Charlie’s POV
His lips were a match, and mine were a forest.
Together, we burned like wildfire.
His body pressed against mine, just has his lips had.
If this were a rom-com, there would be a fireworks display in the background.
But this was reality…
He pulled away by an inch, panting. His breath mingled with mine, his evergreen eyes gazing into mine.
“What does this mean?” I asked.
He pulled further away, panic in his eyes.
“I should go.” He said.
“Wait.” I stopped him by grasping his shoulder. “I thought that maybe…since we kissed, maybe-“
“What?” He turned to face me. “That we’d start dating now?”
He let out a scoff. “I don’t date.”
I released my hold on his shoulder, the wildfire inside of me was dying out, and he was the firefighter.
“What are you doing?” I snapped, making sure to keep my voice at a low enough level that I didn’t wake my parents up. “You can’t just deny what’s-“
“I don’t know what I’m doing. Okay?”
I could feel my heart hurting. Is that normal? Maybe I’m just being dramatic.
“I gotta go.” He picked up his jacket that he dropped on the floor and made his way to the window, hopping out onto the roof without a second glance.
The taste of his lips still lingered.
~
“Thanks for agreeing to see me.” Ryan spoke first as we sat down for coffee at The Coffee House the following morning.
I was surprised when I woke up to his text asking me to meet him.
“I figured I owed you another apology.” I replied.
“No. I owe you one.” He said, shifting in his seat. I rose my eyebrows at him.
“Im sorry for the way I acted. I mean, I was upset. But, it still didn’t excuse my behavior.” He looked into my eyes.
“We can’t always help who we like.” He stated.
Agreed.
“Can we still be friends?” He wondered.
I didn’t know the answer to that.
“Uh, sure.” I gave him a half smile.
We talked for another twenty minutes before he upped and left. Something about his mom needing him to do some grocery shopping. I remained there, glued to my seat, alone.
I was at a crossroads in my life. I had no idea what direction I wanted to take.
Why is life so freaking complicated?
I felt exhausted, both emotionally and physically.
I needed to get out of my own head.
I sighed, slumping further into my seat as I pulled out my phone.
Want to get drunk? I sent a text to my best friends.
Ella replied almost immediately.
Fuck yes!
Of course, I had texted ahead of planning. Like, how the hell would we even get alcohol? And where would we even get drunk without our parents catching us and grounding us until we’re old and wrinkly.
Y’all read my mf mind. Clayton texted.
Okay, the plan is easing into motion, slow pacing.
Just one problem. Alcohol. I texted.
Ella’s response came in quicker than lightning striking a tree.
Don’t fret my dears. Already taken care of.
Does this girl have super typing abilities or something?
Also, Tom’s parents are upstate so he said we can get rowdy at his place.
Great. Did that mean that Ryan would also be there? Seeing as how they are cousins. I know I agreed to be friends with him, but that didn’t mean that I wanted to get drunk with him right at this very moment. Or like, at least for another year or so.
It was too bloody soon.
Will Ryan be there?
I mentally crossed my fingers. Please say no. Please say no.
Don’t worry, ex boy won’t be there.
Thank god.
~
Hours later, Clayton and I arrived to Tom’s house, keen for a good night.
“Finally!” Ella beamed as she swung open the front door, allowing us to enter the house.
Soft music was playing and Tom was clearing down the coffee table in the living room and placing a variety of alcohol bottles on top, along with a few glasses and mixers.
“Hey guys.” Tom waved us in.
“Sup Tom.” Clayton greeted him with a fist bump.
“Not much.” Tom replied, turning his eyes on me.
“Hey Charlie.” He smiled.
I was pretty sure that he would be angry with me for breaking up with his cousin/best friend.
“Hi.” I smiled back.
“There’s glasses, oh, and there’s a tonne of ice in the esky if you want a nice cold drink.” He said. “Make yourselves at home.”
I followed everyone else into the living room and took a seat on one of the couches.
I felt anxious.
“Guys, did you hear about Joey and Olivia?” Ella full on gasped.
No, and I was quite fine without hearing about them. I’m guessing that they’re an item or something now?
“What about them?” Clayton wondered.
“So, apparently Joey gave Olivia an STD.” She cackled.
Oh my god…. I was definitely not expecting that to come out of her mouth.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Guys, STD’s are serious!” Clayton stated.
“Guess they should have used protection then, huh?” Ella continued her laughter.
Clayton did have a point about STD’s being serious. But these were people who wronged me. People who I had never even provoked before. I did nothing wrong to them, I mean, unless my existence was so unbearable for them? Joey broke my leg over getting kicked off the stupid team! And Olivia outed me to the entire popularity of Clarence High. They both ruined my life, and honestly, I didn’t care if their condition was serious.
Karma is a bad word.
One too many drinks later, we were pretty much plastered.
Tom and Clayton were both currently singing karaoke to a Harry Styles song while Ella and I sat back and watched the show, laughing at them.
“Woooohooooo!” Ella cheered with her hands waving in the air.
“Clayton! You’re s-singing the wroooong lyrics!” I told him.
Unbothered, he continued to sing The Sign of The Times to As It Was karaoke music playing in the background.
“The lyrics are literally on the tv!” Ella gestures toward the television before letting out a drunk laugh, followed by a burp.
“Ewww!” I grimaced before laughing.
“Oh my god!” Ella’s eyes widened as she stood abruptly from the couch, her hands reaching out to me.
“Let’s dance!” She demanded, latching her hands around my wrists and dragging me onto my feet.
We began to dance like crazy idiots.
Alcohol seemed to have helped with my anxiety. I mean, I was currently dancing like a lunatic and I didn’t have a single care in the woooorllld!
After dancing for what felt like forever, but in reality was only forty seconds, i fell into the couch, exhausted.
I was positively certain I was drunk.
A weight had lifted from my shoulders, and I hadn’t even thought about you-know-who all night!
Damn.
I’m thinking about him right now!
No, Charlie. Don’t think about him. Don’t think about anyone, or anything!
Just chill the hell out and vibe!
I bopped my head to the sound of Clayton and Tom’s singing in an attempt to forget about everything.
But I couldn’t.
All of a sudden, I wanted to text him.
While Tom and Clayton continued with their Karaoke, I pulled out my phone and began typing.
__________________
Wow, another chapter done!
I’m so grateful for all of the beautiful comments! You guys are amazing! Seriously, you have said some kind things, and I’m glad you like my story.
I’m also thankful for those who kindly tell me when I make a mistake in spelling and what not, it means a lot, as sometimes I miss a few things.
Hope you all enjoy this chapter, new update will come out Monday 10-11pm (AEST)
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