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.

Ken's POV

I stood back in the locker room, as the team gave Charlie the third degree. I was normally quiet, so no one suspected anything when I disassociated myself from the conversation. I changed quickly, watching Charlie and Adam. The rumors would start, about them. Mostly Charlie, anyway.

I knew that Charlie and Adam were…well, different. I'd known for a while, now. Ever since I'd followed them on our very first day in Eden Hall.

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[-flashback ripple thingy-]

"Charlie, do you know where we're going?" Banks whined.

"No, Adam. I haven't the slightest clue. I think we're lost."

I cowered in the brush. I figured they could lead me to where we needed to be.

They looked around, considering themselves alone. "Y'know Adam, it's been a while since we've had a real…conversation." The tone of his voice was really strange, seductive, almost.

Adam shot him a glance, uptight, obviously. "We're in public, Charlie."

"So?"

"So! People would see." He lowered his voice, realizing that he was being rather loud. "Our language is…different than most people's."

I raised my eyebrows, only now suspecting something. I wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree, after all.

"Adam…it's been so long."

"Well, you can wait."

"What if I can't?" Charlie was moving towards Adam, now.

"Charlie…" Adam warned.

"Oh, Adam…please?"

I was taken aback. I tried to process the entire scene that unfolded before my very eyes, but my brain was on overload. Eww…was my initial reaction, then I got used to the idea, and wondered why I hadn't noticed sooner.

"Do you really want to make this general knowledge?" Adam frowned.

"As long as I'm with you it doesn't matter." Charlie had Adam against the wall. Adam didn't seem to mind this, but he was obviously tense.

"I guess it has been a long time…" Adam caved.

Charlie leaned forward and shrouded Adam from my view. I gathered that they were kissing or something, since I couldn't see. They parted quickly, and Adam looked as if he had died and gone to heaven. Charlie had his back to me, so I couldn't see him. "I'm glad you're seeing things my way, Cake-Eater."

I was kind of in shock, so it surprised me when they started walking back towards the school. I followed diligently, and they leaded me to the cafeteria, as planned.

[-fades to present-]

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I was okay with their situation. Really, I was. Maybe I was too okay with it. Oh, here I go, doubting myself again. I'd been attracted to Adam since about a week into the Goodwill Games. If it hadn't been for Charlie, I would have made my move. But when I found out that Charlie and Adam were an item, I backed off.

The locker room emptied more swiftly than usual, and I was one of the last to leave. My admiring glances towards Adam had gone unnoticed for so long, that I lost myself sometimes. Adam seemed content with Charlie, from what I could see. I was really jealous. Charlie…

Charlie and I had never hit it off, and the fact that he and Adam were 'together' never made things easier. I was jealous, plain and simple. It was hard for me to stay calm around them. I wanted to be near Adam, but I never got up the nerve to risk it around Charlie. He'd catch on if I did.

I walked with Dwayne, and Russ. I didn't participate in their conversation, but I listened.

"Charlie gets weirder 'n' weirder ev'ry day." Dwayne contributed.

"Yeh, ah know, man. That blowin' kisses thing, real strange." Russ spoke.

They both looked at me, concluding that I had nothing to say and continued.

"That ain't the first time he done weird stuff."

I strained to listen to every word.

"Really, Dwayne?"

"Yeah. He looks at Adam weird sometimes. Like…differ'nt."

"Maybe it's 'cause dey best buds?"

"I dun think so, Russle."

"Don't call me that, cowpoke." He snapped. "What you mean, den?"

"I think...oh, never mind."

He'd caught Russ's attention and he wouldn't shake him off that easy. "You mean, you think Ducky'n'Banskie are more than friends?"

"That'd be what I was getting' at, tadpole."

"Will you stop with those stupid nicknames?" Russ snarled. I poked through, standing in the middle of them as they walked. Dwayne had to walk slowly, since Russ and I were kind of short, and had short legs to go along with that. Russ continued, "You mean ta say that Charlie…and Banks. No way! That's…weird, man!"

"What did I tell you? They been really weird, I said!"

"Not weird enough to be gay, dough…right?"

"I think it's possible, boys."

I studied each of their expressions. Dwayne seemed undaunted by it, and Russ seemed…well, it was hard to tell. Russ was always crass, and his expression reflected it. He looked kind of neutral, if anything. I finally chimed in.

"There's nothing wrong with a little team romance…" The comment alone summoned odd gazes from each of my companions. Oops…