Author's Note: Can't stop, as usual, I really am glad that people are liking it! Keep those reviews coming.

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Chapter 4: Lessons

"In ancient times they didn't have gold medals, or Wheaties boxes," Ms. McKay said. The kids all rolled their eyes a little bit. They got what she was doing, but that their first lesson was about the Greek Olympic games, well about as lame as the matching outfits they were being forced to wear. "So the athletes competed for a different reason, anyone?" They stared.

"Falafels?" Goldberg smiled, breaking the tension, everyone laughed.

"Yeah, you wish Goldberg," Guy laughed. Everyone else did along with him.

"Charlie," Ms. McKay smiled as he had his hand up.

"Pride," Charlie said seriously. The Ducks smiled, even the new ones were pretty impressed by him at that moment.

"That's right," She smiled, "The various city states waved their home colors proudly."

"Did America always dominate?" Fulton asked. Everyone looked at him and then laughed a little.

"It's a good question," Dean said, Julie leaned forward and kicked him. "Hey!" He whispered to her. She giggled.

"No," Ms. McKay shook her head, "America wasn't around back then, you have to remember, that compared to other countries America is still young, still forming it's own identity," Something came to her, "America is a teenager, like you."

"Like us?" Jesse said. Clumsy metaphors aside, this was making a lot of sense.

"Yeah," She nodded, "A little awkward at times, but always right there on the verge of greatness." Julie looked at her. This was exactly what her mother had said the night before. "So any more questions about ancient Greece?"

"You couldn't skate and he still put you on the team?" Julie laughed as she walked towards the parking lot with Fulton and Portman.

"They taught me how to skate," He shrugged. "Come on, you can't be a great skater, you're a goalie."

"Uh, not all goalies are like Goldberg over there," She rolled her eyes, "My dad pushes me hard, I could play any position, I choose goal."

"Cat," Her father jogged over, "There you are."

"Dad," Julie looked at him, "Um hi, this is Dean Portman and Fulton Reed." She pointed.

"Hey guys," He nodded. "Are you ready?"

"Where's Mom?" She asked, "She was supposed to pick me up."

"Mom went home," He said, "Just me and you kiddo." Her eyes popped. "Come on."

"Fine," She sighed, "See you guys." She waved as they walked away.

"Boys?" Her father said. She looked at him.

"Dad, I'm not Cait," She said, "I've always hung out with boys, it comes with the game."

"Mm," He nodded. Caitlin had begun dating when she was about eleven, and it had freaked him out. He knew Julie was coming to that age too, and that really scared him. "There's a girl on this team."

"I know," She nodded, "She's um, she's nice, I guess."

"So are things better now, than yesterday?" He asked as they got into the car.

"Sure," She shrugged, "I was just upset, they're a good team, and I'll get my shot." He smiled. "Why'd Mom go home?"

"Sean and Connor threw a party," He said, "Mrs. Sullivan found out." Julie laughed. "I just can't believe he'd do that."

"We're talking about Sean Gaffney right?" She looked at him. He smiled.

"Look, I'm sorry about yesterday Julie," He looked at her, she looked at him. "We just put so much into this, and I was disappointed."

"I was too," She nodded.

"I just," He sighed, "If you're just here because it's what you think I want for you, then,"

"Dad," She looked at him, "I want to be here, to do this, I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't."

"OK," He nodded. "I'm really very proud of you Julie." She smiled warmly, he had said he was proud of her.

"I'm home," Julie's mother walked into the house. Caitlin looked up from the breakfast table.

"What are you doing here?" Caitlin said. She smiled.

"Hi sweetie," She hugged her, "It's good to see you too."

"Hey Cait, babe," A guy about Caitlin's age walked downstairs.

"Mom," Caitlin smiled embarrassed, "You remember Eric right?"

"Yeah," She nodded.

"Hey Mrs. Gaffney," Eric waved. "I should go." Eric ran out the front door. Caitlin looked awkwardly at her mother.

"Did you and Eric get married while I was in Minnesota?" She asked.

"Mom," Caitlin sighed, "You knew I was having sex."

"Yeah," She nodded, "But um, you're not married, and you know the rules."

"You weren't here," Caitlin said, "And it's a stupid rule."

"No sex in my house until you're married," She said, "It's a pretty simple and pretty good rule in my book."

"Maybe it was a good rule for you," Caitlin said, "But you and Dad got married when you were like my age."

"I was twenty two Caitlin," She sighed.

"Whatever!" Caitlin squeaked, "I don't intend on getting married right out of college."

"Well then I suggest you find someplace else to have sex honey," She shrugged. "Rules are rules."

"Ugh!" Caitlin stomped, and then looked at her mom, "Why are you even here?"

"Mrs. Sullivan called," She said, "You let them have a party Caitlin?"

"Sean doesn't listen to me," She said.

"Well you're both coming to California," She sighed, Caitlin went to object. "This isn't a discussion."

"Cait," Sean ran in and stopped, "Mom, hey, welcome home."

"Seany," She sighed, "What am I going to do with the two of you?"

"What happened?" Sean said.

"We have to go to California because you and Connor are morons," Caitlin said and stomped upstairs.

"Was Eric still here when you got home?" Sean said. His mother nodded. "Your daughter's a slut," He shrugged.

"And my son is an idiot," She shook her head. "I hope it was at least good beer."

"Bud Light," He nodded.

"I am so ashamed of you," She sighed.

Charlie walked from the lake to the parking lot slowly.

"Charlie," Coach Bombay chased after him. He looked at him, "I feel like we haven't talked in a while."

"Yeah," Charlie nodded. "I know."

"How's the whole Casey getting married thing?" Coach asked.

"Fine," Charlie shrugged, "I mean, Grant's a good guy, she's happy." He nodded. "They can't come to California."

"That's too bad," Gordon said. "You bummed?"

"You'll be there," He said, "I mean, you will be there right?"

"Yeah of course," He said. "Are you upset about something?"

"No," Charlie shook his head, "Not exactly, it's just, the guys, the team, everyone's a little freaked out."

"About what?" He asked. Charlie sighed.

"About all of it," He said, "The new kids, the playing internationally."

"You guys are ready," Gordon smiled, "Don't worry so much."

"You and Mom need to stop conferring," He shook his head. "This is getting weird."

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