AN-Here is chapter 11, sorry I've been gone, but school started up again and I despise allergy season.
So yea, here is the next installment of A Year to Remember
P. S. There are some spoilers here from like all six seasons of Dawson's Creek.
P.P.S. Sorry for the longness.
The final bell rang and the students of Eden Hall burst out of their classrooms. Katie Banks was making her way to her locker when her boyfriend, Charlie Conway popped up next to her.
''Hey.'' she said.
He kissed her cheek and took her hand as they maneuvered around the students.
''I hate this hallway!'' Katie exclaimed. ''I mean, it takes forever to get to my locker and people will glare at me if I accidentally hit them while trying! That doesn't stop them from banging into me while I'm at my locker!''
Charlie smiled, amused. ''Feel better?''
"Actually, yes. I do.''
They finally reached her locker and Katie opened her planner to see if she had homework.
''So, about tonight.'' Charlie said.
Katie looked up and smiled. ''You mean tonight where Maddie will be at the hospital and we'll have the whole place to ourselves?''
"Yeah. Uh, Kat I can't come over.''
''Why not?'' she asked.
''Practice is running late. Coach Wilson is really stressing us.'' he explained.
''Oh, well then let's hang out afterwards.''
He grimaced. ''Kat, it's going to be a late practice, so I'm going to be exhausted.''
''Oh.'' she said, sadly.
''I'm sorry, sweetheart. You have no idea now badly I want to be with you tonight.''
She grinned. ''Aw, so sweet, Spaz.''
"On that note, I gotta go. He'll freak if I'm late.'' he said, referring to his coach.
Katie kissed him quickly. ''Later, Spaz.''
''Later Kat.''
Katie walked into her room and saw Maddie getting a bag together.
''You want me to come with?'' she asked.
Maddie was going to the hospital as they operated on her grandmother. She was going to be there overnight.
''I thought you had plans with Charlie.'' Maddie said.
She shrugged. ''Hockey practice.''
''That sucks.'' Maddie said. ''But, I already told the rents no one was coming. As much as they love you...''
''I can see you don't want me there.'' Katie interrupted, sinking down onto her bed.
''Katherine, I don't have time to help you feel sorry for yourself.''
''Bite me, Madeline.''
''Touche. What's up your ass?'' Maddie asked.
''You know people always say that you should wait to have sex? And on all those teen dramas, sex usually ruins the relationship?''
"Oh, like on Dawson's Creek?''
''Uh...''
''Oh, that's right. You're lame, you don't watch the best show ever!''
''Right...would you like to fill me in?''
''Well, Pacey and his English teacher had sex...they ended the relationship. Pacey and Andie had sex...and that made things awkward between them. Then Pacey and...''
''I'm sensing a Pacey theme here.'' Katie interrupted.
''Pacey is a God! Which is creepy, because I love him so much...and he sorta looks like your boyfriend.''
"So, what you are saying is that my boyfriend is the actor from Dawson's Creek.'' Katie said, sarcastically.
"Anyway, Pacey and Joey had sex and pretty much spelled out their break up, which sucks because they were my favorite couple ever! Then Dawson and Jen had sex, and they broke up. Then Dawson and Joey sex, but he already had a girlfriend so that ruined it. Although them having sex ruined the show for me...''
''So the moral of this long and pointless story is teenagers should not have sex?'' Katie asked.
Maddie nodded. ''Yea, that sounds about right. Why do you ask?''
''I think sex is pulling Charlie and I apart.''
''This probably doesn't help, but the same thing did happen on Dawson's Creek.''
Katie groaned, pulling a pillow over her face.
''I'm not much help, am I?'' Maddie asked.
''Not really.'' came Katie's muffled reply.
Later that day, after Maddie left for the hospital, Katie decided that she should have some fun. Just because Charlie wasn't there with her, doesn't mean she couldn't do something.
As luck would have it, she had enough money to go see a movie. While she was leaving the campus, a voice called her name.
''Katie!''
She turned and saw a familiar face running towards her.
''Hey Cade. What's up?''
Her lab partner caught up to her and caught his breath. ''Nothing much. Where are you off to?''
''Movies.''
''And no boyfriend?''
''Hockey practice.''
''Hmm. Well, I was actually heading to the movies myself. We could go together?''
''Sure.''
They started to walk towards the mall.
''Your boyfriend won't mind if you hang out with me, will he?'' Cade asked.
''Nah, Charlie's not the jealous type.''
The ducks hobbled into the common room earlier than expected. Coach Wilson let them to early, only because of some puck misplacement emergency.
"I'm think I'm getting the feeling back into my legs.'' Dean said. ''Anyone know where Madde is?''
''I think she's at the hospital. Her Gran was having an operation today.'' Adam said.
Dean stood up carefully and made his way upstairs. A few minutes later, he came back down, looking fully refreshed.
''Later guys!''
''He is so in love with her.'' Connie said, from her spot on the couch next to Guy.
''I think I'm gonna go find my girlfriend.'' Charlie said.
He too stood up and made his way upstairs. He knocked on Katie's door and waited. After a few seconds he knocked again. He finally went to turn the knob and found the door locked.
''That's funny.'' he muttered to himself. ''She only locks the door when she leaves.''
He walked back downstairs. Adam looked up and noticed the absence of his sister.
''Where's Kat?''
''No clue. She wasn't in her room.''
''Maybe she went home or something.'' Adam said.
Katie was laughing so hard, people were looking at them.
''Your...br...brother...almost...burned...down...the house!'' she chocked out in between her giggles.
''Yeah, he just lit his trash can on fire. Apparently the wall behind and the carpet underneath got all scorched. And he burned his hand a little. That part sucks.''
Katie's laughter subsided into chuckles and then eventually stopped.
The movie had ended long ago and now she was bumming around the mall with Cade. She was having a blast with him, and kinda regretted not hanging out with him before.
''Ok, I shared my sibling story. Your turn.'' Cade said.
She shrugged. ''I really don't have one. Adam's not that stupid.''
''Ouch.'' Cade muttered, with a grin.
Katie grinned as well and playing bumped into him.
''So, what did you think of that lab today?''
''I think someone is reaching for small talk.'' Katie observed.
Cade laughed. ''Guilty. But, I'm having so much fun with you. I wanted it to last.''
Katie laughed. ''Oh yea, I am so much fun.''
''You are.'' he insisted.
''Ok, I'll let you win.''
Cade chuckled.
Adam, Julie, and Charlie were also bumming around the mall. Charlie was feeling very much the third wheel.
They were in FYE and he was looking at an old hockey video when Julie tapped his shoulder.
''Is that Katie?'' she asked.
He looked up and saw her laughing at something someone said. His eyes strained to see who it was. They then narrowed. when he realized who exactly she was sitting next to. The next thing he knew, he was leaving the store and walking over to them.
''Hey Kat.'' he said, trying to control his temper.
They both looked up, Katie smiling and Cade smirking. ''Hey Charlie.''
''What are you doing?''
''I could ask you the same thing. Didn't you have practice all night?'' she asked cooly.
''Cade, could you excuse us?'' Charlie asked.
Cade looked towards Katie for assurance, which made Charlie all the more pissed off. Katie nodded and he smiled at her, smirked at Charlie, and left them alone. Charlie sat down in his seat.
''Kat, practice ended early. I came looking for you, but you were already gone.''
''Really?'' she asked.
''Why would I lie to you?'' he asked.
Katie shook her head. ''No reason. I believe you.''
''So...having fun?'' he asked.
She smiled. ''I am. Cade is a blast. He's so funny. I think you'd get along.''
''Right. Well, now that I'm here, we can hang out. I missed you.''
She smiled softly and leaned over to kiss him. ''Charlie, it wouldn't be right to ditch him.''
''So?''
''Charlie...are you jealous?'' she asked.
''No.'' he said. ''I just don't like him and I don't think his intentions are honorable.''
''Charlie, you sound like a dad.'' she said.
''Kat, just please, come hang with us.''
''Why are you getting like this? Don't you trust me to hang out with guys?''
''Yes. It's him I don't trust Kat.''
Katie shook her head and stood up. ''Well, I'm sorry Charlie, but Cade is my friend. I don't get upset when you hang out with Connie or Julie.''
''That's different.'' he started.
''Right, of course it is.'' she shook her head again. ''I'll see you later Charlie.''
He watched as she walked over to Cade. He smiled and she nodded towards the exit. As they started to walk away, Cade looked back and smirked at Charlie again. Charlie glared.
Dean walked down the hospital hallways, lost. He decided to stop at a nearby nurses station and ask where he could find Maddie's Gran.
''Excuse me.'' he asked. ''But I'm here looking for Emma Wilkins.''
''Are you a family member?'' a nurse asked, not even bothering to look up from her computer.
''Well no but...''
''If you're not a family member, we can't give out information.'' she said.
''Excuse me, but why are you looking for my mother-in-law.''
Dean turned and saw a tall man standing. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a button down shirt. With his unruly red hair, Dean knew this was Maddie's father.
''Uh hi. I'm actually looking for Maddie. I'm a friend from school.''
Mr. Thomas looked at him with such a look, that he knew he was sizing him up.
''Follow me.'' he finally said.
He led Dean down a few hallways, taking random turns here and there. They finally entered a waiting room and Dean spotted Maddie immediately.
She was sitting in a chair, her hair in a messy pony tail. Her eyes were focused on a book in front of her. With a small grin, he walked over and sat down next to her.
A few seconds later she glanced up at him and looked back down at her book. Then suddenly her eyes popped back up, and were widened in surprise.
''Hey.'' he greeted.
''What are you doing here?'' she asked.
"I'm great, and how are you?''
''Dean.''
''I though you might like some company.''
Maddie smiled softly at him.
Later that night, Katie was sitting in her room reading a book. Someone knocked on her door.
''Come in!'' she called, already knowing who it was.
Sure enough, Charlie stepped inside and smiled at her.
''Hey.''
''Hey.''
He sat down next to her and peaked at her book. "Is it good?''
''Charlie, why are you here?'' she asked.
He sighed. ''I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I just don't like seeing you with other guys.''
''Charlie, trust me. That's all I ask.''
''I do trust you. Believe me Kat, I do. I just don't like him.''
"Well, I'm sorry you feel that way.''
''You're still going to hang out with him, aren't you?'' he asked.
''Yep.'' she grinned.
He crossed his arms and pouted. Katie laughed and leaned over to kiss him.
''You know, you should find a way to make up.''
''What do you mean?'' he asked.
''You acted irrationally, Charlie. So, you owe me.''
''And how do I owe you?''
''You have to come to my birthday dinner tomorrow night. It will be you, me, my dad, Adam, and your mom.''
''Kat, you know I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world.''
She grinned and kissed him again.
''Maddie's going to be gone all night.'' she whispered.
Charlie grinned and kissed her more passionately as they fell down onto the bed.
The Next Day
Maddie's eyes blinked open and she looked around the small waiting room. Her parents were asleep in a small camper bed they had brought. She herself had brought her sleeping bag. Looking around the room, she also spotted Dean. She smiled softly, watching him sleep.
His eyes also blinked open and he smiled groggily at her. ''Hey.''
Without warning, she leaned over, kissing him. His eyes widened and then fell closed as he started to kiss her back.
''Mads.'' he whispered as they broke apart.
''You came here. I can't believe you came.'' she whispered.
''I wanted to be here.''
She smiled and leaned her forehead against his. ''Mads, I hated the thought of you being here alone.''
''You really do like me, huh?'' she asked.
''I think I'm falling in love with you.'' he whispered, bravely.
For a moment, and just a moment, Maddie was sure her heart stopped. Those words...the very words she'd been dying to hear from him since the Goodwill Games.
''Maddie?'' he asked, worried about her silence.
''Oh Dean.'' she threw her arms around him, and he chuckled softly. It felt so right to hold her in his arms.
''So, do I get a chance now?'' he asked.
''Yes.'' she whispered, kissing him again.
After they broke apart, Maddie glanced at her watch.
''Oh my God! Dean you have to go, school starts in like an hour. I'm excused, but I don't think you are.''
''I don't want to leave you here.'' he said, uncertainly.
''I'll be fine.'' she kissed him. ''Go.''
With a final kiss, he was gone.
Charlie and Guy were in the locker rooms changing after gym class. They heard some guys snickering.
''Wonder what that's about?''
''Probably some ass bragging about the latest girl he scored with.''
But as they were walking out of the locker room, three of the guys stopped him.
''So, Conway. You're dating your sister.'' one said.
''What?'' Charlie asked.
''Your mom is dating her dad. Does it turn you on that you guys might be related.'' another one asked.
''Fuck you.'' Charlie spat.
''I can't believe Phillip Banks would lower himself enough to date Conway's old woman.'' the last one said.
''Yea, doesn't she work at a diner?''
''White trash.''
That was the last word any of them said. Charlie pounced, punching one, kicking another. It was three versus one and Charlie wasn't doing half bad.
The boys were all sent down to the Dean's office. Charlie sat on a chair across from Dean Buckley. The man looked at him, and sighed.
''Charlie, this is a serious offense. And this isn't the first time I had you in here.''
''I know, sir.''
''May I asked what caused this?''
''They were making comments that I didn't agree with.''
The Dean had heard from other boys what those comments were and chose wisely not to bring it up.
''I'm afraid I'm going to have to give to detention.''
''Tonight?''
The Dean nodded.
''Sir please. Any other night.'' Charlie begged.
''I'm sorry son, but if I let you get out of this, I'll have to let the other boys too.''
Charlie sit back with a sigh as the Dean signed his detention slip.
A Few Hours Later
Katie sat at the table, checking her watch her few minutes. Adam was drinking his water, looking quite bored. Phillip was also getting impatient. Only Casey was happy.
''I'm sure he'll be here any minute.'' Casey said.
Katie only nodded.
''Sweetheart, why don't we order now? Charlie can get something when he gets here.''
Katie just nodded again, and grabbed her menu, trying to fight down tears.
He forgot...
After dinner, Katie trudged up the stairs to her dorm, her heels in one hand. She opened her door, throwing the shoes into a distant corner. She flicked on the light and stopped when she saw Charlie sitting on her bed.
''Kat, I need to explain.''
''Get out.'' she whispered.
''Kat, please, I didn't forget.''
''Get out.'' she said, her voice louder.
''Kat, if you just let me explain.
''Get out!'' she screamed. ''How can you possibly explain this?! Get out!''
''I got detention, for getting into a fight. Some guys were making comments about...I just lost it.''
''Tell what they said.''
''Kat.''
''Tell me.'' she demanded.
''They made some nasty jokes about our parents. And us.''
She closed her eyes. ''Why didn't you tell me earlier.''
''I tried! I couldn't find you and the Dean wouldn't let me call home.''
He tried to embrace her, but she pushed him away. ''No. Get out.''
''Kat, I'm sorry I-''
''It's not just the dinner. It's everything. I mean, first you say something about hockey practice, then you just expect me to wait around for you and get pissed off when I hang out with Cade.''
''That's not why I was mad.''
''And now this. God, Charlie. I just need some time, some space.''
''Kat.'' he pleaded.
She shook her head and pointed out the door.
He sighed and left and room wincing as it slammed behind him.
AN-Oh no, things might be getting rocky for Charlie and Katie! But Maddie and Dean seemed to have overcome their obstacles!
Stay tuned.
And review!