Charlie Delgado had been so sure of his feelings for Stella Yamada during the summer tour. But the minute he had come home, his thoughts and feelings were in chaos. He had always thought of Kristina as his best friend but he was now looking at her in a new light. She was still that girl that he could go to for anything and that hadn't changed.
But what had changed was the drummer's reactions toward Kristina. When his eyes met gold ones, his breath caught in his throat. When she smiled at him, his heart fluttered in his chest. And when she happened to say something - anything, his face would break out into a grin. Charlie hated to admit it but he fell for Kristina hard, while his feelings for Stella started to dwindle and turn to just that of friends.
Now he was in a predicament that could easily cost him everything. Charlie liked Kristina and Kristina liked Charlie but wouldn't date Charlie if it meant hurting Stella. Who may still like him but it could be possible that she was falling for Ray. But Charlie couldn't be sure because how does one start that discussion?
'Hey do you still like me? Or are you falling for your friend's boyfriend? Who obviously likes you more than his girlfriend - your friend - my best friend. Whom I now like as more than just my best friend and I want her to be my girlfriend. And oh yeah, obviously I don't like you anymore.'
The drummer couldn't see that conversation ending well. Stella would no doubt get extremely pissed off and kick his butt. But what Charlie didn't know was that those same thoughts were running through her mind. Stella had also fully come to the realization that she liked Ray but the situation was complex. And it could get really messy, really fast.
The gig at Dante's had arrived sooner than the band had hoped and they were already setting up. Ray and Kristina - who have become a regular part of Lemonade Mouth, were seated at a table for support. They were eating pizza and throwing pieces of rolled up straw wrappers at each other to pass the time.
Charlie watched with a smile on his face as Kristina giggled. But the expression was soon dropped when Ray placed a soft kiss on her lips. A glare was directed at the couple until Scott heavily placed a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the guitarist in surprise but Scott only shook his head. He said to Charlie, "Get ready, we're on soon." He nodded and checked to see that his drum kit was set up correctly.
The gig went well and Olivia belted out the songs with feeling. The crowd had gotten so into the music, that some even started to dance. It had been a while since Lemonade Mouth had played at Dante's and the crowd was enjoying it. Even Charlie had gotten lost in the music, despite the confusing situation he found himself in. However no one but Ray noticed that Stella was distracted and was not on top of her game.
When the gig ended Stella made her way outside for some fresh air. She breathed in the summer air, taking in as much before winter season started. The spunky female was staring up into the stars, when she heard a male voice ask, "What's wrong Loser Mouth?"
She stuck her tongue out at him in reply and said, "What makes you think something is wrong Mudslide Crap?" A shrug was sent her way and she continued, "That's not an answer jerk." He laughed and said, "You were good tonight, not great. What's wrong punk?" This time a shrug was sent his way and he mimicked her playfully in a high pitch voice, "That's not an answer jerk."
Stella laughed at the voice Ray made and she pushed him away softly. Ray grabbed at her and swung her around, keeping a tight grip on her body. The two laughed at the playful action, until a shiver ran up the fiery female's body. Mistaking it for Stella feeling cold, he draped his jacket over her shoulders. She fingered it with slender digits and said softly, "Won't Kristina mind?" Then she made the mistake of looking up into Ray's face.
Blue eyes bore into chocolate brown ones and he replied, "I know you and Charlie were eavesdropping when Kristina and I were talking by the pool." Stella couldn't look away from his intense gaze and she replied, "So?" A laugh made its way out of Ray's mouth and the sound send shivers down Stella's spine. He said, "Even during a serious conversation like this, you are still stubborn." Stella shrugged but Ray continued, "I like you Stella, do you like me too?"
She finally looked away and replied, "What about Charlie and Kristina?" Ray wouldn't let her look away from her and he grabbed her chin. He forced her to stare into his eyes as he said, "Kristina loves Charlie and haven't you seen the way he stares at her? He obviously likes her, now tell me. Do you like me?" The normally spunky girl nodded hesitantly, an action that didn't quite suit her. Then Ray's charming smile – that was normally directed at Kristina, was now focused on her. Stella's heart skipped a beat and she knew at that moment that she really did like the blond boy.
Ray grabbed her and spun her around in happiness. However he didn't kiss her, like she half expected him too. Instead he said, "I have to talk to Kristina and you need to talk to Charlie. Okay?" The happy expression on his face was contagious and Stella couldn't stop a huge grin from spreading across her face. She replied, "Tomorrow at lunch." Ray nodded and hugged her once more. Then as they made their way inside, they separated from one another, a smile still on their lips.
While Ray and Stella were talking outside, Kristina found herself in the arcade portion of Dante's. She was playing the game The House of Dead and a small part of her wished Ray was there to play with her. But the rest of her wished that she could play this game with Charlie as a couple. She wanted to flirt with him over having more lives or tease him when he got hit by a zombie.
A frustrated noise made its way out of her mouth as she once again got hit by a zombie. Then there was a laugh from behind the female third year, that made her whole body shiver. She looked over her shoulder while posing with the fake gun as she said to Charlie, "Like what you see?" The drummer laughed once again as he nodded, quite honestly loving what he saw. Kristina laughed and focused on killing the zombies again.
Charlie watched as she shot away at the undead and said, "I'll never understand your obsession with zombie games." He received a shrug and she replied, "I'm preparing for the inevitable." A raised eyebrow was sent in her direction, an action she did not see as the handsome male said, "You think that there will be a zombie apocalypse?"
Zombies rushed towards Kristina's character and she shot at them without a blink of an eye. She said, "If there is, would you save me?" Kristina sent a quick glance his way but couldn't take her eyes off the screen for too long. He replied without hesitation, "The world wouldn't be worth living in without you."
Finally clearing the level, Kristina was able to send a dazzling smile his way before laughing. To Charlie it was such an infection and beautiful sound, that he couldn't help but laugh as well. She said, "I'm not too sure Stella would be happy to hear that." Charlie's laughter stopped abruptly and she was given an incredulous look. He responded, "Don't get me wrong, Stella's a great person. But Kristina, it's always been you and me against the world."
Kristina's laughter died away at his words and she stared into his soft brown eyes. Seeing that he was being sincere, Kristina wrapped her arms around his shoulders for a hug. The drummer noticed that they were the only ones in the arcade but that didn't bother him one bit. Having her in his arms further clarified Charlie's feelings for Kristina. He liked her and he truly believed it was supposed to be her and him against the world.
His large hands rubbed circles into her back as he held her tighter. Kristina finally pulled away and Charlie couldn't help but place a soft kiss on her cheek. She closed her eyes - scared of the regret she may see on his face and asked softly, "Charlie, do you know what you're doing right now?" He nodded while staring down intently at her face, something she couldn't see. So the young male said, "I'm making the first move Kristina."
Her eyes quickly popped open in shock and the dark haired female saw how serious her best friend was. Kristina was speechless, so Charlie answered the questions he knew she wanted to ask. "I started to fall for you when I got back from the summer tour. And I know I'm late but maybe I've always liked you Kristina. I think I just needed to see that this -" He continued as he intertwined their fingers, "- could easily be take away from me if I didn't do something."
A tear slipped down Kristina's face and she couldn't help but laugh, as Charlie interrupted its path. She said, "Jeez, you're so corny Delgado!" A large smile made it's way onto Charlie's face and he said, "But you love me nonetheless." Kristina could only shake her head in reply, as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders once more.
The dark hair female couldn't help but ask softly into his ear, "And what about Stella?" He ran a large hand through her hair, an action he knew she found soothing. He replied, "I'm breaking up with her tomorrow. What about Ray?" Kristina replied trying to keep the laughter out of her voice, "What about him? I like the idea of two boyfriends." Charlie laughed and said, "Oh! You think you got jokes?" And he then proceeded to tickle her, she tried to get away but Charlie had trapped her against the House of the Dead.
Kristina finally cried out, "It's over!" Her best friend stopped and said with a grin still on his face, "What was that?" She repeated out of breath, "I'll end it too, tomorrow at lunch." Charlie smiled and gave her one last intimate hug before they made their way back to their friends.