Please note: This is my first fic, period. I'm going to try and make it a good one, but please bear with me. Also, I have been influenced by other writers, and may use some of the same topics, but the plot ideas are all my own. -§teph

This story takes place after the first year of Eden Hall. They will have turned sixteen.

AN: I would like to thank Victory Thru Tears. She's the greatest…all-in-all. =] taaaaank-ooooo

Charlie's POV

I yawned. The day had drawn on forever. I counted the classes off 'til lunch, just like I used to. I slipped casually into the seat next to Adam, my hand brushing his discretely. I wanted to tell them, I wanted them to know. I hated keeping it a secret. I wanted to jump on the table, and scream it out loud. I wanted the world to know.

He looked at me, smiled and went on eating his food. I'd nearly lost control that morning. It just felt right. I'm glad he stopped me, though. He was right, as always. I ate my food, not being able to wait until school was over. We had practice, right after school.

Lunch ended, and we hurried back to class.

The classes drilled onward, I was so bored. Every other second, it seemed I was looking at the clock. Never in my life has a day of school been so monotonous. I yawned, my oculars growing heavy. I felt myself falling into the wonderful, lulling journey of sleep, when there was a rapping on my desk.
"Mister Conway."

Half-asleep, I looked up at her, my eyes barely opening. "That's Spazway to you."

The class erupted with murmurs and stifled giggles. The teacher, a burly 'trans'-looking woman, with an athletic build, a deep voice, broad shoulders, and a violent glare, stood up straight, frowning deeply. "Charlie, are you aware that you were asleep in my class?"

I yawned, looking at the clock. "I am aware that you woke me up, in your class."

With that, the mumbles grew louder, and all eyes were on me. "Do you realize what you're getting yourself into, Charlie?"

"Nope. Realization's a tricky thing…"

She glared, the class watched, and I smiled. She moved on, continuing the lecture and I blew out a grateful breath of air, silently, of course. "Just because you've got games to win, Charlie. Don't try your luck again."

I smiled, and blew her a kiss. "Uh! I wouldn't dream of it."

The class exploded with laughter, and the teacher marched up to me, the floor vibration brutally. I grinned, looking up at her. "Quack?"

She gritted her teeth, her expression that of extreme self-control. I couldn't tell if she wanted to slap me, or to laugh with the rest of the class. I tilted my head, making an attempt to look innocent. "Detention. After practice. We can't have you loosing your edge on the ice…but I will not tolerate it here in class."

I feigned surprise, looking at her with mock-hurt. "Ouch…This is one wounded duck"

She glared, moving back to the front of the class. It finally ended, and we filed out.

_________________________________________________________________________

I met up with Adam at practice, who gave me a grin. I cocked an eyebrow, smiling.

"So, I hear you've taken to flirting with our teachers?"

I grinned, blowing him a kiss like I had the teacher, after making sure no one was looking. "You know you're the only one for me, though."

His expression fell, to a look of shock. He was looking right through me, and I turned around. There I stood, face-to-face with Dwayne. He tilted his own head, and I stepped back, barely missing Adam's foot.

"Well-well, fellers."

Adam and I exchanged glances, and I decided to play it casual. "Hey Dwayne."

"Yeah, hi," Adam contributed before gearing up.

"I dun wanna confront you boys, but what was that, just now?"

I smiled, blowing him a kiss. "I was telling him a story, about how I pissed off Mrs. Mortigan." I covered.

He made a face, and then smiled. "Ah heard 'bout that too. Funny, Charlie…"

"Bye cowboy."

He left to go change, and I heard Adam sigh with relief. I sighed too, though not with relief. I felt sort of dejected, that Adam didn't want to tell everyone, like me. I couldn't expect him to, though. That wouldn't be fair.

By the time everyone was ready, word seemed to have spread around about me blowing kisses to everyone. I swallowed, nervously. Fulton skated by me during warm-up, making horrendous kissing noises with his mouth. I didn't protest, I'd asked for it, in fact, by being so open with Adam.

I heard incomprehensible whispers from my fellow teammates.

Practice ended.

In the locker room, I was confronted. Adam changed quickly, surveying the scene.

"Conway." A greeting from Averman.

"Hey, Captain Duck, you wanna indulge us with your blowing kisses?" Came Goldberg's comments.

"Yeah, Charlie…We're all curious," Connie confirmed.

I shot Julie a look, and she shrugged. I knew she hadn't told anyone.

"Just a joke, guys." I concluded their thoughts.

"That's too bad, Spazway," This was getting interesting.

Dwayne stepped forward. "He blew me a kiss, and Banks."

All eyes shifted to Banks. I widened my eyes. Uh oh…not good. I thought.

"I said it was a joke," I repeated.

The team obviously still had their suspicions, but I went on dressing, and soon enough the conversation went on to other topics. I cast Adam a look, and he looked away. This would drive him further into the coward's path. I shook my head.

The rumors would start, now.