"You should go back to your room; you'll never get your homework done
here." I replied getting off the floor and looking down at the mess of
papers we had scattered across the floor. So much for Friday Night study
jam . . .
Josie whined. "But, you have a half hour until practice!" She pouted, giving her puppy eyes the best chance they got. As much as I loved her, and as much as those eyes were adorable, I knew I had to talk to Charlie.
I sighed. "Yes, I know. But I should sort things out with Captain Duck before practice."
"Ooh. . ." She replied, gathering up what she thought were her notes. "Well in that case I should go." She looked up at me and blinked. "Unless you want me to stay here . . ."
"You just don't want to go to your haunted room!" I replied mocking her. "Go! Get out of here. I need you rested and well for tomorrow's game."
She narrowed her eyes. "I need to be rested? You do too! I heard the Mud Dogs are brutal." She smirked, grabbing her backpack and trudging toward the door, which Averman opened as he walked into our shared dorm. "Rest up boys! Bye Adam! Les." She waved at me and acknowledged Averman's presence with a nod.
I smiled and waved back and looked over at Averman who was gagging by the time he reached his bed, where he collapsed.
"Gag me!" He pretended to choke out as he flipped onto his back. "You two are like two prefect people, who will end up married in the perfect ceremony and have the perfect 2.25 children and a dog, living in a house with a perfect white picket fence and shutters."
I rolled my eyes. "I am not perfect and Josie isn't either." I scoffed as I walked into the washroom and frowned at my appearance. I looked like I just rolled out of bed.
He rolled his eyes. "Put her in a cheerleading uniform and you would be the stereotypical jock couple who end up with jock kids who play football in the fall, hockey in the winter and America's sport, baseball in the summer." He clapped his hands against his cheeks. "Ain't that swell?!"
"Averman, you need a girlfriend." I replied as I pulled my shirt down and frowned. The wrinkles were practically etched into the fabric. I pulled it again. "And Josie would rather live with Erica than wear a cheerleading uniform and you know that."
Averman I heard him grumble as he walked toward the washroom and leaned against the doorframe. "I thought we went over this. I am a nerd. You are a jock. It is almost exactly one hundred times easier for you to get a date dressed in a potato sack, than me to get a date wearing a tuxedo."
I gave up on my shirt and pulled a comb through my hair. I frowned. It wouldn't stop sticking in all directions. Fate was making me look like I had spend the last half hour making out with my girlfriend instead of telling her something that would break her heart, yet possibly save our relationship and fix the rough time (which was about 24 hours and counting) one of my best friends was having with me. Not that I hadn't been doing that. "And we have gone over this one hundred and one times! You are not a nerd. You just haven't found the right girl."
His eyes rolled as he took off his glasses and rubbed one of the lenses in his shirt. "And let me guess; you have." He sighed as he replaced his glasses on his face. "There is no right and wrong girl. Love is like a house of cards. It's how you're cards are played. You have been given a killer hand; a raw deal; and it turns out that in your hand that you get Josie, right? However, one false move and the whole house of cards fall all around you and either you or Josie are left to pick up the pieces."
I blinked and turned toward him. "What!" How could he know? I took a quick breath. Charlie must've told; that two-timing, double-crossing liar! I hope God really down strike him dead!
"However me on the other hand, I have been given the worse hand ever. I couldn't win if everyone else lost!" He shook his head. "I'm no good with metaphors. I don't even like cards." He replied walking away from the door. "You're leaving?"
I swallowed. Was that just a lucky guess? Must've been. "Yeah, going to go talk to Charlie."
"Good luck with that." He replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"What does that mean?" I replied putting a little bit of gel in my hair, figuring it ought to do the trick to keep it in place. I smiled at my reflection and walked out of the washroom and looked at him lounging on his bed with a novel rested on his chest.
"It means the only person who's seen him since he went into his room is Guy." Averman shrugged. "But whatever. Maybe he's just waiting for you to apologize or something."
I grabbed a clean T-shirt off the foot of my bed and tossed off my wrinkled polo and slipped on the shirt. "Maybe."
My roommate nodded, flipped open the book and began reading. "Yeah, I'm going to stay here, so you don't need to take your key. Stupid book." He frowned.
I licked my lips and opened the door. "Thanks Averman."
"God speed." He replied sarcastically as I stepped out into the hall.
I looked down the hall both ways thinking that maybe Averman was pulling my leg and Charlie was actually making mischief with the Bash Brothers or studying with Charlotte and Kenny or maybe even cracking jokes with Goldberg, but no such luck. I crossed the hall to his room that he shared with Guy and swiftly knocked on the wooden door.
The door opened a crack and Guy quickly slipped out closing the door behind him before I could even say anything. "Banksie." He whispered, almost so I couldn't hear him.
"Germaine." I replied at regular room volume. "What's up with you?"
He shushed me angrily. "I don't want Charlie to know it's you. He'll start ranting again."
I smirked. "Ranting?"
"Shush!" He frowned bringing a finger to his lips and looking back at the closed door that had been decorated with hockey memorabilia and ticket stubs from some of the games we had gone to over the last couple years.
"Ranting?" I replied this time whispering as Guy had asked me. This was completely stupid, but I would just go with it.
He nodded. "Yes, ranting. And at the rate he's at he won't have any pictures of you left when you too finally can talk to each other without pummeling each other with insults." He shot back angrily. "I've had to hide the pictures from the Goodwill Games and my yearbook!"
I blinked. "He's tearing up my pictures?"
"No. He's throwing darts at them." He shrugged running a hand nervously through his hair.
"Oh. . ." I swallowed, rubbing my neck that seemed to burn. "Well at least he's taking out his anger on objects rather than people . . ." I mumbled exhaling the breath I had been holding.
Guy nodded. "That's true. Wow . . . I've been looking for the bright side for a while now . . ." He eyed my carefully as he realized I wasn't agreeing with him enthusiastically. "Come on, let's leave Captain 'I want Banksie's Blood' on his own for a while." He suggested tossing his arm over my shoulder, guiding me away from his room and patting his pocket making sure he had his key.
I blinked. "Don't you have something with Connie or something?"
He sighed. "Break-up number two this month."
"Reason?"
He laughed. "Convinced I've been checking out Julie. I swear she's crazy."
"Have you been?"
"No!" He yelped. "Why is she worried about me? I should be worried about her with Mendoza floating around and Varsity and those track guys watching her while she's running!"
I smirked. "I wouldn't worry about Mendoza; he's been seeing that exchange student from Austria-"
"Australia." He corrected quickly.
"Right, Australia." I shook my head. Why did I always mess that up? "And Varsity and the track guys are watching Cons because she's either running really fast or falling on her face."
Guy flinched and dropped his arm from my shoulders. "Yeah. I'm not sure why she keeps falling like that." He shook his head. "Anyways, she broke up with me over a glance at Julie in math, but don't worry. 'Connie and Guy' will be back together by the game tomorrow, it's almost like clockwork." He stopped and turned to me. "Hey, why don't you and Josie come with us? You guys would take off the post-break-up tension. What do you guys do after games and stuff?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm usually tired after games. We usually sit somewhere on the grounds and talk after we celebrate with the team." I smirked. "We don't plan things. The only things that are set in stone are my practices and games and her time in the dark room which are Sunday mornings, while I'm sleeping off the games."
"Oh . . ." Guy frowned. "Well you guys should come anyways. I know you want to." By now we had reached the outside which was starting to de-thaw from the winter's grip on it. I pulled my jacket tight around me. It was still cold.
I laughed. "You know I want to what? The only thing I want to do right now is talk to Charlie so he isn't pissed at me during the game tomorrow."
He looked back at the dormitory as we began to cross the grounds. "I wouldn't go in there. You'd end up with a dart in an uncomfortable place."
I blinked. "Huh?"
Guy shrugged. "He was mumbling something when he was taking the darts from your face. I think it was 'I hope he does loose his manhood' or something. He would also mumble things like 'pompous preppy powder puff'.
I blinked. "I'm so glad I tutored him in alliteration last semester . . ."
Guy frowned. "Yeah, and I'm just bouncing off the walls that I taught him how to properly play darts."
I looked over at Guy. "Let's say we don't teach him anything for a while."
"Deal." He nodded and looked ahead. I don't think he was all the sure where we were going either.
I licked my lips. "It's cold."
He nodded. "Yeah, well I'd rather be cold than having darts tossed past me in all directions. Not to mention Charlie gets weird after he realizes how dumb he's been."
"What does he do?" I laughed.
"Cleans everything." Guy shrugged. "And normally it would be great because after months of living in the mess we call a room, it's clean and my mom can actually come and not lecture me on living in my own filth; but he usually hides my notebooks, and I can't find them for at least a week."
I frowned. "That's not good."
He nodded. "And usually it's the week before a big test."
I bit my lip. "That's definitely not good."
Guy nodded again. "Ok, I don't want to talk about my roommate because he's just depressing right now." He replied shaking it off. "What about you? How are things in paradise?" He laughed nudging me with his elbow. "You and Josie look pretty cozy."
My stomach dropped. Yeah. Let's just move onto the other topic that makes me feel like I'm about to hurl. "I guess." I replied with a smile. "And I wouldn't call it paradise."
"Oh please. You two are like the quintessential high school couple." He smiled. "Next to like Connie and I."
"Yeah. I guess."
"You guess!" He exclaimed. "Connie is still going on about 'Adam and Josie moments'. She's beginning to refer to you guys as one thing; 'Jodam' or 'Adsie' or something. I can't remember what she said you were."
My stomach dropped even more. I began to curse Connie's name in my head. Evil, evil girl. "I wouldn't go that far . . ."
"You two are almost attached at the hip."
I shook my head. "We're not . . ."
Guy stopped. "What's with you Banks? Before yesterday someone would mention Josie and you would go on for hours. Now you're monosyllabic."
I blinked. "Have you been reading the dictionary?"
Guy frowned. "No. I've been preparing for SATs; my mom and my step-dad have been on my back saying my vocabulary sucks and that just because I got a scholarship to Eden Hall doesn't mean I'll get one to a college. So I went to my guidance counselor and he signed me up for this new word per day thing on the internet." He stopped and shook his head. "Hey you're changing the subject!"
I scolded myself. Note to self: become sneakier and lose my conscience while I'm at it. "Well I don't want to talk about Josie. I've been going on, like you said for months. Maybe I just need a change in subject."
Guy frowned. "Is something wrong with you guys?"
"No! There is nothing wrong with us! God!" I snapped at him.
His eyes grew wide and he took a step back. "Ok Banksie, nothing is wrong; I get it. Just take deep breaths ok?"
I was shocked at myself. "Sorry." I mumbled rubbing my forehead. "I'm just stressed and you were the closest target. You know, the game, school, and everyone asking what's wrong, it's just building."
Guy nodded. "Oh . . ." He licked his lips. "I've never really thought of you the type to get stressed before a game. I mean, yeah the Goodwill Games, but school games? Normally you get really mellow or smiley or something, not stressed."
"Well, the season is ending, and we have a chance to go to state and we have a lot to live up to. Eden Hall has quite the reputation. A lot of winners, a lot of successes and I have to be one of those people." I stopped. It scared me that I was getting so good at lying. I just said what someone would expect me to say. I have an overbearing father; I said was the typical pressured son would say.
"Jesus, Banks." Guy replied guiltily. "I didn't know you thought that way." His eyes looked worried. "Dude you have to relax. You're great and you don't have to worry about it."
I took a breath preparing to lie again. "Thanks Guy, I need to hear that."
An alert on Guy's watch went off and he sighed. "We have practice now. I'll see you down at the gym; I've got to make sure Charlie gets off his ass."
I nodded slowly.
~*~
"Ok, Banks, Conway, Mendoza and Robertson, start jogging. Girls, sprints and Tyler, Goldberg, Averman, work on pacing yourself. The rest of you couple laps and meet me back here." Orion gave out our assignments as we stood in the gym.
I rubbed my arm and looked over at Charlie who was stretching his leg before starting. I walked over to him and licked my lips. "Charlie."
"Have you told her or not?" Charlie replied staring ahead not even meeting my eyes.
I swallowed. "No, I've been busy. I'm going to though."
He looked over at me quickly. "When?"
I pursed my lips as I felt more and more annoyed at him. "I don't know Charlie, why do I just break out my day planner and check so it can work out with both of our schedules?!"
He started jogging and rushed after him. "Look, you don't have to be so God damned snippy about it."
My jaw dropped. "I'm snippy? You're the one who's butting into my relationship!"
He shrugged. "You welcomed me with open arms."
"That was before I knew my friendship with you was based on whether or not I break my girlfriend's heart." I replied angrily turning the corner in step with Charlie.
"I don't want to be friends with liars." He replied nonchalantly.
I shook my head. "I'm not a liar. You know that Charlie. We've been friends since we were ten, that's almost six years, and not once have I lied to you except for my wrist, but that's completely different."
"And Varsity. You said you didn't know about the dinner."
"I didn't know about Varsity. We've gone over that ten million times. I didn't know that they were going to leave you with the bill and I paid you back more than what I owed when I came back to the Ducks." I replied angrily. I hated when he threw this in my face.
He rolled his eyes. "You're daddy probably paid."
"Actually no! He didn't!" I yelled at him. "He refused to pay, you asshole. I had to loan the money from him and then over the summer I got a part time job down in the mall, thank you very much. I had to pay him every cent back."
Charlie's eyes softened. "Oh . . . I didn't know."
I scoffed at him. "Yeah, maybe you should ask people before you make assumptions and accusations." I replied.
"Sorry." He mumbled.
I shrugged. "Whatever. Can we at least be civil and forget about this on the ice?" I replied my eyes locking ahead of us.
He nodded. "Yeah whatever." He blinked and looked ahead. "Are you going to tell her?"
"I don't know." I spat at him.
He swallowed and nodded. "I think you should."
"I honestly don't care what you think anymore." I replied jogging ahead of him. I may be the worst boyfriend in the world, but he's the jerk.
~
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A/N: Yay! More Charlie/Adam tension! It's fun to write. Uh. . . I wrote this right after I woke up, again. Gah!! I hate it!! What is wrong with me! However, I write well when I'm sleep deprived. Not sure why. I either have to write in the wee hours in the morning or right when I wake. *shakes head* I'm weird. Ok, I'm not tired anymore, so my shout outs may be a little *duh . . .* but they aren't really the important part. I just like getting back to you guys! You guys Rock!!
Shout outs!
Beaner- Hey you! I'm so glad you loved my fights! I love to write them! Actually I don't have to listen to violent music when I think of them! That fight actually came to me while I was in the car with my mom and she flipped on some opera singer guy! LOL! Yay! I love writing Orion! He's awesome!! I love him!! Later in the story I'm going to address Orion's private life as a subplot. I'm still in consideration. I was setting up for it in Don't Speak. Ok, I agree, my brother isn't the spawn of Satan, but he does have his moments. Yeah, confrontation . . . I hate it . . . *coughs*. If I hate it, why do I get giddy when I write it? Should I be like cowering? *shrugs* Well, the test did get something right. It gave like a bunch of jobs I might enjoy and creative writer was on there. That was kind of spooky. Anywho, later!
DuckHockey00214496- Yeah, you should save some time for pondering about you're stories. That might be a good idea. Ok, don't call Adam names!! *pouts* I love him!! Ok, yeah, he's being an idiot for not telling her, and all that junk. Yeah, making out with her when he should be telling her something isn't probably the smartest thing to do, but you know, what can I do? Wait . . . I'm the writer so I can do a lot, so why don't I stop it . . . Oh wait . . . my plot! I forgot about that! OK, just sit tight and I'll straighten this out soon ok? Later!
Shelbers- Ok so you may not read this like anytime soon, so we'll see. Yeah, a little bit of trouble in the team, but I think it's kind of worked out. Sort of. Well you read the chapter! I'm so glad you liked it! It was so fun to write! Have fun on your vacation! Later!
Rach- *sighs* You didn't have to grovel. However, praising my glory is cool. *giggles* Ok, first of all, I am not the best Duck's writer. Steven Brill is. He created awesomely awesome characters that are super awesome! Second of all, there are at least ten writers better than I in this fandom. I'm just a grade 10 student in Canada. My vocabulary could be better and my style could be improved, but I'm trying. Yeah, I know you love Charlie/Adam tension just about as much as I do. *rolls eyes* Some people play Adam and Charlie like 'yay! You did something really stupid. . .' 'Yeah, I did!' 'Let's frolic!' sort of thing. Yeah, go ahead, but YOU were the one who helped me decided for sure to put that in there. I knew after the chapter before last, I needed something to get people back on their toes. And from your review it looks like I succeeded. Oh Mud Dogs . . . I heard of that before. It might have been in a movie or something and I was like what the hell, they're a hockey team now. Yeah, my friend's brother is always in fights with his friends and I don't understand why. My brother was always peaceful and even when he did play hockey, he only got one penalty, and he didn't even do it! LOL. I love writing Orion, so he'll play a bigger role than he did in my other story. Thanks; you rock! Later!
OreoLine00- You're excused! As long as you drop by every so often! *blinks* You only realized now Josie had a secret? Have you reviewed at all? *blinks* Ok . . . hold on I've got to check my records . . . Okay, yeah you did review my sequel . . . *frowns* What secret? I don't remember Josie saying in any other chapter that she had a secret. Ok, *shakes head* I'm so confuzzled. But don't worry, it's probably me. I haven't had my caffeine fix for the day. Yeah, I sometimes wish Charlie was real; however I doubt I would spill all my secrets to him. I think I would be just kidding around with him. Oh! My Orion line! I love that line! It's one of my favorites! My two guy friends were fighting each other and everyone else were like 'Do they know that their fighting each other? I thought they were best friends!' But their good now. I'm not exactly sure what they were fighting about though. Going through a Charlie phase? Ok, well I'm not quite sure, but I think he's going to be in the next couple chapters a lot. We'll see.
SqUiDsLiLpYrO- Gah!! I'm stupid!! I completely forgot about that! But you see I figure a way to not have to use your real name. It's called a 'Cut and Paste'. It's this genius thing that all you have to do is highlight the word and I can stick it anywhere I want to! *nods* Aren't I smart?! LOL. There is this guy. . . Yeah I have one of those. I think I've talked about him before . . . *slaps forehead* Sorry! I didn't get your Sandlot reference. I haven't seen that movie in years so I wouldn't get any references. I sort of remember the plot. I'm glad you enjoyed my chapter because it was so fun to write! I hope you like this one. Yeah well I better jet too, so later!
Ok Peoples that's it! I'll be back soon!!
Review!
~Toodles!
KatieGurl!
Josie whined. "But, you have a half hour until practice!" She pouted, giving her puppy eyes the best chance they got. As much as I loved her, and as much as those eyes were adorable, I knew I had to talk to Charlie.
I sighed. "Yes, I know. But I should sort things out with Captain Duck before practice."
"Ooh. . ." She replied, gathering up what she thought were her notes. "Well in that case I should go." She looked up at me and blinked. "Unless you want me to stay here . . ."
"You just don't want to go to your haunted room!" I replied mocking her. "Go! Get out of here. I need you rested and well for tomorrow's game."
She narrowed her eyes. "I need to be rested? You do too! I heard the Mud Dogs are brutal." She smirked, grabbing her backpack and trudging toward the door, which Averman opened as he walked into our shared dorm. "Rest up boys! Bye Adam! Les." She waved at me and acknowledged Averman's presence with a nod.
I smiled and waved back and looked over at Averman who was gagging by the time he reached his bed, where he collapsed.
"Gag me!" He pretended to choke out as he flipped onto his back. "You two are like two prefect people, who will end up married in the perfect ceremony and have the perfect 2.25 children and a dog, living in a house with a perfect white picket fence and shutters."
I rolled my eyes. "I am not perfect and Josie isn't either." I scoffed as I walked into the washroom and frowned at my appearance. I looked like I just rolled out of bed.
He rolled his eyes. "Put her in a cheerleading uniform and you would be the stereotypical jock couple who end up with jock kids who play football in the fall, hockey in the winter and America's sport, baseball in the summer." He clapped his hands against his cheeks. "Ain't that swell?!"
"Averman, you need a girlfriend." I replied as I pulled my shirt down and frowned. The wrinkles were practically etched into the fabric. I pulled it again. "And Josie would rather live with Erica than wear a cheerleading uniform and you know that."
Averman I heard him grumble as he walked toward the washroom and leaned against the doorframe. "I thought we went over this. I am a nerd. You are a jock. It is almost exactly one hundred times easier for you to get a date dressed in a potato sack, than me to get a date wearing a tuxedo."
I gave up on my shirt and pulled a comb through my hair. I frowned. It wouldn't stop sticking in all directions. Fate was making me look like I had spend the last half hour making out with my girlfriend instead of telling her something that would break her heart, yet possibly save our relationship and fix the rough time (which was about 24 hours and counting) one of my best friends was having with me. Not that I hadn't been doing that. "And we have gone over this one hundred and one times! You are not a nerd. You just haven't found the right girl."
His eyes rolled as he took off his glasses and rubbed one of the lenses in his shirt. "And let me guess; you have." He sighed as he replaced his glasses on his face. "There is no right and wrong girl. Love is like a house of cards. It's how you're cards are played. You have been given a killer hand; a raw deal; and it turns out that in your hand that you get Josie, right? However, one false move and the whole house of cards fall all around you and either you or Josie are left to pick up the pieces."
I blinked and turned toward him. "What!" How could he know? I took a quick breath. Charlie must've told; that two-timing, double-crossing liar! I hope God really down strike him dead!
"However me on the other hand, I have been given the worse hand ever. I couldn't win if everyone else lost!" He shook his head. "I'm no good with metaphors. I don't even like cards." He replied walking away from the door. "You're leaving?"
I swallowed. Was that just a lucky guess? Must've been. "Yeah, going to go talk to Charlie."
"Good luck with that." He replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"What does that mean?" I replied putting a little bit of gel in my hair, figuring it ought to do the trick to keep it in place. I smiled at my reflection and walked out of the washroom and looked at him lounging on his bed with a novel rested on his chest.
"It means the only person who's seen him since he went into his room is Guy." Averman shrugged. "But whatever. Maybe he's just waiting for you to apologize or something."
I grabbed a clean T-shirt off the foot of my bed and tossed off my wrinkled polo and slipped on the shirt. "Maybe."
My roommate nodded, flipped open the book and began reading. "Yeah, I'm going to stay here, so you don't need to take your key. Stupid book." He frowned.
I licked my lips and opened the door. "Thanks Averman."
"God speed." He replied sarcastically as I stepped out into the hall.
I looked down the hall both ways thinking that maybe Averman was pulling my leg and Charlie was actually making mischief with the Bash Brothers or studying with Charlotte and Kenny or maybe even cracking jokes with Goldberg, but no such luck. I crossed the hall to his room that he shared with Guy and swiftly knocked on the wooden door.
The door opened a crack and Guy quickly slipped out closing the door behind him before I could even say anything. "Banksie." He whispered, almost so I couldn't hear him.
"Germaine." I replied at regular room volume. "What's up with you?"
He shushed me angrily. "I don't want Charlie to know it's you. He'll start ranting again."
I smirked. "Ranting?"
"Shush!" He frowned bringing a finger to his lips and looking back at the closed door that had been decorated with hockey memorabilia and ticket stubs from some of the games we had gone to over the last couple years.
"Ranting?" I replied this time whispering as Guy had asked me. This was completely stupid, but I would just go with it.
He nodded. "Yes, ranting. And at the rate he's at he won't have any pictures of you left when you too finally can talk to each other without pummeling each other with insults." He shot back angrily. "I've had to hide the pictures from the Goodwill Games and my yearbook!"
I blinked. "He's tearing up my pictures?"
"No. He's throwing darts at them." He shrugged running a hand nervously through his hair.
"Oh. . ." I swallowed, rubbing my neck that seemed to burn. "Well at least he's taking out his anger on objects rather than people . . ." I mumbled exhaling the breath I had been holding.
Guy nodded. "That's true. Wow . . . I've been looking for the bright side for a while now . . ." He eyed my carefully as he realized I wasn't agreeing with him enthusiastically. "Come on, let's leave Captain 'I want Banksie's Blood' on his own for a while." He suggested tossing his arm over my shoulder, guiding me away from his room and patting his pocket making sure he had his key.
I blinked. "Don't you have something with Connie or something?"
He sighed. "Break-up number two this month."
"Reason?"
He laughed. "Convinced I've been checking out Julie. I swear she's crazy."
"Have you been?"
"No!" He yelped. "Why is she worried about me? I should be worried about her with Mendoza floating around and Varsity and those track guys watching her while she's running!"
I smirked. "I wouldn't worry about Mendoza; he's been seeing that exchange student from Austria-"
"Australia." He corrected quickly.
"Right, Australia." I shook my head. Why did I always mess that up? "And Varsity and the track guys are watching Cons because she's either running really fast or falling on her face."
Guy flinched and dropped his arm from my shoulders. "Yeah. I'm not sure why she keeps falling like that." He shook his head. "Anyways, she broke up with me over a glance at Julie in math, but don't worry. 'Connie and Guy' will be back together by the game tomorrow, it's almost like clockwork." He stopped and turned to me. "Hey, why don't you and Josie come with us? You guys would take off the post-break-up tension. What do you guys do after games and stuff?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm usually tired after games. We usually sit somewhere on the grounds and talk after we celebrate with the team." I smirked. "We don't plan things. The only things that are set in stone are my practices and games and her time in the dark room which are Sunday mornings, while I'm sleeping off the games."
"Oh . . ." Guy frowned. "Well you guys should come anyways. I know you want to." By now we had reached the outside which was starting to de-thaw from the winter's grip on it. I pulled my jacket tight around me. It was still cold.
I laughed. "You know I want to what? The only thing I want to do right now is talk to Charlie so he isn't pissed at me during the game tomorrow."
He looked back at the dormitory as we began to cross the grounds. "I wouldn't go in there. You'd end up with a dart in an uncomfortable place."
I blinked. "Huh?"
Guy shrugged. "He was mumbling something when he was taking the darts from your face. I think it was 'I hope he does loose his manhood' or something. He would also mumble things like 'pompous preppy powder puff'.
I blinked. "I'm so glad I tutored him in alliteration last semester . . ."
Guy frowned. "Yeah, and I'm just bouncing off the walls that I taught him how to properly play darts."
I looked over at Guy. "Let's say we don't teach him anything for a while."
"Deal." He nodded and looked ahead. I don't think he was all the sure where we were going either.
I licked my lips. "It's cold."
He nodded. "Yeah, well I'd rather be cold than having darts tossed past me in all directions. Not to mention Charlie gets weird after he realizes how dumb he's been."
"What does he do?" I laughed.
"Cleans everything." Guy shrugged. "And normally it would be great because after months of living in the mess we call a room, it's clean and my mom can actually come and not lecture me on living in my own filth; but he usually hides my notebooks, and I can't find them for at least a week."
I frowned. "That's not good."
He nodded. "And usually it's the week before a big test."
I bit my lip. "That's definitely not good."
Guy nodded again. "Ok, I don't want to talk about my roommate because he's just depressing right now." He replied shaking it off. "What about you? How are things in paradise?" He laughed nudging me with his elbow. "You and Josie look pretty cozy."
My stomach dropped. Yeah. Let's just move onto the other topic that makes me feel like I'm about to hurl. "I guess." I replied with a smile. "And I wouldn't call it paradise."
"Oh please. You two are like the quintessential high school couple." He smiled. "Next to like Connie and I."
"Yeah. I guess."
"You guess!" He exclaimed. "Connie is still going on about 'Adam and Josie moments'. She's beginning to refer to you guys as one thing; 'Jodam' or 'Adsie' or something. I can't remember what she said you were."
My stomach dropped even more. I began to curse Connie's name in my head. Evil, evil girl. "I wouldn't go that far . . ."
"You two are almost attached at the hip."
I shook my head. "We're not . . ."
Guy stopped. "What's with you Banks? Before yesterday someone would mention Josie and you would go on for hours. Now you're monosyllabic."
I blinked. "Have you been reading the dictionary?"
Guy frowned. "No. I've been preparing for SATs; my mom and my step-dad have been on my back saying my vocabulary sucks and that just because I got a scholarship to Eden Hall doesn't mean I'll get one to a college. So I went to my guidance counselor and he signed me up for this new word per day thing on the internet." He stopped and shook his head. "Hey you're changing the subject!"
I scolded myself. Note to self: become sneakier and lose my conscience while I'm at it. "Well I don't want to talk about Josie. I've been going on, like you said for months. Maybe I just need a change in subject."
Guy frowned. "Is something wrong with you guys?"
"No! There is nothing wrong with us! God!" I snapped at him.
His eyes grew wide and he took a step back. "Ok Banksie, nothing is wrong; I get it. Just take deep breaths ok?"
I was shocked at myself. "Sorry." I mumbled rubbing my forehead. "I'm just stressed and you were the closest target. You know, the game, school, and everyone asking what's wrong, it's just building."
Guy nodded. "Oh . . ." He licked his lips. "I've never really thought of you the type to get stressed before a game. I mean, yeah the Goodwill Games, but school games? Normally you get really mellow or smiley or something, not stressed."
"Well, the season is ending, and we have a chance to go to state and we have a lot to live up to. Eden Hall has quite the reputation. A lot of winners, a lot of successes and I have to be one of those people." I stopped. It scared me that I was getting so good at lying. I just said what someone would expect me to say. I have an overbearing father; I said was the typical pressured son would say.
"Jesus, Banks." Guy replied guiltily. "I didn't know you thought that way." His eyes looked worried. "Dude you have to relax. You're great and you don't have to worry about it."
I took a breath preparing to lie again. "Thanks Guy, I need to hear that."
An alert on Guy's watch went off and he sighed. "We have practice now. I'll see you down at the gym; I've got to make sure Charlie gets off his ass."
I nodded slowly.
~*~
"Ok, Banks, Conway, Mendoza and Robertson, start jogging. Girls, sprints and Tyler, Goldberg, Averman, work on pacing yourself. The rest of you couple laps and meet me back here." Orion gave out our assignments as we stood in the gym.
I rubbed my arm and looked over at Charlie who was stretching his leg before starting. I walked over to him and licked my lips. "Charlie."
"Have you told her or not?" Charlie replied staring ahead not even meeting my eyes.
I swallowed. "No, I've been busy. I'm going to though."
He looked over at me quickly. "When?"
I pursed my lips as I felt more and more annoyed at him. "I don't know Charlie, why do I just break out my day planner and check so it can work out with both of our schedules?!"
He started jogging and rushed after him. "Look, you don't have to be so God damned snippy about it."
My jaw dropped. "I'm snippy? You're the one who's butting into my relationship!"
He shrugged. "You welcomed me with open arms."
"That was before I knew my friendship with you was based on whether or not I break my girlfriend's heart." I replied angrily turning the corner in step with Charlie.
"I don't want to be friends with liars." He replied nonchalantly.
I shook my head. "I'm not a liar. You know that Charlie. We've been friends since we were ten, that's almost six years, and not once have I lied to you except for my wrist, but that's completely different."
"And Varsity. You said you didn't know about the dinner."
"I didn't know about Varsity. We've gone over that ten million times. I didn't know that they were going to leave you with the bill and I paid you back more than what I owed when I came back to the Ducks." I replied angrily. I hated when he threw this in my face.
He rolled his eyes. "You're daddy probably paid."
"Actually no! He didn't!" I yelled at him. "He refused to pay, you asshole. I had to loan the money from him and then over the summer I got a part time job down in the mall, thank you very much. I had to pay him every cent back."
Charlie's eyes softened. "Oh . . . I didn't know."
I scoffed at him. "Yeah, maybe you should ask people before you make assumptions and accusations." I replied.
"Sorry." He mumbled.
I shrugged. "Whatever. Can we at least be civil and forget about this on the ice?" I replied my eyes locking ahead of us.
He nodded. "Yeah whatever." He blinked and looked ahead. "Are you going to tell her?"
"I don't know." I spat at him.
He swallowed and nodded. "I think you should."
"I honestly don't care what you think anymore." I replied jogging ahead of him. I may be the worst boyfriend in the world, but he's the jerk.
~
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A/N: Yay! More Charlie/Adam tension! It's fun to write. Uh. . . I wrote this right after I woke up, again. Gah!! I hate it!! What is wrong with me! However, I write well when I'm sleep deprived. Not sure why. I either have to write in the wee hours in the morning or right when I wake. *shakes head* I'm weird. Ok, I'm not tired anymore, so my shout outs may be a little *duh . . .* but they aren't really the important part. I just like getting back to you guys! You guys Rock!!
Shout outs!
Beaner- Hey you! I'm so glad you loved my fights! I love to write them! Actually I don't have to listen to violent music when I think of them! That fight actually came to me while I was in the car with my mom and she flipped on some opera singer guy! LOL! Yay! I love writing Orion! He's awesome!! I love him!! Later in the story I'm going to address Orion's private life as a subplot. I'm still in consideration. I was setting up for it in Don't Speak. Ok, I agree, my brother isn't the spawn of Satan, but he does have his moments. Yeah, confrontation . . . I hate it . . . *coughs*. If I hate it, why do I get giddy when I write it? Should I be like cowering? *shrugs* Well, the test did get something right. It gave like a bunch of jobs I might enjoy and creative writer was on there. That was kind of spooky. Anywho, later!
DuckHockey00214496- Yeah, you should save some time for pondering about you're stories. That might be a good idea. Ok, don't call Adam names!! *pouts* I love him!! Ok, yeah, he's being an idiot for not telling her, and all that junk. Yeah, making out with her when he should be telling her something isn't probably the smartest thing to do, but you know, what can I do? Wait . . . I'm the writer so I can do a lot, so why don't I stop it . . . Oh wait . . . my plot! I forgot about that! OK, just sit tight and I'll straighten this out soon ok? Later!
Shelbers- Ok so you may not read this like anytime soon, so we'll see. Yeah, a little bit of trouble in the team, but I think it's kind of worked out. Sort of. Well you read the chapter! I'm so glad you liked it! It was so fun to write! Have fun on your vacation! Later!
Rach- *sighs* You didn't have to grovel. However, praising my glory is cool. *giggles* Ok, first of all, I am not the best Duck's writer. Steven Brill is. He created awesomely awesome characters that are super awesome! Second of all, there are at least ten writers better than I in this fandom. I'm just a grade 10 student in Canada. My vocabulary could be better and my style could be improved, but I'm trying. Yeah, I know you love Charlie/Adam tension just about as much as I do. *rolls eyes* Some people play Adam and Charlie like 'yay! You did something really stupid. . .' 'Yeah, I did!' 'Let's frolic!' sort of thing. Yeah, go ahead, but YOU were the one who helped me decided for sure to put that in there. I knew after the chapter before last, I needed something to get people back on their toes. And from your review it looks like I succeeded. Oh Mud Dogs . . . I heard of that before. It might have been in a movie or something and I was like what the hell, they're a hockey team now. Yeah, my friend's brother is always in fights with his friends and I don't understand why. My brother was always peaceful and even when he did play hockey, he only got one penalty, and he didn't even do it! LOL. I love writing Orion, so he'll play a bigger role than he did in my other story. Thanks; you rock! Later!
OreoLine00- You're excused! As long as you drop by every so often! *blinks* You only realized now Josie had a secret? Have you reviewed at all? *blinks* Ok . . . hold on I've got to check my records . . . Okay, yeah you did review my sequel . . . *frowns* What secret? I don't remember Josie saying in any other chapter that she had a secret. Ok, *shakes head* I'm so confuzzled. But don't worry, it's probably me. I haven't had my caffeine fix for the day. Yeah, I sometimes wish Charlie was real; however I doubt I would spill all my secrets to him. I think I would be just kidding around with him. Oh! My Orion line! I love that line! It's one of my favorites! My two guy friends were fighting each other and everyone else were like 'Do they know that their fighting each other? I thought they were best friends!' But their good now. I'm not exactly sure what they were fighting about though. Going through a Charlie phase? Ok, well I'm not quite sure, but I think he's going to be in the next couple chapters a lot. We'll see.
SqUiDsLiLpYrO- Gah!! I'm stupid!! I completely forgot about that! But you see I figure a way to not have to use your real name. It's called a 'Cut and Paste'. It's this genius thing that all you have to do is highlight the word and I can stick it anywhere I want to! *nods* Aren't I smart?! LOL. There is this guy. . . Yeah I have one of those. I think I've talked about him before . . . *slaps forehead* Sorry! I didn't get your Sandlot reference. I haven't seen that movie in years so I wouldn't get any references. I sort of remember the plot. I'm glad you enjoyed my chapter because it was so fun to write! I hope you like this one. Yeah well I better jet too, so later!
Ok Peoples that's it! I'll be back soon!!
Review!
~Toodles!
KatieGurl!