AN-Alright, so it's been a while since I updated, sorry about that. Any hoot, let's get on with chapter 12, and see what those Ducks are up to, shall we?

P. S. The lack of reviews for the last chapter made me sad...if you review, I'll send an invisible piece of chocolate...YAY!

It had been exactly one week since Katie's life went to hell. She was able to handle the change in schools. She was able to handle her parent's bitter divorce. She wasn't however, able to handle losing Charlie in her life.

Yea, once her darling older brother found out about her secret relationship with Charlie, he demanded they end it, or he would never be friends with Charlie again. Katie, hating the fact that her brother lost someone like a brother to him, immediately ended the relationship. And now, she was miserable.

It had been exactly one week since Charlie's life went to hell. He couldn't believe the reaction his best friend gave when he discovered the relationship brewing between himself and Katie. Ok, maybe he could believe the overprotective brother thing but, wasn't ending the friendship taking it too far?

For one week, Charlie hadn't seen either Banks kid. He'd been sleeping at his mother's place and been avoiding the whole team. Thankfully, hockey season was over. The year was coming to an end, and not even thoughts of summer vacation could cure Charlie. He was miserable.

Katie was currently in her dorm room, with her best friend Maddie. They were studying anxiously for their last final exam.

''Math, it just had to be math, didn't it.'' Maddie complained, loudly.

''Well, what did you expect Mads? An easy last final?'' Katie laughed.

Maddie glared playfully at her. ''You know, you don't have to make fun. I already feel like an idiot, thanks to a certain hockey player.''

Katie rolled her eyes. After being ''dumped'' by Dean Portman, Maddie wouldn't stop bringing it up.

''You know Mads, moving on usually means not talking about it every day.'' Katie told her.

''Not talking about it doesn't help either.'' Maddie said.

It was Katie's turn to glare, but not playfully.

''Mads, I don't want to talk about that.''

''About what? About the fact that you've fallen in love and are too scared to do anything about it?'' Maddie asked, with a smirk.

Katie's blank face made Maddie roll her eyes.

''I don't love him.'' she protested, halfheartedly.

''Oh come on Kat! I've known you our whole lives, I've seen every emotion you've ever had. When you're around Charlie, it's a new one. It's obviously love!'' exclaimed Maddie.

''Just because you've never seen me in love, doesn't mean I haven't been.'' Katie snapped.

''Oh really?'' Maddie asked.

''Yes, for all you know, I could have fallen in love, you just never saw my emotion.'' Katie said.

Maddie sighed, impatiently. ''Ok, before this stupid, totally pointless argument goes any further, do you love him?''

Katie bit her lip. ''I don't know.''

The Next Day

Charlie was in his dorm room for the first time in a week. He was running out of clean clothes at home, so he needed to stop by. Thankfully, Adam had been out of the room and hopefully he would stay there. As Charlie was fishing one final shirt out of his drawer, Adam walked inside. He stopped short at the sight of his ex-best friend.

Charlie sighed. ''Don't worry, I just came by for this,'' he held up the clothes, ''I'm outta here.''

He made a move toward the door, but Adam stopped him.

''Wait. Charlie, we need to talk.''

Charlie sighed and let go of the door knob. ''What about Adam? Katie and I aren't together anymore. What else do you want?''

''I want to know how it happened.'' Adam said.

Charlie stared at him, surprised. ''How what happened?''

''How you and Katie...happened.''

Charlie gave him a weird look. Adam sighed.

''I don't want the details...I just want to know...I mean, Charlie I've known you for years, you never...expressed an interest in Katie before. I just...I just want to know...why now?''

Charlie sighed, and went to sit on his bed. Adam sat down on his.

''Where should I start?''

Finally, Katie and Maddie were done with their finals. They cheered, hugged, and ran down the hallways in joy! Ok so maybe they didn't do that exactly, but they sure felt like it. After all, school was almost over for the summer.

As they walked down the hallway to exit school, they came across a flyer for the end of the year dance.

''A dance? A stupid dance? Exactly what we need.'' Katie griped.

''I think a dance sounds like fun. It's a great way to get over...them.'' Maddie said, cheerfully.

Just then, Connie and Julie walked over to them.

''Hey guys. Guess you know about the dance.'' Connie said.

''No duh.'' Katie remarked.

Maddie nudged her hard, glaring at her. ''What Kat means to say is, yes we have.''

''That's not what I meant.'' Katie said.

''Are you guys going?'' Maddie asked, ignoring her friend.

Connie nodded. ''Guy and I went to last year's. It was fun and we had a blast.''

''I didn't go last year, but Adam and I are going to this one.'' Julie said.

''At least Adam isn't miserable.'' quipped Katie.

''What Katie means is, she's very happy you two are going.'' Maddie said.

Julie laughed awkwardly. Connie just grinned.

''So are you guys going?''

''I think I will.'' Maddie said.

''There's no way in hell I'm going.'' Katie said.

''Why not?'' Julie made the mistake in asking.

''Because, I don't have a date.'' Katie responded, thru clenched teeth.

''Well, we have to go, lot's of stuff do to. We'll see you guys later.'' Maddie said, hurriedly.

She grabbed Katie's arm and tugged her away.

''Adam's a jackass.'' Connie said. ''Sorry, I know he's your boyfriend but-''

''Don't. You're right. I tried to convince him that Charlie would be good for her but, I guess he didn't listen.'' Julie said.

The Banks Home

Later that night, Katie was getting ready for bed when Adam knocked on her door.

''Hey Kat, what's up?''

Katie ignored him, as usual. Adam sighed.

''I know you're still ticked at me. I know how to make it up to you though.'' Adam said.

Katie looked up, barely hoping to believe it.

''I talked to Julie and she told me why you weren't going to the dance. So, I got you a date.'' he grinned, quite happy with his achievement.

Katie, however, wasn't too happy.

''WHAT!?''

''Uh...Kat? Is there something wrong?'' he asked.

''You got me a date!? So, I can date, just as long as it's someone you pick out for me?! I can't fall in-'' she cut off quickly.

''You can't fall in...what Kat?'' Adam asked.

''Nothing. Nothing, just...tell my ''date'' that it's too bad, but I'm not available.'' Katie said.

Adam shook his head. ''No can do. Sorry Kat, but you're going, and you have a date.''

Katie stared at him in disbelief. Adam just smiled, cheerfully.

''Well goodnight.''

It took a few moments after he left before Katie was able to function again. She went right to her phone.

Maddie answered her phone, unprepared for the screaming.

''Uh hello!'' she shouted into the receiver.

''Adam got me a date!'' a quieter voice responded.

''Adam did what?'' Maddie asked.

''He got me a date for that stupid dance! He thinks hooking me up with some random loser of his choice is going to make up for everything?''

''So, this means you're going. To the dance I mean?'' Maddie asked, excitedly.

''I don't want to. I'm not going to. I'll show him, the little-''

''Nonsense Kat. You're going. We'll go shopping for a dress tomorrow. It will be so much fun!'' Maddie exclaimed.

''You're serious?You think I should go?'' Katie asked, shocked.

''May as well have some fun. I'll talk to you tomorrow Kat.'' Maddie said cheerfully.

Katie was still holding the phone, mouth dropped in shock when she heard the dial tone.

AN-And I thought that might be a nice place to end it for now. The Dance will be next chapter, it might turn into a two parter, but I'm sure. I hope you enjoy this one, because once I post, I'll start writing the next one. So look forward to it, maybe tomorrow, Monday at the latest.