A/N : Another chapter! I won't be posting for a while after this. One more exam to go next Wednesday and I'll be traveling home (I'm currently abroad now, attending college) and that'll take almost two weeks so I have to do without internet access for that period of time. But I'll still keep on writing so I can promise everyone at least three or four more chapters by the next time I post. Thanks for the ongoing reviews! Keep them flowing~ =) Ok, here's the next chapter.

Guy's POV

I sat stoning in Adam's room and absently flipped at the pages of my chemistry book, waiting for Julie. I still didn't understand. What was it Connie wanted that I couldn't give? What did I do wrong? Why didn't she want me anymore?

No. I had to stop thinking like this. I was beginning to sound like a wimp. 'Get over it man.. it's over. Get on with your life.' But I couldn't. I don't have a life. She was my life.

I heard chattering down the hall, assuming it was Julie and Adam, I stepped outside. I seriously needed Julie's help with my work. I was finding it harder and harder to keep up, what with all these problems in my mind. I stopped dead at the opening to the lounge. A humungous guy was standing there. He looked as if he could take down both Portman and Fulton at one go. He had longish black hair which hung down to his chin. His black sleeveless shirt revealed an ugly-looking tattoo of a skull on his left arm. He had so many piercings they were everywhere. Nose, tongue, ears, even his cheeks. But the worst thing was, he had Connie wrapped in his arms.

When she saw me, I caught a glint of surprise flash across her face. Then, she slowly, and deliberately gave that big goon a kiss, smack on the lips. The idiot pulled her in roughly for another and started groping her. They looked like desperate animals, trying to swallow each other. I felt sick. But I also saw red.

"Get your hands off her!" I lunged at the guy and aimed a punch at his face. He winced and drew back at the hit. 'I hope he feels the pain that I'm feeling' I thought with satisfaction. The next thing I knew I was dangling two feet off the ground. He threw me across the room and I hit the wall hard. A burning pain seared up my body.

"You better watch it kid. She's my girl. You stay away, you get it? Or I'll kill you," he warned me and left. At the corner of my eye, I saw Connie hesitate then head back to her room without a backward glance. Damn it. I groaned and rolled over. Now my head was feeling dizzy. The front door opened. Julie and Adam stopped mid-laughter when they saw me.

"Oh my god! Guy. What happened?" Julie exclaimed. I felt blood trickling down the side of my mouth.

"We saw a guy storming away just now. Did he do this to you?" Adam asked concernedly. I nodded in reply, only to make my head throb. I felt as if it would burst any moment.

"What was he doing here?"

"Connie was with him."

"WHAT!? Connie? That guy looked like he should be locked up or something. What was she thinking!?" Julie looked shocked, as did Adam.

"Didn't she try to stop him?"

"No," I replied weakly. And as I said it, I felt the greatest pain, even greater than those I could feel all over my body. My heart was aching for the only girl I loved, had turned her back against me.

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Julie's POV
When I saw the hurt look in Guy's eyes I crashed into my room leaving Adam to tend to Guy. I could not believe Connie! She's gone too far this time. I found her lying in bed, pretending to be asleep.

"What -" I punctuated, "do you think you were doing??!?!??" I screamed. She flung the sheets over and sat up.

"Keep out of my business Julie," she said coldly.

"What's gotten into you? Do you know who that guy is? He got kicked out of Eden Hall last year for bashing his own brother! What were you doing with that maniac??" I knew I could probably be heard by everyone in the building but I didn't care. I wanted to knock some senses into her.

"I know perfectly well who I'm going out with," she stood up and leveled with me, eye to eye.

"Did you see what he did to Guy? Why didn't you stop him?" I yelled in her face.

I knew I had struck a sensitive cord. At the mention of Guy, she turned away. "He deserved it. He's just a stupid idiot," she said after a moment's pause, as if to convince herself.

"He punched Chris first. And I don't need him breathing down my neck every second of my life. I'm sick of it. I can do better than him. And.. and.. he can find someone else. It's time he gets a new life," she continued unfeelingly.

Just then Guy walked by the room with Adam supporting him. He cast Connie a hurtful glance but she refused to look at him.

I felt my anger rise up again. "It's you who needs a new life. You're not the Connie I know anymore. You're insane," I spat and left.

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Helen's POV

"You're not concentrating hard enough Helen. You were supposed to go back up to the third bar here-", Mr. Lee stressed, "and then jump straight to the ending from there. Start again from here," my saxophone instructor pointed somewhere on the script.

"At four counts," he said and I glanced panicky at the paper, trying to recall his instructions.

"And ah-one, two, three and four," he tapped. I started playing from a random line.

"Stop, stop, stop! Were you listening to me? I said bar 53, not 63," he scolded.

I couldn't do it. My concentration was shot. I had a huge problem in my hands. There was no way I could go out with Portman. I didn't like him. It would be wrong. I had to tell him. But how? How could I tell him without hurting him? I didn't want to go out with him, but I didn't want to cause trouble as well. I'd been coming up with excuses since yesterday but nothing came to mind. I just wasn't good at lying. He'd see through me. That's it. I'll tell Charlie. He'll help me tell Portman.

Mr. Lee sighed with exasperation again. "I can see we're not going to get this tonight. Pack your things and you may leave. We'll continue next week. And this time, make sure you practice," he said sternly.

I cleaned my saxophone and put it back into the case. I walked back quickly to the dorm. It was quiet, which was surprising, considering that the level of noise the guys were capable of never ceased to tune down until way beyond curfew, or at least not until Mr. Landler, the RA turned up and it was only 9 p.m. They must be out.

I stopped outside Adam's room. I'd apologized to him after what happened that day. He seemed to be feeling much better these few days, but I wanted to make sure all the same. I knocked.

"Come in," a girl's voice called out.

I opened the door to find Julie and Adam sitting on the floor and Guy in Adam's bed. It looked like he'd been in a big fight and that surprised me. Guy was usually so easy-going, he wouldn't pick on fights. He had a large cut down his left cheek and a big bruise on his forehead. I couldn't see properly in the dim lights but it looked like he had a cut on his lip as well. All along his chest were black and blue swollen marks.

"What happened?"

"Some guy Connie was dating threw Guy against the wall," Adam explained.

I winced. "He must be brutal. What's Connie doing with him?"

"Beats me. I better warn you first coz we're both living with a crazy person," Julie said grumpily. I could sense that she and Connie had just finished quarreling. I was determined not to get in the middle of it, though my instincts told me Connie was probably in the wrong. She must be mad to go out with a guy as mean as that, especially one that hurt Guy.

"Don't let my mom know ok? I don't want her to worry. It's nothing, really. Just a bit scratched up, that's all," Guy said to me.

"Yeah.. don't worry. I won't tell." I reassured him.
"We should probably do some work too. You can stay here tonight. I'll let Charlie know I'll be rooming with him. Get a good rest and try not to think about it," Adam said as he and Julie got up.

"I'll tell him. I was just about to find him anyway," I called out. Adam nodded and they both left.

"You ok?" I asked Guy tentatively. I was afraid he would blow up.

"Yeah.. just a little sore," he turned over to face the wall behind him. I took the hint that he didn't want to talk about it.

"Well.. I guess I'll go see if Charlie's back. Take it easy Guy.. see you in the morning." I shut the door behind me quietly.

I knocked softly on Charlie's door. Nobody answered. I opened it slowly. No one. I stepped in and sat on Guy's bed. I glanced through Charlie's side of the room. There were posters of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks adorned on the wall above his table. A pile of books and scraps of paper hid the surface of his table. His cupboard wasn't closed properly so I got up to shut it. As I grabbed the handle, I glanced into the cupboard. They were empty. Strange. Where were his clothes?

I searched under his bed for his suitcase. It was gone. I rummaged around some more for his hockey jerseys. They were his prized possessions. He wouldn't go anywhere without them. I found nothing. I went to his table and saw a note with the words hastily scribbled on :

To : the Ducks and Helen.

I'm sorry. I have to leave. I just found out something and I couldn't bring myself to tell all of you. I'm going to a place where you'll never find me again. I'm ok, but please don't look for me. It's better if no one knows what's happening. Please let my mom know. Tell her not to worry, I'll be better off in another place. Guy, don't give up. She'll come back to you soon. Connie, he's a great guy. You're going to regret it if you don't get back together. Don't fight anymore, and this is an order from your captain. Adam, promise me you'll stay strong. I need you to lead the team. Helen, remember, you're not alone. You have the Ducks with you. Don't keep everything to yourself. To the rest of you guys.. and Julie.. keep the spirit going. Ducks fly together.

Charlie.

I sank to the bed in shock. I felt numb. He'd left us. Charlie was gone. No, I couldn't let him. He couldn't have gone too far yet. I dashed outside. Where would he go? The pond popped into my mind. He wouldn't leave without visiting the pond first. I ran quickly down the street. I must hurry. I couldn't let him run away. Not when I knew I loved him. I saw a lone figure standing at the edge of the pond. To my relief, it was him. Without thinking I ran up to him and hugged him from behind.

"Helen! What are you doing here?" I ignored his question.

"Don't go away Charlie. I won't let you. Tell me what's wrong. I'll help you. You don't have to run away," I cried into his chest as he turned me around.

"Please Charlie.. Don't leave me.. I wanted to tell you. I don't like Portman.. not in that way.. I wasn't thinking.. it just happened in a sudden. I can't go out with him because I'm in love with someone else.. I'm in love with you.." I blurted out and gazed up at him. I could see tears streaming down his face as well. He looked overwhelmed by my words.

"I'm sorry.. I - can't.. it's not right. I.. I have cancer.. I may not live for long.. you deserve better," he said, his voice breaking.

"No! Don't say that.. I don't care if you'll be gone in a month, a week.. or tomorrow.. I love you no matter what happens.. You can't stop me Charlie.. don't.." I told him and I meant every word I said. I couldn't live not knowing what'd happened to him if he ran away.

"You can't love me Helen.. I'll be gone anytime.." but he was smiling both gently and yet sadly at me this time. Then he leaned in closer and closer till I'd lost myself in the green of his eyes. He kissed me softly, tenderly. My arms slide around his neck and I felt his arms encircling my waist, pulling me even closer. Our tears meshed as he kissed me again and again and again.. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world.