Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!

MEME-ANN : Sorry but I had to lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

HOCKEY-GIRL90 : Glad you liked it. Here's the next chappy for you. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

SWEETNJUICYX0 : I know you can't do any other than fee sorry for her can you. Well I hope that whatever you thinks gonna happen, happens lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

XSARAH : You haven't been that bad lol. Yeah it is a little sad ain't it, but hey that's life lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

CAKEEATER : That's the only reason you were for them breaking up wasn't it lol. I take it you're an extreme Connie/Guy fan then lol. Still I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Hope you have/had a nice time in Cyprus. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!

C-CHAN96 : I know your secret. You wait until the end on purpose don't you lol. Hey I don't care how pointless your reviews are, you took the time to read and review my story, that's all that matters lol. Yeah poor Connie, and yeah you've gotta feel for Charlie too haven't you – not a problem I should think for you lol. Hint though, you may feel the need to shout at me in later chapters lol. Anyways thanks for the 6 reviews and support. CHEERS MI DEARS!

Chapter 15

CHARLIE'S P.O.V

I had spent all weekend feeling miserable. The guys tried cheering me up, but nothing helped, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had failed Connie somehow. This all started because I hadn't walked her home from work, because I was too interested in going to that damn party. I must be the worst boyfriend in the world, there was no wonder why she wanted to break up. I loved her so much, but I had let all my other feelings cloud that. Why I hadn't been more honest with her from the start was beyond me. Non of this would have happened if I'd been more open with my feelings to her or the ducks. But instead I'd been the stubborn ass and kept everything locked up, tried to be strong for everyone except myself.

"Charlie, you think you'll win her back moping around here"? Averman told me, as he packed his bag for class.

"I'm not trying to". I retorted.

"Then you're not the Charlie Conway I grew up with". He answered.

"Charlie, think about it. You said she'd heard you saying all that stuff about her being different right"? I nodded at him. "Have you ever thought she didn't really want to break up with you in the first place, but she was scared that you were just being supportive out of duty, not out of love". Adam told me from his position on his bed.

"So what you're saying is, she broke up with me because she thinks I don't love her anymore, and I was just hanging around because I didn't have the heart to break up with her myself, because of everything she's been through". I felt a little glimmer of hope, as I lifted my head up.

"Maybe". Adam responded.

"So all I need to do is prove to her that I still really love her". I began getting up, grabbing the books I needed and stuffing them into my bag.

"Maybe you should give her some space for now Charlie. I mean lets face it, what she heard you say kinda hurt her. Just concentrate on being her friend for now, until this whole thing blows over". Averman advised.

"You're right, I just need to let her know I'm still here for her". I agreed.

Minutes later we were heading onto the main part of campus. As we walked we met up with a few other ducks. The campus around the main building was thronging with students. At first I didn't notice the few people staring at us, and when I finally did, the others had too. I just thought it was because they had been to our hockey games and recognized us. But soon there was more and more people looking at us.

"Man, I'm starting to freak out. What are all these dudes staring at"? Russ asked in annoyance and confusion as he headed toward us along with Luis, Ken and Dwayne.

"For once I wish it were for my good looks". Averman commented. "But I seriously doubt it".

"Oh God Charlie. They know". Fulton said suddenly.

"Know what"? I asked as I turned to face him. "SHIT"! It dawned on me exactly what he was saying. "Guys, guys, we gotta find Connie immediately, if everyone's staring at her as much as they are at us, she'll freak".

I needn't say anymore as we all took off in separate directions. I ran into the building knowing exactly where her first class was. Adam who was the only duck Connie had her first class with, obviously had the same idea, as we met at one end of the corridor.

"Great minds eh"? He joked half heartedly as we dashed along the corridor.

We turned toward left at the end of the corridor and immediately spotted her being dragged toward the ladies bathroom by Julie. I knew it was too late, she had already noticed everyone staring at her. Without even thinking about it, we both stopped outside the bathroom door, and began entering cautiously.

"WILL YOU JUST GET THE HELL OUT, HAVEN'T YOU"… Julie shouted at us as soon as she'd heard the door swing open. "Oh it's you". She stopped yelling as soon as she saw it was us.

Connie was stood gripping one of the basins. Tears were evident even from where I stood. Her knuckles were turning white from how hard she gripped. My first instinct was to go over to her and grab her in a hug, but something seemed to hold me in place.

"How? How do they know"? Connie asked after a few seconds, her voice wobbly as though she was struggling to speak.

"It"… I began.

"I'm so sorry Connie, but it was me". Julie admitted quickly.

"You, you told them"? Connie looked sharply at her, hurt filled her eyes.

"I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean to". Julie began trying to explain.

"You didn't mean to? So what you just accidentally told someone you thought you could trust, or did the topic just arise in the weekly gossip meeting"?

Someone tried entering, I noticed before the others, and pushed the door tightly shut, ignoring the few shoves whoever it was gave on the door, before finally giving in. I dragged the litter bin over to the door and lent against the handle, stopping anymore intruders.

"No, it wasn't like that". Julie said gently. "It was after you ran away from Ramsden, I was coming after you and he started shouting at me to leave you, and I got angry, and it just slipped out. I never meant to say anything or hurt you. I was just"…

"How can I go back out there? With them all staring at me like that". Connie suddenly said.

"Con you can, and you've got to". I told her. "Once they know you aren't bothered, then they'll find something else to gossip about".

"I can't. They're all looking at me like I'm a chimp at the zoo". She cried.

"Then give them something to look at. Show them that they aren't gonna win and you're not bothered". Julie joined in.

Eventually we convinced her that she'd be ok and to just ignore them. We looked through her schedule and made arrangements for her to be with at least 1 duck at all times. Mainly she'd be with Julie, Adam and Averman, I had one class with her along with Adam, Fulton and Portman.

"C'mon, Con, I'm right here with ya". Adam told her as we prepared to head on out.

Both me and Adam snuck out first, so at least no-one would make a big deal of us being in there with them. A few minutes later Julie and Connie exited. Connie walked cautiously behind Julie, then immediately sheltered by Adam's side. Both me and Julie watched as the two walked away, Adam talking to her the whole time. After they rounded the next corner, I slung my arm across Julie's shoulder and headed toward our class.

ADAM'S P.O.V

"It's ok Con, just ignore 'em". I said as soothingly as I could manage. "Let 'em stare, they're wasting their own time and energy".

When we arrived in class, we sat in our usual seats, and I began a gentle conversation with her. I purposely let her sit in my seat which was next to the aisle, so she wouldn't have to sit next to anyone who might treat her differently. I couldn't help but notice the quiet whisperings and odd glances that people gave her, and Connie grew more and more tense.

"RIGHT, everyone take your seats or get out". The professor entered the room, slamming the room door after him.

He began by handing out some papers he'd has us do weeks before. When he came to mine, he handed it me, giving Connie a sympathetic look as he did so. He then handed her a note from the Dean, asking her to go and see him. She began nervously collecting her things, and had climbed down two stairs before the professor gestured his head toward her, obviously meaning for me to follow her. I grabbed my things and took off after her, leaving the whisperings, that steadily got louder the further to the door we got.

"EVERYONE SHUT UP"! I heard the professor yell and silence followed immediately.

At first neither of us said anything as we walked the corridors. We both knew that the Dean wanted to see her, to confirm the gossip he'd obviously heard. I had never known anyone personally that had been called to the Dean, generally it was up to the professors to drop people from their classes or whatever else they were meant to do. But I knew the Dean also was very hands on when it came to troubled or troublesome students. Connie fell into the former category.

"What do you think he's gonna say"? She asked me in a quiet voice after a few minutes.

"He probably just wants to know whether the rumors he's heard are true, and to see that you're ok". I answered.

"Thanks for coming with me". She smiled slightly at me.

"Hey anything to get me outta class". I laughed, and she cracked the first smile I'd seen from since her break up with Charlie, albeit a small one.

So anyways whatta ya think? PLEASE R&R!