So, my idea for the plot changed a little... but I'm hoping this new idea goes well. I wanna know what you guys think of the story, so reivew! Anyway, enjoy chapter numero due :) xx
Psyche Griffin: Thankyou, I try. Until you mentioned it, I was trying to remember where that line was from... thanks for your sweet reviews. Luv ya Xi :P *hugs*
Mystic-Scriptures: Your reviews, always make my day, so thank you :) I like Charlie too, I can't wait to create some Jarlie (yes, that's what I'm gonna call it xD) Thanks again for reviewing, luv ya hun xoxo *little heart*
Guest: Thankyou for taking the time to read and review on my story, I really appreciate it! :D
After walking up the five flights of stairs in the abandoned building, they finally reached James' apartment. He flipped on the lights next to the door, illuminating his small apartment. "This place used to be a hotel in the '60s, and this was the room that needed the least repair." James told the blonde over his shoulder. After chucking his keys on the coffee table he turned back to Charlie. "So uh, this is it. This is where I live." He gestured around the small room.
Charlie checked out her surroundings after setting her backpack down next to the door. In the far left corner there was a single bed, with a small nightstand and a dresser next to it. Next to that there was a door, which she assumed was the bathroom. In the far right corner there was a small kitchen area. A counter was connected to the wall, with a stove, sink, fridge, cupboard and pantry spread out behind was a couch, another dresser, a small TV, a table and some chairs - all placed in different parts of the apartment. As weird as it sounded, Charlie felt comfortable with her surroundings, despite the unfamiliarity.
"Take a seat," James offered. Charlie took off her jacket and sat on the run-down couch, neatly placing the leather clothing on her lap. James took a seat next to the blonde, sitting in a position where he was facing her. "Look uh," he began, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "We just met tonight, and we don't know each other. So if we're going to be living together, I was thinking we could clarify some stuff... you know, personal belongings... and... yeah..."
"You mean, come up with some ground rules?" Charlie suggested. James gave a sheepish smile and nodded slowly. Charlie shrugged. "Sure."
James looked around for some paper and found a notepad, which he brought back to the couch. "Do you have a pen?" Charlie nodded and fetched her backpack from the front door, retrieving a pen.
Charlie sat back down cross-legged and leaned against the arm of her end of the couch. "We should have some really weird name of this... like the Super Duper Mega Super Awesome-Sauce Rules of Jamie and Charlie." She wiggled her eyebrows at James, who raised an eyebrow in response.
"Did you just call me Jamie? And did you say 'super' twice?"
Charlie smirked. "You bet I did. How about I call you Jamie Boo and you call me Blondie?" James laughed, happy that the awkward atmosphere was gone. He immediately began to relax.
"Sure, but back to business, the rules should say the important stuff about us being roommates," James said. Charlie nodding in agreement.
"One of the rules should be about not asking about our pasts or personal life." James furrowed his eyebrows as she said this. "You've seen enough tonight," Charlie continued, referring to the little event behind the diner. "And I don't think you want me asking about your personal life, either."
James thought about it for a second. That was true - he didn't want her asking about his private life. If she found out he was a criminal in a gang, then that would be the end of him. Even if Charlie didn't go straight to the police, she might slip and tell a friend by mistake. The whole world didn't need to know about the inside life of James Diamond.
He shrugged. "Fair enough. Another rule we need to put: no going through each other's stuff without consent." It was Charlie's turn to furrow her eyebrows. "I don't think you want me to go through your belongings and find some secret lingerie or a bag of tampons." What he really meant was he didn't want Charlie to look through his drawer and find a gun or some info about an enemy gang.
Charlie blushed and shook her head. "I don't have any secret lingerie."
"What a shame, you'd look good in red lace." James playfully smirked, then wiggled his eyebrows. Charlie let out a laugh. "So, shall we get started?"
"We shall." The blonde giggled.
Three hours, two pizza boxes, seven Coke cans and four wine glasses later, the two were finally finished with their list of rules.
Jamie Boo and Blondie's Totes Amazing Room Buddy Rules!
#1. Nicknames are okay, but no romantic endearments.
#2. No cuddling or loving gestures at all times.
#3. No talking to anyone else about the Totes Amazing Room Buddy Rules.
#4. No waking each other up in the middle of the night just to talk.
#5. No going through each other's stuff without their permission.
#6. No talking about each other's pasts or personal lives.
#7. This friendship is strictly platonic at all times - no developing romantic feelings for each other.
We, James Diamond and Charlie Marquez, agree to abide by these rules for as long as we shall live.
They signed the bottom of the page and laughed as they drew random things for the border of the paper, acting as if they've known each other since childhood. James took one last sip of his wine before placing it on the coffee table, in front of the pile of junk food he and Charlie consumed. "So where do you live? We can go to your place tomorrow so you can get any necessities and clothes."
Charlie nodded. "Sounds good. But we'll have to go sometime before 7 - my mom will be at work, so I won't have to explain where I'm going."
James tilted cocked his head to the side. "Why? Won't she get worried?"
"Rule number six," Charlie reminded him. The brunette put his hands up in surrender. "We totally need to frame this beautiful masterpiece." James rummaged through one of his drawers and found an empty picture frame. He slipped the piece of paper inside and closed the back, hanging the frame on the wall near the front door. "Why do you have an empty picture frame?"
"I used to have a picture in it." James replied, a feeling of sadness washing over him. But he shook the feeling off. "Well, we should clean up." James went to the kitchen and came back with a small rubbish bin and with Charlie's help, began to chuck everything inside. Once they finished cleaning, Charlie let out a yawn.
"James, what time is it?"
Said man checked his phone. "It is... 7 in the morning. We should get to bed."
"I have never heard someone say that." Charlie laughed.
James dug through his wardrobe to find a tshirt and some basketball shorts. He handed them to Charlie. "You can sleep in these."
She thanked him and went into the bathroom to change. When she finished she kept her clothes in her backpack and place her combat boots next to it. She turned around to find James bringing a pillow and blanket to the couch. "What are you doing? I'm perfectly fine with sleeping on the couch."
"It's a fold out, so don't worry. You can take the bed." James shrugged, pulling out the couch to create a makeshift bed. He put the pillow and blanket on the mattress and was about to lie down but Charlie was already there. "What are you doing?"
"I'm taking the couch." She replied, hugging the pillow to herself. "I'll feel guilty if you take the couch, so I'm sleeping here."
"I swear I will carry you to the bed if you don't sleep there." James threatened.
Charlie sighed in defeat, getting up from the mattress. "Fine. I'll sleep on the bed." She made her way to the bed while James went into the bathroom to change. Once Charlie heard the door close she walked back to the couch and lay down, covering herself with the blanket. After a few minutes she heard the door open and she tried to go to sleep. Suddenly the blanket was thrown of off her and Charlie was lifted over James' shoulder. He carried her to the bed. "James what are you doing?" He stopped walking and placed her on the bed. Charlie leaned back on her elbows and looked up at the tall man. "The heck was that?!" James shrugged and walked back to the couch.
"I told you. If you didn't sleep on the bed I would carry you there." He covered himself with the blanket and closed his eyes. "Good night, Charlie."
"Good night, James."
James woke up at 3 in the afternoon, only to find three familiar faces looking back at him. "What the heck are you guys doing here?" he whispered, his voice low and raspy.
"We just wanted to see our buddy, that's all," Kendall replied, scanning the apartment. His eyes narrowed when he came across a young blonde sleeping in James' bed. "Um, you do know there's some girl sleeping in your bed, right?"
James sat up in his makeshift bed, scratching the back of his head. "I know. And she's not 'some girl'. She's a... friend." he said, choosing his words carefully. He and Charlie weren't very close, but the word 'aquaintance' would make the guys suspicious.
Logan craned his neck a little to get a better look at James' friend. He nodded in approval. "Not bad, Diamond. Where'd you find her?"
"You make it sound like she's a lost animal or something," James sighed. He stood up and placed the blanket and pillow on the coffee table before folding the mattress in half, turning the makeshift bed back into a couch. "How'd you guys even get in here?"
"We know where your spare key is," Carlos spoke up. The latino smirked. "You really need to find a better hiding spot."
"So? Who's the girl?" Kendall pressed.
"The girl has a name," a female voice spoke. "She also can hear every word you're sayin'."
Kendall, Logan, Carlos and James turned around to find Charlie standing in front of them, arms crossed and hip jutted out. James rolled his eyes while his three friends looked Charlie up and down. Logan finally stepped forward and held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Logan Mitchell. And you are smokin'."
Now it was Charlie's turn to roll her eyes. "It's Charlie Marquez, but nice try." She turned to James and raised an eyebrow.
"Well you've obviously met Logan. The tall blonde is Kendall Knight, and the short guy over here is Carlos Garcia." He pointed to each of his friends as he introduced them.
"Hey! I'm not short, I'm fun-sized." Carlos stated as he shook Charlie's hand. Charlie laughed
Kendall was last to step forward. He took Charlie's hand in his and kissed the back of her hand, never looking away from her hazel eyes. Charlie blushed and averted her eyes.
James awkwardly cleard his throat. "Um, Charlie? Didn't you wanna get some stuff from your mom's house?" Charlie snapped back to reality and nodded, getting her backpack and shoes before going into the bathroom to change. As soon as the door closed the guys immediately bombarded James with questions. "Guys! One. At. A. Time."
"How do you two know each other?" Kendall asked.
James paused for a second, choosing his words carefully before replying. "We met at a diner... I did her a favour."
I saved her from dying at the hands of her boyfriend.
Carlos spoke up. "Do you like her? As in, like her like her?"
Well, I'm not sure yet. But last night we created this list of rules, and one of them stated we weren't allowed to develop feelings for each other. Another rule said I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the rules.
"No. We're just friends."
At that moment, Charlie walked out of the bathroom in her clothes from the previous day. She looked expectantly at James. "Ready to go?"
"Yep. Which means you guys have to leave too." James ushered Kendall, Carlos and Logan out the door of his apartment.
"But we can house-sit for you! It'll be fun." Kendall offered, but James shook his head.
"Nah-uh, I'm not making that mistake again. Last time, you guys raided my fridge and smashed my TV."
"It was an accident!" Carlos, Kendall and Logan said simultaniously.
Charlie raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to James. "Do they always do that?" she whispered. James leaned down to get closer to her height.
"You get used to it." he whispered back. He switched off all the lights and closed the front door, taking his spare key from Carlos before he could steal it.
Logan leaned against the door of James' apartment. "We're gonna wait here till you get back then."
James shrugged and took Charlie's wrist, backing away from the trio. "You do that... have fun!" He led Charlie down the stairs and out the door of the building.
Charlie wrapped her arms around James' waist as he started his motorcycle up. She gave him directions to her house as they wove in and out of the LA traffic. Twenty minutes later, they were walking through the front door, only to find they were not alone. Charlie's jaw dropped as she stared at the one of the people she never thought she'd see again.
"Mom?"
