Dedicated to: Jocie! Yes Jocie, this chapter is for you!! Keep it forever!!
Feel better!
~*~
I wandered around the halls in my own world afraid of reality. In all honestly, reality bites. My reality at the moment was a hallway full of reminders that a lot of people were coupled up and I was freshly broken up. Ah yes, the smell of defeat. How I haven't missed your rotten stench. I glanced around and saw a couple sprawled out in a corner making out like there was no tomorrow. I grimaced. Some people had no idea that certain types of P.D.A. are disgusting to the innocent bystander.
I sighed and continued walking. The corridors seemed to reach on into eternity however I finally made it to the dining hall after stepping over a couple more face-sucking monsters... Did I actually think that? I mean; other hormone-driven, Valentine's Day loving, impressive lung capacity teenagers. My stomach grumbled as I pushed open the heavy doors and looked around the room. It was slightly emptier than any other day, mainly because it was a weekend and a holiday but there were a good number of people there. A lot of the Ducks weren't there, (example: Charlie left early this morning to surprise his mom. Something about some tradition with her that they have done since he was old enough to remember), but a good number were.
"Banks! I need you to come with me." An arm wrapped around my neck and I looked over at Averman who smiled at me with his eyes pleading me with no self-respect.
I groaned. "Go where?" I glanced over at the cafeteria line. They were serving heart shaped pancakes with syrup and strawberries. My stomach rumbled.
He pointed with his free arm over at a table that was a far distance away from the Duck's and the cafeteria line.
I looked over at the line again. "Food..." I whined quietly.
Averman groaned and began to pull be past the line. "Come on Banks, you sound like Goldberg."
I huffed and turned my head, watching it as we pasted. "But I'm so hungry. I didn't eat much dinner! Please, just let me get something, anything..."
He rolled his eyes. "If you come with me I'll buy you a cookie." He snapped pushing me along.
"Better be a big one." I grumbled as I watched the Cafeteria ladies close the line until lunch. My stomach bubbled angrily.
"Whatever." He replied as we walked up to the table that was crowded by a group of average looking girls. I recognized a couple from my classes. I said hi to my assigned lab partner, Kim, from last semester and waited for Averman to give the signal.
He didn't.
I cleared my throat and smiled. "Hey, do you mind if we hang out with you guys?"
One of the girls looked around at each other and nodded. "Sure." One of them replied. "Aren't you two on the hockey team?"
Averman nodded as we sat down in the spots that they had cleared. "Yeah, JV. I'm Les Averman, and this is Adam Banks." I thanked Jesus that he finally spoke up. I did not want to do all the talking.
"Weren't you with Luis yesterday?" One asked Averman, who nodded excitedly, glad someone recognized him.
"Oh I remember you." One of them pointed at me and brushed her dark blond hair off her shoulder. "You played on the Varsity hockey team for a while, didn't you?"
I nodded. "Yeah. And you are?"
"Oh!" She yelped. "I'm Elaine Hoffman, but just call me Laney ok?" She replied sweetly. "And the rest of us are Kimberly, Amanda and Christina, or Kim, Mandy and Tina." She said pointing at the three other girls.
I nodded and looked over at Averman who looked over at me with a nervous expression.
"No offence, but why are you here?" Laney asked pushing aside her dishes from breakfast and rested her elbow on the tabled and rubbed her neck.
I glanced over at Averman who stared at me, begging me to come up with something. I shot him back a look that screamed 'NO!' He sighed in response and smiled. "No reason, just wanted to meet new people."
The girl beside Averman raised a sculpted eyebrow and shook her head and swirled the soggy cereal in her bowl with a spoon.
My stomach rumbled quietly and tried to focus on the task in front of me: talking to a group of four girls that I only knew vaguely.
Suddenly, from behind Laney a large, brute of guy, that I wouldn't be surprised if he communicated in grunting, wrapped his arms around her middle and squeezed her in a big bear hug. She squeaked in response; from either the pressure or the surprise and turned around, kissing his cheek. "Hi Bobby!"
I glanced over at Averman whose face fell as soon as she kissed him.
Laney turned around and got her friend to move over a set. "Oh, Adam, Les, this is my boyfriend Bobby Jones. Bobby, this is Adam and Les, they're on the JV hockey team."
Her blinked his dark eyes and nodded. "Yeah I think I've seen a couple of your games. You're good, I guess."
I exchanged looks with Averman. He guesses? How can you guess? It's pretty obvious if your team is good or not.
"Yeah, we're pretty good. We did win Regionals." Averman mumbled quietly and avoided Laney's eyes.
Bobby shrugged. "Wouldn't know. I don't really like hockey. I only went because Laney likes it." He turned to his girlfriend and smiled, throwing an arm over her shoulder and smiles. "I only play football."
Averman seemed to be eying Bobby's arm over Laney's shoulder with severe hatred. "Maybe you should learn how to play before you judge it." He replied between gritted teeth.
"No, I'm fine thanks." Bobby replied with a grin.
Laney's eyes widened. "Actually, I don't even know how to skate. Do you think you could show me?" She bit her lip and smiled a very innocent, very sweet smile.
I could almost hear the wheels of a scheme moving in Averman's brain. "Absolutely!" He replied with a wide grin. "I'd love to teach you!"
"Oh my God! This is going to be so fun!" She replied with a smile that matched Averman's. "So how about tomorrow? I could meet you at the arena at eleven; we skate for an hour, have lunch and try again after!"
Averman nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds great!" He looked over at me and smiled. "Actually, we have to go so, I'll see you tomorrow, what size shoe are you?"
"Seven."
Averman nodded. "And I'll bring you skates! Later!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the seat and pulled me out of the dining hall.
I rubbed my arm and groaned. "Thanks, for almost pulling my arm out of the socket." I grumbled and glared at Averman who was peeking through the glass doors of the dining hall. He wasn't paying attention to me.
"Yeah no problem." He replied, his face almost pressed against the glass, trying to steal a glance from Laney who was probably excited about learning to skate.
Grabbing his arm, I whipped him around. "You like Laney. Isn't that cute?" I pouted and batted my eyelashes mocking his crush.
"Shut up!" He yelped and spun back around to look through the glass. "She seems nice, no?"
I nodded. "Yeah she does seem nice."
He looked back at me and smiled. "And she likes hockey! That's a major plus! And she isn't stuck up or anything."
"Yeah great."
He leaned against the wall and frowned. "And that boyfriend of hers is all kinds of wrong for her, am I right?"
I shrugged and watched him as he began to walk away from the dining hall towards the exit. I blinked and rushed after him. "Hey you owe me a cookie!"
~*~
I sat down on the bus beside Averman and leaned back in the seat looking up at the metallic-y ceiling that reflected a distorted version of me.
"And her eyes: I didn't know that eyes could be that blue!"
I rolled my eyes. "Averman! Be quiet. I get it. He eyes are as blue as a summer sky and her hair resembles the sun. Can we not talk about her looks for five seconds?" I snapped at him quickly. "How about, silence?"
Averman shrugged and slouched down in his seat and looked up at the ceiling also. "Silence. Pfft . . . simple. You want silence; you got silence."
I nodded and closed my eyes. We were going to the old hockey shop to pick up a pair of skates for Laney and then over to Goldberg's parent's deli, in hopes of finding me something to eat, on Averman of course. The shop was only three stops away so we knew exactly when to get up.
"Ok, what kind of name is Bobby? Is it me or is that the biggest jock cliché name since the beginning of time or what? Oh and he plays football! Did I tell you that! He's the probably the All-American preppy, good for nothing son of some major special person on the board that tried to kick us out! And he hates hockey! How in the blue hell can you hate hockey at this school? I mean come on. The two major sports here are hockey and football, there is no way you can hate one of them! It's it against the code of conduct at this school. Thou shalt not hate hockey at Eden Hall! And he's like five times bigger than me! I swear to God he could crush me like the little red-head bug I am. Of course he has the girl I want. It's like the high school movie cliché of the century and I'm like . . . Ducky."
I looked over at him. "I know you're a Duck."
He rolled his eyes. "No I mean, like Ducky, in Pretty in Pink."
"You watched Pretty in Pink?" I snorted shaking my head at him.
He frowned. "Hey, shut up. I lived with four women until I moved into the dorms. I had to watch a lot of chick flicks alright?"
I shrugged and leaned back in my seat. "Whatever. Anyways, explain."
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Ducky was the best friend of the girl who was in love with the popular preppy rich guy on the right side of town and Ducky was the unpopular, awkward guy who was in love with his friend."
I shrugged. "So?"
"The girl ends up with the rich guy." Averman explained. "So according to movies, I have no chance with her."
I raised an eyebrow at him and scoffed. "And you make assumptions from the outcomes of movies? You do know that girls are nothing like the girls in movies. They are all different and have different sides to them. They aren't just two dimensional characters."
"I know that. Remember, I have three little sisters and the older two would murder me if I thought otherwise." He replied spitefully. "Besides, I didn't say I thought that, I'm just saying that from a theoretical standpoint-"
"Averman, I'm not in the greatest mood at the moment and you also directed me away from food when I was, and still am, hungry and now we are shopping for skates for a person neither of us know very well." I said harshly, silencing him. "So, I don't think I could listen to your theoretical standpoint without hitting over the head, repeatedly, with a hockey stick."
He swallowed nervously and nodded as the bus came to a third stop. We got up, grabbed our stuff and exited the bus as quickly as we could beginning our short journey to Jan's Hockey Shop that Charlie's mother also partially owned.
"So what do you want to talk about?" He asked quietly, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk and shoving his hands into his jeans pockets and focusing on his chucks. His head jerked and he grinned. "Any updates on the Josie and Adam report?"
"Well let's see." I replied, playing along. "Well, she hated me a lot, when we talked, she still hated me, and now she just hates me."
He widened his eyes and pushed his glasses back up onto the bridge of his nose. "Wow." He replied. "Well what is she really angry about? You reading her diary thing, or the fact that you kept it from her?"
I shrugged. "Both I guess."
"Well, they are both stupid reasons." Averman scoffed. "I mean you love each other right?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure she still loves me."
He nodded. "Well then you should be together. It's just that simple." He plainly stated. "Love, together, love, together." He emphasized each word with a little hand gesture.
I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. "I remember a little less than a week ago when you said that I should move on."
He raised one of his shoulders lazily. "Well, I guess that after the little time of finding out the girl I like is accounted for, I figured that you have to love what is possible."
I nodded. "So does this mean we don't have to get the skates and we can get me lunch?" I grinned greedily.
His head jerked to stare at me. "No! Where did you get that impression?"
"But you just said 'love what is possible' and at the moment, it isn't possible to be in a relationship with Laney."
He smirked. "Exactly. At the moment." He pushed open the doors to Jan's shop and gestured me to enter.
I stopped in front of the door and looked at his face. "Averman, you have the 'I'm planning a stupid scheme' look in your eyes and I suggest you tell me what you're going to do before you do it."
He frowned and narrowed his eyes. "I have never had a stupid scheme in my life, thank you very much."
I blinked at him. "Well you're schemes have been perfectly harmless in the past. Dog poop, stray stench, hiding my pants, putting whip cream in my shoes. . ."
He grinned. "You had to wear Charlie's shoes all day because you didn't have time to get it out of the toes." He shook his head. "Good times."
I frowned at him. "But this is involving someone's relationship! For all we know they may be really happy!"
Averman scoffed and walked in the door and I followed him in there. "Please! She's a hockey fan! How can she be in love with a person that doesn't like hockey?"
I shrugged. "Maybe they have other interests. They like the same books maybe?"
Averman laughed. "I'm quite sure that the last book 'Bobby' read was Curious George!"
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe they like the same type of movies."
"Look at me Banks." He said turning around, his face looking completely emotionless. "Does this look like a face that cares?" He paused for a minute and shrugged. "Laney is my One. I can tell and she can tell too. I'm her One. I mean, why would she agree to learn how to skate from a guy she barely knows?"
I watched him as he walked up to the cash and called for Jan. He did have a point. Why would she agree to allow him to teach her how to skate without even really knowing him?
I walked over to Averman and leaned on the counter waiting for Jan to finish up sharpening a skate.
He smiled. "There were sparks, man. Just you wait. Laney and Les will be a couple in no time."
I smirked and shook my head and looked around the old hockey shop. Averman always was a good distraction.
~
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A/N: Hey all! Ohmigod!! Amazing week, or at least Friday! I just thought I would tell you all that I'm in a really good mood, so any review would be welcomed right now! Oh and this chapter is for Jocie. She deserves it and I hope you of all people enjoyed it ok?
Shout outs!
SqUiDsLiLpYrO- Hey all who may be reading over Squid's shoulder!! Yay for updates is right! I hope you liked it! Yes! Lots of Averman this chapter! I love writing him (as I've told you before!) so I basically based the whole thing on his little subplot with Adam/Josie undertones! Are you guys fans of my Averman? AWESOME!! Oh, have you ever thought of just (I know it may seem radical but...) lending one of the Duck's movies to Justin? *shrug* Whatever. I'm glad you liked last chapter and I hope (like hell) you enjoy this one! *crosses fingers* Ok! Later!
Emily- Hey, I used to do that all the time! In the middle of careers class (I don't know where you live so I'm assuming you're American here, Careers class is just some useless class they make grade 10's go through in Canada) I would log onto a computer and check my mail for reviews! And the cool part was that I never got caught (Go me!)! Yup, first encounter in a little bit, but (if you're counting *fake* days here) its only been about 2 days since he's tried to talk to her and he does see her in math class everyday so yeah. Thanks for the review! Later!!
OreoLine00- OH I bet you were so excited to visit paperclip boy again! I know I would be. But I'm sure he learned his lesson. However, with kids like that they can always find a new and interesting way to injure themselves, no? Anyways, thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked last chapter and I how you like this one!
Rach- Hey there!! Oh I bet your hair looks amazing! I'm glad you liked my site (cough sign the guestbook cough). It's my excuse on why I haven't been updating so often! Multitasking is cool! Ever tried watching a Duck movie, writing a scene for your latest Duck fiction, doing your homework and talking to your best friend trying to convince her that the Duck movies are the best in the world, over the phone? *nods* Oh yeah. I am the Queen of Multitasking. I'm glad you liked last chapter. It was fun to write. Lots a tension. Hmmm... I think I may have to make the 'Best reviewer of all time' Hall of fame for my site. I could even feature some of the reviews... *blinks* Maybe it will be a future addition to my site, but for now, I'm busy so that will have to go on hold. Oh yes. Woe is me... boring reviews... JUST KIDDING! I love everyone's reviews, especially yours. There are no boring ones. Except flames, but I don't think I've ever really gotten one before. Anyways, thanks so much and I hope you like this (very Averman, how is he anyways?) chapter! Later!
Banks'-gurl-99- Hey there. Well, there will definitely be another hockey chapter. I'm not exactly sure when (hopefully soon. I'm itching to write one!). I'm glad you liked last chapter and it was a little sad wasn't it? Guess all you like. I'm not exactly sure when Josie and Adam (if they do, I'm not sure) get back to together and I'm not sure how either. So we'll see ok? Come back soon!
Beaner- Hey there Katie! I was like, I wonder when Katie is going to review and you never did! I can't believe I had to remind you! You're the one who is usually reminding me to post!! My ending was deep? That doesn't happen very often. It seems to only happen when I can't get my ending right. I'm glad you liked it! I guess it was sad. I wasn't trying for it to be, but whatever. Whatever floats your boat. Again, with the deepness. Oh, and make sure that Jocie reads this chapter ok? Please? For me? Thanks so much and I hope you like this chapter! Jocie and Ash too! Later!!
OK everyone that's it! Hope you enjoyed it!
REVIEW!
~Toodles
Katie-Girl!
~*~
I wandered around the halls in my own world afraid of reality. In all honestly, reality bites. My reality at the moment was a hallway full of reminders that a lot of people were coupled up and I was freshly broken up. Ah yes, the smell of defeat. How I haven't missed your rotten stench. I glanced around and saw a couple sprawled out in a corner making out like there was no tomorrow. I grimaced. Some people had no idea that certain types of P.D.A. are disgusting to the innocent bystander.
I sighed and continued walking. The corridors seemed to reach on into eternity however I finally made it to the dining hall after stepping over a couple more face-sucking monsters... Did I actually think that? I mean; other hormone-driven, Valentine's Day loving, impressive lung capacity teenagers. My stomach grumbled as I pushed open the heavy doors and looked around the room. It was slightly emptier than any other day, mainly because it was a weekend and a holiday but there were a good number of people there. A lot of the Ducks weren't there, (example: Charlie left early this morning to surprise his mom. Something about some tradition with her that they have done since he was old enough to remember), but a good number were.
"Banks! I need you to come with me." An arm wrapped around my neck and I looked over at Averman who smiled at me with his eyes pleading me with no self-respect.
I groaned. "Go where?" I glanced over at the cafeteria line. They were serving heart shaped pancakes with syrup and strawberries. My stomach rumbled.
He pointed with his free arm over at a table that was a far distance away from the Duck's and the cafeteria line.
I looked over at the line again. "Food..." I whined quietly.
Averman groaned and began to pull be past the line. "Come on Banks, you sound like Goldberg."
I huffed and turned my head, watching it as we pasted. "But I'm so hungry. I didn't eat much dinner! Please, just let me get something, anything..."
He rolled his eyes. "If you come with me I'll buy you a cookie." He snapped pushing me along.
"Better be a big one." I grumbled as I watched the Cafeteria ladies close the line until lunch. My stomach bubbled angrily.
"Whatever." He replied as we walked up to the table that was crowded by a group of average looking girls. I recognized a couple from my classes. I said hi to my assigned lab partner, Kim, from last semester and waited for Averman to give the signal.
He didn't.
I cleared my throat and smiled. "Hey, do you mind if we hang out with you guys?"
One of the girls looked around at each other and nodded. "Sure." One of them replied. "Aren't you two on the hockey team?"
Averman nodded as we sat down in the spots that they had cleared. "Yeah, JV. I'm Les Averman, and this is Adam Banks." I thanked Jesus that he finally spoke up. I did not want to do all the talking.
"Weren't you with Luis yesterday?" One asked Averman, who nodded excitedly, glad someone recognized him.
"Oh I remember you." One of them pointed at me and brushed her dark blond hair off her shoulder. "You played on the Varsity hockey team for a while, didn't you?"
I nodded. "Yeah. And you are?"
"Oh!" She yelped. "I'm Elaine Hoffman, but just call me Laney ok?" She replied sweetly. "And the rest of us are Kimberly, Amanda and Christina, or Kim, Mandy and Tina." She said pointing at the three other girls.
I nodded and looked over at Averman who looked over at me with a nervous expression.
"No offence, but why are you here?" Laney asked pushing aside her dishes from breakfast and rested her elbow on the tabled and rubbed her neck.
I glanced over at Averman who stared at me, begging me to come up with something. I shot him back a look that screamed 'NO!' He sighed in response and smiled. "No reason, just wanted to meet new people."
The girl beside Averman raised a sculpted eyebrow and shook her head and swirled the soggy cereal in her bowl with a spoon.
My stomach rumbled quietly and tried to focus on the task in front of me: talking to a group of four girls that I only knew vaguely.
Suddenly, from behind Laney a large, brute of guy, that I wouldn't be surprised if he communicated in grunting, wrapped his arms around her middle and squeezed her in a big bear hug. She squeaked in response; from either the pressure or the surprise and turned around, kissing his cheek. "Hi Bobby!"
I glanced over at Averman whose face fell as soon as she kissed him.
Laney turned around and got her friend to move over a set. "Oh, Adam, Les, this is my boyfriend Bobby Jones. Bobby, this is Adam and Les, they're on the JV hockey team."
Her blinked his dark eyes and nodded. "Yeah I think I've seen a couple of your games. You're good, I guess."
I exchanged looks with Averman. He guesses? How can you guess? It's pretty obvious if your team is good or not.
"Yeah, we're pretty good. We did win Regionals." Averman mumbled quietly and avoided Laney's eyes.
Bobby shrugged. "Wouldn't know. I don't really like hockey. I only went because Laney likes it." He turned to his girlfriend and smiled, throwing an arm over her shoulder and smiles. "I only play football."
Averman seemed to be eying Bobby's arm over Laney's shoulder with severe hatred. "Maybe you should learn how to play before you judge it." He replied between gritted teeth.
"No, I'm fine thanks." Bobby replied with a grin.
Laney's eyes widened. "Actually, I don't even know how to skate. Do you think you could show me?" She bit her lip and smiled a very innocent, very sweet smile.
I could almost hear the wheels of a scheme moving in Averman's brain. "Absolutely!" He replied with a wide grin. "I'd love to teach you!"
"Oh my God! This is going to be so fun!" She replied with a smile that matched Averman's. "So how about tomorrow? I could meet you at the arena at eleven; we skate for an hour, have lunch and try again after!"
Averman nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds great!" He looked over at me and smiled. "Actually, we have to go so, I'll see you tomorrow, what size shoe are you?"
"Seven."
Averman nodded. "And I'll bring you skates! Later!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the seat and pulled me out of the dining hall.
I rubbed my arm and groaned. "Thanks, for almost pulling my arm out of the socket." I grumbled and glared at Averman who was peeking through the glass doors of the dining hall. He wasn't paying attention to me.
"Yeah no problem." He replied, his face almost pressed against the glass, trying to steal a glance from Laney who was probably excited about learning to skate.
Grabbing his arm, I whipped him around. "You like Laney. Isn't that cute?" I pouted and batted my eyelashes mocking his crush.
"Shut up!" He yelped and spun back around to look through the glass. "She seems nice, no?"
I nodded. "Yeah she does seem nice."
He looked back at me and smiled. "And she likes hockey! That's a major plus! And she isn't stuck up or anything."
"Yeah great."
He leaned against the wall and frowned. "And that boyfriend of hers is all kinds of wrong for her, am I right?"
I shrugged and watched him as he began to walk away from the dining hall towards the exit. I blinked and rushed after him. "Hey you owe me a cookie!"
~*~
I sat down on the bus beside Averman and leaned back in the seat looking up at the metallic-y ceiling that reflected a distorted version of me.
"And her eyes: I didn't know that eyes could be that blue!"
I rolled my eyes. "Averman! Be quiet. I get it. He eyes are as blue as a summer sky and her hair resembles the sun. Can we not talk about her looks for five seconds?" I snapped at him quickly. "How about, silence?"
Averman shrugged and slouched down in his seat and looked up at the ceiling also. "Silence. Pfft . . . simple. You want silence; you got silence."
I nodded and closed my eyes. We were going to the old hockey shop to pick up a pair of skates for Laney and then over to Goldberg's parent's deli, in hopes of finding me something to eat, on Averman of course. The shop was only three stops away so we knew exactly when to get up.
"Ok, what kind of name is Bobby? Is it me or is that the biggest jock cliché name since the beginning of time or what? Oh and he plays football! Did I tell you that! He's the probably the All-American preppy, good for nothing son of some major special person on the board that tried to kick us out! And he hates hockey! How in the blue hell can you hate hockey at this school? I mean come on. The two major sports here are hockey and football, there is no way you can hate one of them! It's it against the code of conduct at this school. Thou shalt not hate hockey at Eden Hall! And he's like five times bigger than me! I swear to God he could crush me like the little red-head bug I am. Of course he has the girl I want. It's like the high school movie cliché of the century and I'm like . . . Ducky."
I looked over at him. "I know you're a Duck."
He rolled his eyes. "No I mean, like Ducky, in Pretty in Pink."
"You watched Pretty in Pink?" I snorted shaking my head at him.
He frowned. "Hey, shut up. I lived with four women until I moved into the dorms. I had to watch a lot of chick flicks alright?"
I shrugged and leaned back in my seat. "Whatever. Anyways, explain."
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Ducky was the best friend of the girl who was in love with the popular preppy rich guy on the right side of town and Ducky was the unpopular, awkward guy who was in love with his friend."
I shrugged. "So?"
"The girl ends up with the rich guy." Averman explained. "So according to movies, I have no chance with her."
I raised an eyebrow at him and scoffed. "And you make assumptions from the outcomes of movies? You do know that girls are nothing like the girls in movies. They are all different and have different sides to them. They aren't just two dimensional characters."
"I know that. Remember, I have three little sisters and the older two would murder me if I thought otherwise." He replied spitefully. "Besides, I didn't say I thought that, I'm just saying that from a theoretical standpoint-"
"Averman, I'm not in the greatest mood at the moment and you also directed me away from food when I was, and still am, hungry and now we are shopping for skates for a person neither of us know very well." I said harshly, silencing him. "So, I don't think I could listen to your theoretical standpoint without hitting over the head, repeatedly, with a hockey stick."
He swallowed nervously and nodded as the bus came to a third stop. We got up, grabbed our stuff and exited the bus as quickly as we could beginning our short journey to Jan's Hockey Shop that Charlie's mother also partially owned.
"So what do you want to talk about?" He asked quietly, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk and shoving his hands into his jeans pockets and focusing on his chucks. His head jerked and he grinned. "Any updates on the Josie and Adam report?"
"Well let's see." I replied, playing along. "Well, she hated me a lot, when we talked, she still hated me, and now she just hates me."
He widened his eyes and pushed his glasses back up onto the bridge of his nose. "Wow." He replied. "Well what is she really angry about? You reading her diary thing, or the fact that you kept it from her?"
I shrugged. "Both I guess."
"Well, they are both stupid reasons." Averman scoffed. "I mean you love each other right?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure she still loves me."
He nodded. "Well then you should be together. It's just that simple." He plainly stated. "Love, together, love, together." He emphasized each word with a little hand gesture.
I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. "I remember a little less than a week ago when you said that I should move on."
He raised one of his shoulders lazily. "Well, I guess that after the little time of finding out the girl I like is accounted for, I figured that you have to love what is possible."
I nodded. "So does this mean we don't have to get the skates and we can get me lunch?" I grinned greedily.
His head jerked to stare at me. "No! Where did you get that impression?"
"But you just said 'love what is possible' and at the moment, it isn't possible to be in a relationship with Laney."
He smirked. "Exactly. At the moment." He pushed open the doors to Jan's shop and gestured me to enter.
I stopped in front of the door and looked at his face. "Averman, you have the 'I'm planning a stupid scheme' look in your eyes and I suggest you tell me what you're going to do before you do it."
He frowned and narrowed his eyes. "I have never had a stupid scheme in my life, thank you very much."
I blinked at him. "Well you're schemes have been perfectly harmless in the past. Dog poop, stray stench, hiding my pants, putting whip cream in my shoes. . ."
He grinned. "You had to wear Charlie's shoes all day because you didn't have time to get it out of the toes." He shook his head. "Good times."
I frowned at him. "But this is involving someone's relationship! For all we know they may be really happy!"
Averman scoffed and walked in the door and I followed him in there. "Please! She's a hockey fan! How can she be in love with a person that doesn't like hockey?"
I shrugged. "Maybe they have other interests. They like the same books maybe?"
Averman laughed. "I'm quite sure that the last book 'Bobby' read was Curious George!"
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe they like the same type of movies."
"Look at me Banks." He said turning around, his face looking completely emotionless. "Does this look like a face that cares?" He paused for a minute and shrugged. "Laney is my One. I can tell and she can tell too. I'm her One. I mean, why would she agree to learn how to skate from a guy she barely knows?"
I watched him as he walked up to the cash and called for Jan. He did have a point. Why would she agree to allow him to teach her how to skate without even really knowing him?
I walked over to Averman and leaned on the counter waiting for Jan to finish up sharpening a skate.
He smiled. "There were sparks, man. Just you wait. Laney and Les will be a couple in no time."
I smirked and shook my head and looked around the old hockey shop. Averman always was a good distraction.
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A/N: Hey all! Ohmigod!! Amazing week, or at least Friday! I just thought I would tell you all that I'm in a really good mood, so any review would be welcomed right now! Oh and this chapter is for Jocie. She deserves it and I hope you of all people enjoyed it ok?
Shout outs!
SqUiDsLiLpYrO- Hey all who may be reading over Squid's shoulder!! Yay for updates is right! I hope you liked it! Yes! Lots of Averman this chapter! I love writing him (as I've told you before!) so I basically based the whole thing on his little subplot with Adam/Josie undertones! Are you guys fans of my Averman? AWESOME!! Oh, have you ever thought of just (I know it may seem radical but...) lending one of the Duck's movies to Justin? *shrug* Whatever. I'm glad you liked last chapter and I hope (like hell) you enjoy this one! *crosses fingers* Ok! Later!
Emily- Hey, I used to do that all the time! In the middle of careers class (I don't know where you live so I'm assuming you're American here, Careers class is just some useless class they make grade 10's go through in Canada) I would log onto a computer and check my mail for reviews! And the cool part was that I never got caught (Go me!)! Yup, first encounter in a little bit, but (if you're counting *fake* days here) its only been about 2 days since he's tried to talk to her and he does see her in math class everyday so yeah. Thanks for the review! Later!!
OreoLine00- OH I bet you were so excited to visit paperclip boy again! I know I would be. But I'm sure he learned his lesson. However, with kids like that they can always find a new and interesting way to injure themselves, no? Anyways, thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked last chapter and I how you like this one!
Rach- Hey there!! Oh I bet your hair looks amazing! I'm glad you liked my site (cough sign the guestbook cough). It's my excuse on why I haven't been updating so often! Multitasking is cool! Ever tried watching a Duck movie, writing a scene for your latest Duck fiction, doing your homework and talking to your best friend trying to convince her that the Duck movies are the best in the world, over the phone? *nods* Oh yeah. I am the Queen of Multitasking. I'm glad you liked last chapter. It was fun to write. Lots a tension. Hmmm... I think I may have to make the 'Best reviewer of all time' Hall of fame for my site. I could even feature some of the reviews... *blinks* Maybe it will be a future addition to my site, but for now, I'm busy so that will have to go on hold. Oh yes. Woe is me... boring reviews... JUST KIDDING! I love everyone's reviews, especially yours. There are no boring ones. Except flames, but I don't think I've ever really gotten one before. Anyways, thanks so much and I hope you like this (very Averman, how is he anyways?) chapter! Later!
Banks'-gurl-99- Hey there. Well, there will definitely be another hockey chapter. I'm not exactly sure when (hopefully soon. I'm itching to write one!). I'm glad you liked last chapter and it was a little sad wasn't it? Guess all you like. I'm not exactly sure when Josie and Adam (if they do, I'm not sure) get back to together and I'm not sure how either. So we'll see ok? Come back soon!
Beaner- Hey there Katie! I was like, I wonder when Katie is going to review and you never did! I can't believe I had to remind you! You're the one who is usually reminding me to post!! My ending was deep? That doesn't happen very often. It seems to only happen when I can't get my ending right. I'm glad you liked it! I guess it was sad. I wasn't trying for it to be, but whatever. Whatever floats your boat. Again, with the deepness. Oh, and make sure that Jocie reads this chapter ok? Please? For me? Thanks so much and I hope you like this chapter! Jocie and Ash too! Later!!
OK everyone that's it! Hope you enjoyed it!
REVIEW!
~Toodles
Katie-Girl!