Alright so since most of you asked for a sequel to my story, A Christmas Return, I decided to go ahead and write a sequel! If you haven't read A Christmas Return make sure you go and read first. I can't wait for this story because it's going to be so cute and I hope you all enjoy it.
17 year old Charlie Michelle Bolton stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She was getting ready to catch the bus to go to school. Charlie was a junior at East High School and she was the captain of the dance team. She was one of the popular kids in school and every guy wanted her. Her father didn't like that she was the center of the attention at football and basketball games when they danced at half time. But that was just the price he had to deal with for having such a beautiful daughter.
"Charlie Bolton you better hurry up if you expect to eat breakfast before heading off to school!" Charlie heard her father call from downstairs.
Charlie rolled her eyes and braided her long black hair down her back. She put on her makeup and hung up her towel. She exited the bathroom and walked back into her room grabbed her books and her laptop and put it in her bag. She grabbed her phone and made her way downstairs. "I seriously don't know how I've handled myself with you being gone dad. I really don't," Charlie commented as she sat down.
"See that's the most ingenious plan baby girl. You don't," Troy said setting down a bowl of cereal in front of his daughter along with her birth control pills. "You like to pretend you have it together when I'm gone but you secretly don't."
Charlie looked up at her dad, "Seriously Dad? You just want to feel loved and needed," Charlie said with a smile on her face. She finished up her cereal and took her pill. "Alright well I'm off. I have dance practice after school so I'll text you when you can come pick me up."
"Alright. Now you have everything? Your homework? Books? Phone? Money for lunch?" Troy asked.
"Yes Dad," Charlie said kissing his cheek. "I have everything I need. I'll see you later!"
Troy watched his 17 year old daughter skip out of the house and picked up by the school bus. She was growing up way too fast and he didn't like it. He knew that she was the object of many boys affections and that didn't make him feel any better about sending her off to school. But he knew Chad would keep an eye on her, being the new gym teacher and all. Chad would tell him if his daughter was getting comfortable with any of the guys at school... right?
School went by fast for Charlie and before she knew it, it was time for dance practice. Charlie was in the locker room getting changed for practice when she heard some of the girls talking.
"Did you see the way he looked? I haven't seen a guy look that good since the senior football captain took off his shirt in the middle of practice that one day," Marie said putting her hair up in a ponytail.
"Who are we talking about?" Charlie asked walking over to the girls.
"They're talking about my brother. He's back from Iraq and came to visit a few teachers," Claire said rolling her eyes. "Seriously he's not that good looking."
"Claire your brother is like a god," Jennie said.
"Alright stop talking about Claire's brother and let's get to practicing. We've got a game on Friday," Charlie said walking out of the locker room.
"What's wrong with her?" Sarah asked watching Charlie walk out of the room.
"She's just cranky 'cause she's never been laid before," Marie said shutting her locker.
"Not everyone's a whore like you Marie," Claire said walking out of the locking room after her friend.
"Looks like Miss. Goody Two Shoes needs to get laid too," Marie muttered walking out of the locker room.
About half way through the practice, they were running through the dance. Charlie heard the door open to the gym and she looked over, but never losing her footing until she saw Claire's brother walk in the room. Charlie stumbled over her feet and bumped into Marie.
"Looks like someone can't focus when a hot guy walks in the room," Marie said laughing.
Charlie glared at her and blushed. "Get back to work," Charlie snapped at her and the other girls. Charlie stalked over to Claire's brother, Seth. "I'm sorry but this is a closed practice so I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Seth turned around at the voice he knew so well and stopped short when he saw Charlie standing there in just her booty shorts and a crop top. He looked her up and down. "Charlie?" He questioned.
"Very good you remember my name but now I have to ask you to leave. Closed practice. No visitors," Charlie said to him. On the outside she was cool and seemed to have everything together, but on the inside she was freaking the hell out.
"Alright, alright. I'm going. Just tell my sister I need to take her to her doctor's appointment," Seth said as he turned around and walked towards the door.
Charlie turned around to walk back to the girls when a voice stopped her in her tracks.
"It was nice to see you again Charlie," Seth said before opening the door and leaving the gym.
Charlie blushed and she walked back over to the girls. "Claire, you have to go to a doctor's appointment. You better be ready for Friday night," Charlie said to her.
"C we're going to be fine. We have this routine down pat," Claire said to Charlie. "I'll call you later okay?"
"Fine. Go ahead," Charlie said, "Get back to work people! We only have 3 days!"
"And we all thought Abby Lee Miller was bad," Sarah whispered to Marie who laughed.
"Let's just hope if he comes to the game she doesn't choke and fall out of a trick..." Marie said laughing.
Charlie was waiting outside for her dad to pick her up after practice. She couldn't believe the practice she had. Seth was back. She had a major crush on him as a child and that crush never went away. And he just came right into her practice when they were trying to focus for the game on Friday. She didn't want to be rude to him but it was the only way for her not to stutter over her words. Charlie saw her dads' car and she stood up. She got in the car.
"How was practice Sweetheart?" Troy asked as his daughter got into the car.
"Horrible. The girls weren't focused and we have the big game on Friday against West," Charlie said buckling up.
"Honey I'm sure you guys are perfect. You always are," Troy said as he pulled away.
"And then Claire had to leave early because of a doctor's appointment," Charlie said, "After I told them not to make anything this week because of how important this game is."
"Charlie you're starting to sound like Grandpa back when he drilled us. You guys are going to be fine. It's just a game," Troy said.
"You don't get it..." Charlie muttered texting Claire asking how her doctor's appointment went.
It went okay. My knee has been bothering me so I wanted to make sure it was okay.
Charlie read the text and she shook her head. You didn't think to tell me your knee was bothering you so I could figure out how to re-block in case you couldn't dance on Friday?
I'm fine C. Just gotta take it easy until Friday. I'll be fine to dance. Stop overreacting.
Charlie shook her head. She was really stressed out about the dance on Friday at the half time show and she seemed to be taking it out on the team. She knew she shouldn't take it out on the team, but she just couldn't help it.
"Everything okay Baby?" Troy asked his daughter when he caught her shaking her head.
"Claire's knee is bothering her and she didn't tell me," Charlie said.
"Honey she probably didn't want to worry you over nothing," Troy said trying to keep his daughter thinking straight.
"But what if it wasn't nothing? What if she had gone to the doctor and there was something wrong and she couldn't perform on Friday? I would have had to block the whole damn number," Charlie said.
"Language Charlie Michelle," Troy said sternly.
"Sorry..." Charlie muttered as Troy pulled up into the driveway.
"Look Charlie, just try not to let it bother you okay? She's going to be just fine, the routine is going to be spectacular and you are going to kick butt on Friday," Troy said kissing her head.
"Thanks Daddy," Charlie said smiling at him. "You always know what to say."
"It's my job. I'm the Dad," Troy said to her as he turned off the car and got out.
Charlie was in her room working on homework when there was a knock on her door. "Come in," Charlie said as her door opened.
"Can we talk?" Lily, Charlie's 14 year old sister, asked entering the room.
"Sure Lil," Charlie said moving her school books and patting the spot next to her.
"How do you know if a guy likes you?" Lily asked her sister.
Charlie looked at her little sister and sighed, "Lils you know I don't have any experience with guys who like me," Charlie said softly.
"But your friends, don't they have guys who like them? You have to have seen it before," Lily pleaded with her sister.
"Do you have a guy who you're interested in?" Charlie asked as her sister blushed. "You do! Spill little sister."
"His name is Damon and he's in my grade. He keeps picking on me and he always wants to be my partner in my classes. He carries my books for me and walks with me when we go to lunch and to the bus," Lily said blushing.
"My little sister has a crush!" Charlie said hugging her sister.
"Don't let Daddy hear you, or Mommy for that matter," Lily said. "I don't want to make a big deal about it."
"Well for the record... I think he likes you," Charlie said smiling at her sister.
"Really?" Lily questioned hopefully.
"Just wait and see okay Honey? Trust me he likes you," Charlie said kissing her sisters forehead. When Lily couldn't go to her parents for something, Charlie became a mom figure in her sisters' life. She would do anything for her sister.
"Thanks C," Lily said kissing her sisters' cheek and skipping off to her bedroom.
Charlie shook her head and finished up her homework. She was putting her school books in her bag when her mom poked her head in.
"Your father and I are going to bed," Gabriella said softly to her daughter.
Charlie looked up, "Goodnight Mom," Charlie said smiling to her mother before grabbing her pajamas from her dresser.
"Goodnight Sweetheart. Sleep well," Gabriella said shutting the door over.
_-_ Friday Night _-_
"Dad! Come on! I'm going to be late!" Charlie yelled from the kitchen.
The Bolton clan were headed to the school for the boys varsity basketball game against their rivals; West High. Their schools dance team was also performing at halftime, before Charlie's team. With their team also performing, that meant Lisa Simmons was going to be there. This girl was Charlie's enemy. They have been in competition against each other since they were in grade school and Charlie's routine was always better than Lisa's.
"Mom seriously, we're going to be late," Charlie said to her mother.
"Charlie Michelle you're acting like a spoiled brat. Now knock it off," Gabriella snapped at her daughter.
"Oooh Mom used the middle name," Lily said to her sister.
"Oh shut up Lilian Makayla," Charlie snapped.
"Charlie. Car. Now," Gabriella said in a threatening tone of voice. Gabriella watched as her daughter stomped out of the house.
About five minutes later, Troy walked down the stairs. His eyes were read and full of unshed tears.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Lily asked her dad innocently.
"Honey, go outside with your sister okay? Mom and I will be right there," Troy said weakly.
Lily nodded and gave her father a hug. "I love you Daddy," Lily said softly before leaving the house.
"Troy... you're scaring me. What's going on?" Gabriella asked quietly.
"Remember Jones? The guy we met up with last year in Hawaii?" Troy asked.
"Yeah I remember him. Short, buff," Gabriella said.
"Last year, shortly after we met up, he was shipped out to Iraq. His wife just called and told me he was killed in action last week," Troy said breaking down and crying. "Then, when I got off the phone with her, my Sergeant texts me and says that myself and a few guys are being shipped overseas for six months."
"Oh Troy..." Gabriella whispered hugging him tightly. "When do you leave?"
"Monday," Troy answered.
"Charlie is going to be crushed. You know she hates it when you leave," Gabriella said pulling back and looking at him. Even though she went through it very young, Charlie never got over the feeling of being upset when her dad left. It hut her more and more each time he left. Each time he had to miss something important with school.
"I'll deal with her tonight after the game," Troy said softly as the pair walked out to the car.
"Finally," Charlie said as her dad unlocked the car. The Bolton family got in the car and they took off towards the school.
_-_ At the School _-_
Troy dropped off Charlie at the front of the gym entrance before going to park. Charlie ran into the school and to the locker room.
"Wow even as Captain I was sure you would have been the first one here," Marie said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yeah well I wasn't so you all better have been practicing," Charlie said. "I saw Lisa as I walked in. God I can't stand her."
Charlie stripped off her clothes and got dressed into her dance outfit. The group were going to be portraying women in jail. Charlie's hair was down in a half up, half down style. Charlie finished her makeup that she had started at home and she felt her chest tighten up. She started coughing, gripping onto the side of the sink she was at to remain upright.
"Charlie? You okay? Should I go get your dad?" Claire asked her friend.
"I'm fine. It's just a cough," Charlie said. "A tickle in my throat."
"If you're sure," Claire said worriedly.
"I'm sure Claire," Charlie snapped again to her friend.
Claire put her hands up in surrender. "I'm going to go and grab a water bottle. I'll grab one for you too," Claire commented before she and the girls left the locker room.
"What's wrong with me?" Charlie whispered to herself.
"Talking to yourself squirt?" Seth asked leaning against the door frame.
Charlie gave a half scream before turning around. "What the hell Seth? This is the girls locker room," Charlie snapped.
"Relax. I'm just grabbing something for Coach Bolton," Seth said holding up the clipboard in his hand. "I heard you talking to yourself so I came to make sure you're okay."
"I'm fine," Charlie said before ending up in a coughing fit.
Seth's brows furrowed as he moved forward to pat Charlie on the back to help her. "You sure? Cause you don't seem fine. I can go get your dad if you want," Seth said concerned.
"No! What the hell is it with you and your sister wanting to go get my dad? I'm fine. It's just a small cough. A tickle in my throat," Charlie said.
"I'm just concerned Charlie," Seth said.
"Yeah well I don't need you to be concerned. I'm fine," Charlie said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find my team." Charlie pushed past Seth and exited the locker room.
"Hey Bolton!" Seth called down the hallway.
Charlie turned around. "What?"
"You look good," Seth commented with a smirk.
Charlie blushed. "Thanks…" She muttered disappearing down the hallway. Charlie rushed down the hall to go and find her team. She wasn't paying attention to where she was going and she ran smack dab into her grandfather. "PopPop," Charlie said. "I'm so sorry."
"Charlie don't worry about it. Are you alright? You seem flushed," Jack said to his granddaughter.
"Yeah… I'm okay," Charlie said, her breathing a little shallow. She let out a soft cough. "Just trying to find my team."
"Are you sure? I ran into Claire and she's worried about you," Jack said.
"God damnit I'm fine!" Charlie snapped. "Why is everyone so concerned about me? Seriously it's just a cough."
"Charlie Michelle do NOT take that tone with me," Jack said sternly.
"Sorry PopPop…" Charlie muttered.
"What's going on with you Honey? You're not usually like this," Jack said concerned.
"It's just the first game of the season and I'm nervous," Charlie said softly.
"You're father used to panic before games. You're going to be fine," Jack said.
"Can I go find my team now?" Charlie asked softly.
"Go ahead," Jack said. "Good luck Sweetheart."
"Thanks…" Charlie muttered disappearing down the hallway.
Right before half time, Charlie was stretching her legs. She was nervous at the fact that this would be the first dance of the season and she was worried that the audience wouldn't like it. That they wouldn't be entertained.
"Charlie, it's going to be fine. They're going to love the dance," Claire said softly.
"I sure hope so. It has to be better than Lisa's team," Charlie said as she watched Lisa's team performing. Charlie felt eyes on her and she saw Seth staring in their direction.
"Ew my brothers here..." Claire said making a face.
"Just focus on the dance and not your brother being here," Charlie said to her.
"I should be saying that to you. Focus on the dance and not my brother," Claire said smirking.
"I am focused on the dance," Charlie muttered taking a swig of water from her water bottle.
"Right..." Claire said as Lisa's team finished up their dance.
Charlie watched as Lisa sauntered over to where they were gathered. Charlie felt Lisa bump into her arm. "Hey watch it!" Charlie snapped at her turning around.
"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't see you there," Lisa said. "Good luck Pussy cat." Lisa and her crew laughed as they walked away.
"I can't stand her," Marie said as Lisa walked away.
"Let's go," Charlie said as the girls walked out in front of her. Charlie placed a hand on her chest.
"C you okay?" Claire asked concerned.
"Yeah... my chest is just a little tight," Charlie said, "I'll be fine. Let's just go out there and kick some West High ass." About 3 minutes later, the girls walked off the court, leaving a screaming audience behind them.
"We totally just kicked West Highs ass!" Marie said.
"Hell yeah we did!" Charlie said breathing heavily as she drank half of her bottle of water.
"Come on let's go watch the rest of the game," Claire said.
Charlie hooked her arm in Claire's and the pair made their way to the bleachers.
"Hey Bolton! Great routine!" Seth called from behind her parents.
"Thanks Seth," Charlie said smiling at him.
"You did wonderful Charlie. I knew you had nothing to worry about," Troy told his daughter as she hugged him.
"I know Daddy," Charlie said smiling at him as she kissed his cheek. She then went on to hug her mom.
"Hey Charlie, want to take a walk with me?" Troy asked his daughter.
"But the game..." Charlie said.
"We won't be gone long I promise," Troy said quickly. Troy made eye contact with his wife as they headed down the bleachers. Troy led his daughter to the auditorium, a place he considered his home, besides the court.
"So what did you want to talk about Dad?" Charlie asked. "Everything okay? You're not sick are you?"
"No Honey, I'm not sick," Troy said as he sat down on the stage.
"Then what-" Charlie said but was interrupted by Troy.
"I'm being deployed on Monday," Troy said quickly.
Charlie's face went from happy to shock and then straight to anger. "Deployed!" Charlie snapped jumping down off the edge of the stage. "You're going back to that fucking country!"
"Charlie..." Troy started getting down off the stage.
"No! You promised me! You said no more!" Charlie yelled at him, tears in her eyes. "Y-You promised and you're breaking that promise!"
"Charlie I can't just say no. It's my job," Troy said reaching for her arm.
"No! You don't get to hug me! I hate you!" Charlie yelled before running out of the auditorium. She didn't know where she was going but she needed to get away from here.
Troy groaned and headed back to the gym. "Hey Seth can you see if you can go and find Charlie? She took off," Troy said, his eyes red and glossy.
"Yeah sure Mr. B," Seth said getting up and jogging down the bleachers.
"You told her?" Gabriella said.
"Yeah and she wasn't too thrilled. She said she hates me," Troy said his hand running through his hair.
"You know it was only out of anger Troy. She really loves you," Gabriella said to her husband.
"I know but it still hurts..." Troy said.
"She'll come around," Gabriella said softly as the game ended and the Wildcats ended up winning.
Well this was a lame way to end the chapter but I couldn't think of how to end it. This chapter is 10 pages typed. It's crazy to think that. I just couldn't stop writing. I hope you all liked it and please review and let me know what you think! I hope to have the next chapter up sometime next week. Maybe even before the weekend is over!