AN- Okay, four months. Yes, that is a VERY long time and I must apologize because I am a horrible author

-hangs head in shame-

I do hope you will all forgive me....and that you will continue reading. I'm not sure if there really is a Minneapolis University or a Boston Bay College. For the sake of the story, let's pretend there is!

Adam and Julie lay on his dorm bed, cuddling happily.

"I love when you decide to sleep at the dorms." she whispered.

He grinned. "Same."

"I just love being alone with you."

"Again, same."

"It would be just like this every night, if we lived together."

Adam froze. "What?"

She wiggled away from him in order to see his face. "We're planning on going to the same college, Adam. Do you really want to spend money on dorm rooms? Or just buy an apartment."

"Julie." He was sitting up now. "Living together. Isn't that, like, a big step?"

"We've been dating since freshmen year, Adam. I think we've made it to that step."

Adam was silent.

"You weren't planning on buying a place?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, Charlie and I are planning to go to NYU, you know that. My dad said he'd just buy us a place instead of making us sleep in the dorms."

"So, where would I be?"

"I assumed the dorms." he said.

Julie sighed and stood up. Adam scrambled off the bed to grab her arm. "Jules, it's just....it's a big step and I-"

"I get it. You don't want to live with me. It's totally fine, Adam. Really."

He looked at her carefully. She was totally not fine. "Jules."

She kissed him chastely. "I should go back to my room. I have a test to study for anyway."

That was a lie. He knew it. "Jules."

"Later."

She slipped out the door. He fell back onto his bed, calling himself an idiot.

Connie looked up as Julie entered their dorm room, slamming the door behind her and flopping down on the bed.

"Problems?"

"Adam doesn't want to live with me." Julie moaned.

"Dick."

The blonde looked up with a smile. "You are so my best friend."

"Seriously though, I wasn't even aware that you two were planning on living together."

"Well, we weren't. I assumed he wanted to, he assumed I didn't. Which sucks. Because, if him and I are going to NYU together-"

"We haven't even gotten our letters yet."

"-we have the opportunity to live together! Without parental control! Or dorm curfews! And, the letters is beside the point. NYU is an example school. I meant anywhere we are accepted."

"I'm sorry." Connie said.

"You and Guy are going to live together, right?"

"Well, I think so. If we get into the same college, of course. We both applied to Minneapolis University, NYU and Boston Bay college. My fingers are crossed."

"Adam and I have been dating for like, three years. Wouldn't being roommates make sense?" Julie asked.

"It would. But, if Adam's not ready, you can't begrudge him that."

Julie sighed. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"And, the dorm rooms might be more comfortable than some stinky old cheap apartment." Connie offered.

"Yeah! I should do some research." Julie said, heading over to the desk which currently held their shared computer.

Connie smiled. Crises adverted.

The next morning, Adam and Charlie walked side-by-side toward the entrance to Eden Hall.

"So, you know my dad said he's buy us an apartment in New York? As kind of a "You're on your own" present?" Adam asked.

Charlie nodded.

"Well...how would you feel if Julie lived with us?"

Charlie stopped. "You want my opinion?"

Adam stopped as well. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I assumed you two had already decided that she was living with us. And that I would have to deal."

"Why?! Because we've been dating for three years, that automatically means spending the rest of our lives together!?"

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Adam. Who said anything about marriage? It's just living in sin. Totally different."

"Last night, after she brought it up, my mind went into overdrive. I saw us, together, spending our lives together. And, I freaked."

"So, you don't want to live with her?"

"I don't know." Adam sighed.

"I'm sure she'll understand that you don't. I mean, come on, do you really want Julie around twenty four/seven? Do you want her prancing around our place, yelling at us to keep it clean? Or, her furniture taking up most of your room? Or waking up next to her every morning? Because that would get old, my friend. Right?"

"What? Oh, yeah. Right." Adam said, shaking him out of a day dream that involved seeing Julie's face every morning.

It really wasn't that bad.

The Ducks had practice after school. Charlie insisted on them practicing as much as they could. Because practice meant still seeing each other every day. And soon, those days would be over.

It wasn't normal practice by any means. It was Duck Hockey. They skated away from Dwayne's lasso and they just goofed around. They were also watched.

Charlie noticed him first. And a frown formed on his face as he took in the brown-hair and cocky smile of one Cade Carson, leaning in the door way that lead onto the ice. Adam noticed him next and took a spot next to Charlie.

"What do you think he's doing here?" Adam asked.

Charlie shrugged. "No clue. Let's go find out."

As they skated over to him, they were joined by Dean, who were wearing a frown similar to Charlie's. The trio stopped in front of Cade and Charlie regarded him closely.

"What do you want, Carson?"

"I want to play."

"Then go join the JV team." Charlie said.

"I'm a junior. Therefore, I should be on Varsity."

"Only if you're skilled enough." Dean said, quietly.

"I am." Cade said, smirking. "I want to be on the team."

"We don't have any available slots." Adam said. "We're filled up."

"Make room. You can't keep me off the team just because I'm dating your ex-girlfriend." Cade said, his eyes on Charlie.

Charlie took a step forward, feeling someone grab his shoulder, holding him back. Cade's smirk widened.

"I want on the team because I belong on the team."

"I told you. We don't have any room. Everyone on the team is just as good, or better than you. They earned their slot. You'll play Varsity next year." Adam said.

"So get lost, Carson." Charlie growled.

Cade glared at Charlie before turning around and heading out of the arena. Charlie shook the hand off his shoulder and turned back to the Ducks, skating towards them. Dean caught up with him.

"Katie picked a jerk, huh?"

"Yeah." Charlie said, quietly. "Too bad she doesn't know it."

"Cade!"

Cade looked up, his hands deep in his pockets. He grinned as Katie ran up to him.

"Hey, Kat. What's up?"

"I was looking for you. Where've you been?"

"I was trying to get a spot on the Varsity hockey team. You know, to get my game on for next year, when I'm on the team. But, they're very cliquey."

Katie grimaced. "I'm sorry. They always have been, though. Did you really expect any different?"

"Well, I hoped, considering I'm a good player, that they would look everything else aside but, no dice."

"What else?"

"Isn't it obvious? Katie, do you really think they couldn't fit me on their team? I'm your boyfriend now. Charlie's the captain. The Ducks are his loyal friends. Do the math."

"No." Katie shook her head. "Charlie wouldn't be that petty."

"Really? Charlie? The guy who flipped out because we were hanging out together at the mall? Or, the same Charlie who threw a fit when we started dating?"

She bit her lip. "Cade.....I don't think he would."

"Why? Because he's Mr. Perfect? God, Kat, I thought you were over him."

"I am!"

"Really? Because it doesn't seem that way. Why can't you support me, the boyfriend, in this? Why do you have to stick up for the ex?"

She sighed. "Look, I'll talk to him, okay? I'm sure this is all a big mis-understanding. He's not doing this because of what you are to me. I promise."

She kissed him.

Since it wasn't a real practice, Fulton and Tammy decided to knock off early. Charlie didn't really notice, he was too busy being angry with Cade's daring to ask to join their team.

"So, have you heard of the latest couple-drama surrounding the Ducks?" Tammy asked.

Fulton shook his head.

"Adam is commitment-phobe. Julie wants to move in with him, once they head to college and he disagrees."

"That sucks?"

Tammy grinned. "For Julie it does. They both want NYU so badly."

"I'm just waiting for my acceptance into Minneapolis University and life will be good."

"Are you sure that's where you want to go, Fult? I mean, you're smart. You have so many options available."

"Yeah, but limited money. If I go to M. U., I go on a full scholarship for hockey. It's the best option. Besides, you'll be there with me."

Tammy froze. "Yeah. I will."

He looked at her carefully. "Tams?"

"I applied to NYU, Fulton. It's a great school and it's in New York and Julie and Connie will be there and-"

"Did you apply to Minneapolis?" Fulton asked, stopping to look at her.

She stopped too. "Yes."

"But you don't want to go. Because that would be like settling."

"Fulton-"

"No, you don't want to settle for staying in your home town because you can afford to go somewhere else. You know what, just go to New York. I don't care."

"Fulton!" Tammy yelled to his retreating back.

Adam looked across the locker room where Julie was chatting with Connie. He stood up and walked over to her.

"Hey."

She looked up. "Hey."

"So, uh, about last night."

Connie was wise enough to take the hint. She quickly walked over to sit next to Guy.

"Adam, it's fine. I was looking into the dorm rooms at NYU. They're actually really nice."

"Julie."

"And, I could get like an awesome roommate, who would become my new best friend, just in case Connie doesn't get in."

"Julie."

"So, I totally accept your decision for us to not-"

"Julie! I want to live with you!"

She looked at him. "What?"

"I want to live with you." he said again, though a little quieter.

"Re-really?" Julie asked, hopefully.

"Yeah. I mean, I kept seeing this image of waking up next to you and stuff. And, I realized that I want that. I want you."

"Oh, Adam." Julie said, softly.

She stood up and threw her arms around him.

"This is all depending on us actually getting into NYU." he reminded her.

"I know." she whispered.

Then, she kissed him.

Katie walked into the Duck's locker room, casting an amused eye on her brother and Julie's make-out session. She spied Charlie and walked over to him.

"Hey."

He looked up in surprise, though she saw some suspecion in his gaze.

"What's up?"

"Uh, I ran into Cade earlier. Heard he didn't make the team. Just curious as to why."

"We didn't have a slot for him." Charlie said, with a shrug. "I thought I made that clear."

"Really? You really didn't have a place for him? Tell me, Charlie, if he had been any other junior, would you have given him the same answer."

"Yes." he said at once.

She snorted. "Right."

"You know, Kat, every decision I make in life? Yeah, they don't all come back to you."

"He's my boyfriend! You don't want him on the team because you can't deal with fact that he makes me happy!"

"Really? He makes you happy? He, the one who gets you a bracelet for Christmas because he can't bother to remember that you hate jewelry? You're really happy with that ass?"

"Don't call him an ass!"

"How happy are you with him?"

"A hell of a lot happier than I was with you."

Charlie winced.

"Just admit it. You hate the fact that I moved on. That I didn't spend every minute this year watching you stick your tongue down your slutty girlfriend's throat and wish it was me."

"Natalie isn't a slut. Just because she doesn't freak out every time we have sex, that doesn't make her a slut."

It was Katie's turn to wince. "Dumping you was the best decision I ever made."

"I couldn't agree more. Now, someone else can deal with your stupid mood swings."

"Screw you, Charlie Conway!"

"Don't you remember, baby." he said, harshly. "That's how we broke up in the first place."

With a scream of frustration, she pushed him, hard. Then, she ran out of the locker room. Charlie was aware of the eyes on him. He ignored everyone, especially Adam, as he dressed quickly and left as well.

Katie charged into her dorm room, ran to her bed and buried her face in her pillow. Then, she let out a scream. Maddie, who'd been sitting calmly in her own bed, looked at her.

"Bad day?"

"Charlie is such a prick!"

"Charlie? Really?" Maddie was surprised. Charlie was one of the nice ones.

"Yes! He wouldn't let Cade on the team because of our relationship and, then, we got into this huge fight and then, he accused me of freaking out over sex!"

"What a jerk. Tell me you kicked his ass or something."

"No. We just hurled insults at each other and I left. I'm so mad at him right now."

"You have every right to be." Maddie said, consolingly.

"I have to go find Cade. Let him know that he's not on the team. Later, Mads."

Cade opened the door to find a very angry Katie. She walked in without saying a word.

"What's up, Kat."

"You're not on the team. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. What's got you all in a tizzy?"

"Charlie. He's such a jerk! You know, he said...." she trailed off. She really didn't want to tell Cade what exactly was said during their argument.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry, Cade."

He sat down next to her on the bed and put an arm around her shoulder. "I told you, it's fine. Their loss, right?"

"Right." she smiled, looking at him.

Here was a good boyfriend. A sweet boyfriend. So what if he forgot she didn't like jewelry? It's a simple mistake because usually all girls do. He was kind and he was cute. Much better than Charlie.

And, Charlie, saying she freaked out over sex. Suddenly, she wanted to prove him wrong. She wanted Charlie to swallow every word he'd thrown against her. She kissed Cade, passionately. His eyes widened, then closed. She started pushing him down on the bed.

Charlie said she freaked out about sex? Well, Charlie, look at her now.

AN- Cliffhanger! Is Katie really going to sleep with Cade? I don't know! You'll find out next chapter, which, hopefully, won't take four months to come out. Again, I'm sorry.