Heh, since I forgot it in the first chapter, here's the disclaimer: Neither Meme nor I own the Ducks, or anything else you recognize from the movies.

CONNIE'S POV

I crinkle my nose walking in, trying not to breathe in too deeply. His room always smells like a mix of Cheetos and dirty socks. Not the most appealing of odors really and it tends to offend my nasal passages. But what can I expect from a teenage boy I suppose.

I lower myself into his desk chair and turn it to face him, folding my arms around my stomach. I hold in a retch at the smell, this wouldn't be the best time to puke on his carpet. Come over to be supportive and wreck his rug.

"So," I start gently. "what's on your mind?"

A soft grunt is the reply I get and I sigh, cracking my knuckles. Why do men have to be so difficult about things? They have no trouble showing when they're angry, but sadness, or fear? No way will they let that out. That they just keep bottle up inside until they can't get away from it, and it destroys them.

"Do you wanna go for a walk?" I try, reaching over and patting his hand supportively.

Truthfully, I'm just hoping to get out of this room, before I pass out. If the lights were on, I'm sure he'd be able to see the green tint in my skin. I don't know how Kenny can live in here with him, without dying, or at least wearing a oxygen mask to bed.

Portman gives me a weak nod in reply and I thank the heavens, hopping up from my chair. "Good, let's go."

I'm out the door and waiting in the hall faster then a blink. Gasping slightly for air, I lean against the wall waiting. Dean gives me a sideways glance as he steps out and stops to lock the door.

With a raised eyebrow he queries "You feeling okay? Your skin's the color of my grandmother's pea soup."

"Gee, thanks, Dean. You really know how to compliment a girl." I laugh, gesturing down the hall, before starting to walk.

As soon as we get outside, we're hit with a wave of cold Minnesota chill, and I stuff my hands in my pockets to keep them from frost bite. I'm shivering from head to foot and when I look over at my friend I realize he's not even wearing a coat. When I call him on it, he says he's simply forgotten. I tell him he's going to freeze to death and he says he's not even cold. There's something wrong here. Something is seriously wrong.

I heave a sigh of relief when we finally escape the cold into the warm confines of the student lounge. Portman's teeth are chattering and I can tell despite his many objections, he's frozen to the bone. I can also tell his internal troubles, are more bothersome then his external ones. Sadly I can offer little more then a hot cup of coffee and an open ear.

"So are you going to talk to me, or are you just going to sit there, dumping endless packets of sugar into that cup of, Joe?"

My teammate brings the Styrofoam cup to his lips and takes a sip, peering at my over the ridge rim. "Not much to. I just don't like this time of year. It reminds me of the good times, and more so, the bad times."

I nod silently, I know exactly what he means. I'm sure he doesn't think there's anyone else in the world, that understands what he's going through. I know this, because I use to think the same way. Like my parents weren't my parents anymore, and no-one got me and I was alone.

I reach across the table for his hand, squeezing it gently. "I know what you mean. And I know it may not seem like it right now, but it will get better. You'll see."

"Cons, less than a year ago, my life and my family fell apart. I don't think that's something that just gets better."

"It doesn't just get better. It's going to take some time. Your parents, you and Danny, all need time to work it out for yourselves." I sigh and sip my tea. "My brother Shawn was two when my parents split up, he hardly remembers, my mom, but Taylor was eleven, it took him much longer to come to terms with the fact we weren't a family anymore. It's not easy. I know it's not. I've been there. So why don't you just talk to me. Let it out, it may help."

duckys - Thank you! Portman's up next so you'll just have to wait and see, lol. The RPG is on the Livejournal site, it's called Eden Hall.

Banksiesbabe99 - Thank you, we hope you'll like them together as much as we do!

hockey-girl90 - Thank you! Hope you like this chapter too.

punkteacher - Thank you! Hope you like the next chapter.

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