Liam's POV

It sure has been a while and I never thought I'd see him again, but here he was right in front me: Charlie Parker. I guess I knew why he seemed so familiar.

"It's been a while." I said—I really didn't know what to say first. But hearing it come out—it sounded stupid.

"Yeah—you moved when were like twelve?" Charlie said and I nodded.

"And you happened to move here too?"

"I just moved in with my dad." Charlie told me. I guess that made sense and honestly it was better than the relationship I remember having with his mom. "I should get going."

"Wait!" I said, stopping him. "You want to maybe hang out?" It sounded really lame, but I didn't care. He smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, just let me tell my dad I'll be home later." Charlie said and took out his phone and that is when Sophie came walking in—she didn't look too pleased that I had left her waiting.

"What is taking you so long?" Sophie asked and then noticed Charlie. "So I guess you ran into the new kid."

"Well he's new to everyone else but me." I said and I saw Sophie didn't understand. Yeah, I wouldn't either if the roles were reversed. "Sophie, this is Charlie, we were best friends back before I—well we—moved here. Charlie, this is my girlfriend, Sophie."

"So I guess you sort of recognized him." Sophie said.

"I guess so." I said and Sophie walked over to Charlie.

"Well I guess it's good to know somebody when you're new to a school or anywhere." Sophie said. "Anyway, I guess you two probably want to catch up. I'll see you tomorrow." Sophie said and kissed me before leaving us.

"So you ready?" I asked and he nodded.


We just talked in my room for a while, apparently he moved in with his dad because his mom was having some sort of issues. I didn't really want to ask, so I didn't—mostly because I didn't think Charlie would want to.

"So how are things with you?" He asked. "Oh wait, things are obviously good."

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

"Well first of all, Sophie is your girlfriend. She is pretty and considering she didn't shove me, she seems pretty cool." Charlie said and we both laughed, but he wasn't wrong. Sophie was really awesome.

"Yeah, have you met—or seen Caleb Danson?" I asked—I was sure he probably heard the name since he hangs around Jason and he hasn't left Charlie alone since he got there.

"I think I saw him—after Jason threw stuff at me." He told me.

"Yeah, he tries to keep him in check, but sometimes—yeah it doesn't work out because Jason has a messed up mind of his own." I told him. "He's cool, but I will warn you, he does have his opinions. Which usually are around Sophie and I."

"Do you kiss in front of him or something?" Charlie asked.

"That's the only time he seems to show up." I told him and we laughed. "Sophie almost killed him. It was pretty funny."

"I bet." Charlie said and then we heard a knock at my door and turned to see my dad, Nick, was home from work finally.

"Hey dad." I said, he then noticed Charlie. "You remember Charlie Parker, right?" I asked and by his expression, I gathered that he did.

"Right, how have you been?" He asked Charlie. I turned to him and noticed that Charlie looked a little uncomfortable.

"Good." He said, quickly.

"Did you just move here?" My dad asked him and he nodded. "Well, I'll leave you two. I'll see what your dad is making for dinner." He left and I saw that Charlie looked a little bit better. I guess I knew what made him uncomfortable; I definitely knew why.

"I can see one thing hasn't changed." I said.

"What about you? Have you gotten over it?" He asked me and I sighed—I am pretty sure he knew the answer beforehand.

"Okay you got me." I admitted—Charlie and I had a lot of things and in common and it looks like we still have a phobia in common. "Have you ever…" I tried to ask if he has gone since that time when we were twelve.

"Of course not!" He exclaimed. I figured by his reaction, but you never know. "Have you?" He asked, but I think he knew the answer to that question—I gave him a look that expressed that. "Who do they have you going to?"

"My dad." I told him. "Doesn't mean I like it…it still freaks me out."

"I guess you having a—dentist—father doesn't give you much a choice in avoiding it." Charlie said and I nodded.

"They still don't even know what happened to me—to us." I said and Charlie seemed surprised.

"Wow, it's literally the only reason my dad doesn't make me go, if I don't have to. And I intend on keeping it that way." I wasn't going to say anything because I knew how he felt—I still felt that way every time I step into his office—I just think back to what happened before and well, it's terrifying.

"Well, I'm going to go. I'll see you tomorrow, Liam." He said and left. I sighed—I had a feeling that Charlie was going to avoid coming here so he wouldn't have to run into my dentist father.


So Charlie and Liam were best friends years ago, but haven't seen each other since Liam moved away. Now it seems they are reconnecting. Also Liam and Charlie seem to share a phobia.

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