Adam's POV

I climbed into the front seat of our minivan ignoring the irritate look on my moms face. We were running late and my apathy wasn't pleasing her. I glanced at the tickets on the dashboard and a peculiar since of déjà vu came over me. Only this time it was far different. I had no desire to go.

It's not that I didn't want to support Cassie. That's not it at all. It's just that seeing Cassie means seeing Caleb and seeing Caleb means boiling over with envy and resentment and I wasn't exactly excited about that. Not to mention the Ducks were having a movie night and that appealing alternative although dangled mercilessly in front of my face, wasn't an option. According to my mother, we had the tickets therefore we were going.

Once we arrived and found our seats I felt the unease begin. Down on the ice was the first couple, Cassie and Caleb. I scowled for a brief moment before checking myself as Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs arrived.

Cassie and Caleb were skating around the rink, warming up. They were talking and laughing. Her smile was so big and carefree it was hard for me to resent it. I would smile for a moment and then realize who was making her so happy.

The announcer called out their names and the routine began. They moved about the rink fluidly to salsa music. The whole thing was so sensual it nauseated me. They would spin and then pull together into an embrace. He would grasp her upper thigh in, ugh, sniff her neck? Totally unnecessary! Yuck! My mom must have noticed the look on my face because she elbowed me none to kindly. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

Eventually I took up a chant in my mind and read the advertisements lining the rink. 'It's almost done, it's almost done, it's almost done, pizza palace, it's almost done it's almost done, it's almost done, KCMS Radio, it's almost done. And eventually the routine came to an end. I made the mistake of looking down at the two skaters. They were holding hands and smiling crazily. And then, I couldn't believe it I swear I'll kill that boy, he kissed Cassie's cheek. I had to pull myself together so I excused myself to the restroom. Once out of the seating arena I found I wasn't hungry and I didn't have to use the bathroom, so I began to walk. I walked around the stadium three times when I ran into my mom.

"Adam where on earth have you been?" she demanded.

I frowned and took a deep breath.

"Walking. Around," I snipped. She stood to her full height and based on the way she put her hands on those hips I knew what was coming.

"Adam Martin Banks you listen up and you listen well. I don't care how badly you are suffering from a case op the greens you had better overcome it and you'd better do it quick. We are here to support…" and thus it went. I'm not quite sure what she'd said after that because to be honest I didn't care. She'd spent the money against my will and she dragged me out here, and she was going to get what she gets.

Now what I didn't realize was that I'd spoken my thoughts out loud. I didn't know my moms face could get that red.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I pleaded with her, but she wouldn't hear it.

"Young man we are going back to our seats and we are going to courteously watch the remainder of the show and then we are going home. And you know what? After that you are grounded!"

"But mom!" I tried to reason, but she wouldn't hear of it.

"You will wake up, go to hockey and come straight home. You will then do whatever I happen to think up, or you will sit in you room pondering why your behavior is so unacceptable!"

With that the woman who held my freedom at will turned and stormed towards our seats. I meekly followed, faking a smile at Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs as I went.

Cassie's POV

I sat nervously next to Caleb fidgeting with my skirt. I couldn't believe it. So far no one had topped our score. My foot began to bounce nervously and I had to work really hard to hold still.

"We might actually do this Caleb!" I squealed quietly into his ear. He grinned and squeezed my hand. He was twitching nearly as much as I was. I reached over to our basket of favors and pulled out a piece of chocolate. I was just about to take a bite when Caleb grabbed my wrist.

"Don't do that. You don't need that," he said in all seriousness. I pouted, but complied. Tonight after I was out from under his watchful eye I'd have all the chocolate my heart desired. Mom had made good sure of that, there was two fresh batches of brownies waiting on the counter at home.

The last couple was just announced and I felt my heart drop. I'd heard of these two. They were amazing. They'd actually gone to the Goodwill games last year, and won! Dread filled my stomach as they flawlessly played out their routine. And then it happened, the guy lifted his partner up for a hold and she lost her grip flipping to the ice. She jumped up and wasn't harmed, but their score would be.

I peeked to my right to see Caleb grinning broadly.

"You know what this means right?" he asked. Excitement began to build in me until I could barely hold it in, but of course Caleb would manage a way to deflate that.

"If I was Frank I'd find a new partner. That was a stupid mistake. You would never break a hold like that." My heart sunk as I felt the pressure of his words. Does that mean if I ever made a mistake he'd drop me? Just like that? No. I brushed the thought away and focused on the now. The performers score was being revealed and…we'd done it. I jumped up in delight and hugged Caleb. We leapt onto our bench and waved at the crowd. We'd dome it! I can't believe it we've won!

Later after we'd been awarded the gold medal and introduced to our manager for the Goodwill Games we went to meet our friends and family. Adam and his family were amongst them. He was smiling, but I could tell it was false. I pried my hand free of Caleb's grip and pulled Adam aside.

"What's wrong?" I inquired. He looked down at his shoes and seemed to be grasping for a reply.

"I'm proud of you," he began, but I gave him a skeptical look that hopefully said 'don't change the topic you nit-wit'. He seemed to get the message.

"I've just had a rough day. No big deal," he seemed to be dancing around the real reason.

"Well maybe some brownies can fix that? We're having a celebration party at my house tonight. You could come." There. I'd done it. But it didn't seem to help. The thin line of resolution on his face faded into a look of hurt before he pulled it back together.

"I'm sorry Cass. I can't," he began before cutting himself off with a laugh of disgust. "I'm grounded." He once again played a staring game with his shoe laces. Before I could reply Caleb grabbed my arm and ushered me back to the crowd.

"Don't let him spoil your night Cass. This is supposed to be happy." It shocked me how much I hated Caleb right then. Something was wrong with Adam and I intended to find out what.