Author's Note: FAQ: Vic and Star, why can't you ever just make your characters happy?

Their response: If we did, where would be the plot?

Vic dedicates this chapter to Pancho Villa.

Chapter Two: Not Always Sunshine

By Victory Thru Tears

Guy's POV

Luis looks up at me and glares. I glare back, grabbing a box and heading for the door. My mom and little sister are going to be waiting outside for me in about an hour, but I'm trying to get all of my stuff out of the room as fast as possible. I don't want to be stuck with this snake for any longer than possible.

All too late I see Luis' foot shoot out in front of me. Luckily all I do is launch forward and hit the door. I taste the bitter metallic flavor of blood on my lip, and hold up a finger to check. Yeah, it's bleeding. I drop the box of clothes in my arms, and it thuds to the ground. Without thinking of the consequences, I lunge at the Hispanic boy in front of me. He steps aside, a smirk on his smarmy face. I catch myself before falling headlong onto the floor. He snickers, so I regain my composure and whirl around to strike him in the face. His nose makes a sickening cracking noise, and blood immediately starts to flow. His dark eyes narrow and he slowly straightens up.

We stalk around the room, glaring at each other.

Suddenly it occurs to me that we're circling. We're like 2 lions in a ring or something.

This thought makes me picture Luis with a mane of golden fur. Then the image of him starts dancing and singing "Just Can't Wait to be King" from the Lion King.

It's all too much. The glare drops from my face as I double over, laughing. What's with me? Did I accidentally take some of Adam's painkillers?

Luis looks at me, extremely confused.

I straighten up, still chuckling.

"Forget it." I say. "I may despise you, but it's no use fighting. It's summer break and I don't even have to se you for another three months. I don't feel like going home in pieces, and I'm sure you don't either."

Luis nods, but the fierce look barely fades from his eyes. I smile at him, though also insincere. He forces a grin onto his face.

I pick up my box from the floor again, and head for the door.

"I'll see you in August." I call over my shoulder.

"Yup, see ya." He closes the door even before I'm fully out of the room.

I whistle as I step down onto the street. All my boxes are in a small cluster, so I set the last one in the middle. I wipe my lip with the hem of my shirt to get the blood off. My mom would freak if she knew I was getting into fights.

I look around, searching the small crowds around the roads for any of my friends. I sit down on the curb, seeing no one. I'm not sure who I'm looking for, anyway. The Queertet's all gone, so are Taz and Maya. Julie left for Bangor this morning. I sigh wistfully to myself, thinking of my girlfriend. I won't see her for two months and three weeks, which really sucks. If only she lived in Minnesota. Last summer, Connie and I met almost everyday. It was easy, since she's in Minneapolis and I'm in St. Paul. Man, we have the greatest time just rollerblading around the cities. She loves this one park, we always go there and watch the birds, as dumb as it sounds. She gets the cutest look when –

I look around guiltily. I should not be thinking about Connie, especially not in present tense. It's a good thing no one can read my mind, really, I –

"Guy."

I jump at the sound of her voice behind me. I turn around slowly, looking up at her.

Connie holds out a plastic bag, looking timid. I don't think we've spoken since our break up, let alone since she found out about Julie and me.

"Hey, what's up?" I quickly slap on my 'suave' persona, and give her a casual grin.

"I, uh, had this stuff lying around my room." She holds out the bag. I take it from her to look inside. There are at least three of my shirts, a pair of…pants…and some…boxers?? They're definitely mine, too. I'm kind of curious to know how I left my boxers and pants in her room…what did I wear when I left?

"I was going to get Julie to give it to you, but I uh, didn't think she'd take too kindly to it." Connie says, somewhat meekly.

I nod, definitely agreeing with her. I can just imagine the look on Julie's face if she got a bag of my undergarments from Connie.

My ex-girlfriend turns away to leave, and for some reason I call out and tell her to stay.

She looks at me, a million different emotions in her eyes. I pretend not to notice and pat the space next to me on the curb. She reluctantly sits down.

"So what are your plans for the summer?" I really wonder where I'm getting the edge to have a conversation with her.

She shrugs. "Training for hockey. I'm think I'm going out for Varsity next year."

I nod, staying silent. I never though I'd see the day that the Ducks voluntarily tried to stay apart. It's pathetic that this all came from Charlie and Adam's relationship. People are supposed to be happy when a couple is in love, not try to drive them to insanity.

"Yeah, Varsity. Whoo, Varsity." I say, clearing my throat. She gives me an odd look. I only "whoo" things when I'm uncomfortable, and she knows it. Connie knows all my secrets.

After a few minutes of silence, Connie speaks again. "So what are you doing this summer?"

I almost say 'Sitting and waiting for Julie to come home', but realize who I'm talking to. Mentioning Julie is not a good idea.

"Uh, nothing that I can think of. Probably the same thing as you." I answer.

She nods, looking thoughtful. "I…I feel bad about the Ducks."

I don't look up at her after she says it. I'm not sure what kind of reaction she's expecting. So I nod. Nodding is good, a nice neutral response.

"I mean, before we always used to hang out together. I don't think a week went by that we didn't get together for a game of pick-up." She continues.

Now that she mentions it, it's true. This will be the first summer that we're actually truly apart. Before we just used to miss pieces here and there: Portman in Chicago, Luis in Miami, Dwayne in Texas, Julie in Maine, Ken and Russ in California…but all of them visited at one time or another. Ken stayed with me for two weeks last summer, actually, and Julie stayed with Connie at the same time. But somehow I doubt that the latter will be happening this year.

Damn it. Every once in awhile I realize what I've done…I broke up two best friends. Connie and Julie were inseparable until around December, when I 'happened'. After breaking up with Connie, she and Jules grew apart. Then Cat and I started going out, and she and Connie broke off relations entirely. I feel so guilty. I mean, damn it. I know how jealous Connie gets, I'm the same way. I used to steam at the ears when Dwayne even talked to her.

I almost groan out loud when I realize something else…I also lost my own best friend. Connie and I were together for years, everyone knows that…but we were best friends for even longer. I'll never forget the day I met her, the first day of kindergarten. It was back when I lived in Minneapolis, I moved to St. Paul in early fifth grade, and stopped going to school with her and Charlie. The day I met her, she tried to hit Charlie over the head with her backpack, but missed and hit me. I yelled at her and pushed her down, so she did the same to me. The teacher actually physically sat us in a corner and made us learn to be friends. That day at lunch we shared a sandwich, as mine had gotten 'smushed' in the scuffle.

It's a cheesy story, really. But it shows you how long Charlie, Connie, and I have known each other, and how much this whole ordeal has been killing the three of us. It's ridiculous! How can we dissipate nine years of friendship over this? And I don't just mean Connie and me, I mean her and Charlie too. I'm making it my mission to get us back to being close this summer.

"Connie, you're not going anywhere this summer or doing anything important?" I ask.

She gives me a funny look. "Didn't I just say that?"

I blush. "Oh yeah. Anyway, what I was going to say, why don't you give me a call to hang out sometime?"

"Huh?" She doesn't even try to mask the shock.

"Or I can call you. Either way, let's not let our ties sever." Ties sever? Where did I come up with that?

"I…guess…" She looks uncertain, but the gleam in her eyes shows me that she's eager to spend time with me. I'm going to disregard it as a look meaning that she wants to get our friendship back.

Right then, I spot my mom driving up. My little sister Genevieve is in the seat next to her, bouncing up and down. I grin. I haven't seen Ginny since Christmas. They stop, and both hop out of the car at the same time. But to my surprise, Ginny runs towards Connie, who wraps her up into a big hug. After loosening her embrace on me, my mother grins at my ex-girlfriend.

"Hello there Connie, dear! How are you?"

Connie grins, and the two proceed to make small talk, with my five-year-old sister bouncing up and down, clutching Connie's hand. Connie knows my family almost as well as I do. Hell, she might even know them better.

After a good ten minutes, their talking winds down.

"Well, we should probably get going." My mom says, prying Ginny away from Connie. "But please dear, stop by the house sometime this summer." My eyes widen. It's not a big deal, because I've just invited Connie myself, but what is she doing? She knows we've broken up, and she even knows about Julie! Is she trying to sabotage me?

"Ok, Mrs. Germaine." Connie blushes, and I have to grin.

"Since when did I become Mrs. Germaine? You've been calling me Auntie Grace since you were in second grade. Please, don't stop now." I think I'm going to hit my mom when we get in the car.

"Ok." She laughs.

"Bye Cons." I grin. She waves, and my family and I pile into the car. My mother rolls down the window as soon as she's stepped in.

"Your mother is coming, right dear?"

Connie nods and points in the direction of the school gates. "Yeah, she's right there."

"Oh, ok! Well then, please tell her I said hi. Maybe one day if I bring Guy over we can go shopping!" Yes Mom, that's nice Mom, let's go Mom!

"Of course. Bye Mrs…I mean, Auntie Grace." Connie flashes us one more smile and we slowly start to drive away.

I let out a breath of air. All that conversation succeeded in doing was make me feel even more guilty.

"Connie's such a nice girl." My mother comments. Ginny squeals in agreement. She's like a miniature Taz…or maybe Taz is just really strange, and has the maturity of a 5 year old.

"Yeah, I know." I answer. I don't want to have this conversation with her.

"You shouldn't have broken up with- "

"JESUS CHRIST MOM, WILL YOU STOP IT? IT'S MY LIFE!"

Ginny immediately starts wailing, and I regret raising my voice. My mother looks put off, but doesn't yell back.

"Comfort your sister." She says softly from the front seat.

I sigh and reach for Ginny. She pushes me away, still screaming.

"I WANT CONNIE!!" She screams.

And I was looking forward to summer vacation?