An: Thanks to everyone who has read and commented on this story! Enjoy chapter 4!

Charlie Brown's world had truly turned upside down. He still couldn't believe this wasn't a dream. He had become a star player in one night. Over the weekend he had received at least ten calls to congratulate him. Sally had raced to answer many of them, but when she realized they weren't for her she simply handed him the phone and trudged back to her room. When he asked what was wrong with his little sister, she stated she had come down with a head cold from the game.

His longest phone call was from Peppermint Patty, who usually called him on Sunday. "Hey, Chuck," her voice boomed on the phone. Over the years, he learned to keep it far enough from his ear to not damage his hearing.

"Hey Patty," Charlie sat down in his green chair. Snoopy was curled up by his feet, fast asleep. "What's the news today?"

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your victory, Chuck."

"Oh, thank you," he twisted the cord around his finger. "Was that all?"

"No..." her voice drifted. "I actually wanted to know if you would be interested in taking me to the Halloween dance."

"The Halloween dance? That's almost four weeks away."

"Well, you're a popular man now, Chuck. I wanted to make sure you know I would love you to take me. You know...like as in a date."

"Oh," was all Charlie could say. This wasn't the first time he and Patty had gone dancing together, but never on a date. "Uh..."

"You can think about it, Chuck," Patty said hurriedly. "I've had a few offers from some other guys, but if you wanted to go, I'm all yours."

"What about Marcie?" he asked.

"She'll probably go on her own, or not at all. It's not really her style," Patty explained.

"I see."

"Well, I suppose I better go. See you tomorrow, Chuck."

"Bye Patty." He hung up the phone and sighed. Snoopy was at his knee, giving a rather curious look. "What?" he asked. In response, the dog winked. Charlie laughed, "Oh, as if. Me and Patty are just friends. Besides, she says I'm a popular man now, maybe someone else might ask me to the dance."

Charlie was right about his assumption. On Monday alone, he received three invites to the dance. There were cards in his locker every other period. Random students he never talked to before were suddenly greeting him at every chance they got. He was praised for his skill and form. Some said he was a natural, and he believed them. He couldn't get enough of his newfound fame.

At lunch, he was invited to sit with the football players, which he accepted with Linus's blessing. It was like a whole other world with the football players. They were at a much different pace than Charlie was used to. Everyone discussed new game tactics and reviewed plays from previous games. Charlie decided to sit with them for the rest of the week, getting used to his new life.

Linus sat on the wall once again, all alone. It was Thursday, and some part of him hoped Sally would come to meet him here. He had messed up, he knew that. He hated lying as much as Sally did. But what would happen when Charlie found out about the whole scheme? Would he forgive Linus? Would he pound him into the ground? Would Linus lose his best friend? Perhaps all three, or maybe just the last two.

Why did he have to go and fall in love with the girl anyway? He sighed. Of course, he fell in love with her. She had become his most dreaded to his most beloved these last few months. God knew what a surprise was in store for him. Linus grinned at the thought of their first true meeting. It was right after that last baseball game of the summer, she had pulled him into the dugout, telling him what a good job he had done during the game as usual.

"You were amazing when you caught that ball," she told him, gushing. Instead of rolling his eyes, Linus simply watched her face as she recounted the scene for him. "Franklin's jaw practically dropped to the floor," she giggled. Her pink lips formed the nicest of smiles he had ever seen. Why hadn't he noticed that before? Or the small freckles just below her dazzling blue eyes. Linus suddenly felt as if ten years had passed all at once.

"I thought Patty was gonna come out there and slug you!" She broke into a laugh again while he remained silent. She noticed, her expression dropping. "Are you alright, Linus?"

"Can I kiss you?" Linus suddenly asked without thinking. Her eyes widened intensely.

"I've never kissed anyone before," she blurted, blushing instantly.

"Neither have I," Linus admitted, the tips of his ears fuming. He ran his fingers nervously through his dark hair. "I'm sorry." He felt like an idiot then. He had just about got up and left when she stopped him.

"Linus," she whispered. He met her eyes again, only to see her much closer than before. He leaned in slowly, meeting her lips partway. That was when his heart pounded in his chest, and yet he had felt so calm. Hesitantly, he cupped her cheek, deepening the embrace. Her arms slid up around his neck, making goosebumps appear just above his neckline.

When they parted, they stared at each other with wide eyes, shocked. Then, they turned away from each other. She practically bounced in her seat from the thrill. Linus was simply trying to catch his breath. There wasn't a single thought in his head, just the simple rush of what had transpired. He had his first kiss, and it was with Sally. The crazy part was, he wanted to kiss her again.

"Does this mean I can call you my Sweet Baboo?" Sally asked, breaking the silence as always.

He chuckled then. "Only if I get to kiss you again." She blushed and pecked his cheek.

"Another time, Sweet Baboo."

Linus's heart leaped at the memory. Maybe they should've never kept it a secret at all. No, he wouldn't have fallen in love with her then. There was something about the secret that made watching her more natural. He didn't see her as the pushy little girl she once was. She was a caring, kind, and just a little greedy young woman. If they were public, she would've never left his side. Back then, her clinginess would've made him sick. But now, he would rather have her head resting on his shoulder, telling him about her day or any other gossip that would spill from her mouth.

"Linus?" Marcie snapped him from his thoughts. Linus realized he wasn't sitting anymore, but pacing atop the wall. He stopped, almost losing his balance. "What are you doing?"

Linus sighed, "Sulking in the absence of a loved one." He sounded like Charlie Brown

"You miss Charles too?" she asked, taking a seat. Linus almost forgot himself completely. He might've told Marcie all about Sally if she hadn't mentioned Charlie's name.

"Miss him?" Linus crouched down beside her.

"I'm sure you've noticed the difference," Marcie shook her head. Linus only stared at her. He didn't notice. "You know, he's been sitting with the football players every day this week. He is always at practice or being adorned by new fans. They don't even know him."

"I'm happy for Charlie," Linus admitted. "He's wanted this forever."

"I suppose I should be happier," Marcie nodded. "It's just not like him." Linus, for once, didn't know what to say. "If you aren't mourning Charlie, then who's got you pacing around?"

Linus sat back, pondering his answer. "I messed up."

"I would say so," Marcie said before he could get another word in. "Sally has been fuming all week."

"What?" Linus felt his stomach twist. Marcie stared at him blankly. "How did you know?"

"Simple note and observation can reveal many things, Linus," Marcie said simply. "Sally has barely mentioned you since school started. My suspicions arose when she started randomly disappearing. Then Friday night confirmed it all."

"I told her that hug was too obvious," Linus muttered.

"It wasn't the hug. I saw you two sneak away when we all flooded the field."

"Oh," Linus felt his ears turn red. "Yeah."

"What did you do?" Marcie asked.

"I don't know," Linus groaned. "We fought about going public. I see it as a bad thing because..."

"Because of Charles?" Marcie tilted her head.

"Yeah. When we first started I thought maybe she would've gotten tired of me, or me of her by now. We would've ended it and it would've been just a summer fling. But we didn't end things." He didn't realize how much he needed to talk about this. He felt lighter with every single word. "I usually have the answer to everything, but now...I just don't know. I want us to be happy together, but at what cost? I—"

Marcie put a hand on his arm. "You love her, Linus." He stared at her blankly. He knew he was in love with her, but the real and simple love? As Marcie studied his face, he knew it was true. He loved Sally. "If you didn't, you would've left her long ago. You're not one to waste your time. You always have the answer."

"Then why don't I have one now?"

"Because it's easier to look at a situation from the outside. You've never been on the inside Linus. You've always been advising others ever since I've known you. Now for the first time, you need help."

"So what should I do?" Linus asked desperately.

"Not from me," Marcie adjusted her glasses. "You need to talk to Sally."

"I don't even know if she'll talk to me."

"She will," Marcie confirmed. "Don't too much pressure on it. Just talk, get a compromise, and find a solution. Otherwise, you'll be unhappier than before." She hopped off the wall. "I hope it works out for you both."

"Thanks, Marcie," Linus nodded. "You won't tell anyone, will you?"

"Who do I have to tell?" Marcie raised a brow. Before Linus could formulate a list in his head, Marcie grinned and zipped her lips.

As groups of students gathered in the gym for the pep fest, Lucy tapped her feet on the bleachers as she searched for him. She had set herself at the edge of the group, next to Franklin. Pigpen and Patricia were chatting, Patricia dominating the conversation. She never got over the boy since their middle school breakup. Violet or Lucy never understood the obsessive appeal.

When Lucy spotted Schroeder, she almost shot up out of her seat to flag him down. His blue eyes met hers from the floor with a soft smile that made her heart simply soar. Schroeder took the stairs two at a time before he took his place swiftly next to her. "I thought you weren't going to see me for a moment," she told him honestly.

"How couldn't he?" Franklin leaned in. "You were practically jumping at the sight of him."

Lucy's eyes widened as Schroeder laughed. "I was not jumping," she scolded Franklin, who was raising a cocky brow. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she glanced at Schroeder nervously. "I was just looking to see if you were there."

"It's alright," Schroeder shrugged with his shoulders. "It's cute."

Her face went blank again as she faced out. Franklin followed her action, his mouth wide open. Luckily, the band began to play the school's song. Everyone raised to their feet, clapping along to the beat with wide smiles, except for Lucy, who was too shocked to manage a simple twitch of her lips.

"Linus," Sally hissed as he pulled her into the music room. "The pep rally is about to start." She hadn't seen Linus all week since Friday night's feud, and now he was dragging her around by her sweater sleeve. She didn't know what had come over him.

"Exactly," Linus closed the door behind them. She stared at him blankly. He simply stood there, gathering his thoughts. "I think we should talk." Her heart dropped to her stomach. Here it was. The moment she had been dreading ever since their first kiss. Linus had finally had enough of her. Just like when they were kids, he would cast her aside. "I'm sorry about the other night."

"And?" Sally managed to murmur.

"I want you to be happy," Linus admitted, taking a deep breath. "I want to go public. At the Halloween dance."

"Are you serious?" she asked, feeling relief.

"Yes," Linus took her hands. "You're right. We shouldn't have to run around and hide all the time." He chuckled then. "I want you to be able to scream from the bottom of your lungs."

"Oh." Sally threw her arms around his neck. "You really do know me." He held her tightly, making her heart flutter intensely.

"Of course, I do," he said against her curly blonde hair. "I love you." She backed up, shocked by the statement. He simply grinned at her.

"Is my hearing right?" she asked plainly.

"I love you," Linus said with clarity.

"My Sweet Baboo," Sally gushed, unbelieving of what she just heard. "I love you."

"I know," he chuckled, pulling her back to him. "Who would've thought? You and me falling in love."

"We'll shock the whole town," she swayed on her heels. "At the Halloween dance. Oh, it will be a wonderful evening." She grabbed his hands, forcing him to twirl her. He complied and sent her into a dip.

"So, I take it you'll be my date? Should we shake on it?"

"I have a better idea," she grabbed him by the collar and kissed him with every amount of passion she had.

"And we would like to celebrate Charlie Brown!" the head coach announced, sending a wave of cheers from the crowd. Charlie stepped up onto the stage, waving gratefully. "He helped us win the game last week, and we hope he'll help us do it again. He has been our team's missing piece. The diamond in the rough. Let's hear it for Charlie!"

Schroeder clapped loudly, proud of his friend. Lucy hollered for him, bringing Schroeder more joy than she ought to. It was so good to know she was feeling better. Over the last week, she talked to him more and more during his after-school practice. She even sat with him at lunch from time to time, and he didn't mind one bit. He couldn't believe he would actually find the sound of her voice rather pleasing.

"You know," he told her after last night's practice. "You could be a singer if you trained."

She darted up from her backpack. "Really?"

He nodded. "I heard you humming along," he admitted, snapping up his bag. "It wasn't bad at all."

"Humming is a little different than singing," She stated, tucking her raven hair behind her ear. It was a lot longer than before, how could he not have noticed that before?

"Either way, maybe you should give it a shot," he told her as they left. She only nodded with a small smile.

"Shoot," Schroeder said now in the present. He had left his science textbook in the practice room. Lucy turned her head, obviously confused by his sudden speech.

"What?" she asked over the crowd. Schroeder stood. He would need that as soon as the pep fest was over.

"I'll be back," he told her, taking his backpack with him. She might have called after him, but he just went on. He would be back to explain. He easily maneuvered out of the gym. No one even noticed him. He marched to the practice room, not even noticing the light was on. When he opened the door, Schroeder froze in shock.

Sally and Linus were wrapped in each other's arms, lips locked to each other. When he gasped they parted instantly, gasping themselves. "Schroeder!" Sally put a hand to her heart before giggling. "I thought you were a teacher for a second."

He stood there, silent. What could he say? Was this a dream? He couldn't recall falling asleep. Perhaps he hit his head on his way from the bleachers. That would be a logical explanation. Linus dropped his hands from Sally's waist and fixed his ruffled hair. He did have an ounce of breath to speak with, but as their eyes met, Schroeder knew exactly what to say. "Does Charlie know?"

"No," they both said, looking down.

"We're planning on telling everyone soon," Sally straightened her sweater, puffing the sleeves casually. Linus was pale.

"How long has this been going on?" Schroeder asked, still looking at Linus.

With a defeated breath, Linus muttered, "A few months."

"Months?!" Schroeder's jaw dropped again. He then rubbed his temples. "Does Lucy know?"

"No," Sally answered. "No one knows but you."

"And Marcie," Linus added weakly. When she looked at him, Sally's eyes almost popped.

"Marcie?" she asked.

"I didn't tell her," Linus shook his head. "She figured it out."

"You should've told me."

"I was but we were..." Linus gestured to the room. "Preoccupied. She'll keep it a secret anyway."

"No, she won't," Schroeder shook his head. "I won't either."

"What?!" they both exclaimed.

"This is serious. You're Charlie's best friend, Linus."

"That's why I'm waiting to tell him," Linus admitted. He could see the fear in the boy's eyes. He knew this was real.

"That you're messing around with his sister?"

"I'm not messing around," he defended. "I love her."

Schroeder was speechless at that. "And I love him," Sally came forward, clasping her hands together. "Please, Schroeder. Don't tell anyone. We will come forward soon enough. Please, just give us until the Halloween Ball."

"But...But what about Lucy?" Schroeder managed to ask. How could he keep this from her? Especially now that she was finally talking? She would be so mad if she knew that he knew.

"She can't know either," Sally shook her head.

"Please, Schroeder," Linus chimed in, taking Sally's hand. "Please."

"Fine," Schroeder agreed. "But don't tell Lucy that I knew. Otherwise, she'll kill me."

"Since when do you care about Lucy killing you?" Sally asked with a raised brow.

"I..." Schroeder didn't know how to answer the question. "I would like to keep my own head, thank you."

"Fair enough," Linus chuckled.

"I better go," Schroeder looked at the clock. "The pep fest is over. Let's never discuss what happened here, alright?" They nodded in agreement, and with that Schroeder went into the halls, blending in perfectly with the students now flooding the halls. He glanced around for Lucy, but she was nowhere in sight. So, Schroeder went on to science class without his textbook.

Before lunch, Charlie was strolling down the hallway when he saw Heather at her locker. She was struggling to open it. Her red curls bounced with every jerk on the locker's hatch. "Stupid thing," she muttered, putting her books down. For once, Charlie felt enough courage to approach her. What could go wrong? He was practically a celebrity, he could talk to anyone.

"I could give it a try," he said. She faced him, a small smile on her lips.

"Sure," she stepped aside, giving him room. He pushed the locker door in, jiggling the hatch. His own locker used to do this in middle school. With a little tug, the door swung open.

"There," he opened it for her. "All good."

"Thank you," Heather placed the books from the floor into the shelf.

"You're welcome," he shrugged. She rose to meet his eye. They stared at each other for a while.

"Was there something else?" she asked, raising her brows. He didn't know what to say. Usually, the girls he talked to simply filled the silence.

"Uh...How are you?" he shrugged.

"I'm fine, thank you," she said so sweetly he felt eh tips of his ears turn red.

"Are you excited for the dance coming up?"

"Yes."

"Do you have a date?"

"No, but I'll be going with Violet and Patricia I think. Make it a girl's night." The bell rang, and students were flooding the halls. Heather was about to turn away when Charlie caught her.

"Wait, let me walk you to lunch," Charlie offered.

She had a soft smile on her lips as she replied, "I wouldn't want to stand in the way of your adoring fans." Charlie was left simply shocked as she weaved through the crowd.

After school, Lucy came into the room to find Schroeder practicing. She hopped up on the piano, as usual, taking off her necklace and earrings. He didn't look up from the piano, so she pulled out her homework and began flipping through the textbooks. She was waiting for an explanation, but he said nothing, just stared at the music in front of him. He used to never need music. Even if he had it out he stared at his fingers every time.

"How was your day?" Lucy asked, taking a swig from her water bottle.

"It was fine," Schroeder nodded, still not looking at her. "Why weren't you at lunch?"

"Student Council," Lucy shrugged. "I told you last night."

"Oh, that's right."

"Yeah," Lucy rolled onto her stomach. "I usually like to tell people where I'm going." She stared at him. His eye twitched, but he remained still as he was before. "Ugh," she finally groaned. "Where did you go?"

"When?" he asked.

"Today. At the pep fest."

"Doesn't ring a bell," Schroeder said with a little bit of a grin. She would've smacked him if she had anything lighter than these hardcover books.

"Where did you go?" she demanded. "Don't make me pop you one."

"Okay," Schroeder threw up his hands. "Alright. I just came in here to get my science textbook. I forgot it here last night." He began playing again, focusing on his fingers. Lucy nodded, taking her own backpack.

"You mean the one that Sally gave to me to give to you?" Lucy pulled out the textbook with his name inside. Schroeder looked up, instantly paling. She knew something was off about him.

"When did she give you that?"

"Choir," Lucy said truthfully.

"I must've left it in the classroom," Schroeder reached for it, but she yanked it back. She had him now.

"Is there a reason Sally had your textbook?"

"She probably just found it," Schroeder shrugged. "I'm glad she did. Otherwise, I couldn't do the assignment this weekend."

"Mhmm," Lucy gave him the book. He quickly took it, shoving it into his bag. "You know you could tell me."

"What?" he paled again.

"You know."

"I honestly don't."

"Sally was also missing from the pep fest," Lucy stated, as much as she hated to. "A bit of a coincidence. Don't you think?"

"Not at all," Schroeder dismissed her. "I didn't even know she was missing."

"Perhaps because she was with you," Lucy felt her heart drop at the accusation. Schroeder and Sally would be an odd pair, but it wasn't unlikely. Sally was skinnier, prettier, blonde, and everything else Schroeder would want in a girlfriend. Even so, how could Sally do this to her? She knows how much Lucy cares for the piano.

"What?!" Schroeder's eyes practically leaped from his head. He then laughed. "Me and Sally? No way."

"Then why did she find it here in the music room," Lucy revealed, and his face went blank. "There was no coincidence there. So, what is going on?"

"Nothing is going on," Schroeder blurted. "I-I met her to make plans."

"What kind of plans?" Lucy raised a brow.

"To ask you to the Halloween dance," Schroeder blurted.

Now it was Lucy's turn to pale. She couldn't believe it. Schroeder was going to ask her to the Halloween dance. "Really?"

"Yes," Schroeder said sincerely. "I asked her what your favorite flower was."

"And did she tell you roses?" Lucy asked, perking up immensely.

"Yes...red ones."

"Oh, Schroeder," Lucy blushed. "You're so sweet."

"I was going to ask tonight at the game," Schroeder shrugged. "But I guess this kind of ruined the surprise."

"No! Please do it!" Lucy clapped her hands together. "I'll act surprised and everything." She couldn't help but jump off the piano and hug the boy on the bench. He barely shifted in his seat before she pulled back and took her place. "Carry on like nothing happened," she instructed him, and he began to play again as his heart raced with every key.