AN-This story is moving right along huh? Well, sit back and enjoy the 9th chapie!

Katie walked down the hall of Eden Hall feeling different. She had spent a whole semester in this preppy place and...she felt like she overcame it. She was ready for her second semester.

She arrived at her locker, thankful to see no annoying neighbors around. She punched in her combination quickly, and started getting her books out.

''Happy to be back?'' asked Charlie, as he suddenly leaned against the locker, grinning at her.

''Thrilled. I have no clue how I could have missed it.'' Katie said, grabbing her final book.

She slammed the locker shut and swung her backpack onto her shoulder. She faced Charlie and grinned.

''Bet you're happy. Hockey season again, am I right?'' she asked.

''Duh, it's the only reason I enjoy coming here.'' he said.

''The only reason?'' she asked softly.

He smiled and shook his head. ''Ok, maybe it's not the only reason.''

''Hey Charlie, Kat. What's up?'' Maddie asked, strolling up next to them.

''Charlie is talking about his lame hockey obsession.'' Katie said.

Charlie gasped and grabbed his chest in horror. ''Ouch, you know Kat, right through the heart. Just right through the heart.''

Katie just rolled her eyes. ''Don't you have something else to do, besides bug me?'' she wondered.

''Never.'' he grinned. ''Fine, I'll go. If you really want me to?''

Katie nodded, causing Charlie to scoff.

''Fine, I'm out. Bye ladies.'' Then he was gone.

Maddie turned to Katie. "What was that?'' she demanded.

''What?'' Katie asked.

''What!? Um, hello! You're New Years Resolution was to overcome your fear of taking chances.'' Maddie said.

''And I fulfilled it. I spent twenty dollars on a brand new CD player.'' Katie said.

''I meant for you to talk to Charlie. Plus, everything he said about-'' she cut off, quickly.

''Don't worry, Mads. I heard everything he said about me, I'm the ultimate eavesdropper.'' Katie bragged.

''Fine, well it just doesn't make sense. One of you should have made a move. But you guys are acting like you always do.'' Maddie said.

They heard the bell rang.

Katie nodded. ''You're right, we act like we always do. I mean, it's almost too perfect, you know?''

Realization dawned on Maddie. ''You mean-"

''Sorry Mads, can't be late for class.'' Katie said, and with one final grin, she was gone.

The only thing that kept Katie going that morning was lunch. Yes lunch, that time a day with no teachers, all your friends, and of course, the food. But that's not the reason Katie enjoys lunch, no she enjoys for the simple fact that, the tree, where she always eats? No one else goes there, giving herself and whoever is with her, complete and total, privacy.

Katie took a seat, leaning against the tree. She sighed, and dug through her backpack, taking out her notebook. She opened it to a blank page and began to write.

He smiles at her, and she returns it, suddenly shy. They've known each other days. Weeks. Years. Suddenly, everything's different. Every touch turns her body warmer. Every glance makes her heart race. Every smile drives her crazy. Every word makes her ache. She want him, wants to be with him. Does he feel the same? It's her only hope, her only request. Will it ever happen?

''Whatcha writing?'' his voice asked.

Katie slammed her notebook and looked up, grinning.

''None ya.'' she said.

Charlie sat down next to her, threading her fingers through his.

''You'd think with our recent development, I'd be allowed.'' he said, kissing her hand softly.

''You'd think, huh?'' Katie asked, leaning her forehead against his.

''Hey.'' he said, his voice softer, more intimate.

''Hey yourself.'' she replied, her voice the same as his.

They both leaned in for a kiss at the same time. They broke apart slowly, and Charlie sank down onto the grass.

''Do you know how badly I've been wanting to kiss you today?'' Charlie asked.

''Yes, it's the same feeling I've been having. We agreed Charlie.'' she reminded him.

Charlie groaned. After their kiss on Christmas, the two agreed to keep themselves a secret from everyone. At least until they finally told Adam. Suddenly, he pulled on a pouting face.

''Oh you big baby.'' Katie said, leaning over to kiss him.

After the kiss, Charlie grabbed her hand and tugged it softly. ''Come here.'' he said.

Katie obliged, and sank down next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer, and it was like she was made to fit into his embrace.

''This is nice, Charlie.'' she whispered.

''Yea, it really is. I love being here with you, Kat.'' he whispered.

Katie smiled and leaned up to kiss him.

Maddie Thomas was walking down the hallway when her life changed forever. Well, ok maybe that's too dramatic, but in her eyes, this would be the moment that defined all others.

''Hey Mads, what's up?'' greeted Dean as he walked up to her.

Maddie felt her heart pound, her palms sweat. She desperately tried to calm herself.

''...Hey.'' she finally said.

''So, what's up?'' Dean asked.

''Uh...not much? Yea! Not much, just...enjoying school.'' she replied.

''Enjoying school?'' Dean asked.

Maddie froze, turning towards him. ''Well, yea. Not that I'm a nerd or anything it's just, I can hang with my friends and stuff.'' she said.

Dean nodded. ''Yea, that makes sense.''

Maddie smiled. ''So, what's up with you?'' she asked.

Dean shrugged. ''Just trying to get by, you know?''

Maddie nodded and started walking again. Dean followed.

''So, what are you doing this weekend?'' he asked.

''Um, I might have plans. Why?'' she asked.

''Me and Fulton are gonna hang out. Wanted to know if you wanted to come.'' he said.

"Well, I'll have to check my schedule, but I might be free.'' she said, knowing full well no matter what, she would be available.

Dean grinned. ''Cool. I really hope you come.'' he said.

With those as his parting words, he left. Maddie held back the desire to jump up and scream her head off.

This was the moment that changed her life forever.

Finally, their day at school was done. Katie escaped to her room quickly, taking pride in the fact that she knew her roommate would not be back for a couple more hours. Maddie usually went home after school to have dinner with her family.

While Katie cleaned the room as fast as she could, there was a knock on the door. She grinned, already knowing who it was.

''Hey.'' Charlie said, the moment the door opened.

Katie smiled, grabbed his shirt, and tugged him inside. ''Hey.''

''Well, if I knew you wanted me this much.'' Charlie said.

Katie laughed and Charlie embraced her. ''I love it when you laugh.''

She smiled softly and leaned her forehead against his. ''I love it when you make me laugh.''

They kissed softly and broke apart. ''I hate to say it, but I have tons of homework.'' Katie said.

Charlie shrugged. ''So do it.''

''Well, I can't do it while you're here. You distract me.'' she complained.

Charlie rolled his eyes and went to lay on her bed.

''What are you doing?'' she asked.

''I'll stay here and you can do your homework all the way over there.'' he explained, pointing over to her desk.

Katie smiled. ''Thank you.''

She walked over to her desk and began to work on her math homework. Suddenly out of nowhere, she was hit in the back of the head with a pillow. Furious, she turned around to glare at Charlie, who was wearing an innocent look on his face. Too innocent.

''Charles, what are you doing?'' she asked.

''Why, whatever do you mean, Katherine?'' he asked.

''You threw a pillow at me.'' she said.

''No I didn't.'' he replied.

''Oh? So you're saying that a pillow just came out of no where and hit me in the back of my head?'' she asked.

He grinned. ''You said it not me.''

Katie shook her head and laughed. ''You are so dead Conway.''

She tackled him and he rolled them over and began to tickle her.

''Char...Char...stop..Charlie...can't breathe.'' Katie gasped.

He stopped tickling her and she lay down next to him. ''You said you wouldn't be a distraction.''

''No, I didn't. I just said you could do your homework.'' he said.

Katie shook her head. ''You're so annoying.''

''And you're so sexy when you're being annoyed.'' he told her.

Katie blushed and leaned up to kiss him. He deepened the kiss, causing her to moan. Then he broke the kiss and began leaving open mouthed kisses down her neck.

''Charlie.'' she whispered.

Suddenly the door flew opened.

''Kat, I need to tell- OH MY GOD!'' she yelled.

Charlie and Katie froze. Then he hurriedly got off of her. Jumping off the bed, he grinned at Maddie.

''Hey, Mads. Long time no see.''

Maddie stood there, mouth hanging open, eyes wide.

''Maybe you should leave, Charlie.'' Katie said, softly.

He nodded, kissed her quickly, and left. Katie turned to Maddie.

''Mads I-''

''I knew it! I knew you two hooked up! But, why you no telly?'' she asked.

''Because, Charlie and I, we wanna tell Adam when we feel it's right and we don't need someone else telling him. You're sworn to secrecy.'' Katie said.

Maddie nodded. ''I promise.''

''The pact, you have to do the pact.'' Katie told her.

Maddie rolled her eyes. ''I swear until the Earth shall end, I'll never tell the secrets of my friend.''

Katie breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her.

''Just one thing, please. Never, ever, let me walk in on that again.'' Maddie said.

Katie blushed and nodded. ''So, what did you need to tell me?''

''Oh, Dean asked me to hang this weekend!'' Maddie exclaimed.

Katie smiled. ''That's great Mads.''

''Isn't it? I'm following my New Years Resolution, you're following yours. Life is good.'' Maddie said.

Katie laughed. ''Sure sounds good.''

That Weekend

Maddie entered the mall, looking around. She nervously smoothed out the invisible wrinkles on her skirt. She nervously checked her hair one final time, in her compact mirror. She nervously placed said mirror back into her purse.

Yea, Maddie was a little nervous.

Then, she spotted him, walking towards her.

''Hey Mads. Glad you could make it.'' Dean said, smiling at her.

''Hey Dean, hey Fult.'' Maddie said, greeting the other, more silent Bash Brother.

Fulton smiled at her.

''So, what's the game plan?'' she asked.

Dean shrugged.

''Figured we'd just hang out, try to find something to do.'' he said.

''Fun.'' Maddie said.

Dean grinned.

''Well, it beats staying home, right?'' he asked

Maddie nodded, and Dean threw an arm around her shoulder.

''Then let's paint the mall red.'' he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Katie was taking advantage of the fact that her roommate wasn't there. The door was locked. Clothes were thrown across the room, and her and Charlie were in bed...studying.

''So, you really are a slob.'' Charlie commented.

He had lowered his Science book, which really just hid his hockey magazine, and looked around.

Katie nodded, focusing on her History homework.

''You know, when you said Maddie wasn't gonna be here, I thought it meant you wanted to spend some quality time with me.'' he said.

''I did. I am. Case closed.'' she muttered.

Charlie sighed, and tossed his book aside. ''You're no fun.''

Katie shrugged. That's when Charlie got fed up. He leaned over, and began to kiss her neck, gently.

''Charlie.'' she warned.

He just grinned and continued his task. She moaned softly. ''Stop, I'm working.''

''Come Kat, live a little.'' he murmured against her skin.

She bit her lip gently, her book slipping from her grasp.

''I hate you.'' she gasped, throwing the book aside and kissing him.

The Mall, again

''You know Maddie, I never would have thought you would be a Arcade kinda girl.'' Dean commented.

Maddie had led the Bash Brothers right into Arcade Zone and was currently facing Dean in a game of Air Hockey. Fulton had gone over to play Skeet Ball.

She shrugged. ''Arcades have the most fun things to do. Other then shopping of course.''

Dean laughed and Maddie took his distraction to earn herself more points. He glared at her.

''Hey, you snooze, you lose.'' she said.

Dean just grinned.

''Hey Dean.'' a voice called suddenly, and Maddie saw Jenna Thompson walking over to them.

Jenna was your average blonde bimbo, with the big breasts and the low IQ. Every man's dream. She was miss popular, the queen of Eden Hall. Maddie despised this girl.

''Hey Jenna. What's up?'' he asked.

''Nothing.'' she giggled. ''Who's this?'' she pointed at Maddie.

''Her? Oh, she's a friend of mine. Maddie meet Jenna.'' Dean, said.

Maddie nodded, trying to keep herself from glaring profusely.

''Hi Megan.'' Jenna said.

''It's Maddie.'' she said.

''Whatever. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out with me Dean, unless you're, " she threw a look over to Maddie, ''too busy.''

Maddie bit her lip, wondering what Dean was going to do. He looked like he was having a hard enough time himself. Suddenly, he grinned.

''Hey Mads, do me a favor? Go get us a couple of sodas? We have a game to finish.'' he said.

Maddie tried to keep the stupid, elated grin off her face as she sprinted off. Dean turned to Jenna.

''I find it funny that last week, you didn't say two words to me. Now, you see me with a girl and suddenly, you're all over me.'' he said.

Suddenly, Jenna was struck with a thought, which, trust me, didn't usually happen.

''You're using her. To make me jealous. Aren't you?'' she asked.

Dean just gave a little grin.

''Dean Portman, you're evil. Using that poor little freshman, with an obvious crush on you.'' Jenna said.

''She doesn't have a crush on me.'' Dean said, uncertainly.

''Right. Well, Dean, tell you what. Once you ''dump'' the red head, give me a call.'' she said, winking at him.

Dean watched her go, wondering if she was right. Did Maddie like him? No, she didn't. They were friends. Just friends.

Right?

AN-Hope I didn't make Dean Portman look like too much of a jerk. Sorry for the lack of Katie/Charlie but I'm trying to give Maddie's story some screen time too. After all, who knows what could happen?