Chapter 8: Igniting the Fuse I by Victory Thru Tears

Adam's POV

"Banksie… Banksie, come on…" I brush away whatever is tickling my face, keeping my eyes closed.

"Banksie, you look adorable when you sleep, but it's almost time for the show."

I'm awake enough to recognize the voice. I open my eyes and see Charlie's face right in mine. He's lying over my bed sheets, almost on top of me, and blowing on my face softly. I can't help but smile.

"What time is it?" I ask groggily, turning my head to look at the alarm clock. His face is in the way.

"It's already nine."

"You let me sleep for three hours?" I prop myself up on my elbows, now nose to nose with him.

"You told me to wake you up right before the fireworks, you didn't specify a time…" Charlie's not moving from his spot on my bed.

I make a groaning noise and attempt to push him off. He obliges, giving me a charming smile. I take off my blankets and try to stand up, and then quickly get back into my bed. I've forgotten that I am half-naked. I'm definitely coming down with some sort of illness, or else my dorm room had been 100 degrees when I started my nap. Whichever it is, I had stripped down to my boxer shorts before sleeping, and now I am sorely paying the price.

Charlie's standing in the middle of my room with his arms crossed, a grin on his face.

"What's wrong, sweet-ums?" he asks innocently.

I stare at him. He's seen me get dressed before, even seen me shower after games, but never so… one on one.

"Fine, I'll turn around if that's what you want." He reluctantly turns his back to me, and I get out of bed once again. I can hear him snickering as I realize that there is no way for me to get to any clothes without passing him.

"Alright, alright," I mutter, pushing past him.

"You know, Banksie, I never realized just how nice your legs really are," he comments as I cautiously a pair of pants out of my dresser.

"Oh yes, and blue plaid—a conservative but sexy choice!" I stand up, grabbing a shirt out of the closet.

"And that butt… Mmm!" I jump as he pinches my rear end.

"Don't do that!" I hiss. "Where's Luis?"

"Already down by the pond with his girlfriend," Charlie says, sliding his arm around my waist. His hand is freezing against my skin, which is still warm from my bed. "And yes, the door is locked."

I relax, now that I know we're safe. He tenderly kisses the tip of my nose, and I playfully shove him away.

"Aw, come on… we're finally alone!" he says light-heartedly. I shake my head, still smiling. I quickly pull on my pants and shirt.

"We're going to miss the fireworks, that's what we are," I tell him, taking his hand and pulling him out of my room. Charlie makes the dejected noise that he so often makes, and follows me.

Today is the 100-year anniversary of the founding of Eden Hall Academy. To give us a treat, classes had been shortened and our practice had been canceled earlier in the day. We're now headed down to the pond, where there is to be a fireworks display. I'd spent the day with the Ducks, rollerblading around town and visiting our old haunts. After dinner I'd felt a bit under the weather, and decided to take a nap. Charlie had promised to wake me up before the festivities began.

I let go of him as soon as we leave the dormitory building, but he still lets his hand brush against mine occasionally. My face falls as Linda runs up to us. She jumps into Charlie's arms and moves her head to kiss him. He meets my eyes, and quickly turns so that her lips touch his cheek.

It enrages me that he's still with her. I've talked to him about it, but he insists that he can't dump her right after kissing her… he's too nice of a guy to lead her on like that. He assures me that they're only officially together, and that he hasn't kissed her or anything since the game. I'm not sure if I believe it. He also broke down and confessed that he was only with her to make me jealous. Well, it worked! I am still jealous. Can't he let go of the scheme already?

"Hey Adam," Linda turns to me, a grin on her face. She looks like a rat, if you ask me.

I grunt an answer. She doesn't seem to notice my unhappiness.

"Let's go find a place to sit, Charlie." She takes his hand—the hand that I had just been holding—and starts to lead him away.

"Oh, um… Linda, I'm really sorry, but the Dean said that the Ducks all have to sit together." Leave it to Charlie to still end up looking like a nice guy.

Her brow furrows in confusion, and she looks at me. I nod fervently, and she sighs.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later then." She hugs him quickly, and then runs off to find her activist friends. I almost expect to see a slimy tail attached to her behind.

"Good save or what?" Charlie asks me, smiling. I give a half-hearted grin, and we walk off to find a slightly secluded spot.

The sky is basked in red and blue light. Charlie's hand is caressing the back of mine, and there's nobody within at least twenty feet of us. Charlie occasionally kisses my cheek, and every time he does I check around to make sure that nobody is watching. The area around the lake is dark, but one can never be too sure. Charlie leans towards me, his breath hot on my cheek.

"Adam," he whispers into my ear.

He never uses my first name. It's eerie for me to hear it, and I turn to look at him.

"I was just thinking… do you think it's time for us to tell the Ducks?"

I've been dreading this conversation. I'd made lame excuses in the past, but something tells me that this time it's different.

"Adam, it's been almost three years."

"I know," I whisper, not meeting his eyes.

"They'll understand."

I shrug my shoulders.

"Adam, please. I love you. What's so bad about them knowing that?"

I look up at him. This isn't the first time he's said those three meaningful words, but I feel myself giving in.

"Okay." I say softly. "We'll tell them."

"I love you," He says again. The words come out so confidently. Every time I say it, my voice wavers and my mouth gets dry. On a rare impulse, I lean forward and kiss him. I hear a loud explosion, and open my eyes to see Charlie's face bathed in colorful light.

Then I see Fulton.

He's fairly far away from us, but there's a small smile on his face. A smile that shows me that he's seen everything. He's standing right next to Portman, who is still fixated on the display in the sky. Somebody knows now, and it's the Bash Brothers of all people. There's no way we're telling the Ducks. I jump out of Charlie's embrace and start to run away from him. I can hear him yelling behind me, but I continue running.