Guys here the next Chapter this chapter is a little longer than the rest I have posted so far. Thanks to every1 that reviews this story and keep them coming they honestly make my day, I like reading what you guys think.
Enjoy :)
Charlie had found it impossible to get to sleep, as she lay in bed, her thought were consumed with that of Brax. Everything about him was on constant replay in her head, his smile, his sharp dimples and his beautiful green eyes. She shook her head once more in an attempt to escape her thoughts. She edged forwards to the side of her bed taking in the time...
2.00.
She muttered quietly under her breath "crap".
She turned around determined to get some much needed sleep, the last thing she wanted was to turn up to school looking tired.
...
Brax tossed and turned cursing a little as he caught a glimpse of the time which now read 2.30. All his effort at getting some sleep had proven impossible as he found his thoughts invaded by Charlie. He smiled to himself as his mind replayed images of her sweet but subtle smile, her perfectly shaded green eyes that embodied subtle shades of blue in the centre. He hoped the darkness of the morning would pass by quickly, as he found it almost impossible to compose his excitement at the thought of seeing her again.
...
Brax hastily dressed his little brother, feed him and rushed him over to Mrs Kennedys. Walking back into the house he picked up his school bag before turning on his heels once again towards the front door.
"HEATH... will you hurry up" brax shouted as he stood impatiently outside their front door.
Heath walked slowly out of his room picking up his bag and walking towards the front door. He took a quick glance at the clock that hung in front of the wall before him, and then proceeded to look back at brax, with a slight look of confusion and annoyance on his face.
"Why are you in such a rush...we have loads of time to spare"
"I erm... I have something to do at school before classes start" Brax answered as he started walking rapidly away from the house.
Heath knew that there was something Brax wasn't telling him, he couldn't quite tell if it was a good thing or a bad thing. He soon got distracted in his own though as he picked up his pace to catch up to brax, who was now close enough to sprinting.
Reaching the gates of summer bay high, Brax felt his cheeks flush a little as he came to a standstill. He attentively watched on as Charlie made her way towards the entrance of the school building. Brax was abruptly snapped out of his trance as he felt someone crash into him from behind. Regaining his balance he turned around only to come face to face with Heath, who was now lightly rubbing the palm of his hand against his chest.
"Do you wanna watch where you're going" Brax addressed Heath as he turned back around, but to his disappointment Charlie was no longer in sight.
"Hy you're the one that stopped dead in front of me" Heath barked back at Brax as he left Brax behind and started walking towards the entrance of the building.
"Got some serious issues" Heath muttered that last part under his breath.
Although he had heard it, Brax ignored Heaths last remark, as he seemed to regain a conscious state, he hastily made his way towards the entrance of the building.
...
Walking towards his English class, Brax tried to calm the nervous that had suddenly arisen, he looked towards the entrance of the class before walking in slowly instantly catching Charlie's eyes as she sat at a desk by herself at the middle corner of the classroom. Charlie smiled lightly at Brax as he slowly made his way towards her. The closer he got the more unsure of himself he felt. He wondered whether he should say hi to her and keep walking, or whether to take the spare seat next to her. Looking straight at her as he walked over, he noticed her warm smile, he quickly composed himself as he settled on the latter option.
Charlie noticed Brax walk into the classroom and their eyes instantly locked against each others, causing her to blush ever so slightly, as he walked towards her. She noticed he was debating something with himself, but as he looked up again she flashed him a soft smile, hoping he would take the empty seat beside her.
"Hi" brax stood still in front of her not breaking the eye contact they had been holding.
"Hi" Charlie replied.
He stood in front of her for what felt like hours but in actual fact had been less than a few short seconds.
"Erm..." brax began as he rubbed the back of his head with his hand... "Is it ok if I take this seat... well not take it I mean erm... sit in it...here... that's if it's not already taken?"
Although there was a voice in Brax's head that was pleading with him to stop talking, it took his mouth a while to catch up. He looked down sheepishly as he managed to stop rambling; he almost felt to kick himself.
Charlie's smile grew ever so slightly as she noticed the flushed look on his face...
"No it's not already taken and yes you can sit in it...here" she laughed slightly.
Brax immediately looked up, although he tried hiding his smile he was sure she had already caught a glimpse of it but he didn't care. The thought of spending this hour and hopefully the next with her was deserving of his smile.
Both Brax and Charlie soon enough had forgotten the earlier awkwardness as they sat talking and joking quietly with one another, trying their best to get as much work done as possible. As they both walked to their next class together, they instantly sat at the same desk with a lot more ease than earlier that morning. They soon found themselves spending both their break and lunch together; using the excuse of working on the presentation to hide behind the real reason they wanted to spend time together.
Charlie looked over at brax as they ate their lunch and slowly worked on their pending presentation over their light conversation. She wondered if he had been sent to her by a higher force of some sort. Having found herself in a cycle of misery and loneliness over the last Four years, she looked on as the boy that sat in front of her had managed to make her smile. It wasn't the fake smile that she had practiced in front of the mirror several times a day, this smile was genuine, her laugh was genuine and around him her problems seemed to somehow turn into a distant memory.
Brax watched Charlie as she laughed and smiled towards him. All his life Brax had only really ever prayed for one thing which was to get himself and his family out of Mangrove River, but as he sat looking at her he found himself praying, almost begging for something else. He prayed to never see the day when he wouldn't be able to see Charlie's face or be near her.
...
Racing out of Summer Bay High and avoiding all his friends advances, Brax quickly scanned his surrounding; anxiously hoping Charlie hadn't gone too far yet. He raced towards the gates as he saw her making her way out of them.
"Hy Charlie" he called as he continued running in her direction.
Not having turned around yet, Charlie already recognised the voice that had shouted her name. As she turned around, she saw brax quickly making his way towards her.
She waited till he had caught up to her, as he reached her she flashed him a smile "Hy"
"Hy... I just thought we could walk down together, if you want"
"Yh sure" she smiled before turning on her heels as he followed suit.
"So do you live in summer bay?" Brax asked taking his eyes off the path ahead of him and refocusing it on Charlie.
"Yh I do, my house is actually not too far from the beach, how about you?"
Brax instantly turned his attention back to the road ahead of him
"Erm no I don't live in summer bay, I actually live in Mangrove River". He knew she was only new in town which meant she probably didn't know how bad Mangrove River actually was, but nonetheless it didn't stop him from getting slightly embarrassed. Lucky for him Charlie hadn't noticed this and just carried on talking
"Oh ok, is it far from Summer Bay?" she looked up at him.
"Not really it's about 20 minutes walk on foot".
Charlie simply nodded; harbouring the same smile that had grown on her face since they had began walking together.
They held light conversation for the rest of their walk, in which Brax managed to tell Charlie he had two brothers, specifically describing heath as a bonehead, causing Charlie to chuckle a little. Although he noticed she had avoided giving out any real information about her family, he figured it was best to not bring it up, it wasn't like he had told her everything either.
"Right this is me" brax stopped as he pointed to the patch on the right hand side of Charlie.
"Oh ok" Charlie said slightly disappointed... "See you tomorrow at school?" Charlie said almost like a question rather than a statement.
"Yh"... Brax paused... "If you want we could meet here and walk to school together" Brax looked expectantly at Charlie
"Yh I would like that" Charlie smiled back
"Ok, so we can meet here for 8.15?" brax asked
"Yh, sounds like a plan". She smiled back at him
They both lingered for a few more second before saying their final goodbyes as they walked their separate ways. They both stole glances at each other several times hoping that the other had not noticed. Once Charlie was out of sight, Brax grin faded slightly as he began sprinting home to get changed; suddenly realising he was working that day and was due to resume in a little over 40minutes.
...
Brax sighs heavily has his shift at the convenience store in Summer Bay came to an end. He looked up at the time has he left the shop noting that it had just gone past seven. Brax walked through the beach as he headed out of Summer Bay making his way to Mangrove River. He walked as slow as physically possible in an attempt to have some time to himself before he return to what he was sure was to be a mad house. Ever since his first class he had found it impossible (literally) to get Charlie out of his mind. The mere thought of her brought a smile to his face. He wasn't sure that was a good thing, as he was sure some of the customers that had come into the shop while he was working had thought he was crazy. He laughed lightly at his own thoughts before taking his eyes off the sand beneath his feet and refocusing his attention on the path ahead of him.
He came to a standstill as he saw a girl just a few meters ahead of him sitting by herself on the sand as she stared out into the crystal blue water before her. He didn't have to see her face; he knew straight away it was Charlie merely by looking at slim tanned legs, which seemed to go at an endless length. He walked towards her placing his hand briefly on her shoulder, which caused Charlie to jump dramatically.
"It's only me" Brax said stepping back a little as he noticed how freaked she had suddenly gotten. He waited for her to calm down before he spoke again...
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you". Brax stared down at Charlie slightly worried. He noticed that the same pain and vulnerability he had noticed in her eyes the day before and earlier that day had returned.
"It's ok, sorry I freaked out, just didn't hear you walk up" Charlie refused to take her eyes off the ocean before her.
"That's ok, I guess I can see why you freaked out" he smiled lightly before sitting down beside her.
"You don't mind do you?" he asked has he lowered himself into the sand.
"No, of course not" she replied still not making eye contact with him.
Several minutes of silence fell upon them. Charlie knew he was looking at her, she wasn't sure if she wanted him there at that moment. She didn't want anyone seeing how lost and vulnerable she was, most especially not Brax. But there he was sat beside her, and although she hadn't looked at him since he had sat beside her, the silence between them was loud enough, telling her he could see the side of her that she managed to hide from most people. Sat next to him she felt almost naked, like he could see every part of her, the good and the bad.
Brax looked at Charlie a little longer not sure if he should say anything as he looked back out into the ocean...
"So what's your excuse for being out here alone" Charlie asked causing brax to turn his head surprisingly towards her. Brax noticed that she still hadn't removed her gaze from the ocean.
"I erm... I work at the convenience store just up there, so I was on my way home" Brax continued looked at her hoping she would pry her gaze away from the ocean and look at him, just once.
"Oh... right", Charlie's voice was barely audible but Brax was sitting close enough to hear what she had said.
"So what about you, what's your excuse" Brax asked
"No excuse... just needed some fresh air".
Although Brax didn't know what was causing Charlie so much pain, at the moment he would have given anything in order to make her pain disappear. Studying her face he noticed as a lone tear made its way down the opposite side of her face.
She couldn't hold the tear back any longer; it had been lingering in her eye since she sat on the beach. She cursed herself as she felt the tear roll down her face as she found it impossible to continue holding it back. Why did he have to be there at that minute, she wanted him to leave, she cared what he thought about her and the last thing she wanted was for him to be looking at her with pity, it was a look she was too familiar with and had grown to hate. She felt brax hand graze her chin has he lifted her face in his direction. The immediate touch of his hand against hers sent goose bumps racing through the whole of her body. As she met his gaze she almost couldn't remember why she had been so upset, and for the first time since he had been sat next to her she was grateful to have him there.
Brax stared at the lone tear unsure of what to do... unknowingly he raised his hands to her face placing it under her chin. His hand lingered under her chin for a few seconds in anticipation as he waited, making sure she wasn't going to brush him off. He then proceeded in turning her head up slowly, until he could see clearly into her eyes. He noticed the colour of her eyes had changed from their normal shade into a light sky blue, he held her gaze as he brought his hand up against her face, stroking her tear stained cheek. Even as vulnerable as she looked Brax couldn't stop thinking about her beauty, as his body tingled with electric waves at the touch of her face. He swallowed heavily before composing himself...
"Hy what's the tear for" Brax asked has a continued stroking her face, "I know we haven't known each other for long, but you can talk to me". He paused as he waited for her to say something, anything.
Charlie nodded slightly "Nothing... just the wind".
She tried to divert her gaze elsewhere but she felt his thumb slightest stroking her face, she found it impossible, once again she felt paralysed to the spot. How does he do it she thought to herself, is it really possible to feel this way about someone I have known less than 42 hours. At that moment Brax bright green eyes had brought Charlie more comfort than she had ever felt. Although she wanted more than anything to confide in him, she was afraid that once he knew he would look at her differently, right now his eyes were comforting but if he knew what had caused the tear she was scared it would change into a look of sympathy or even disgust.
Brax knew too well that Charlie was hiding something, but he felt it was wise not to push her on the issue. He slowly retracted his hand from the side of her face, moving closer to her, he put his hand lightly around her, and he felt her instantly move closer to him burying her head in his chest. Brax smiled lightly as he tightened his grip lowering his hand from around her shoulders to her waist. Brax inhaled heavily taking in the light vanilla smell of her hair. It scared Brax that someone he had only just met had such a hold on him. She had the ability to make him feel things that he had doubted existed before her. Despite this fear, he hoped for the feeling to never go away. Brax felt Charlie shiver ever so slightly against him. Looking down at her, he slowly pulled away for her; he smiled lightly as he noticed the slight disappoint in her face as he had pulled away, taking off his coat and wrapping it around her.
As Charlie felt him pull away, she looked up at him slightly disappointed at the wind hit hard against where he had initially been holding her. She immediately tried to hide her disappointment, but the smile that crept up on his face, made it known to her that he had noticed. She looked down sheepishly, only looking back up as she felt him wrap something around her. She turned her head slightly and seen that he had wrapped his coat around her. She closed her eyes for a split second taking in the sweet smell that she knew was Brax's.
"Maybe we should get you home... we don't want your folks worrying about you? Brax looked down at Charlie, who immediately looked back up at him.
It was starting to get late and although he felt like never leaving her side, he could tell the cold from the wind was starting to get to her, he also figured she had probably been out there a while before he saw her an wondered if her parents hadn't started worrying about her.
"Yh I should get going shouldn't I... It's getting late".
Brax nodded as he stood up dusting the sand off himself before reaching out his hand to Charlie. She grabbed onto it as he pulled he off the sand and onto her feet. She stumbled a little as brax place his hand on the small of her back trying to steady her. Gaining a steady balance both Brax and Charlie were now undoubtedly aware of how close they where stood, however neither moved from their position.
Charlie felt almost weak at the knees as she could feel his heart beating against her chest. She tried to concentrate on composing herself as she found that she was now struggling with the simple task of breathing.
Brax could feel his heart rate banging against his chest, almost as if trying to escape, he had only hoped she couldn't feel the increase in his heart rate, but considering how close they where stood, he knew he was hoping for too much. Instinctively Brax lifted his hand toward her face, stroking it lightly, failing to remove his other hand where he had placed it on the small of her back. He watched her eyes close has his hand met her face.
Has his hand reached up to her face, Charlie slowly closed her eyes, wanting to savour every bit of his touch. She fixated on his hand as he lightly brushed it past her cheek, almost as if trying to take a mental note of how his touch felt. Charlie opened her eyes and was instant met by his big green eyes. Charlie realised he was starting to close the gap that was almost nonexistent between them, and instantly smiled at the thought of what was about to happen.
It's now or never Brax thought to himself as he saw Charlie opening her eyes directly meeting his. He slowly leaned forward closes the small gap between both their faces, he saw her flash a smile, instantly giving him the go ahead. He lingered for a minute has their nose brushed past each other. Brax felt Charlie's lips slightly brush past his, as he realised she most have moved her face forward, causing him to smile ever so lightly. He moved closer kissing her softly and slowly.
Has they both backed away slightly looking in each other's eyes for reassurance, they soon found themselves longing for each other again. As they both flashed a smile at each other they leaned in once again, desperate to relive their tender kiss. Removing his hand from the small of her back, Brax cupped Charlie's face softly in both his hands, as she wrapped her arms around his waist closing any space left between them. Leaning into one another they shared another kiss however this time much deeper.
Charlie felt a rush of electricity swim down her spine, as she held him tightly against her. Although she didn't think it was possible, she tightened her grasp around him, wanting to remain in that moment forever, but knowing they would both have to come up for air eventually.
As their lips parted they lingered around each other for a few minutes before parting completely, both refusing to release each other from the crowded embrace they were in. They stared back at each other for a while smiling, reassuring each other about how they felt about what at just happened.
"I should really get you home, it's getting really late" Brax said as he looked down Charlie refusing to discontinue their gaze.
Charlie smiled lightly "You don't worry you don't have to walk me home it's literally two minutes away".
"I want to" brax replied
"Seriously I'll be fine"... Charlie quickly continued as she could saw that brax was about to protest... "I promise I'll be fine, like I said it's a two minute walk, and you have a longer journey than I do". She remembered him having told her it was a 20 minute walk from Mangrove River to Summer Bay.
Brax pondered on it for a few seconds... "Fine, but under one condition"
"What's the condition?" Charlie asked
"Have you got your phone on you" brax asked
Charlie just simply nodded a bit confused as to what he was talking about.
"Pass it here" brax said as her pulled away ever so slightly in order to allow her get her phone.
She looked at him questioningly but did has he asked. She watched as Brax typed in a number into her phone and started calling it. Hearing his phone ring she realised what he was doing and smiled to herself.
"You have to text me as soon as you get home, so I no that you got back ok". He looked down at Charlie who now wore a big smile across her face.
"What?" asked Brax
"Well am just wondering if you just used this as an excuse to get my number" Charlie instantly started laughing at the mock hurt look on Brax's face, before he flashed her a cheeky smile.
"I figured I may as well kill two birds with one stone". He said as he laughed lightly.
Charlie smiled "well I guess I will see you tomorrow ".
"Yh... tomorrow". Brax looked at her before giving her one last kiss, before releasing her from his grip.
He watched on as Charlie made her way up the beach, he turned making his way towards Mangrove River, unable to wipe the smile off his face. He thought back to their kiss, he could still taste her on his lips, his smiled only widened at the thought of seeing her the next day, Brax walked home slowly praying for tomorrow to come already.
Charlie reached her front door, starting to feel the sting in her jaw from having held her smile all the way home. For the first time in three years, the prospect of being in her house no longer scared Charlie as she found herself consumed with happiness at the simple thought of Brax. Charlie took her phone out and texted Brax before entering her house.
Hy Brax thought it was only fair to you to stick to our condition and let you know am home. I had a good time tonite, cya tomoro .
Brax took his phone out of his pocket, smiling dramatically as he saw Charlie name on the screen. Reading the message he immediately replied...
Had a good time too, cya tomoro, nyt x
...
