Allie- Lol...I guess you DID miss it...lol...^_~ I'm sad I won't get a big long not-at-all-annoying review. Lol...but I'll recover. And as for Charlie, I'm glad you like 'im non-grumbly...Not sure how long it'll last, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. Lol...^_^

French Chipmunk- I'm glad I got ya hooked. ^_~ Hehe...there is no shame in insanity. ^_^ I'm quite insane myself. Crazy people make the world more interesting. *grins* I'm happy to hear you liked the chapter, and thanks bunches for the review!

Sarah- Yay! ^_^ Lol...

Adriana- Yippee! You're back! *does happy dance*...*twitch* Do mean to tell me fanfiction.net cheated me out of a LONG Adriana review? Are you meaning to tell me the incompetent morons did it AGAIN?! *twitches violently* AHHH!!! BAH! GGAAAHHH!! ...*tries to calm self*...I think...I'm okay now...Heh...yeah. I think by the time this is done, it'll be long enough to be TWO books...lol...It's come a long way. I'm glad you're back, and I hope you liked the chapters. If you have time, I'd like to hear your thoughts on them since I kinda didn't get your other review. Aww...it's sad that we may not be getting anymore updates soon form your story. How depressing...*sighs* Oh well...I guess I'll have to wait for the end of your writer's block.

Rachel- *feels warm and fuzzy inside* Aww...thanks! I'm glad you liked the Charlie/Julie banter. Heh...I like to use typical teenager sentences...*silence* I can't imagine why...^_~ I'm so glad to hear I got the dialogue good! ^_^ Lol...I think I add "ness" to just about everything. Coolness, greatness, awesomeness, dumbness, stupidness, gayness, cuteness, awwness, sweetness, umm...yeah. I think you get the point. ^_^ *perks up* Laughing gas? *giggles* I love that stuff...lol...I used to get it every time I went to the dentist to get something done. Instead of giving me a shot to numb the pain from whatever they were doing, I got "the gas"...lol...When I was little I was like "Whoo! Happy gas!" and I never minded going. Lol...yeah.

Banksiesbabe99- Hello! ^_^ I'm glad you liked the playground thing. ^_^ I've totally done that too...lol...For some odd reason the parents of small children give us funny looks...Hmm...can't imagine why...There's no shame! Lol...okay, good...I'm not the only one who argues with herself...lol...^_^ Wow...so there's another person inside me?...*twilight zone music* Dun dun dun...creepy. Lol...^_~ Thanks for the review!

Brnnttebabe12- Lol...yes, I'm sure he does want to. ^_~ Thanks for the review!

Katie- YES! *does happy dance* I made you laugh and enjoy the chapter! ^_^ Lol...As for my C/J-ness, you'll just have to see...*grins* Bleh...I hate school too. It's evil, and time-consuming...and evil...*twitches*

Hotashell99- *shrugs half-heartedly* I'm just mean that way. ^_~ Lol...You'll find out eventually. Yes! Charlie was good and stopped being a hermit for, like, a whole afternoon! Lol...Dun dun dun...you'll just have to see. ^_~ I'm glad you liked the chapter, and thanks fore reviewing! ^_~

DodgerMcClure.aka.Drama-Queen- Yes...I must say I haven't played in the rain or played tag in years either...I have to live vicariously through these characters. Lol...Well, I played in the rain about two years ago before my friend moved away...but I agree. It is a definite blast from the past. I'm glad I could help bring childhood back to you. ^_^ I try. Thanks for the review!

MDSWitter26- I'm glad you liked the Charlie/Julie goodness! ^_~ *innocent smile* You'll just have to see *cough* yes-it-will *cough*...^_^ Lol. I'm glad you liked the chapter! I don't know how much you'll hate me after this chapter, but maybe you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. *nervous smile* Enjoy?

Jen- Wow...you're so nice! *is tremendously flattered* It's makes me feel so accomplished that this is one of your favorites! Really, it means a lot. And it's good to know the occasional blips of humor weren't totally lost. ^_^ I can understand you not wanting to review 54 chapters, though...Lol...^_^ I hope you enjoy the rest of the chapters as well, and thanks so much for your review! It meant a lot. *smiles*

Disclaimer- Chelsea (me) does not own The Mighty Ducks...

-Chapter 55-

Charlie and Julie stepped into the pizza place, soaking wet. Water dripped down their faces and clothes, leaving a puddle under them. The rain had steadily grown heavier as they walked along, and they were relieved to now be in the warm air of the building.

Charlie's shoes squeaked and squished as he tried to follow Julie and kick water off at the same time.

"Having problems?" she asked, looking at him with a concealed laugh.

Eventually, her stopped walking, removed his shoes, and smiled. Julie shook her head with a smile as Charlie walked over to her, his feet clad in sopping wet socks.

Julie sat on one side of a booth while Charlie sat opposite of her and laid his dripping shoes next to himself.

While they waited, Charlie tapped his fingers on the table absently.

After a moment, Charlie looked up at Julie. "Do you think they'll ever come?" he groaned, crossing his arms on the table and burying his face in them.

About five minutes later, a young waitress walked over to their table, a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Is there anything I can get you?" she asked in a sugary voice, trying to be upbeat despite her aching feet.

"Fooood..." Charlie muttered dully, his voice muffled by the arms he was resting his face in.

When the girl blinked at him, Julie threw a closed package of sugar at his head and turned to the waitress. "I'm sorry; he hasn't eaten since yesterday and isn't thinking clearly. And I would like a piece of cheese pizza and a Coke. Charlie?"

Charlie propped his elbow in the table and rested his head in his palm, looking up at the waitress. "I'll have three pieces of pepperoni pizza and a Dr. Pepper," he said.

She flashed him a smile and nodded as she wrote down their orders in her little notepad. "I'll be right back with your food," she said, smiling and nearly skipping away.

Charlie crumbled back into his head-on-table position and sighed.

Julie began clicking her tongue on the back of her front teeth, letting out a sigh as well.

"There's just something about being in here that makes me really hungry...I wasn't even that hungry before..." Charlie said with a hungry grumble.

"Charlie, I think that's the idea," Julie said back with a light laugh.

Instead of replying, Charlie let out another sigh.

About eight minutes later, the waitress approached their booth with two drinks and four pieces of pizza.

Smiling specifically at Charlie, she sat the plates and drinks down. "Enjoy. And if you need anything, ask for Marcy."

Charlie nodded, and Julie cocked an eyebrow. When the waitress was gone, Julie pulled her pizza over to herself and took a sip through the straw of her drink. "I think she likes you," the girl said jokingly, ignoring the tinge of jealously.

"Well I think she obviously put too much coffee in her sugar this morning..." he said, laying his head down on the table as he took a large bite of pizza.

"Don't you mean too much sugar in her coffee?" Julie questioned.

"That's what I said," Charlie replied, yawning and sitting up to eat his pizza.

Julie shrugged it off and continued eating her piece of pizza, staring lazily at the window at the pouring rain. There had been little to no sign of rain before they had gone to the park, so it had come as a shock when they had been soaked.

Not that this hadn't been the most eventful day she had enjoyed in quite awhile...

"See, now isn't this much more fun than moping in your room all by yourself?" Julie asked, taking another sip from her Coke.

Charlie paused for a moment and seemed to ponder this considerably. "I dunno; it is pretty fun, this whole antisocial thing. And now I'm wet," he pointed out, acting serious.

She furrowed her eyebrows and blinked in confusion.

"I'm just kidding, Julie. It's been a fairly interesting day; at least a small improvement from the evil clutches of Dr. Shylo the Psycho Shrink Guy."

Julie let out a lightly laugh. "Well, then I guess it wasn't a complete waste. And I would be pretty insulted if I wasn't more fun than Dr. Shylo the Psycho Shrink Guy."

"But you only beat him by a little, because you know I just LOVE having my brain picked at by complete strangers and being watched like some lab rat," Charlie said with bitter sarcasm.

"Really?" she asked jokingly.

"Oh yes; I absolutely can't get enough," he said dryly, drinking from his Dr. Pepper.

Julie chewed on the end of her straw and looked up at Charlie. "So how's that whole thing going for you?"

"Oh, just great. It's a real BONDING experience, and I can HARDLY wait to go back," he said in a deadpan voice. "And that was sarcasm, in case you didn't catch it."

She gave him a grim smile. "Yeah, I kinda picked up on that. Is it really that bad?" she asked with raised eyebrows.

"Worse," he groaned. "I hate it...You just don't even understand...I can't believe Coach is making me go. This whole thing is stupid, and I wish he would just leave me alone," Charlie said, half to himself, as he crossed his arms and hid his face in them.

Julie furrowed her eyebrows. "So you think it's stupid that he's trying to help?"

"Help? Help?! It's NOT helping, if that was the desired result," Charlie said coldly, leaving his head resting on his crossed arms; his voice was muffled by his buried face.

"At least he's trying, Charlie. He's worried about you," she said softly.

Charlie looked up with furrowed eyebrows. "Are you siding with him?"

"I'm not siding with anybody, Charlie. I'm simply saying we've all been worried about you, and maybe it isn't such a bad idea if you'd give it a try..." she said, trying to be bold; however, it was difficult because she felt a sick feeling settle in her stomach.

"You're siding with him," Charlie said, standing up and throwing his hands up in the air for a brief second. "It figures."

"Charlie..." she said with a sigh, standing up too.

"No. Just, don't," he said, stepping back and shaking his head. "Don't."

With one last hollow look, Charlie grabbed his shoes, slammed a few dollars on the able, and backed up, walking out the door of the pizza place; it was still drizzling and the boy felt a heavy feeling come over him as he quickened his pace. He just wanted to get home...He could go back to his room...He was safe in his room...

~~~*~~~

Julie sighed and rubbed her face with her hands. Yep, she had officially just blown it. That was stupid...

She bit her lip and sat back down in the booth, watching him storm away from the pizza place. Why couldn't she have just kept her mouth shut? She should have known better than to bring up one of those sensitive subjects that she KNEW would upset him...

Her gaze fell to the four dollars and fifteen cents sitting where he had been. She much preferred him over the money, though...

The waitress skipped up but paused when only one of her two customers was sitting at the booth.

The girl furrowed her eyebrows at Julie, but decided not to say anything. "Is there anything else you need?" she asked with little enthusiasm.

Julie looked up the waitress with a crooked frown. "No," she replied flatly. She was in no mood to deal with the waitress right now...

The waitress's mouth twitched and she let out a sigh. "Fine, then. You ready to leave?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips lazily.

"That would be lovely," Julie said tightly, pulling a few dollars out of her pocket and sat it next to Charlie's four dollars and fifteen cents. She didn't leave a tip.

As she stood up and walked to the bathroom, she felt her pocket vibrate. She reached her hand into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone.

"Hello?" she asked, pausing.

'Hey Jules, it's Connie. You still up for pizza?'

Julie looked around the room. "I'm not really hungry, but I guess I could use the company..."

~~~*~~~

Charlie folded his arms across his chest as the rain grew steadily harder. He felt his hair cling to his face as water dripped down the side of his face; his clothes were plastered to his body, becoming like a second skin.

The boy felt water seep deeper into his shoes and socks as he stepped in a deep puddle. He chose not to address it and kept walking, trying not to think about anything but getting home.

A slight shiver tremored through his body, and he tried to blink away the raindrops from his eyes. A car sped by, splashing a spray of cold water on his already drenched form. He glared at the car and shook his head, continuing his walk.

"How far away can the freakin' place be?" Charlie muttered to himself, feeling his cold, wet feet sloshing in his soaked shoes. "It sure seemed closer on the way out..." he continuing softly, narrowly dodging a kid on a bicycle.

Just when he thought things couldn't get worse, he saw a flicker of lightning, heard a clap of thunder, and felt the rough rain pelting him from above grow more forceful.

"This is great...just great," he muttered sarcastically, kicking a newspaper dispenser on the curb. He bit his tongue when the action only served to frustrate him further; now his foot hurt too. He let out an irritated growl as he continued walking down the sidewalk, simmering in mixes of anger, frustration, depression, and coldness. Just because it was early summer didn't mean he wasn't cold.

Charlie passed "Bob's Convenient Store" without much thought. However, upon closer inspection, he realized it was the same one he had found that other night...at least he somewhat knew where he was now.

The boy paused in his journey to look at the small, insignificant store. He could see a few customers milling around inside, and the same girl working the cash register. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't feel compelled to move from his spot.

His gaze shifted around the different aspects of the store. He hadn't really taken a good look before, so he decided he might as well now.

It was pretty small, and only had a few aisles. He could see most of the items from where he was.

Charlie caught the girl's eyes and they looked at each other for a while. He couldn't tell, but it seemed as if some indefinable emotion crossed her face. He began to feel uncomfortable, so he quickly turned to continue walking down the sidewalk, sticking his hands deep in the denim pockets of his jeans.

He turned his gaze downward to the sidewalk, watching drops of rain fall in puddles on the ground. He felt his mood plunge deeper with each fallen drop.

It seemed like an eternity before he arrived back at his home. He stood outside and stared at the house, wanting to go in, but wanting to stay put just the same.

Forcing his legs to move, Charlie trudged up the concrete path leading to his front door. He opened the door and walked in, still dripping; the boy could feel himself shiver in the cold, wet clothes.

As he took each step, he could see a puddle left in his wake; the socks squished in his shoes as he walked slowly into the house, closing the front door behind himself.

Charlie felt Bombay's eyes on him as he tried to make it to the stairs without any conversation...

"Charlie?"

So much for that.

"Yeah?" he asked, turning to Gordon Bombay with contempt.

Gordon's eyebrows furrowed as he held his hands up in surrender. "Cool it, I mean no harm. I was just going to ask why you're so wet."

"It's raining," Charlie said simply, pointing out the window to the falling rain.

Gordon quirked an eyebrow, but decided there was no need to push further.

Taking that as permission to leave, Charlie walked up the stairs. Not that he wouldn't have done so even if told not to leave...but that's beside the point.

He kicked his dripping shoes off and on to his bedroom floor. The boy closed his door and opened his closet, looking for something to change in to...

He settled for jeans, a white tee shirt, and a navy hoodie. Much warmer than wet clothes.

Charlie peeled the dripping articles of clothing and tossed them haphazardly on the floor, not two feet from the hamper. He pulled the warm, dry clothes on and smiled with semi-contentment. Much better.

He then removed his socks and wiggled his toes, debating whether or not to put more socks on...

Then the boy felt a chill and shivered.

Nodding, he plopped back on the floor and walked to his dresser, pulling out clean, dry socks. Yep, he would be wearing socks.

Now that he was comfortable again, he fell back on to his still-unmade bed, closing his eyes and wrapping himself in the covers, pulling them back up on to the bed.

He folded his arms and let out a sigh. Another cruel, potentially happy day gone terribly wrong. But was this surprising?

Of course not.