A/N: Alright, readers, here it is! Chapter 8! Better late then never, right? Anyways, sorry bout it, but sometimes life gets in the way. And dontcha worry, even if it seems like I'm never coming back, I will! I not give up on this story. :) THANK YOU THANK YOU to all y'all out there who reviewed, it makes me so happy to know that there are people who like this story! Now, onto the reason you're here! Enjoy the chapter! xx
I gave him a kiss on each cheek before sitting up. "I am always right," I said confidently, shooting him a wink. This caused him to laugh, mission accomplished. I started to scooch off the bed and made to put my shoes back on.
Adam sat up a little bit and propped himself up on his elbows. "And where do you think you're going?"
"I have homework to do," I replied, smiling at the faux-pouty look on his face. "Not to mention I have to find Charlie and Con-I mean, Goldie to see what I missed in my classes." The little slip up made me frown.
"Wait, wait, before you go, tell me what happened there?" Adam said, my stumble reminding him of what had happened at practice earlier.
I sat back down next to him. "I don't even know. I really don't," I said, shaking my head exasperatedly. "This is so Connie, to explode for no reason and not even tell me whats going on. Frankly, I'm fed up with her crap."
"Darce, she is your best friend," Adam said. "If you just go talk to her, you can probably work it out in no time."
"She freaked out on me, I don't understand why everyone's acting like I'm the one who has to do the fixing," I said, crossing my arms and acting stubborn. It was true though. Connie was always being the drama queen and just expects everyone else to fix everything for her when she gets over it. Yeah, she was my best friend, but maybe she should put in a little effort to work things out for once.
"Well, if she has any sense at all, she'll get over it quickly and be begging you to forgive her," Adam said.
I gave him a sad little smile. "I hope so," I replied. Because, despite my stubborn facade, this really did hurt. Just like Adam and Charlie had said, she's my best friend.
I tried to stand up to leave again, but Adam grabbed my arm and pulled me back for a goodbye kiss. Which ended up being multiple goodbye kisses, which ended up being a full-blown make-out sesh. Only Adam could make me forget what I was doing in three seconds flat.
And of course, just when things started heating up, Adam's door opened. Adam and I broke apart to see not one, not two, but six Ducks standing in the doorway. Portman, Fulton, Luis, Russ, Julie and Charlie were standing there with varying degrees of amusement and horror etched on their faces.
"Please, don't stop on our account," Luis said with a pervy smile on his face. "Really, it was just getting good."
"Please, stop, forever," Charlie countered, covering his eyes. "Banks, you know you're one of my best friends, but if you don't get your hands off my sister right now I'm going to have to kick your ass."
I rolled over so I was no longer on top of Adam and rolled my eyes at Charlie. "Lu, you're a sicko. You know, Charlie, that threat kinda lost its sting a couple of years ago."
Charlie teased us plenty but I know that deep down, he was happy I was with Adam rather than some other random guy. My brother knew Adam would never do anything to hurt me.
"Yeah, well, just please do whatever you do somewhere I can't see next time?" Charlie asked, glaring at me a little.
"Whatever," I said, rolling my eyes again and looking around at the guys. "You do realize this is his room right?"
Charlie shrugged and him and the rest of the guys made their way into the room like they owned the place. Julie shot me a sympathetic look, and I giggled remembering what had happened in this very room just a few days before. Adam and I sat up so there would be space for the others to sit on the bed, too, and everyone made themselves comfortable.
"Alright, guys, tomorrow's the first Friday night of senior year and you know what that means…" Portman began with an excited look on his face.
"We're going to study for our Spanish quiz on Monday?" Julie suggested teasingly.
Portman shot her an unamused look. "I'm going to pretend you didn't say that."
I was now bouncing up and down with excitement. "I totally forgot! End of Summer Forrest Party!" It was an Eden Hall tradition, usually put on by the Varsity football team, to throw a huge rager the first weekend of school. It took place in the woods behind the school, and it was always a shit-show, to put it lightly. In the best possible way.
"Thank you!" Portman said, pointing at me and shooting Julie an exasperated look that made her laugh. "As usual, Fulton and I will be going on a major alcohol run after school tomorrow. Get ready to get weird!" Everyone was looking excited now. "Any beverage preferences?" Portman asked looking at us.
"Whiskey whiskey whiskey," I said, still bouncing excitedly.
"I second that!" Charlie said, giving me a fist bump-point.
Adam looked a little nervous for a sec. "Are you sure? You guys know how you get when you drink whiskey…"
I laughed. "Yeah, we get buck wild. Thats kinda the point." Everyone laughed and made noises of agreement.
"Okay, okay, I'm down," Adam said faux-reluctantly. "As long as I don't have to play mommy for whoever's barfing their brains out." He looked at me mock accusingly.
I laughed. "No one is going to need a mommy," I said, shoving him playfully. "I'm so stoked! We have to show Jack a real good time so she thinks we're cool," I added, winking at Charlie.
Charlie's face turned pink when the guys started whistling at him.
"Yeah, Cap, gotta show her you're not some blushing geek," Russ ribbed. Charlie threw one of my shoes that was still laying on the ground at him.
"Okay, subject change," Charlie said, wanting to get the topic off of him. "Has anyone talked to Guy or Connie today?" I shot a glare at Charlie. Thanks for that, bro.
"Guy was acting perfectly normal all day," Fulton threw in. "Besides the fact that he wasn't talking to Con, I wouldn't have even figured out they broke up."
"Well, I talked to Connie after practice…" Julie said.
"You did?! What did she say?" I asked eagerly. "I mean, not that I care." I added, trying to sound flippant, although I'm sure no one fell for it.
"Wanna walk back to Burke with me? I should get started on my homework anyways," Julie said, subtly trying to get us alone.
"Yeah, that sounds good," I said, getting up to search for my thrown shoe.
"Come on, anything you ladies talk about can be said in front of us," Russ said, and the other guys nodded their heads in agreement.
Julie and I looked at each other for a beat, then busted up laughing.
"Yeah, right," we said at the same time, which just had us laughing even harder. We gathered our things, kissed our boyfriends good bye, and promised we would meet everyone for dinner at six.
I linked my arms with Julie's as we walked out of the room. We stayed silent for a couple of moments until I finally cracked and spoke first. "So… are you going to tell me what she said?" I asked, trying not to sound too eager.
Julie rolled her eyes at me. "I'll tell you what she said when you admit that this is really bothering you. I'm not falling for that whole 'not caring' crap," Julie said, giving me a pointed look.
Damn it. I knew no one was buying it. "Fine, I care," I said exasperatedly. "I'm just sick of Princess Connie throwing bitch fits and expecting me to know why she's upset. Best friends are supposed to tell each other when they're upset, not explode at me in front of everyone."
"Now I'm not standing up for her or taking sides, but she did have a pretty rough day," Julie started.
"So did I!" I interrupted. "That's still no excuse for lashing out at your best friend."
"I know its not," Julie reasoned calmly. "And I'm not condoning the way she handled things. However, you have to try and look at it from her side for a minute. She broke up with Guy, and yeah it happens all the time but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. She was avoiding the Ducks all day so she wouldn't have to face him."
"No wonder I didn't see her… but if she was the one avoiding everyone, why is she so mad?" I asked, still confused as to where this was going.
"Well, I think she feels a little abandoned. Yeah, she was shutting herself out. But she felt like no one even knew she was gone. She's most upset that you didn't even look for her."
I paused while I absorbed what Jules was saying. "I'm sorry that my world doesn't revolve around her," I said stubbornly. "I still don't think I'm the one who is in the wrong here."
Julie sighed. "Fair enough. She also seemed pretty upset that you're running for co-chair and you didn't even tell her."
"But I don't even know if I'm running yet!" I said exasperatedly. "I'm not going to apologize. If Connie has something she wants to talk to me about, then that's fine. But I'm not going to go find her and say sorry for living my own life."
By this point, we reached my room. I burst dramatically through the door and flopped down on the bed. Julie followed in behind me much more gracefully. Jack was sitting on her bed watching with an amused look on her face.
"Does she get like this a lot?" Jack asked Julie jokingly, motioning to me in a disheveled heap on the bed.
"More often then is strictly necessary, yes," Julie replied with an eye roll.
"Oh, shut up, both of you," I said, sitting up and glaring at them. "It has been a long and troublesome day."
"What happened to you today? You disappeared," Jack said, looking a little concerned.
I groaned. "Its a long, irrelevant story, but the gist of it is that my life is full of a whole lot of unnecessary drama. My woe of the moment is that my best friend hates me, but hey, its all in a days work."
"Connie's mad at you?" Jack asked with a confused look on her face. "Why?"
"Apparently I don't pay enough attention to her, or some shit like that," I replied with an eye roll.
"C'mon, Darce," Julie said. "You know that's not completely fair."
"What happened to not taking sides, Jules?" I said, a little snappier then intended.
Julie shot me a look, one of those looks you really don't ever want to get from the Cat. "I'm not taking sides," she said, standing up from where she was seated at my desk. "Both you and Connie are acting like kids, like always, and I'm somehow in the middle, like always, and frankly I'm getting kinda over it. I'm just trying to be a good friend, but you guys make it really hard sometimes."
Julie turned to the door, and I got up from my bed. "Jules, wait," I said guiltily. "I'm sorry. You're right. You shouldn't have to be in the middle of this. I don't want you to have to chose sides."
Julie sighed. "It's fine, Darcy. I just hope you work it out soon. I've gotta go finish my homework. I'll see you at dinner." And with that she left.
I laid back down on my bed and groaned loudly. "This day is getting better and better," I said. "I'm just so on edge and its making me lash out at everyone." I turned towards Jack. "Please, if I say something rude don't take it to heart. I'm bitchy when I'm tired."
Jack laughed. "I'll remember that, don't worry," she said with a mock-serious face.
I laid there, staring up at the ceiling. The school started less then 48 hours ago and honestly, nothing is going how I planned. Where is my perfect senior year?
"I think its time for me to lower my standards," I said out loud. "I mean, okay, maybe this won't be 'the best year ever.' That doesn't mean it can't still be awesome, right?"
"That sounds like pretty sound logic to me," Jack replied with a smile.
We settled into a comfortable silence. I was distracted, still thinking about how I was going to deal with my mess of a life, when a knock on the door brought me back to reality. Jack stood up to answer it.
"Oh," she said, sounding a little surprised. "Hey, Connie."
I sat straight up like I had been shocked. "Hey, Jack," she replied. "Is Darcy here?"
I stood up and walked over to the door. "Yeah, I'm here. Do you need something?" I replied, pretty sassily. Jack slowly retreated back to her bed.
Connie sighed and crossed her arms. "Can we talk?" she said, but she didn't really sound apologetic at all.
I looked back at Jack, who just shrugged, so I reluctantly opened the door wider for her to enter. "So now you want to talk. Oookay," I said, some of the bitterness leaking through. "I thought your mode of communication was to make a scene, but I guess we could try that."
She rolled her eyes at me and scowled. "I'm not here to apologize if thats what you're thinking."
Of course not. "Then why are you here, exactly?"
"I don't know if you know what I went through today-" she started.
"I think I'm aware," I said, interrupting her. "And I don't think it really justifies your actions."
She glared at me. "Honestly, I don't know why I came over here. I should've known you wouldn't even listen to me," she said heatedly. "You never do. As soon as you see something one way, you're so freaking stubborn about it."
"Oh, I'm stubborn? Let's talk about Princess Connie for a second. You do realize that my life doesn't revolve around you, right? I had a rough day too, not that you even bothered to figure that out," I replied just as angrily. I was starting to get even more mad. Who does she think she is, waltzing in here expecting me to fall to her feet and apologize? "I don't have anything to be sorry for."
"How about being sorry for ignoring your best friend all day? And of course, lets not forget about you running for co-chair and not even bothering to tell me about it!" Connie was one of those people who cries when they're mad, and I knew from years of experience that the water works were on their way.
"Did you really come over here to yell at me about this? You don't even know what you're fucking talking about," I crossed my arms in an attempt to calm down. "I don't even know whats happening yet!"
"Well, you managed to tell everyone else before you told me, so its good to know where I fall on your priority list," she said, looking pretty hurt. She switched right back to mad real fast though.
"I don't even know what your problem in, Con," I said. "I really don't."
"Well, I'm not going to apologize for being upset. I just lost my boyfriend and now I'm going to lose my best friend, too." And with that, the tears began.
"Jesus christ, Connie," I said, trying not to let her tears get to me. But, as much as she was pissing me off at this moment, she's still my best friend, and her tears made me feel guilty. "Connie, come on, stop."
"You know what, why don't you just go back to hanging out with your new best friend and your perfect boyfriend and living your perfect life," she said, trying (and failing) to control herself.
"If you even bothered to talk to me, instead of just blowing up, you would know that my life is far from perfect at the moment," I said exasperatedly. "Nothing is going right."
"Well I guess that makes two of us," she said. "I'm gonna go. I don't know what I was trying to accomplish by coming over here in the first place."
She turned to leave, and I let out a big sigh. "Connie… wait," I said. "What are we even fighting about?"
She paused. "I… I guess I don't really know."
I rolled my eyes, but it was followed by a little smile. "Then what are we doing here? You are my best friend, regardless of whatever you think happened today. Neither of us feels like we need to apologize… so can we just call it an impasse and leave it at that? I think… I think both of us could use a best friend right now."
She looked at me, then burst into a fresh round of tears. "Yeah, can we do that?" And with that she rushed up to me and gave me a huge hug. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, okay? I know this is my fault. I don't even know what my problem is right now. Its like I'm trying to push everyone away."
I squeezed her back, burying my face into her shoulder. "I'm sorry, too. I should have looked for you today. But today was just… crazy," I said. "You know you're more then my best friend, right? You're my sister. I could never stay mad at you."
"Same here," she replied, sniffling. "You know how I get when I'm emotional. I don't use any reason. Everything feels like a personal attack."
"Yeah, I know," I said pulling away from the hug. "I'm here for you, always. Next time can we just talk before you go exploding at me in front of everyone?"
"Deal," she said with a little giggle, wiping her eyes.
I turned towards Jack, who was watching us with a look of slight amusement on her face. "I'm sorry, Jack," I said. "You've only been here two days, and how many emotional break downs have you witnessed so far?"
She waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Is it weird that I'm already used to it?"
I laughed. "Oh jeez, I'm the worst roommate ever. You were probably hoping for smooth sailing this year… I'm sorry but I don't think that will be possible living with me."
"Honestly, I don't mind. I like that you guys feel comfortable enough to talk in front of me," she said with a shrug and a little smile.
"That's because you're already one of us!" Connie said, smiling at her. "An honorary Duck!"
"Its true, whether you like it or not…" I said. "The good news is, someone will always have your back. Once a Duck, always a Duck."
Jack smiled hugely. "You guys are basically the best, honestly."
Connie and I looked at each other and smiled wickedly, before turning and attacking Jack in a group hug. "Did I mention we also like to hug?" I said.
Jack hugged us back, laughing. "Really, you guys have made this first week so much easier then I thought it would be!"
We separated, all of us settling down on Jack's bed. "So, are you guys looking forward to the party tomorrow?!" I asked, bouncing up and down in excitement.
"Party?" Jack said, looking confused.
"Party!" I responded. "One of the best parties of the year! Its in the woods behind school, and everyone is going to be there. Fult and Port are buying a ton of alcohol, and there will probably be loads there too. Everyone gets crazy!"
"Sounds awesome! I'm so there," Jack said with a huge grin.
"A party is exactly what I need right now," Connie said with a sigh. "I've got to look super hot, because I need to remind Guy exactly what he's missing."
"What are you two fighting about anyways?" I asked curiously. I never did here that story.
"Ugh, you know Guy. He's always doing something to piss me off," Connie replied with an eye roll. "He was going on and on about some hot new teacher, did he really expect me to not get mad at that? And of course that was just the beginning of the fight, like always. I'm expecting that he'll realize he's wrong and be crawling back by Sunday at the latest. Probably Saturday though, as long as I'm looking all kinds of sexy tomorrow." She winked.
I laughed. "You two are crazy! But he loves you, he always has, so I'd be surprised if you both aren't over it by tomorrow."
"You're right," Connie said, getting a dreamy look on her face. "He's an idiot, but he's my idiot. I don't think we could ever break up for real."
"I had the pleasure of having lunch with all the guys today, since neither of you were there, and I know for a fact that Guy is already trying to figure out the best way to get you back," Jack said with a big smile.
Connie laughed again. "That's good to hear. I definitely have to make him sweat for another day or two though, can't have him thinking I'm sitting around waiting for him!"
"Of course not," I said, giving Connie an encouraging pat on the back. All three of us bursted out laughing.
Jack looked at her watch. "Hey, its almost six. Did you guys wanna head down to dinner?"
My stomach growled loudly at her words. "Oh my god, yes!" I answered. "I just realized that I have eaten absolutely nothing except for coffee today."
"Good news, taco night!" Connie exclaimed.
"Wahoo!" I said, jumping up enthusiastically. "Let's go!"
My best friend and my new friend laughed at me. "Is she always this excitable?" Jack asked Connie as we walked out of the room.
"Oh, yeah," Connie replied. "Especially when it comes to tacos."
"Ha ha ha, yeah Darcy is a fatty," I said impatiently. "Seriously though, hurry your asses up!"
They just laughed harder, but we made our way to the Caf.
Most of the team was already there when we got there. They looked a little surprised, albeit relieved, to see Connie and I together and laughing. We got in line for our food, and I piled my plate high with those delicious little tacos. I sat down in my rightful place, right next to Adam, and Connie sat down right next to me. Jack sat down across from us, conveniently right next to my twin.
"So, everything all good in Darcy-and-Connie Land?" Charlie asked us with a full mouth, gesturing to the two of us with his taco.
"Yes, Charles, we're fantastic. Can you please use some manners for once?" I said, throwing a napkin at him disgustedly.
He ignored my comment and the napkin. "Good. I hate it when you two fight." He then turned to Jack and started telling her some story. I left them alone and turned to Adam.
"How's the homework going?" I asked.
"Finished. What happened with you and Connie?" he asked.
"Its a long story. I'll tell you later," I said, giving a little eye roll and a smile. "I'm just glad its over."
"Me too," Connie said from my other side, smiling with her mouth full of taco.
"Jesus, you're as bad as Charlie," I said, laughing.
"Love you," she said, mouth still full.
"Love you, too," I said, not able to control my laughter.
Adam was laughing too, and he gave me a kiss on the forehead.
Okay, so maybe my year wasn't going exactly perfect right now. But at that moment, feeling happier then I had since the school year started, I realized. Everything always has a way of working itself out. Looking at Adam, and Connie, and Jack, and Charlie, and all my Ducks, I knew that this year is gonna be great. I just knew it.
A/N: VOILA! There ya have it, readers. Chapter 8! Wahoo! Hope you liked it! Pleeeeease review and make my day! Any questions/comments/criticisms are very very welcome :) Loooove you all, I'll promise to update as soon as possible! xoxoJaneeDoee