to go anywhere, but then he seemed to have second thoughts about the situation. I guess tangling with Fulton wasn't something that he wanted to take on, and giving Fulton's size I couldn't blame him. Even us Hawks hadn't messed with him when there was more than one of us. With one last final glare at me, the bully turned and disappeared into the crowd.

"Thanks Fulton," I said letting out a breath I hadn't known I had been holding.

"No problem, man" Fulton told me. "I'm sorry to hear you won't be skating with us this year but at least your Dad still let you come to school with us."

"This isn't exactly my Dad's idea. It's my Mom's doing that I'm here," I told him.

"Well whoever's idea it is, I'm glad you're here. We've all missed you, Adam."

"Really?" I couldn't help but ask, having a hard time believing it.

"Really," Fulton said. "Where's your home room?"

I glanced down at the paper with my schedule on it. "One twenty- nine," I told him.

"Great," Fulton told me. "That's my home room, too. In fact most of us are in that home room," he told me.

As Fulton started walking down the hallway, I fell into step with him. I was glad to have found a familiar face in the crowded halls. For the first time all morning I was starting to think that maybe this hadn't been a mistake.


Friday came much too quickly for my liking. I had no desire to go to try outs. To face my former teammates. But I had too. It was just one of those things that I couldn't get out of.

My Dad dropped me off in front of the rink and then went to park the car. I wasn't too thrilled about the idea of him hanging around for tryouts but then I guess he didn't trust me to actually go to try outs and to be honest the thought of skipping them had crossed my mind.

I made my way to the locker room and started getting ready. Other kids were already in there but they were guys I didn't recognize, either this was their first try out or they hadn't made it last year and were trying again.

"Hi Adam," I heard a familiar voice say to me as I was lacing up my skates. I looked up to see Shane Larson sitting down on the bench across from me. Part of me was surprise he was even talking to me, let alone being civil.

"Hi," I said not really sure what else to say. I went back to lacing up my skates and he didn't say anything else. I guess I should've just been happy with the hi. I knew none of my former teammates were excited about having me back.

I finished lacing up my skates and headed out to the rink to do some warm-up laps. On my second lap around someone came up behind me and put their hands over my eyes.

"Guess who?" I heard a familiar voice say as I came to a stop.

"Hi Alex," I said, a smile slowly coming to my face for the first time that afternoon. "How's your mother doing?" I asked her as we started skating around the rink again. Alex's mother had been diagnosed with leukemia last fall and she had missed the hockey season as a result. This was her last year to play for PeeWee's and I was glad to see that she was trying out for the team again. She might just turn out to be the only friend I had on the team.

"She's doing okay. The leukemia is in remission and she started back to work over the summer," Alex told me.

As we skated by the bench where she had left her stick she quickly retrieved it and rejoined me. "Look, I know you're probably not all to thrilled to be back on the Hawks this year given how the school year ended but I just wanted to say I'm glad you are. I'd miss you if you weren't and no matter what happens, I'm your friend. Just remember that."

"Thanks," I told her. "You're probably going to be the only friend I have on the team this year." I glanced over at where McGill, Ryan Foote, and Mark Murphy were gathered talking. I was surprised not to see Shane with them.

"Forget about them," Alex told me. "They're jerks anyway."

I had to smile at that. There had never been any love loss between Alex and McGill and McGill had started staying away from Alex ever since she had slugged him one time at school. I'm not even sure what he had said that had set her off.

Reilly blew his whistle and try outs began. I tied to put everything that was going on out of my head. Just like when I had first joined the Ducks, I was here to play hockey, nothing else. So what if most of my teammates hated me. The Ducks hadn't exactly liked me that much the first game I played with them. In fact, it had taken awhile for some of them to warm-up to me. I'd simply do my best out on the ice and try to steer clear of them off the ice.

Tryouts were rigorous as always. However, this year I think McGill took pleasure in checking me against the boards. It almost seemed as if the other team was especially out to get me during our scrimmage game but despite that I still managed to score quite a few goals. I knew that if Riley cut me it wasn't going to have anything to do with my skating ability.

When tryouts were over I headed for the locker room and quickly changed out of my gear. I didn't want to hang around the locker room any longer than necessary. As I walked out of the locker room though I found Alex already there leaning up against the wall.

"You're on the team," she told me simply as I walked across the hallway to stand beside her.

"Great," I said a little less enthusiastically than I had meant to.

"Aren't you going to ask what position you play?" she asked.

"I don't really care," I told her. She looked a little hurt by my indifference but she let it go.

"Well, do you want to come over to my house for dinner tonight? I haven't seen you in awhile Adam we have a lot to catch up on."

Dinner at Alex's place certainly sounded much better than dinner at my house. "I'll have to ask my Dad," I told her.

"Then lets go find him," she said and with that started walking down the hallway toward the front entrance of the ice arena. As we approached the lobby I heard faint voices that I recognized.

"We're going to make him regret he came back," I heard McGill saying and I heard a few others agreeing with him.

I knew who the him they were referring to was.

"Guys just let it go," I heard Shane told him.

"No. Look Larson you're either with us or you're not but if you say anything to anyone you're going to regret it," I heard McGill tell him. "So are you in or out?"

"I'm out," I heard Shane say, which surprised me. Shane had always gone along with McGill in everything.

As Alex and I approached the last hallway before the lobby Shane came out of the hallway in front of us. He was still in his hockey gear as he walked by us toward the locker room.

Before Alex or I could say anything though I heard my Dad's voice.

"Nice job out there today son," my dad told me.

"Thanks Dad." I told him trying to act happy. Unfortunately I knew the next question before he even said it.

"Did you make the team?" he asked.

"Yeah, he did," Alex said behind me, speaking up first. Given that I couldn't provide a position, I was thankful for the interruption. "Second line center," she told him.

"Well, that's not too bad," my Dad said even though I could hear the disappointment in his voice. "How did you do Alex?"

"First line center," Alex told him. I was glad to hear that. If it had been McGill who had gotten first line center I would have felt worse about it but I didn't mind losing my position to Alex. Besides, she was good. She deserved it.

"Congratulations," my Dad told her.

"Thank-you, Mr. Banks," Alex said cheerfully.

"Hey Dad, could I go over to Alex's house for dinner tonight. We haven't seen each other in awhile and it isn't a school night."

"Your parents would be okay with it?" my Dad asked Alex.

"Yeah, they won't mind. In fact my Mom has been getting on my case about inviting some of my friends over. She says I need to get back to being a kid."

"Well, then its okay with me," my Dad said much to my relief. "Just call when you're ready to come home and I'll come and get you," he told me.

"Thanks Dad," I told him relieved that I wouldn't have to sit through another dinner at my house tonight.

With that my Dad left he ice arena and headed to where he parked the car. Alex and I followed him out of the building. Mr Paris was parked along the curb waiting for Alex.

"Hi, Dad, look who I convinced to have dinner with us tonight," Alex told him as she climbed into the car beside him.

"Hi, Adam. Long time no see," Mr. Paris told me giving me a smile as I climbed into the back seat of the car.

"Hi Mr. Paris," I told him suddenly feeling shy. I don't know why. I had spent a lot of time over at Alex's house growing up. Sometimes their place felt more like home than my own house did. Still, I hadn't been around them in awhile and I know the family had been through a lot the last year.