AN-Continues Connie's flashbacks.
If you happen to recognize things from a certain teen drama starring the same actor who starred in all three movies on which this fic is based...you're not crazy, I did borrow a few ideas from it.
When Charlie finally pulled away, neither of them really wanted him to. Connie's eyes remained close, afraid if she opened them, it would all be a dream. A very good dream.
''Connie.'' his voice was hesitant, afraid of her reaction.
She blinked twice before finally leaving her eyes open and staring at him. ''Hey.''
He grinned softly, nervously. ''Hey.''
She smiled at him...then heard footsteps. Panicking, she quickly scooted farther down the couch, away from him. Guy stepped downstairs and smiled.
''Hey guys, what's up?'' he asked.
''Nothing!'' Connie exclaimed quickly.
Charlie grinned rather uneasily. ''Nothing at all.''
Guy looked between the two, a puzzled expression on his face. ''Right. Well uh, how was the blind date?''
''Good for me, bad for Banksie.''
''How so?''
''Well, if you can believe this-'' Charlie began.
''She was obsessed with him!'' Connie interrupted. ''She knew like everything about him. Isn't that hilarious? I need to go. Bye.''
She stood quickly and walked, well rather ran, upstairs.
''Wow, that must have been...''
''Awkward? Trust me, Tammy, it was.'' Connie sighed. ''I felt so guilty seeing him, after just kissing one of his best friends.''
''So, what happened next?''
''Well, I ran upstairs and talked to Julie all about it. She wasn't much help, too busy thinking about Adam. Apparently, the disastrous date led him to finally ask Julie out.''
Tammy grinned. ''Aw, I have no idea who she is, but good for her.''
''She came onto the team after you left. You'd like her.''
''Ok back to the story.'' Tammy reminded her.
Connie saw Charlie standing at his locker down the hallway. She had to talk to him. Julie, standing next to her, patted her arm.
''Just walk over there and talk to him. It's easy.''
Connie took a deep breath and walked over to him. He noticed her standing there and tried to smile.
''Hey Cons.''
''Hey Spaz.''
He chuckled. ''What can I help you with?''
''Charlie...about the other night...look, I was feeling really down about my date and I just wasn't thinking. I'm sorry if I sent the wrong signals, I just-''
''Seemed pretty into it.'' he remarked.
She groaned. ''Charlie, please, it shouldn't have happened and I am sorry it did.''
He just nodded. ''Fine, it shouldn't have happened, so let's just pretend it didn't.'' he held out a hand. ''Friends?''
She took it and nodded. ''Friends. See you later Spaz.''
''Later Cons.''
''You are an idiot.'' Tammy muttered. ''No offense.''
Connie laughed. ''Believe me, I know. I really hurt him with the whole rejection thing, but I was confused. Kissing him felt so right.''
''How is that confusing?''
''He was my best friend. Kissing your best friend is not supposed to feel unbelievably right.''
Tammy nodded. ''True.''
''After our conversation, I was hoping to stay away from him for a while. Of course, the universe had other plans.''
''Alright class, today we're starting a new project.''
The class groaned, Connie, Julie, and Charlie among them. They were in Econ and Mr. Jones was announcing their newest project.
''You will all pick partners out of this hat. I will give you each a role to play, like in a movie, and you must balance your budget, with your significant other. Now, does that sound like fun?''
''As much fun as a root canal.'' Charlie muttered, causing Connie and Julie to grin at his remark.
''What was that, Mr. Conway?''
''Uh, nothing sir, nothing at all.'' he responded.
''Well Mr. Conway, since you seem so thrilled for this project, I will let you pick first.'' he held the hat out for Charlie. He reached his hand in and pulled a piece of paper.
''Connie Moreau.'' he read.
''Alright, Ms. Moreau, or should I say, Mrs. Conway.'' he chuckled at his own joke."You are a journalist for a local paper and Mr. Conway, you work as a chef in the local restaurant. You have one child, age five and are expecting another.''
He handed Connie the folder and paper work he had written. Julie tried to hide a smile, while Charlie just waved at her.
''Great.'' Connie muttered under her breath. ''Absolutely great.''
Connie exited class and waited for Charlie to catch up to her. ''Alright Spaz, come over to my house tonight and we will start. We should spend some weekend time going over it too.''
''No worries Cons. With your brains and my creativeness, we should be able to ace this project.''
''Right.'' she sighed. ''I'll see you later, Spaz.''
''Bye Cons.''
Tammy laughed. ''Wow, that's hilarious. How much time did you actually spend with him during the weekend.
''The whole weekend.'' Connie said, smiling softly.
''What do you mean?''
Connie glanced at the clock. ''Ok, just let me tell you about the weekend, and then I have to go. Julie is staying at my house, and I don't want her there alone the whole time.''
''Alright, hurry up.'' Tammy said, waving her hand.
Before Connie could, Fulton walked in, carrying two plates of spaghetti. He handed one to his wife and the other to Connie.
''While you're talking, eat.'' he said.
Connie smiled at him and thanked him. She took a bite and her eyes widened. ''That's amazing.''
Fulton grinned. ''Thanks.''
Connie arrived home just as her family was packing up the van.
''What's going on?'' she asked.
''Your Aunt is selling her cabin and she invited us up there for one last time.'' her mom, Sarah, said.
''But, I have a project this weekend. Charlie is coming over to work on it.''
''Well, invite him along, there's room.'' her older brother, Jason said, as he lifted one of his suitcases into the trunk.
Her other brother, Carter and her father were bringing the rest of the suitcases from the house. Connie groaned and walked inside, picking up the phone and dialing his number.
''Hello?'' of course he had to answer.
''Charlie? It's me. Look my family is going away for the weekend, and I'm inviting you along, so we can work on our project.''
There was silence on the other end and Connie hoped he'd hung up.
''My mom said it was fine, I'll be over in ten minutes.''
''Great. Bye.''
She hung up and groaned, running a hand through her hair.
''What's wrong?'' Carter asked, coming into the kitchen.
He was younger than Jason, but still older than her. Carter was the one she was closest to.
''Isn't Charlie your best friend?''
''Yes. At least, I wish he still was.''
''What's that mean?'' he asked.
'''It means, everything changes.Your best friend never stays your best friend.''
He gave a look that read I'm very confused, please explain. She just shook her head. ''Forget it.''
The car ride was awkward. The van seated seven, but of course, Jason needed the whole middle area for him and his TV, therefore Carter, Connie, and Charlie were all crammed in the back, Connie in the middle.
She tried not to touch him, and for the record, he tried not to touch her. Carter noticed their stranger behavior, but said nothing. Just observed.
They finally arrived at the cabin, and Connie climbed out immediately. After greeting her Aunt, she took her bags to her room. The best part of being the only girl in the family, was that she didn't have to share a room. Jason and Carter usually did. This year, however, Jason took the couch in the living room, so Carter was stuck with Charlie.
Connie knocked on their door. ''Spaz, we need to work on the project.''
Charlie opened the door and grinned. ''Sure thing. Can we see the town first though? I'm interested.''
Connie sighed and reluctantly agreed. Together, they headed into town.
''What's there to do for fun around here?'' he asked.
They were walking down Main Street. Connie shrugged. ''There's a pool hall. A lot of local teens hang around there.''
''Show me.'' he said.
She led him to the pool hall and they walked inside. Someone screamed Connie's name and, before she knew it, two arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a hug.
''Hi Ally.''
Ally was a small girl, with long blonde hair and a total preppie, from the look of her clothes.
''Connie, we haven't seen you in ages, girlfriend!'' Ally exclaimed. ''Where have you...oh...who's your friend?''
Connie didn't like the way Ally was eying Charlie. ''This is Charlie Conway, my best friend. Charlie, this is Ally Simpson, she lives up here.''
He grinned. ''Hey Ally, a pleasure to meet you.''
She giggled. ''You too. Have you ever played pool, Charlie?''
''A little. I'm pretty good at it.''
''Wanna show me how? I've lived here my whole life and I have never learned to play pool properly.''
She doesn't waste anytime, Connie thought, as Ally led Charlie to the nearest pool table.
She checked her watch for the hundredth time. Charlie was still ''teaching'' Ally to play pool. The fact that she rubbed against each time she hit a ball, really seemed to help.
She wasn't jealous. Really she wasn't. She just knew Ally was such a flirt. She didn't care about Charlie at all. Not the way Connie did. Finally, the lesson was done. Charlie seemed to realize how late it had gotten as well. He bid Ally goodbye and motioned for Connie to follow him.
''Bye Charlie, bye Connie! Come back soon.''
Charlie chuckled as they stepped out into the night air. ''She's a riot.''
''Oh yeah. And a total slut.'' Connie snapped.
''What?''
''Charlie, she flirts with anything on two legs. The only reason I talk to her, is because my aunt is friends with her mom. Please, do not waste your time on her.''
The walk from town to the cabin wasn't too long and they were now in the backyard.
''You're jealous.'' Charlie stated.
''Am not.'' she scoffed.
Charlie gently grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. ''Now, tell me you're not jealous.''
She looked into his eyes and she couldn't lie. ''I'm jealous. Charlie, I don't want you anywhere near her.''
''That's not your call. I believe you were the one who said the kiss was a mistake. You cannot have it both ways.''
''Fine!'' she exclaimed. ''It wasn't a mistake. Kissing you felt more right than anything I've ever done, and all I can ever think about is kissing you again! Are you happy now, Charlie, you know my deep, dark, se-''
He was kissing her, more passionately than before. It was hungry, needy. She kissed him back, just as passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Someone coughed and he, very reluctantly, pulled away from her. Connie turned and saw her mother staring at them, surprised.
''Um the guys need help moving some boxes, Charlie.'' she said, her tone hinting that this wasn't a request, but an order.
''Of course, Mrs. Moreau.'' his eye caught Connie's for a second, before heading inside.
''Mom, please, leave it alone.'' Connie said.
''Sweetie, are you and Charlie?''
''No, I don't know! Everything has been so complicated since he kissed me.'' Connie moaned. ''I just want things back to the way they were.''
''Do you? Because that was a pretty...passionate kiss. Are you sure you don't want him?'' Sarah asked.
Connie sighed and went to hug her mother. ''What do I do mom?''
''Listen to your heart. That always works.''
Connie walked back inside the house, and into the kitchen. She needed something to drink, preferably something strong. However, her age hindered her from getting the drink she desired.
Carter was already in the kitchen, making a sandwich. ''Hey. Want one?''
She shook her head, and pulled herself onto the counter, her head resting against a cupboard.
''So, what's going on with you and Charlie?''
She closed her eyes. ''Is it that obvious?''
''A little. Come on, sis, out with it.''
''He kissed me. And I cannot stop thinking about him.'' she whispered.
''What are you going to do?'' he asked.
''Forget about him? It's the only thing I can do. Guy is one of his best friends, for us to be together...it would ruin everything. The team, their friendship, our friendship.''
''Look, Connie, there is only one question you have to ask yourself. Do you love him?''
Connie shrugged. ''I don't know.''
Later that night, Connie was looking through one of the many boxes her Aunt had left out. Inside were reminders of her younger days visiting the cabin.
''What's that?'' Charlie asked.
She looked up and saw him standing over her. ''Mementos.''
He sat down next to her. ''Fun. Care to share?''
''My old pajamas, a few pictures I drew. I think that's a duck.'' she held it out for him.
He took it from her and grinned. ''How old were you?''
''Probably ten.'' she looked over his shoulder at it. ''I thinks it's kickass.''
He chuckle and picked up a handful of pictures. ''All of you and Guy.''
''Yeah, we brought him up here a couple times. My Aunt thought we were adorable.''
''Yeah. Absolutely adorable.'' he placed the pictures back in the box and stood up. ''Anyway, everyone's watching a movie in the living room. They told me to come get you.''
Connie watched him walk out and then looked at the pictures. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
She walked into the living room, noticing his absence immediately.
''Where did Charlie go?'' she asked.
''Outside. He said he wanted some air, or something.'' Jason called, his eyes glued on the TV.
''I think I'll go make sure he doesn't freeze.'' she said, though no one was paying attention.
She made her way to the back door, and carefully slipped outside. She spotted Charlie, sitting in front of a roaring fire. She walked over to him.
''Aren't you freezing?'' she asked him.
He shook his head. ''The fire keeps me warm. Are you cold?''
''A little.'' Could he hear her teeth chattering?
''You should have brought a coat.'' he remarked.
She glared at him, and he grinned, shrugging his own coat off his shoulders. ''Here.''
She put it on quickly. It was still warm. ''Won't you be cold?''
''I'm fine, Cons. Why aren't you watching the movie?''
''Why aren't you?'' she asked, quickly.
''Didn't feel like it.'' he said.
She watched him carefully. ''What's going on here, Charlie?''
''A couple of kisses.'' he replied. ''No big deal.''
''Oh.'' she was hurt. ''That's all it is to you?''
''Connie...I have no clue what's going on.'' he turned to look at her. ''But are you honestly ready to find out?''
''What does that mean?'' she demanded.
''Guy! Are you over him? Truly over him. Because, I will not try and start something with you, that you don't have the guts to finish.''
She closed her eyes, thinking, knowing her response could make or break them.
''I don't know what's going on Charlie. All I know is that...I cannot stop thinking about you. Or our kisses.'' she turned towards him, looking straight into his eyes. ''I'm over him, Charlie. I'm ready for this.''
And on that note, she leaned forward and captured his lips into a slow kiss. His hands slowly moved up to cup her cheeks, and she placed one hand on his shoulder.
They broke apart slowly and stared at each other.
''Hey.'' Charlie said, afraid of her response. Would she push him away? Regret it?
''Hey.'' she smiled at him, and leaned forward to kiss him again.
Tammy smiled. ''Wow. No wonder you decided to date him. Sounds like he's a great kisser.''
Connie smiled. ''Yea. He is.'' she sighed. ''I hate to break this conversation up, but I need to go.''
Connie stood up, and shook her head when Tammy tried to as well. ''Promise me you'll come back tomorrow.''
''I promise.'' She gave Tammy an awkward hug, and called out to Fulton.
''Later Fult.''
''Bye Cons, see you tomorrow.''
Once Connie was gone, he walked into the living room. ''So, I saw Portman today.''
''That's great.'' Tammy said.
''Yea. I kinda told him he could stay here for the reunion. Is that ok?''
''Of course it is, sweetheart. This is your home too. When will he be here?'' she asked.
Her answer was the doorbell chime. Fulton grinned. ''Right now.''
He went to open the door, and was surprised to see Mandy standing outside.
''Thank God! I forgot my key, thought I was going to have to stand out there forever.''
''What a shame.'' Fulton remarked.
Mandy grinned and walked inside, to where her sister was sitting in the living room.
''I don't think you're Fulton's friend.'' Tammy joked.
''Aw, Fult's having a friend over? Good for him.'' Mandy cooed.
''What's in the bag?'' Tammy asked.
Mandy looked down at the shopping bag on her arm. ''Oh, I almost forgot.'' she pulled out a small blue outfit. ''It's for the baby! I saw it today and thought, it was sooooooooo adorable!''
Tammy smiled. ''Thanks sis.''
''Of course. So, do you want anything? Need anything? I am here to serve you!'' Mandy exclaimed, sitting down next to her.
''I'm fine, thanks.''
The heard the doorbell ring again and Fulton answered it. They heard laughter and Tammy smiled. ''That must be Fult's friend.''
''Is he cute? Single? Sexy?'' Mandy asked.
''I don't know.'' Tammy said. ''Can you do me a favor though and go get me some water?''
'''I see what you're doing. But fine.'' Mandy stood up and walked into the kitchen.
Fulton led Dean inside his home and into the living room.
''Portman, this is my wife, Tammy Reed.''
''Ah, the crazy lady who married you.'' he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek. ''It's a pleasure.''
''Same here.'' Tammy smiled. ''I heard a lot about you.''
''Alright, I got you ice water.'' they heard Mandy say.
Fulton turned Dean around. ''And this is my sister-in-law-''
''Mandy.'' Dean whispered.
Mandy froze and nearly dropped the glass of water.
''Dean.'' she whispered.
AN- Stay tuned for the next chapter!!
