Welcome to my new story! The basic premise of this one is to follow a series of significant moments in the Charlie/Joey relationship as seen on the show. This one starts with Joey's POV from the day on the boat. It's some light romance, really. I hope you like it – and I hope you review! Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter One: Joey
Did I have to go through all that pain in order to stand here with you in this moment, here and now? I won't romanticise and say it was worth it. I will never cease to grieve for all that I've lost. But you to me are the most beautiful vision I have ever seen. I'm lost in your eyes. I could drown in your soul right here, right now. I fell apart and you put me back together. You've taken better care of me than anyone has even ever wanted to before. Sometimes I struggle to read you. I never quite know what you're thinking. But I think... I hope you feel connected to me. It won't be the way I feel connected to you but I am happy to take whatever I can get.
What are we even doing here? We were talking and laughing, dancing and laughing even more. And now the track has changed, the mood feels suddenly intense. I'm not sure why but I'm shy and overwhelmed by the way you're looking at me. How are you looking at me? What are you feeling? What is going through your mind that your hand is twitching in anxiety? Do you want me to reach out to you? I'm scared. What if I'm reading this wrong? I don't even know how I'm reading things at all. The likelihood of you wanting me is so small it's laughable. But then, I thought that about you wanting to be my friend. And yet here you are. Standing before me, staring at me, looking like you're longing for something to happen but you don't know what it is.
Steeling myself, I'm reaching out to you. I feel like my whole life is depending on this moment. Maybe it is. I don't know. I take your hand and you're not pulling away. I'm standing on the deck of a boat, a place that I would call home. I'm so close to you. I'm lost in your eyes and you're staring right back at me. I'm holding your hand and you're holding mine. How could this even be happening? It's making my head spin. I love your smile, your skin, the faint smell of your perfume and your hair is flying all about your perfect face.
You reach for my other hand. It's you who makes the move, although I am elated and eager to respond. I can barely breathe. I'm really here, touching you. If I get any closer we'll be breast to breast, heart to heart. You bring our hands up between us. Your fingers won't stop moving as you trace my skin, sending shivers all through my spin. My heart is racing. I feel like I might combust. I can barely look away from you. You captivate me more than anyone else ever has. I'm addicted to you. Time feels like it's standing still. And I am falling in love.
Next time... Charlie's perspective of her boat trip with Joey...