AN-It's been a while since I updated, uh I have a small case of writers block so I really, really, really hope this chapter does not suck!
P. S, misylee, I guess I lied, lol. I'm updating today!!
Charlie Conway was confused. He knew who he was, he knew he loved to play hockey. He even knew that he had feelings for Julie Gaffney. What he didn't know, was how was he going to impress her enough to admit she felt the same.
He knew she did. She had kissed him after all and she did admit to liking him, it was just the distance that kept them apart. Charlie was only 13 years old, but he knew that Julie was special to him.
He had to make her forget the distance, for both their sakes. He just didn't know how.
Charlie Conway was quite confused.
Scott Anderson was once again enjoying the morning paper. He took sip of coffee and reveled in the silence. His wife was at work and his step-son was safe and sound in California.
Suddenly the phone rang, and Scott had an pretty good guess of who it was.
''Hello, Conway residence.''
''Hey Scott.''
Scott sighed, a grin forming on his face. ''Charlie, long time no talk. What's up?"
"Uh, I need some advice.'' Charlie said.
"Girl advice?'' Scott asked.
''Yep." Charlie replied.
''So, what happened on your date?'' the step-dad asked.
''Julie kissed me. But, then she pushed me away. Apparently the fact that we live so far apart keeps us from being anything more then friends."
Scott heard the underlying feelings behind Charlie's voice.
"What else happened?''
"Nothing.'' Charlie said, his voice distant.
Scott knew there was something the boy wasn't telling him, he just wasn't sure what is was.
"So, how can I help?'' Scott asked.
Charlie, thankful for the change in subject, said "Well, how did you impress my mom?''
"Well, I took her out to dinner, got her a bouquet of flowers, and we talked a lot. Does that help?" Scott asked.
''Uh..sure. Thanks Scott." Charlie said.
''No sweat Champ, talk to you later."
Charlie hung up the phone, thankful he had Scott to turn to. He was even starting to like the nickname.
Julie and Connie were sitting in their room, just hanging out. Connie was reading a magazine and Julie, a book.
''Julie, what's going on with you and Charlie?'' Connie asked suddenly.
''Where did that come from?'' Julie asked, not putting down her book.
''Please, you guys are so into each other. Everyone can tell." Connie said, matter-of-factly.
''Really?'' Julie asked.
''Yea really. Now, what's going on between you and Charlie?" Connie asked again.
Julie sighed and finally put her book down.
''Nothing. I mean we hung out...and I kissed him.''
Connie smiled brightly.
''But, we're better off friends.'' Julie said.
Connie gave her a look.
''Meaning what, Charlie isn't good enough for you or something?'' she demanded.
"No, meaning I live in Maine and he lives in Minnesota. Why start something, when it's going to end anyway?'' Julie asked.
Connie bit her lower lip and reluctantly agreed.
"But do you like him?''
A small smile made it's way onto Julie's face. "Yea I do. I mean, he's funny, and he's cute and he's sweet and he's...out of bounds." Julie said, trying to convince Connie as well as herself.
Connie gave her friend a reassuring smile.
''Maybe it can work out for you guys.'' she said.
Julie just nodded, not really believing.
Today was game day and everyone one was nervous, wondering how Coach would react to their day off. They waited for him to show up.
And waited.
And waited.
He didn't show, and it was almost game time. The team was getting nervous.
''Where is he?'' Guy asked aloud.
The team shook their heads. Julie saw Charlie look around, worried. She skated over to him.
''He'll be here.'' she offered.
''I hope so.'' he sighed.
Julie took his hand and squeezed it, softly. Charlie smiled at her.
''Team USA, you need a Coach or you're disqualified." one of the refs shouted.
In a last ditch attempt, Charlie skated over to Ms. McKay and convinced her to fill in. She was actually pretty good. As long as she had a duck sitting next to her explaining everything, of course.
About ten minutes into the game, the Duck call was sounded across the arena and the team looked up to see Gordon Bombay walking to their team bench.
''Just ignore him." someone said.
Charlie watched as the man he once thought of as a father made his way to their box and kissed Ms. McKay.
He blew the call again and the team on the ice finally skated over.
''Hey guys...I'm sorry about how I've been acting and everything. I was a jerk." his eyes met Charlie's. "I'm very sorry. I hope that you'll forgive me."
Charlie nodded and the team followed suit.
Gordon grinned. "Good, now lets win this game!''
They did win it. The Ducks were thrilled to have coach back, especially when he burned one of the advertising billboards he made.
Charlie was still a little hesitant. He was happy that Coach was back, but still, it was hard to go back. One day, after practice, Coach called his name asking him to stay behind. Julie caught his eye and gave him a small smile. He returned it and stayed back to talk to Coach.
''So..how have you been kiddo?'' Coach asked.
''Good.'' Charlie said.
Coach sighed.
''I'm sorry Charlie, for not being there. I was a jerk."
''You were." Charlie agreed.
Coach grinned and ruffled his hair.
''So, are we ok?'' Coach asked.
It was Charlie's turn to grin as he nodded.
''We're fine Coach."
"So..do you still like Julie?''
Coach and Jans worked together over the following few days to bring the team back into shape to go against Iceland. They helped Luis with stopping and Adam with his broken wrist. Charlie convinced Coach to bring Russ in as a new player.
Things were going pretty good.
Finally, the day before the big game, Gordon rented out the arena for the team to just mess around in. Charlie and Julie skated together.
''I'm glad Coach is back." Julie said.
''Me too.'' Charlie replied. "Jules, we need to talk."
Julie stopped skating and turned to face him.
''What's up Charlie?'' she asked.
''I know that you think we can't be together because of where we live, but Jules...people do long distance all the time."
Julie shook her head. "We're 13 Charlie."
"So? Connie and Guy are 13 and they already have wedding invitations picked out."
Julie hid a smile and shook her head. "We're not them."
"No we're us." Charlie said.
Before Julie could offer another resistence, Charlie leaned down, cupped her face and kissed her. Julie's eyes widened in surprise, before closing, losing herself in the feelings this boy was giving her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly kissed him back. When they needed oxygen, they slowly broke apart, breathing heavily.
''Charlie.'' she whispered.
''Think about it.'' he whispered back.
Before she could utter another word, a loud pop brought them back to reality. The Iceland coach had popped their beach ball.
Him and Coach went head to head on the Ice. While Coach was winning, the Iceland jerk slashed his bad knee with his stick. Coach went down and soon the whole team was crowded around him. Julie saw Charlie's look of pure hatred towards the opposing Coach, and she smiled.
Oh...was that team gonna pay.
AN-Alright everyone, don't know when I'll update again, but the next one will include my crappy version of the Iceland game. I don't remember what Coach and the Iceland dude played so yea.
Hope you enjoyed this, let me know!