Well kiddies, "Shattered Glass" just got its first flame. Everyone wave and say hi to 'strangerdanger'!

Allie emailed me and told me she was going out of town for vacation so I needed to update...so I updated! Hee hee. THIS IS THE BIG 6-0! YAY! ::does happy dance::

HockeyLuvva- Nice to hear from you again. I can understand being banned from the internet. Not fun at all. And my new notebook is almost full again! I have almost three full notebooks full of my stories, and most of it is this one! Sure, I have some others scattered throughout it too, but this one is freaking long! Lol...::sighs:: I'll miss it when it ends...::grins and giggles:: Yay! I've always wanted a pony! ::gobbles down chocolate and squees at the pony:: I got chocolate and a pony! Yay!

Katie- Lol...heh...yeah. "Once" is subjective. Ha ha. Yes. I'm not evil! Lol. Thanks for the review, Katie! Enjoy the chapter!

Banksiesbabe99- Heh Yeah...it's understandble that you're frustrated. Lol...thanks for the review, as always, and enjoy the chapter!

Rachel- ::giggles:: Yeah. He's just having his own little issues, huh? Evilness doesn't like to go away. Lol...Hee hee! I'm glad you liked my Canada-self discovery line. Lol...Yes. Nickelback=very angsty. Yep...::sighs:: The big 6-0 is this chapter. We've come a long way...

Allie- YAY! Long review! Long review! Yay! ::does happy dance:: Ooh...Well, you rock MY multi-colored toesocks TOO! ::sniffles and gets all emotional:: My baby is gorwing up...::sniffles again:: It's almost a year old...Lol. Ack! Writer's block. Evil. Heh. Yeah, watching the movies and Ronnie and Julie does help. Perhaps some C/J goodness will all of a sudden hit me ina spur of inspiration...That would be nice...but I definitely feel better than I did before. Lol. Not a good feeling. I want my permit! ::cries:: Everybody but me has one, and I've been 15 since March! ::sobs:: My parents are gonna teach me, though. Fun. I'll be driving soon...hee hee...::evil smile:: That's good that you haven't killed anyone yet. Lol. Aw! What evil 3rd graders! Bad children. It must have been a typo, this giving Adam a brain thing. I'm sorry for the confusion. Lol... Yay! I'm funny! Lol...::does happy dance:: Exciting. Hmm...I always thought it was "float your boat." IT'S ALL BEEN A LIE! My whole life! ::breaks down sobbing:: For fifteen years, I've been living a lie, Allie! A LIE! ::sobs::...::twitches:: I'm okay now. Lol. Yay! You like my sarcastic Charlie! Lol...I'm quite the sarcastic little child myself, too. Lol. Sarcasm is fun. It's just sad when no one understands you...Lol...Nah, it's not Bangst. Lol. Chelsea doesn't write Bangst. It's just Charlie angst DISGUISED as Bangst. ::nods:: It's the truth. I would never betray my hatred for him like that! Lol. I do agree that it's fun to be sarcastic. Ha. I already said that. Lol...I think...hmm...I whine too. Heh. YAY! SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! ::does happy dance:: YIPPEE! Hyperness is fun. Ha ha. I hope you had fun on vacation!

Preciousbabyblue- I'm so glad to hear it's one of your favorites! ::feels honored:: I hope you like the chapter!

Adriana- ::blinks::...::eyes water::...::lip quivers::...I'm...sorry? Gah. I guess I'm sorry about the Portman using a big word thing...ehh...heh. I guess I like big words. I'll try not to make him sound too educated. I'm sorry that you're mad at the world. ::pats Adriana's head:: It'll be okay. I hate finals too. Have fun! Vent and be merry! Sorry I wasn't any help. Too bad you weren't mad like this a few days ago when this chick made two stories that were completely net-speak. Me and 13 other people from the fandom flamed her pants off and got her stories removed and account disactivated. It was interesting. Perfect thing for venting. It was bad, though. The worst thing I've ever seen. Made me want to gouge my eyes out and roll on the floor in agony. Would have been perfect for the angry mood. Heck, it even made me angry. Lol. It was my first flame. I hope you like the chapter, and I hope your mood improves! Much love!

Emmy- I'm glad you liked it! Hehehe. Yeah. Charlie has issues with the whole 'behaving' thing. Hehehe. And I won't lie; I do have an sn, but I'm not 'allowed' to talk to people I haven't 'met' in person. "For all I know you could be a stark-ravin'-mad 50-year-old-man stalker whose gonna hunt me down and kill me in my sleep," says my parents. So now I can't talk to people on AIM. ::sighs:: It depresses me, because you guys are awesome! No one I actually 'know' likes the Mighty Ducks, so I really wish my parents would let me. Unfortunately, they made it painfully clear that if they caught me on AIM with someone I haven't met face to face that I will be permantely disconnected from the internet, never to get on again. And they're serious. So I just stick with this. I'm sorry. Because I REALLY would like to talk to you, Allie, and Mary, but life just hates me. I'm happy you liked the Charlie angst.

Brnnttebabe12- Heh. Yeah. Charlie does need a chill pill or two. I'm glad you like my stories. ::feels all warm and fuzzy inside::

Strangerdanger- I appreciate that you have your own opinion, not everyone can like the story, but if you were shooting for "constructive critisim," it didn't quite work. It felt more like a flame, but I'm going to try and take it as constructive critisism. I know that not a whole lot has changed in several chapters, but that's because I can't magically make him better. There are changes in the plot, and I'm getting near the end, but I'm still sorry that you find my story so repetitive. I'll try not to annoy you so much. I have a plan for the story to the very last chapter, and I know what I'm doing, but if I don't take chapters in between then it will be a rushed, non-developed story. I refuse to rush. I care too much about my writing, and I'm very sorry that you feel that way.

French Chipmunk- Lol...Everything getting better? Hehehe. Hehehe. Hehehe...Heh...Sorry. You'll just have to see...::evil smile::

Disclaimer- Okay...This is Chapter 60, people. I think you get the idea...

-Chapter 60-

The car pulled to a stop in front of the office, and Charlie climbed out into the steadily warming summer air.

When Bombay started getting out, Charlie held up his hands. "Chill, I can walk inside a building by myself. I promise."

Gordon Bombay gave him a skeptical look, but sat back down in his seat. However, he kept watching Charlie.

When the teen realized Gordon wouldn't leave until he saw him walk inside, he turned and walked in, pausing just out of sight before turning to watch the man leave. After completely sure that Bombay was gone, Charlie walked back outside. Screw therapy.

He walked for a while, letting out a sigh. Why did they have to insist on counseling anyway? It was a waste of time, money, and energy...It wasn't like he was "getting" anything from it anyway.

The breeze was slight, and Charlie kicked random objects lying on the sidewalk as he strolled along. It was a good thing the shrink's office wasn't a great distance away from something worthwhile.

A small diner-type place came into view. He had never been there before, so it was a good change of scenery.

He walked in and sat alone at a booth, resting his head on the counter as he "people-watched."

Charlie didn't know how long he had sat there before he felt eyes on him. He glanced around but didn't see anything. The diner was empty. The boy tried to shrug it off, thinking it must be his over-reactive imagination.

Once convinced he wasn't just paranoid, he continued looking around. He locked eyes with a boy who appeared a few years older than him. His shaggy hair was dyed black with a blue stripe, and his hazel eyes were piercing. He had earrings trailing up his ears and had a chain dangling from his large, baggy pants. He looked a bit scary...

Charlie gulped slightly and tugged his gaze back to table. Psycho...

When the nagging feeling refused to go away, Charlie sent the guy a miffed look, hoping he would get the picture and go bother some other poor, unsuspecting stranger...

Charlie growled under his breath and flipped around to face the slightly older boy. "What is your problem?!" he barked.

The guy looked around the deserted diner before looking back at Charlie. "Me?" he said cockily, pointing to himself with mock-innocence.

"Yes, you," Charlie said through gritted teeth. "Will you quit staring at me?!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," he said, though it wasn't sincere. "I was just wondering to myself what a kid like you would be doing here. That's all."

Charlie's mouth tightened, but he cocked an eyebrow. "A kid like me, huh? And please, do enlighten me, what kind of kid am I?"

"One whose time would be better spent amongst the other privileged brats of this world," he said, raising a pierced eyebrow at Charlie.

Charlie snorted. "Privileged? Where exactly did you get that idea?"

"You go to the preppy snob school, do you not? Eden Hall Academy for Preppy Brats Whose Parents Have More Money Than They Know What To Do With?" the guy asked, leaning over his chair.

"Hey...how'd you know that?" he asked, not even bothering to acknowledge the last part until he found out what was going on.

"I've seen you before. Some friends of mine were going with me to key some 'poor, unsuspecting rich person's' car. There were lots of rich kids around, but I think I remember seeing you. Surrounded by all your fellow rich, preppy friends. So underprivileged..." he said with biting sarcasm.

"I am not preppy, nor am I rich. And I would prefer if you left them out of it..." Charlie said coldly.

"Why is that?" he asked tauntingly.

"We're not exactly on good terms." Charlie felt his mouth tighten and his eyes narrow.

"I'm sorry to hear that," the guy said sarcastically. "Again, the poor, underprivileged prep. Whatever will we do?"

"For the last time, I am NOT a prep!" Charlie growled angrily.

"Hm. Really?"

"Yes, really. I'm there on scholarship." The frustration was growing for Charlie as the minutes ticked by.

"So are you a brain, or what?" the guy asked, moving booths so they were talking across the room.

"I'm on a hockey scholarship," Charlie snapped.

"Oh, so you're a rich preppy JOCK. Even better." The guy had a taunting, self-righteous air about him. "For a second there I thought I might actually be speaking to another intelligent being, but it can't be possible."

Charlie mouth twitched. "Are you deaf, or are you just brain-dead?"

"Could be both. There's just no telling," the older teen said with a devilish twinkle in his eye. "Do tell me, what could possibly have one of today's higher-than-thou teenagers so far from home and looking so upset? Do enlighten me."

"It's none of your business," Charlie snapped.

"Whoa, cool it tiger. It was just a question. Besides, how old are you anyway? Fourteen? Fifteen?" he asked with amusement.

"I'll be fifteen in July," Charlie growled. "Not that it's any of your business..."

"So I was right. Look, kid, you seem to have some anger. But since I'm in such a generous mood, I'm willing to sit through your sob story. Do tell me," the guy said, kicking back.

"And why the heck should I tell you?" the younger boy asked harshly.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be nice, kid. Chill out. No need to bite my head off." The guy leaned back again, decked-out in black attire as he waited for Charlie to continue. "Aren't you going to bestow your painful childhood upon me? Oh, let me guess...daddy wouldn't buy you that Viper that you want oh-so-badly even though you can't drive yet. Or maybe you got a cut in your allowance."

"Or maybe you should shut your face," Charlie growled.

"Yikes, someone here definitely needs some anger management; I'm just poking fun. Now come on...sharing is important," the guy said with a smirk.

"Why am I even talking to you anyway? Go away!" Charlie said, pointing aggressively at the door with a glare.

"Because you secretly want to share your problems, but shrinks are retarded, friends don't understand, and you hate the parents?" the guy said, raising his eyebrows in more of a question than a statement. "Nobody understands the poor angry teenager..."

"Yeah, right. I'm just DYING to spill my guts to some psycho stranger who randomly starts talking to me in a deserted diner on some street I don't know," Charlie said with sharp sarcasm.

"Hey, you talked to me first, remember?"

"You kept staring at me! It was freaking me out!" Charlie defended himself, wishing he had just left instead of making the mistake of actually talking to the freaky psycho who looked kind of scary...

"Cool your jets, kid. I'm sorry that I 'freaked you out,'" he said with amusement.

Charlie just watched him skeptically.

"So, really, what is a kid like you doing around here anyway?" the guy asked, now smirking widely.

The brown-haired teen glared at the guy, his jaw tightening as he bit back a remark. "I didn't wanna go to my shrink."

The guy nearly choked with a laugh. "You seriously have a shrink?! Oh, that's funny..." the guy said, trying to mask a snort. "I was just kidding before. Why the heck do you have a shrink?"

"I don't see what's so funny about it..." Charlie said, his lips tightening into a thin line as he glared at the older teen.

"It's just..." he started, covering his mouth with his hand to hide another laugh. "Sorry. It was just a bit surprising. So why do you need a shrink?"

Charlie but shrugged. What the heck...Why not?

"Apparently people look down upon suicide attempts. I can't imagine why, though..."

The guy snorted again. "YOU attempted suicide? Why, dare I ask, did you do something like that?" he asked, not reacting as Charlie would have expected. Not that it was necessarily a bad thing...

Charlie shrugged. "I had my reasons. None that I particularly feel like relaying to you, but they were there."

"Dang, you ARE screwed up! Heh, you know once you get past the exterior, you could be worse...but I can say I know how you feel. I tried it once in high school. Didn't work, obviously," the guy said.

Against his will, Charlie felt himself start to relax slightly. "Really? Why?"

The guy smirked and shrugged. "I had my reasons," he said cockily.

Charlie frowned. "Hey-"

"Hey, now, I was just kidding. Again, I'm feeling generous so I'll tell you." He watched Charlie continue to frown, but grow quiet in order to listen. "Drugs, alcohol, and a lying, cheating girlfriend. Recipe for disaster. It was kind of to 'show them' they'd be sorry, but it didn't really work out as planned."

Nodding his head in understanding, Charlie shrugged. "I guess I can relate...well, minus the drugs, alcohol, and lying, cheating girlfriend of course," he started. "Wait...on second thought, just minus the drugs. I guess I could count alcohol on account of my dad, and I did have a lying, cheating, semi-pseudo-girlfriend...but it only lasted a month maybe, so I dunno if it still counts."

"Fair enough. See? That wasn't so hard, now was it?" the guy said with another smirk on his face. He suddenly seemed slightly less intimidating to the younger teen.

Charlie's mouth tightened and he shrugged. "I guess. It was relatively painless..."

The black-and-blue-haired boy continued to relax when Charlie suddenly jumped up, nearly scaring the guy off the booth.

"What was that?" he asked Charlie, slightly startled.

"What time is it?" Charlie asked, checking his watch. "Uh oh...Coach is about to leave to pick me up...Dang it..." he muttered under his breath. "I gotta get back..."

"Why not stay? I don't bite, I promise." The guy was smirking.

"But he's going to expect me to be there, and he'll blow the proverbial heart valve if I'm not," Charlie pointed out with mild exasperation.

"I still need to give you a tour of the area. Upon closer inspection, you're not half bad. A little obnoxious and mean as a snake at first, but not unbearable," he said to Charlie.

"A tour? How do I know you're not going to tie me up and chop me into a thousand pieces and hide me in the walls where no one will ever find me?" Charlie asked with suspicion.

"You don't, so I guess it's just a chance you're going to have to take." When he said this, Charlie gave him a skeptical look saying 'yeah right, psycho.' "Fine. I'm not going to chop you up and hide you in the walls, alright? Gee...paranoid much?"

"But what am I going to do when he shows up and I'm NOT THERE?! Then he'll know I didn't go, and he'll insist on escorting me everywhere, and I'll be forced to go to therapy..." Charlie said all in one breath.

"Kid, calm down! Just call him and tell him you can take the bus home, right? Not that hard."

Charlie sat and considered it. Bombay wouldn't know...He could just say he wanted to take a walk and wanted to give Gordon a break...yeah...

"Deal."

"Alright, kid. Sounds like a plan." The guy stood up, followed in suite by Charlie.

"Hey...by the way, what's your name? I kind of just realized we skipped intros," Charlie pointed out.

"Shane," the guy said, holding out a spike-bracelet-adorned hand.

Charlie looked at it for a second before shaking it. "Charlie."

"Alright, Charlie," Shane said as they opened the door to the diner. "welcome to my world."