((A/N: Updating a little earlier then I planed, but hope you like it. Enjoy))

Chapter 10: Beginning to Notice

Nothing much happened after the meeting in Dean Buckley's office and the surprise visit from Bombay, of course Varsity still picked on the Ducks with pranks here and there, but of course the Ducks got back at them for hurting the girls and the usual hockey games, in which the Ducks won, of course.

The months seem to have flown by and Frankie found herself to be a lot happier then she had been in a long time. She found herself talking a lot more, smiling and laughing.

She wasn't the only one who seemed to notice that she had become happier. Fulton noticed it as well; he also noticed that his sister was a lot happier especially when Portman was around.

It didn't take a genius with half a brain to figure out that his best friend, his teammate, and fellow Bash Brother liked his sister and it appeared that Frankie in turn liked him as well, which he found shocking due to past events, which he still hasn't revealed to the team yet.

Now, the question was, was he going to allow someone like Portman to date his sister. Portman maybe his best friend, but that didn't change the fact that he had a reputation with women.

As Fulton watched his sister talk to his best friend just down the hall he noticed something, usually when Portman was talking to someone, namely a girl he would not nod his head as if listening, but looking at him now he could tell that he was hanging on Frankie's every word, making sure he didn't miss a thing.

He also noticed that Portman's gaze didn't wander up and down her body like a piece of meat or how his gaze didn't wonder to another girl as she passed them in the hall and the biggest fact of all was that Portman hasn't went out with any girl since he met the girl he crashed into, who later happen to be Frankie.

He knew why Portman didn't ask his sister out or make a move on her, it was because she was his sister and he was his best friend and he knew if he found out Portman liked her he would kill him, just like any other guy that try to make a move on his sister.

Fulton gave a small chuckle before turning and heading towards his dorm room where he knew Portman would lead Frankie too.

Portman smiled as he listen to Frankie's every word, school had just ended for the day and both soon found themselves lost in conversation in just about anything.

Over the past few months Portman, along with the rest of the Ducks began noticing things about the Reed Twins. It was as if they were hiding something, something that they didn't want the rest of the Ducks to know about.

The Ducks also began noticing a few things about Frankie, mostly Portman then the others.

Portman began to notice that she always wore her sunglasses, even when she was in the class room or outside where it was cloudy or even when it was night outside, at first he thought it was just because she liked to ware them, but there was something else she wasn't telling him.

He also noticed that whenever they were walking in a group Frankie would have her arm linked with his arm, Fulton's or one of the Ducks that she trusted, well, maybe except Luis or Averman.

Not only did he notice that, but also the fact when she walked by herself, which wasn't very often, she would have her hand up against the wall as she walked, her hand slowly gliding along it, like some people do out of boredom.

Oh yeah, there was something that Fulton and Frankie weren't telling him and he and the Ducks were starting to question it. They were also questioning the fact why she doesn't play hockey anymore, yet she stays in the JV dorms.

Or the fact that when Frankie comes over to their room which usually has music so loud another state could hear it, Fulton would to the music down. It was still loud that other dorms might hear it, but it seemed low to him.

When he asked why he always did that, Fulton's reply was simply, "Frankie has sensitive ears."

"So Dean" came Frankie's voice, braking Portman out of his thoughts and causing him to smile. He also noticed that unlike the Ducks and everyone else she called him by his name instead of 'Portman'.

He continued to smile, he actually liked the thought of her calling him by his name "What are you doing this weekend, I mean it is Friday after all. I thought you'd have a date with some girl."

"And miss hanging out with you, no way baby" he replied as he gave a playful chuckle as wrapped his arm around Frankie's shoulder, which he noticed he did a lot over the past few months.

"Aw, aren't you just a sweetheart" Frankie said playfully as she wrapped her arm around his waist while she adjusted her bag on her free arm.

"So what are we doing then?" she asked as he continued to walk towards their dorms.

Portman gave a shrug, "The Ducks said there was some club for teens and they wanted to check it out. They also invited Scooter. We're meeting at the gate at 7:00 in front of the school" he said as Frankie nods.

"Cool, sounds like fun, by the way I'm heading to my dorm" Frankie replied as they stopped in front of her room, "I'll see you later tonight then, okay?" she asked.

Portman gave a small nod with a smile as he watched her enter her room and closing the door behind her. Portman continued to smile as he walked towards his dorm.

-Maybe this is my chance- he thought to himself before realizing something, he would have to deal with Fulton first. He mentally flinched as images of what his best friend would do to him when he found out he liked his sister.

-That's going to hurt- he said before he entered his room, were loud rock music met his ears.

((A/N: Hope you like it, you might find out the secret in the next chapter. Review and message, no flames please.))