Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!
MEME-ANN : That's not fair, that's a total bribe! You can't do that, you know how much I love 'A perfect family' and 'Kekini'. I'm in HUGE pouting mode now lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEEERS MI DEARS!
DUCKYS : Yeah you do ask too many questions lol, but all will be revealed in this, the final chapter lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
PUNKTEACHER : Well, I HAD to put a good Adam liner in there didn't I. He felt SO left out because he wasn't my main character lol, well that was until I reminded him, he would ALWAYS be MY main character lol. It could be romantic, but he could also mess it up, or Connie could really hate it lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
AGEL15 : You'll have to wait and find out won't you lol. I don't know though, whether anything he can do will be able to mend those bridges if you know what I mean. I mean don't you think that too much water has gone under the bridge for that? Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
CAKEEATER : I really must stop spoiling you then, shouldn't I? Yeah me and great fit perfectly in the same sentence don't they? Lol. I bet it was, I used to love cooking at school, mainly because I never was really good at the raw materials stuff lol. Guess what, I've just passed my driving theory today. So relieved, not that you need to know lol. OHHH I've nearly turned you into a Charlie/Connie fan, YAY me lol. I'll get there don't you worry lol. I'd love to be on a jury though, just sitting there being ABLE to judge people lol. Shame you can't do it for a living lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
XSARAH : All in good time lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
MELODIE : Thank you so much for helping me with this chapter, I do however regret that I had to change it slightly. But I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you so much. CHEERS MI DEARS!
Dedicated to Melodie and everyone else who took the time to read this story, especially those who also reviewed.
Personal thank you's to Cakeeater, XSarah, Meme-Ann and C-Chan96 for all their reviews. Thanks so much!
Chapter 20
CONNIE'S P.O.V
After our game, me and Julie grabbed some seats to watch the guys game. Because the guys still wore their ducks jersey's it had become somewhat a tradition between me and Julie to also wear ours in support. To be honest I still found myself dying to be out there with the guys. I missed playing with them so much.
Julie sat on the edge of her seat, waiting to catch the first glimpse of Portman. She was like a woman possessed. I knew though, I probably used to do the same thing when I was dating Charlie, though now, I forced myself to remain sat deep in my seat, as if it would tell anyone who cared, that I also didn't care. However, I still watched as alert as Julie for the team.
Within a few minutes, both teams emerged and a huge cheer rang out. The whole arena were on their feet, cheering them on. Without even thinking about it, we joined them. Though I would often claim I was cheering for the team, I secretly was cheering more for Charlie, I always had.
As we watched the teams warm up, I couldn't help but notice Charlie looked a bit more relaxed, happy even than his previous few games. It was as though suddenly something had all clicked into place and he was moving on with his life. Something in those thoughts put a dampener on me, and made me feel slightly morbid, but somehow I managed to keep my carefree composure in front of Julie. Though I honestly don't know why I bothered, she was far more interested in watching Portman.
I smirked and shook my head in thought. Those two were like water and oil. One minute they were so much in love, then the next, they were at each others throats. Funnily enough though, Portman, always, and I mean always ended up being the one to back down. It was as though he knew how far he could push her before she'd blow her top and things get really serious.
Portman was a good guy really, and the fact he absolutely adored Julie made him even better. Before he had started dating Julie, I had always thought of him as, well I'm not completely sure. I loved him like a brother, as I did all the ducks, but he was probably one of the more private ducks. He always seemed rough and ready, but then Julie happened, and it was like he'd changed his whole personality along with his clothes. He was gentlemanly and caring. The others called him on it, well until both me and Julie pointed out, that other than Charlie he was the only other duck to have a girlfriend, and that soon shut them up.
In a way, Charlie changed much like Portman had. In the beginning, he seemed more desirable shall we say. I began noticing things about him, that maybe a best friend shouldn't. I mean a best friend would recognize when he changed cologne, but probably wouldn't have gone out of their way to point it out or even find out what his new cologne was. When he looked at me, I began noticing how blue his eyes were, even losing myself for a few seconds in them. When he looked at me, I felt myself blush slightly, or chills ran down my spine. When his arm brushed up against mine, I felt tingles run throughout my body.
I think things really came to a head in the JV/varsity game before the summer of our junior year. It was the varsity's last ever game, and they were pulling out all the stops to win. I was out on the ice with Charlie, Averman, Adam, Russ and Julie in goal. Adam, Averman and Russ were behind us with the puck as we made our way into their zone. Rick and Cole somehow managed to push us together. We landed in a heap, Charlie almost on top of me, our face masks inches from touching. We laid their breathing heavily, for a few seconds, but God it seemed like hours. Probably before anyone noticed, we were on our feet again.
In the celebration of our win, I hugged him more than once, I could feel a spark between us, but then suddenly we both, or maybe it was just me, became tense. In the locker room, I was sat next to him like I had done ever since we started Eden Hall, but all I felt was awkwardness. I felt as though if anyone gave me one look they'd tell.
Things went on like that for a few weeks, well until the end of the school year. In fact, I went out of my way, to try and steer clear of him, but the fact we'd been best friends our whole lives made it rather difficult. I thought I'd been pretty lucky when non of the ducks had noticed, but a week before the end of the semester, Julie cornered me and managed to squeeze it out. When I told her everything about how I felt tugged in all different directions, she offered me to go and stay with her for a week or two at the start of the vacation so I could clear my head.
I felt horrible the day I left with Julie. We'd sat and watched all the other ducks off home, then finally there was just me, Julie and all the Minnesota based ducks left. Averman kept whining because his 'soul mate' was leaving for a few weeks, acting as though we'd never been apart our whole lives which for the most part was true. There had only been the odd vacation when we'd spent some time away from each other. Though I too felt a little odd knowing that for the next few weeks, I wouldn't see him, and wouldn't have him sneaking in my room, for movie nights like we'd had planned for months. Charlie looked the worse out of everyone. He looked as though I was leaving for good. When we hugged bye, he gave me an extra squeeze, before telling me to call and let them know we had arrived safely. I couldn't exactly figure out why he looked so morose about me going away for a few weeks. It was then I realized he hated it when any of the team left for home, but also because he too was mine and Averman's 'soul mate' just like we were his.
The two weeks I had spent with Julie were torture. Though we had fun, my mind rarely left my situation with Charlie and honestly Averman. I missed them all, and I suppose I was pining for them. At the end of the 2nd week, instead of taking Julie's offer to stay longer, I choose to finally go home.
Julie put me on a plane in Bangor, and throughout the whole flight, I fiddled with my fingers, flicked rapidly through a few magazines I'd bought. When the plane finally landed, I made sure I was one of the first through customs and baggage collection. I walked briskly into the arrivals lounge expecting to see my mom and dad waiting for me, but after a few seconds, I knew they weren't.
FLASHBACK
I stood there trying to decide what to do. I suppose I could catch a cab home, I'd got just enough money. But then I'd have to climb through my bedroom window to let myself in, if my parents weren't home, which they obviously can't be since they weren't here. My other option was to call one of them at work, wait about an hour until they can get to me, if they can get to me that is, then probably have the situation cause an argument later.
Choosing the former, I hitched my carry on higher onto my shoulder, and grabbed my only suitcase and headed for the exit.
"CONNIE"! I heard my name being called, by the most unmistakable voice ever.
I looked up and could see Charlie's head bobbing up and down, as he ran toward me. It was then I felt panic, and I have no idea what exactly possessed me to do what I did next. I darted to one side, joining into a thick layer of crowd, I was then unseen. I followed the biggest part of the crowd, and luckily they lead me straight to the exit. I knew what I had done was incredibly horrible, but the idea of sitting in a car with him, which might I add was bound to close proximity, something I really didn't need right then, frightened me more than I dared to admit.
Outside the airport, I climbed in a cab and told him where I wanted to go. As cab drivers do, he took the scenic route, and got stuck in a major traffic jam. Strangely it didn't bother me as much as it usually would, at least I wasn't sat right next to Charlie throughout it all.
After three quarters of an hour, I finally got home. I dragged my things out of the back seat, paid the driver, and turned to see home. As expected my parents weren't home, but my bedroom window was as it always was, wide open. I stepped up onto the porch, placed my bags out of sight, then turned and headed back down onto the lawn, where I began to climb the tree. I climbed with ease that only an expert tree climber would. In less than a minute, I was sliding through the window into my room. Before heading down stairs, I called Julie to tell her I'd arrived home safe.
I headed down the stairs, deciding to grab some late lunch, then I knew I'd probably call Averman and arrange to meet up with him. I bounded down the stairs, and started walking down the hallway, passed the living room toward the dining room and kitchen.
"Connie"! A voice suddenly said.
"ARGH"! I screamed, grabbing the wall in fright, then twisting to see, you've guessed it, Charlie sat on my sofa. "You scared me Charlie". I told him, walking slightly into the living room. "How'd you get in, anyway"? I asked, a tad nervously.
"A key". He lifted it in the air to show me. "Why'd you run away in the airport"?
"What were you doing at the airport"? I shot back.
"So you admit you saw me at the airport"? He stood up and edged toward me.
"Yes… I mean no". I stuttered.
"Again Connie, why did you run away from me at the airport"? He came even closer and wrapped his hands around my shoulders.
"Because"… I shrugged his hands away, and walked further into the room, to put some space between us.
"Because, what"? He demanded.
"Because I think I've got feelings for you". I said quickly.
"Come again"? He asked me as though he hadn't heard the first time, though I knew he had, I could tell by the look on his face.
"I think I've got feelings for you". I repeated, though far more slowly and calmly than my first attempt.
"You've got feelings for me"? He repeated.
"YES CHARLIE"! I shouted. "I've been feeling kinda weird around you over the passed few weeks". I admitted.
"And you failed to tell me this because"? I had imagined him to be angry, but he was strangely calm.
"Because it's weird Charlie. You're not supposed to fall for your best friend". I replied. "I was scared".
"So you went with Julie, not because you wanted to spend time with her, but to get away from me"?
"No. I did want to spend some time with Julie. I was planning on going to see her at some point over the summer, but I needed to get away from you, because I was just hoping that maybe if I wasn't around you, the feelings would just disappear. Spending time with Julie was just the perfect opportunity and excuse". There were tears in my eyes now.
"I um, I need to, to leave, I need some time to process this". He backed away from me and headed for the door.
"See, this is EXACTLY why I didn't say anything". I shouted, as he left.
I leant back against the living room door frame, tears pouring down my cheeks. I knew I had just lost one of my best friends, because I wasn't strong enough to keep my feelings in check. After today things would always be awkward between us. Why? Why did he have to push me to tell him? Suddenly the door shot open.
"Charlie"?
"The hell I need time". He strode toward me.
With one movement, his lips were dancing hungrily atop mine. One hand rested gingerly on my waist, the other moving back and forth from my cheek to the nape of my neck.
END FLASHBACK
I spent nearly the full game, thinking of that day. It had probably been the best day of my whole life. There wasn't one day, I regretted the decisions I made.
"Captain Charlie Conway seems a little pre-occupied again tonight, though his playing is far better than it has in the last few games. Maybe he's finally getting his head back in the game". I could hear the announcer say, as we weren't sat too far from him.
I too had noticed in previous games Charlie's playing had been very off, but I knew exactly why. But tonight, he was actually starting to concentrate more. He was still some what off his game, but it was far better than it had been.
"Is it me, or is Charlie actually playing good"? I commented to Julie.
"Might have a girl in the stands". She commented loosely, without even looking. "I'm sorry". She said when she actually realized what she'd said. "It's just that, well you both just need to move on. You've been over a month now". She said gently.
"I know". I replied sadly.
Immediately Julie turned her attention back to the game. I however found myself staring around at the fans, as if I was trying to spot 'the girl', not that I would, I'd never met her. She could be a blonde with big boobs, or an intelligent red head. Who knows it could be a woman twice his age. I caught a glimpse of Charlie returning to the team box, I could see the massive smile on his face. As he glanced around the arena, I tried following his eyes, hoping he'd lead me to her, but wherever he was looking, the crowd was too big to tell. I felt physically sick, the thought of Charlie and someone else.
"Jules, I'm gonna take off". I shouted to my friend over the crowd.
"What why"? She shouted back, her eyes wide.
"I just, I just don't think I'm ready to see him with someone else". I admitted.
"Stay, please"? She pleaded. "If you can't stay for Charlie, stay for me, Averman and the others. Besides, after the game, you can come out with me, Portman and Fulton, we'll have fun".
I nodded feebly, and watched the last few seconds of the game. Unsurprisingly the guys won, and after celebrating on the ice for 5 minutes, finally bounded to the changing rooms. I sat there suddenly tense at the idea of having to catch a glimpse of this girl Charlie was now seeing. I watched as fans disembarked the arena, wishing I too could be going with them. But what good would it do, other than show Charlie how childish I was, proving to him he was well rid of me. I had to be stronger than that.
After 10 minutes, the arena was empty except for me and Julie. I had even seen the opposing team leave. My eyes darted around the arena, trying to find this mystery girl of Charlie's. But there was no-one around. Eventually I came to the conclusion she was waiting around outside. I was hoping upon hope, that Fulton and Portman were the first ones out, so we could just get the hell out of there. Julie who must have sensed my unease looked at me.
"I'll go see what's taking them so long. Stay here with the bags will ya".
"But… I… ugh". She was already gone, leaving me sat alone.
I was in two minds whether to just grab both our bags and just get the hell out of there. It wasn't as though she didn't know I didn't want to be there. She'd know I'd have just gone back to our room. I had almost made the decision, when I heard some gentle music being played. I glanced around to see exactly where it was coming from, but I couldn't see a thing.
"Thanks for the times, That you've given me, The memories are all in my mind, And now that we've come, To the end of our rainbow, There's something, I must say out loud, You're once, twice, Three times a lady, and I love you, Yes you're once twice, Three times a lady, and I love you, I love you".
It was then, I saw Charlie skating to the middle of the ice, slowly, then turning to face me. His voice not exactly matched to the song, and on a few words he was extremely out of tune, I could slightly hear Lionel Richie's voice too, but I really didn't care. My hand without me realizing, had moved up to my mouth. Tears threatened and before long one poured.
"When we are together, The moments I cherish, With every beat of my heart, To touch you to hold you, To feel you to need you, There's nothing to keep us apart"
He continued singing. He was still stood in the centre of the ice, looking directly at me. Slowly I stood up and began climbing down to the players box. My eyes never left him, and when I was half way there, he must have realized I wasn't moving to get out of there, but I was going toward him, he started skating steadily to me.
"You're once twice, Three times a lady, And I love you, I love you".
I entered the player box and headed straight for the boards, climbing carefully over. By the time I had gotten my other leg over, ready to drop onto the ice, he was directly in front of me, and his body slipped between my legs. He dropped his mike over into the players box, before wrapping his arms around my waist. My arms automatically went around his neck. I leant forward and kissed him gently, aware of the tears streaming down my cheeks.
"I love you". He whispered when he pulled away.
"I love you too". I whispered back.
He pulled me slightly, and I reciprocated by wrapping my legs around his waist. Suddenly he skated backwards, then began spinning. During mid spin, he found my lips again, and we remained kissing until we slowed to a stop. He gave me another gentle kiss before lowering me to the floor.
"Arr it's so beautiful isn't it"! We heard a voice and turned to see Averman and Julie stood just in the main gateway to the ice, the rest of the team and Orion smiling like a proud parent behind them. Averman Julie looked to be crying, well Julie definitely was, their heads were lolling on each other, and their hands clasped together at chest height. We laughed a little, before kissing again.
"So do you forgive me then"? Charlie asked gently, resting his forehead on mine.
"What for"? I replied, ready to just forget everything over the passed few months.
"Well"… Charlie began.
"CHARLIE SHUT UP"! The whole team yelled suddenly.
So that really is the end! What did you think? PLEASE R&R!