AN-And here we are chapter 10. I hope to make this chapter all...what's the word? Dramatic? Yea, sure let's go with that one. So, without further adu, I present Chapter 10 of The Katie Banks Chronicles.

Hold Your Applause...lol, jk!

Real quick, all timelines have been pretty much eliminated. I'm no sure how many more chapters that I'll be putting out, but I do know that in my mind, it jumped around, so that's how the story is going. Right now, it's around February, if this ramble makes any sense, lol.

Katie Banks was in a good mood today. This good mood, is quite unusual with this girl. After all, she has bitter, divorced parents, she attends a rich prep school, and oh yea, she's a teenager. But today, well today was a good day.

Today was Katie's 15th Birthday.

She was thrilled. I mean, it's not every day you turn 15. The only downside was, she had to spend the day with her mother and father. Separately of course. After school, her mother darling would be picking her up. They would spend a few hours together. Then she'd go home and spend time with her father and Adam.

The best part of her day, was right now, in school. She got to spend time with her friends.

And her secret boyfriend.

Speaking of the secret boyfriend...

Charlie Conway was currently staked out down the hall from the locker he spent all his time at. Charlie was a tad bit tired, irritated, but mostly, excited, and apprehensive.

He was tired, because the boy had to get up an hour early today. He took a shower, trying not to wake his roommate mind you, which is hard when the water is ice cold. Apparently, to save energy, the water heaters aren't turned on until seven.

He was irritated, because so many things kept him from his task. First, the locker wouldn't open, which was crap because he had opened it before. Then of course he had to get the object out of his bag, which was currently full with all the homework assignments he had received the previous day.

He was excited, because soon, she would be walking down the hallway, opening her locker, and discovering the object. He was apprehensive of her reaction, after all they were a ''secret couple'' and Katie wasn't too fond of presents.

So when Charlie spotted Katie walking to her locker with friend Maddie in tow, he silently prayed that she wouldn't have the desire to kill him.

Katie arrived at her locker, glancing around for the familiar head of curls that surely should have been there by now. She bit her lip, softly.

''I don't see him, Kat.'' Maddie told her.

''Maybe he's late.'' Katie said. ''Mads, you don't think-''

''Charlie would not forget your birthday, Kat. He's probably running late. He'll be here to greet you, as always.'' Maddie assured her.

Katie nodded, punched in the familiar numbers, opened the locker, and gasped.

Sitting atop her books and binders was the most beautiful, light blue notebook. The design on it was simple, dark blue stripes from one end to the other. In the very center, there was a ''This Book Belongs To...'' and Katie saw that someone had already filled her name in.

While taking in her surprise, she finally discovered a card, laying under the book.

Dear Kat,

I know, I know. You're not a huge birthday freak, but I saw this a few weeks ago, and I thought of you. I know today is gonna be pretty rough for you, so if you need an escape, my door is always opened.

Charlie.

P. S. I bought it, so it means I get to read what's in it!

''Kat, what is it?'' Maddie asked impatiently.

Katie handed her the card and showed her the notebook. Looking up, she spotted Charlie a few feet away. She smiled at him, a bright cheerful smile and silently mouthed the words, Thank You

He grinned softly at her.

Later that day, Katie was walking down the hallway when suddenly, an arm shot out, grabbing her around the waist and brining into an unused classroom.

As she adjusted to the sudden lack of lighting, she looked over at her ''kidnapper.''

''So, how's your day?'' he asked.

Katie walked over, cupped his face in her cheeks, and kissed him. He moaned, threading his fingers through her hair.

''You're the most incredible boy ever.'' she murmured, in between the passionate kisses.

''So, you like your present?'' Charlie asked, as they finally pulled apart.

Katie nodded. ''No, you're not allowed to read it.''

He pulled on a pouting face. ''Come on, Kat. I bought it.''

''So?''

''You're no fun.'' he complained.

She laughed and leaned up to kiss him again.

Suddenly, the door burst open. Katie gasped and embraced Charlie, hiding her head in the crook of his neck.

''Come on, the classroom his emp-'' Dean Portman stopped short, glancing at Charlie in surprise.

''Obviously, it's occupied Dean. Maybe some other time.'' the voice of Jenna Thompson called, as she backed away from the door.

''Bye baby. Charlie, what the hell? Who's your girlfriend?'' he asked, eyeing the back of the girl in Charlie's arms, her face invisible to him.

Katie groaned softly.

''Girlfriend? No clue what you're talking about man.'' Charlie said.

Dean grinned. ''Should have guessed you had someone. No wonder you've been doing so well on the ice lately.''

Katie whispered into Charlie's ear. ''Oh really?''

Charlie just grinned. ''Portman, look. Uh, I don't really want people to know.''

''Is she ugly?'' Dean asked.

''No dude, she's defiantly not ugly. She's gorgeous.''

Katie smiled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. ''Let's get this over with.''

She turned around slowly, and Dean's eyes went wide when he saw who was standing there.

''Kat? Charlie...but, you guys are...whoa.'' was all he managed to get out.

''Dean, please don't tell anyone, especially not Adam.'' she pleaded.

Charlie squeezed her hand. ''We want to be the ones to tell him.''

Dean just nodded, still dumbfounded at the scene in front of him. Suddenly, Katie turned angry.

''And what are you doing, brining Jenna Thompson into empty classrooms? What about Maddie?'' she demanded.

Dean mentally shook himself and answered. ''We're just friends.''

Katie sighed. ''I know I'm breakign every best friend code out there but, you should hear this. Dean, she likes you. She really really likes you and she thought you guys hanging out meant you liked her back.''

''Are you sure?'' Dean asked, dumbly

''Yes. Just do me a favor? If you have no intentions of being anything more then friends with her, stop leading her on? Maddie doesn't deserve that, and I will have to kick your ass.'' Katie warned.

Dean nodded, and they heard the bell ring. Katie turned, kissed Charlie quickly, and headed to class.

When she was gone, Dean turned to Charlie. ''Adam's gonna freak, you know that right?''

Charlie smirked. ''Why do you think we haven't told him yet?''

Later that Day

Maddie walked slowly to Dean's room. He had called her earlier, saying they needed to talk. Different thoughts roamed through her head, the main ones being he was finally admitting his true feelings for her. Of course, she also had the 'he rejects her' thoughts in there too.

She really hoped it was the first one.

She knocked on the door, and he answered, nervously?

''Hey Mads. Come on in.''

She walked inside and sat down on his bed, looking up at him.

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

He pulled the chair out from his desk and set it down in front of her. ''Uh Mads. You're an incredible girl, you know that right?'' he asked, sitting down.

She nodded, her heart beating, her hopes rising.

''Well, you are. You're really funny and smart and, I had a lot of fun hanging out with you.'' he glanced up, looking for a reaction.

Suddenly, she closed her eyes and leaned over, looking to press her lips to his. Dean's head snapped back.

''Uh Maddie. What are you doing?''

Her eyes popped opened, and she stared at him, puzzled.

''I thought, thats what you wanted.''

''Mads, I called you over here, because I wanted us to be friends.'' he explained, softly.

''Just friends?'' she asked, her world crashing all around her

He nodded.

''But..but this weekend. We had a blast...I thought.''

He sighed. ''I was trying to make...Jenna Thompson jealous.''

Tears came to her eyes, but she blinked them back. No, he wouldn't make her cry. ''You...you used me.''

It wasn't a question, but a fact. A fact she didn't want to believe. But, then he nodded.

The tears came, and this time she didn't blink them away.

''Right..well fine. I'm gonna go, uh..I hope things work out for you and Jenna.'' she stood up, wiping her eyes as she walked to the door.

''Mads-''

''No! Ok, no I'm sorry that I acted like a stupid stalker and thought we could be more then friends, but don't try to fix things. Just leave it alone, enjoy your new slut and have a nice life.''

She slammed the door behind her, and Dean sighed.

While Katie waited for Maddie to return, she opened her new journel and began to write.

Birthday wishes?
More like birthday hell.
Spent the day with mom and dad,
boy was it swell.
Mom complained he spoiled me,
and would turn me into a brat.
Whined about his new girlfriend,
calling her a gold-digging rat.
Dad whined about the clothes,
that mother darling bought for me
Thought they were too mature
for his darling sweet Katie.

At that second, Maddie burst thorough the doors, tears streaming down her face. Katie jumped up to hug her friend, and lead her to her bed.

''I'm so sorry Mads.'' she said.

Maddie wiped her eyes and shrugged. ''Should have figured. I mean, I'm just a freshman. What chance did I have of being his girlfriend.''

''Well, Jenna's a bitch. You're so much better then her.''

Maddie looked up. ''How did you know about Jenna?''

Katie sighed and explained the events from earlier that day. It caused Maddie to laugh, which caused Katie to grin. She loved how Maddie could bounce back easily.

''Busted. So, when you guys telling Adam?'' she asked.

Katie shrugged. ''I'm not sure.''

''Well, you better do it soon.'' Maddie advised.

Katie nodded. ''So, how you feeling?''

Maddie shrugged. ''Ok, I guess. I bounce back pretty easily. I just wish I could say I was over Dean Portman.''

''You'll meet someone and get over him Mads. He doesn't deserve you.'' she said.

Maddie grinned. ''Duh.''

The girls laughed

During all the drama that Katie and Maddie went through, the hockey season was slowly ending. Soon the last game was upon them. Once again, Katie and Maddie put on their Ducks jerseys, Maddie a tad reluctantly.

They were able to avoid Katie's father, who was currently attending the game with his newest girlfriend.

''Your dad's a player, Kat.'' Maddie commented, when she saw the new, obviously-younger-then-twenty-five girlfriend.

''Tell me something I don't know.'' Katie quipped.

The sat back and enjoyed the game, which of course, the Ducks won. Katie screamed and cheered and once again made her way down to the door that leads to the ice.

When she got there, Charlie was already there. In her excitement, she threw herself into his arms. The momentum forced Charlie to skate backwards a little bit.

He laughed. ''Someone's happy.'' he commented.

''Of course, we won!'' she yelled.

''You've never been this excited about hockey before.'' Charlie observed.

Katie shrugged. ''Never had a boyfriend who played. You were incredible out there.''

''I thought of you. Always helps me play better.'' he said.

Katie smiled and, forgetting that they were in a packed arena and in full view of the team, leaned up to kiss him.

The world went silent for those 10 seconds their lips touched, thought it seemed longer to both of them. As they broke apart, the sound slowly came back.

She leaned her forehead against his. ''You hopeless romantic.''

He grinned. ''I can't believe you just did that.''

Katie blushed and hugged him. Peering over his shoulder, she froze.

''Shit.'' he heard her mutter.

''What's wrong?'' he asked.

She nodded over and Charlie turned.

There, standing on the ice, his face a mask of anger, was Adam.

It was obvious that he had seen everything.

AN-Uh-oh!! Ok, maybe this chapter wasn't as dramatic as I hoped. Sorry for skipping over the B-day thing, but I had more pressing matters to put into this chapter. The poem sums it up, quite nicely though. Katie had a horrible day, her mom and dad just complained about each other and forced their significant others down her throat.

P.S. I know Maddie's reaction was kinda tame, but as crazy as she is, she's also strong and independent. She can bounce back easily. Of course, her and Dean's ''friendship'' won't be the same.