I have seen the phone mentioned in this chapter and think it's really awesome, so I decided to give it to Esmeralda. She seems like the type to have it. It's in Material Girls, but I might not have explained it the best.

It didn't take long for the Ducks to settle into their old routine. They went to classes, they went to hockey practice then they talked about how evil Coach Orion was, since he always left them half dead.

"He's trying to kill us!" Goldberg exclaimed dramatically after their third practice. He collapsed onto the bench in the changing room, taking off his jersey has he did.

"Hey, he's gotten better since freshman year, at least his more relaxed and didn't put Banks on Varsity until we were all on it," Charlie defended the coach, all the tension from last year gone.

"Got to love him for that!" Adam agreed with a smile.

Goldberg and a few others grumbled a little more about how evil their coach was before they left the changing room and headed to lunch. They didn't have to worry about big Varsity jocks anymore, seeing as they were the Varsity hockey team now, they only had to put up with preppy snobs that believed the Ducks didn't belong at Eden Hall. Unfortunately for Adam, Jamie and Aimee weren't in the preppy snob group, they were 'Adam's Number One Fans'.

"Hi, Adam," the two girls said in unison.

"Hi, girls." Adam sighed as the Ducks, minus Connie and Julie looked at him in question, only now meeting the twins. "Ducks, this is Aimee and Jamie, girls, these are the Ducks."

"Yeah, hi," one of the girls said uncaring, neither of them looking at the Ducks. "So anyway, Adam," the one speaking leaned closer to the sitting Adam, almost pushing the front of her hip into his shoulder as her twin stood close to her, batting her eyes. "Jamie and I were thinking, you're really smart…"

"And, we could use with getting our grades up…"

"So you should tutor us!" Aimee finished suggestively.

"Sorry," Adam started, before pointing to Aimee then Jamie with a frown, "Jamie, Aimee…"

"I'm Aimee, she's Jamie," Aimee corrected in annoyance that Adam couldn't tell them apart.

"Sorry," Adam apologized with an air that said he couldn't care less. "But I have training and I can't let my own grades drop. I don't have time to waste."

"Well, we weren't intending on learning anything… school worthy," Jamie admitted.

"Don't let Essi ever hear you say that to Adam," Julie warned.

"I don't think she'd appreciate it," Connie finished, mimicking the twins speech.

The twins scowled at the two Ducks as Adam looked at all four girls in confusion, wondering what they knew that he didn't.

"It's not like their married," Aimee defended.

The male Ducks all shared a questioning look before looking back at the argument.

"Aren't you a lovely friend," Julie growled at the two identical looking girls.

"What she doesn't know, won't hurt her," Jamie told the blonde girl with narrowed eyes.

The Ducks were surprised that no-one in the crowded dining hall had noticed the argument heating up at the Duck table, but then, the girls were keeping their voices at a deadly civilized level. Aimee had thankfully moved away from Adam a little, allowing him to sit comfortably, although he was confused.

"Well, she'll find out in a minute," Connie assured, hitting Esmeralda's ID on her phone. The mobile was on loud speaker, allowing the whole table to here the dial tone. After a few rings, someone picked up.

"Hello?"

"Essi, hey, Aimee and Jamie are having the most interesting conversation with Adam. He doesn't seem to care about it but you know those girls, not to good with their studies and now we know why," Connie said in the direction of the phone.

"Oh really, and what, might I ask, are they saying?" Esmeralda's voice came out of the phone, sounding amused.

"Nothing, Essi, just mucking around," Jamie lied, trying to save face.

"Connie?" Esmeralda questioned.

"They wanted tutoring in area's not school worthy, if you catch the drift," Julie answered.

"WHAT?!" Esmeralda yelled, making Adam wince. She truly sounded hurt and angry and Adam wondered what had made her voice sound that way. He was still hurt by her rejection but he didn't want to see or hear her in any form of pain.

"They're lying, we swear," Jamie said.

"Yeah, right," Esmeralda agreed, not sounding as though she believed them at all. She sounded close to tears. Adam felt his heart give a painful thump at the thought of tears in Esmeralda's brown eyes.

He had had enough of the twins causing Esmeralda pain. "Aimee, Jamie, piss off, will you?" The two girls looked indignant before scurrying off. "McGill, they're gone. Now tell me what's going on!"

The moment Adam had finished speaking, laughter issued from the mobile in Connie's hand. "Julie, Connie, can you tell them, I have to go before my friends do something stupid. Bye, guys."

"Bye, Essi," the two female Ducks said before hanging up.

"Explain!" Guy demanded looking completely lost.

"When we were out shopping, Phoebe decided to do Adam a favor, knowing the twins would annoy you at Eden. She enlisted Esmeralda's help," Connie started to explain. "All she really did was make a few comments when out shopping like: 'Adam would think this looks good on you', and 'where did you and Adam get to the other day'. Nothing bad, it just sounded like you two had a thing going."

"The twins believed it once Phoebe said the totally preposterous statement: 'did you enjoy sleeping in my brother's bed?' like Essi would be in your bed!" Julie finished.

"Actually, Banks told us how he woke her up one morning when he got up early like most preppy's, so she stole his bed," Portman told the group, getting a withering glare from Adam.

"Oh, well, in that context it doesn't sound bad but how Phoebe said it, it sounded like you two slept in the same bed together… all night." Connie believed Portman.

"You wouldn't say!" Charlie exclaimed with false shock. Adam just turned his glare on his best friend.+

"Oof."

"Essi, you're so clumsy!" Phoebe rolled her eyes at her friend who was on the ground. They were in dance class and practicing a new dance. As always with new dances, Esmeralda fell over. This time they had been trying to get the steps right with a particular spin. When Esmeralda got the steps wrong, she spin back around and tried again, resulting in her tripping over her own feet and landing flat on her butt.

It felt as though her internal organs had jumped up and slammed into her brain before falling back in to place, she now had a terrible headache. "Ohh, stop being mean and help me up!" Esmeralda instructed in a whinny voice. She held out her hand and it wasn't Phoebe that helped the brunette girl up. It was one of the boys in the class. This one was tall and a little on the lanky side with watery brown hair. "Thanks, Elliot."

"No problem, Esmeralda." Elliot then went back to learning his part as Esmeralda turned to scold her friend.

"What the hell? You just laugh at me instead of helping me?!"

"Sorry, Essi, you know what I find really funny though? The fact that no one in the class looked around when they heard you fall, they just know it's you," Phoebe pointed out.

"Everyone knows I fall over at least ones when first practicing a dance," Esmeralda admitted, practicing the move again and getting it right. Ones she was finished the quick spin; she grabbed her head as she felt light headed. "Ohh, head spins."

"Essi?" Phoebe asked in concern, steadying her friend. "Essi, go sit down."

Esmeralda did as instructed and when the teacher came over to scold her, she told her the truth about her headache. The teacher was sympathetic and let her sit down for the rest of the class. When they sat down for lunch, 'Have A Nice Day' started playing.

"Essi, your ass is ringing," a honey-blond haired, green eyes boy informed his female friend.

"Really, Leo, I would have never guessed," Esmeralda replied sarcastically before pulling her mobile out of her back pocket and answering it. "Hello?"

Connie spoke on the other end, something about the twins. It didn't take much for Esmeralda to catch on and play the part of the hurt friend and girlfriend. She was talking a drama workshop outside of school after all. When Adam spoke, she did feel a plunge of sadness and guilt. She had angered Adam all because she had thought he would be the type of boy to use her. She shouldn't have. She knew Adam, he might be a lot older, but he wasn't much different to the old Adam.

The girl noticed that her friends, who consisted of Phoebe, Jesse, Terry and Leo, were barley holding themselves back from yelling out stupid comments to the people on the other end of the phone so Esmeralda quickly said goodbye and hung up.

"Who was that?" Terry asked, trying to ignore his brother who was talking to Phoebe and both of them laughing at something.

"The Ducks, apparently Aimee and Jamie have already started to make moves on Banks and Connie and Julie decided to save him," Esmeralda informed him before picking up her sandwich.

Phoebe caught on to the tail end of the conversation and laughed. "So Adam finally knows about that, does he?"

"Is that the whole, 'Essi's supposedly dating Cake-eater' thing?" Jesse asked.

"Cake-eater?" Leo questioned with a frown, having only started hanging out with the Hall brothers since the year started.

"Long story," Terry warned.

"Anyway," Esmeralda interjected, turning the conversation back to the main one. "Yeah, that's what we're talking about. Connie and Julie decided to rattle Jamie and Aimee with it."

"I can't believe you willingly agreed to act the part of Cat-eaters girlfriend, you two hate each other," Terry exclaimed in disbelief.

"I don't hate him, actually, we used to have fun, hanging out when we were little," Esmeralda confessed, with a small smile at the memory.

"Yeah," Phoebe agreed. "You used to call him Alfalfa."

"Oh my god!" Esmeralda gasped before laughing and smiling. "I totally forgot about that."

"Alfalfa?" Terry and Jesse both asked.

"From 'The Little Rascals'. Banks always reminded me of Alfalfa," Esmeralda confessed with a shrug.

"Now that you mention it, he does," Jesse agreed, making the occupants of the table laugh.+

Esmeralda sighed. She was in her empty dorm room, lying on her bed, bored. Finally finding the boredom too much, Esmeralda grabbed her mobile and flipped it open, making it circle on its hinge and settle with a screen and a keypad. Not thinking of anything to do on the phone, Esmeralda sighed and closed it. She then lent over and dug into the second draw of her nightstand. Grasping what she wanted, Esmeralda pulled it out of the draw.

It was an old, black diary, simply a battered version of the diary she was using this year. Flicking it open, Esmeralda removed a photo from its pages and looked at it, placing the book beside her on the bed covers. She laid back down and stared at the photo as she held it above her. With an annoyed grown, she put the picture on top of the book and picked up her mobile, flipping it open again.+

Adam flopped onto his bed after another brutal, yet undoubtedly fun practice, doing as he had done everyday for the last week, trying not to think of Esmeralda. He missed her; no other sorrowful feelings towards her were in Adam. No anger or annoyance, or hatred, just a yearning to see her, or talk to her. The brief contact through loud speaker a few days ago wasn't enough. That wasn't directed at him and they had barely spoken.

Just as he wondered if he should drive to Cutlan on the up coming Sunday and talk to her, seeing as they had a match on Saturday, his mobile beeped and lit up, indicating he had just received a message. Hoping it was his brother, seeing as he hadn't talked to him in a while, Adam reached over and grabbed the mobile off the desk. Pressing open on the message, he was shocked to see it was a number he didn't recognize. It said:

Banks, you're not mad at me, are you? – McGill.

Adam looked at it in shock before quickly saving the number under Esmeralda and replying.

McGill, I'm not mad, I was just hurt. – Banks.

He pressed sent and sat the devise on his stomach, waiting for a reply. He didn't have to wait long and Adam felt a smile spread on his lips as he opened the message.

I didn't mean to hurt you. It was an accident. I don't know why but I got it in my head that you were only kissing me for practice. You know, not wanting to be rusty for a new girlfriend. Sorry for biting you! – McGill.

Adam read over this message twice before replying to it. He couldn't believe Esmeralda had thought such a thing. He would never do that to her, he would never think about using her.

McGill, I could never do that to you, plus I don't have a girlfriend, I've never had one. It's alright that you bit me, always knew you were a vampire, and it's healed up, not 2 mention you didn't drink my blood so I can still go out in daylight. – Banks.

Adam chuckled as he pressed send, imagining what Esmeralda's reply would be. He didn't both putting it on his stomach, seeing how quickly Esmeralda replied to his last message.

Ohhh, so you're a bachelor and you just felt… I'm stopping there because I don't want to know what you were feeling when you decided to kiss me. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that doesn't date. Yeey, I'm a vampire! Screw being a Princess, I want to be a vampire! That's my fav saying. And why don't you want to be one to? You can be a sexy Buffy the Vamp Slayer kinda vampire. – McGill.

He chuckled at most of her message but when he got to the 'sexy vampire' part, he couldn't help but blush. He also noticed that she had preppy text like him. They were both taught proper grammar and punctuation and couldn't help but write that way in everything, even text messaging.

Yes, McGill, I'm a bachelor, *snorts* and I wasn't feeling what you obviously think I was feeling. I just found you very… kissable, twice. Lol, how about a vampire princess? Oh, you think I'm sexy? Perhaps I should ask you what you were feeling when we kissed. If it's anything fun… I could use the practice. – Banks.

Adam sent the message thinking of how he would give anything to see Esmeralda's face when she read the message. Once again, Adam marveled at her texting speed.

Banks, are you getting sick of your hand as your only companion? I'm sure Aimee and Jamie will help you, two for one special. A Vampire Princess? Now there's an idea… will you bow to me? And. Banks, you would be… not as repulsive as you already are if you were a vampire. You could be my slave, I'll happily bite you again. And I wasn't feeling anything when we kissed, but thinking back, I feel nausea. And you're not practicing on me! – McGill.

Adam could practically read Esmeralda's laughter that she no doubt sounded as she texted the message. It radiated off of it. Shaking his head, Adam replied, deciding to ignore the fact that the messages could easily turn to dirty humor with his reply.

Not really into Aimee and Jamie, blondes aren't my type, always been into brunettes truthfully. Two for one? Yeah, annoyances! No, McGill, I will not bow to you, but I'll happily let you get on your knees to me. Lol, and I'm not repulsive, if I was, you wouldn't have played with my fingers on the Movie Night like you did, or quiver under my touch. Did it send pleasant shivers up your spine? I bet it had something to do with the fact that it was me touching you. Me!? Your slave? Never, and the only reason you feel nausea is because you crave me. ;) – Banks.

Adam sent the message and immediately thought he should have read over it first, to make sure that it was dirty humor, not dirty talk, but, too late!

Funny, blonds my type, brunettes make me think of my brother and that's just wrong! Lol, I find them annoying to. I'm choosing not to see the dirty side to the 'let you get on your knees' bit because Phoebe sometimes reads my msg's and I don't think she would like my reply. Quiver? God you're more preppy then me! As for me 'quivering', I was cold, it may have been the fact that you had your cold hand on the skin of my hip. You are my slave, you will bend to my will when I ask you to, don't deny it. I don't crave you, you crave me. – McGill.

Adam decided not to mention how right Esmeralda was about the craving. He did crave her, and truthfully, he would do what ever she asked, but he wasn't going to admit it. Instead, he played along with their usual banter.

Lol, now you know why I like brunettes better… NO, MCGILL, not because I like your brother!!! I know how you think. Blondes remind me of all three of my sisters and, well, yeah, wrong! Phoebe not liking what you wanted to text about the 'on the knees' thing… kinky, it must be dirty, ;). Preppy's have some rebellious times, if you catch my drift, and cold? Is that why you cuddled up to me so much, you were cold and wanted my body heat? I have ideas now. I will deny that I am your slave, because I'm not! You'll have to prove it! – Banks.

He did read this message over and decided it was funny so sent it. He couldn't wait for the girls answer. He was finding himself letting his laughter ringing through the empty dormitory, something he normally didn't do when he was reading messages.

Lol, you do know me, that's exactly what I was thinking of writing until you so 'capitally' stated otherwise. Yes it was dirty and I'm not telling you what it was… you seem to have enough naughty ideas in your head. (Preppy's having rebellious times is one of those ideas.) And no, that is not why I was 'cuddling' into you. When watching a scary movie, I tend to cuddle into what ever's closest, a pillow last time. See a pillow could have replaced you! NOT DIRTY!!! And I know what will make you stop denying that you are my slave….

The message ended there and Adam wondered what was going on. But then his inbox said there was another message just sent. Exiting out of the one he just read, he saw that the second message was also from Esmeralda. Curious, he opened the message. It was only three words long.

I'm naked – McGill.

Snorting, Adam shook his head and pressed reply.

I'M THERE!!!!! Will you tell me the knee thing when I get there…? Never mind, I'll probably be distracted with the lack of clothing. Don't worry, I won't comment about the pillow thing, although, I don't think you can put your tongue in a pillow's mouth. Okay, perhaps we should stop with the dirty joke just incase Phoebe does read your messages… and I know the Ducks sometimes read my messages. God, we can't have any privacy. – Banks.

Esmeralda's reply took longer this time.

Eager much?? Hmmmm, perhaps I'll put on some clothing… satin appeals to me. Lol, okay, I'll behave now, and yeah, you're probably right about the pillow. Lol, what is it with friends and thinking they have the right to read our messages, this means I can't send you naughty photos. Sorry, I know I said I would behave. Tell me what's happening at Eden – McGill.

Adam wondered why Esmeralda's reply took longer then the lasts seeing as it wasn't the longest message she had texted. He laughed at her inability to behave before he replied.

Should have guessed you wouldn't be able to behave. Umm, Eden, lets see… it's skank factor has risen since the McSon twins have became students… the guys are still as goofy as ever, Connie and Julie miss you and Phoebe but something tells me they have been msging you two, so you already know that, the Ducks think that Connie and Dwayne have been getting close, and surprisingly Tammy and Fulton have finally admitted their feelings for each other!!!! The Ducks busted them eating each others face the other day at the diner. Oh, and we have a match Saturday against the Bears. – Banks.

Ones again, Esmeralda's reply took a while longer then it should have.

Yeah, Connie and Julie have been sending us messages and told us about Tammy and Fulton, it's about time, I only saw the two of them together ones but it was obvious that they likes each other. The guys aren't goofy, Goofy was a dog, there Donalds! Lol. Connie had been talking about Dwayne a fair bit in her msgs, maybe there is something there. You have a match coming up? Cool, well, I just got my license, so I might steal Kristy's car and come watch. Banks, it's been fun talking to you, but I've spent the whole day in sport, dance, drama and then my out of school workshop, I'm beat. I can barely keep my eyes open. Maybe I'll see you on Saturday… maybe?? – McGill.

She was asking if Adam wanted her there, but why? Didn't she know that he would be happy to have her watch?

I'll have to keep an eye on Connie and Dwayne and let you know. Congrat's on the license, now I have to fear being killed on the road. Yeah, I hope to see you on Saturday, I'll score a goal for you if you want. You'll have to tell me about this workshop your in. Not now, you're to tired and so am I actually. Goodnight, McGill. – Banks.

Her reply was quick and short, showing her tiredness seeing as they had been writing big messages.

Well, I'll tell you on Saturday if I can get a car. I'd love for you to score a goal for me. Goodnight, Alfalfa, xxx – McGill.

The message may have been short, but it was probably his favorite, seeing as it promised a meeting with McGill and she had added X's at the end, which was odd but Adam was most certainly not complaining. He had to smile at the Alfalfa comment. She hadn't called him that in years.

All of them will be for you! Lol, Alfalfa, you haven't called me that in years! Didn't Jason used to call you Darla? Anyway, get some sleep, beautiful. – Banks.

"What are you smiling about?"

Adam looked over to see that Charlie was standing in the doorway, toweling his wet hair. "Just texting McGill."

"You two are talking?" Charlie asked in shock, stopping what he was doing to look at his friend.

"Yeah, she sent me a message and we've been talking for… oh, for the last twenty minutes," Adam admitted, looking at the alarm clock next to him. "I'm going to sleep, try not to be too noisy."

"Okay…"

"And don't steal my phone to read the messages!"

"Damn."

Hope you liked it. The fall during dancing… yeah, I actually did that, it hurt and god I was light-headed and felt sick.

…o0Black-Sand0o…