Chapter 7
The next day was Saturday, Susie woke up and decided that she was just going to hang around the house, watch movies, and generally be lazy. She was starting with Pride and Prejudice. She was sort of hoping that Chuckie would be in the guestroom all day, so she wouldn't have to face him after that kiss last night. As soon as her mind conceived the thought, Chuckie walked out of his room and into the living room. He fell back on the couch beside her with a sigh.
"Whatcha Watchin, Susie?" Chuckie asked.
"Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley" Susie answered.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Of course not."
As the opening credits came on Susie remarked, "I love this soundtrack. It just makes you want to fall in love. I haven't been able to find it in the store. I'll find it one day."
"Yeah, it sounds beautiful."
"Beautiful music for a beautiful story. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books. This is a really good adaptation of the book."
They continued watching the movie together. When it got to the final scene of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy Susie swooned, "Aaaww, this is my favorite part of my favorite movie, but it is also the end."
"You were right. It was a great movie."
A moment of silence passed between them before Susie turned to talk to Chuckie.
"I've been thinking about putting together a small show. I want to perform about 4 songs. What do you think?"
"That sounds wonderful Susie. I'm glad to see you taking some risks."
"All thanks to you. I mean I always knew I wanted to sing, but I was afraid of getting out there, but you encouraged me to try."
"Thanks but you are talented I told you what anyone would have, and I don't plan on missing your performance for anything in the world."
"Thanks but everyone didn't tell me you did and it meant a lot. Now, I have to go convince Phil and the band to make a public debut with me."
"You're welcome, Susie. I hope you are able to convince him because it's a great idea."
About a month had passed since Angelica and Chuckie's break up and still no one at school could figure out what caused the split. Angelica and Sean still hadn't come out as a couple. Neither Susie or Chuckie had brought up the kiss again. They both acted like it never happened. Although, they both thought about it constantly everyday. Now that Chuckie was pretty much over the break up he had moved back home. Susie had convinced Phil and the band to play with her. They were to perform in a week. They were practicing everyday. Susie had been busy making sure that everything was perfect. Two days before the performance, Angelica and Susie met for lunch. Angelica didn't look so good. It looked like she had been up all night, and she didn't have on her usual make up.
"You look like hell." Susie bluntly told Angelica
"I was up all night arguing with Sean." Angelica replied.
"What were you two arguing about?"
"The usual. Sean is still claiming that he isn't ready for us to be an official couple."
"Why?"
"He's not into labels. He says."
"What are you going to do?"
"I ended it with him about two weeks ago. He's been calling me every night and we have the same argument. I'm not getting back with him until he agrees that we are going to be an official couple."
"My show is in two days. Are you still going to make it?"
"Of course I am. I would never miss your performance because of some stupid argument with Sean."
They finished eating and Susie left to rehearse with Phil and the guys. When she left Phil's she went back to her apartment. While laying around the house in her pajamas, she heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door, it was her friend Monica from London.
Susie screamed, "OH MY GOD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Well you told me about your performance and I missed the talent show. I was not about to miss this. I transferred to the school here, so we will be together for a while." Monica explained.
"You are so awesome. I love you."
"I know. Love you too. Now, go get dressed, so you can show me around this place.
Susie ran to get dressed. Monica was her closest friend from London. She was so fun. There was never a dull moment with Monica around. Susie and her had become fast friends. She was beautiful. She had perfect brown skin. Not a blemish in sight. She was tall, perfect legs, and perfect full, pouty lips. Susie thought she was perfection personified. Her family was also very rich. Guys literally fall over themselves to get to her. She was known to be a little promiscuous, but she was a great person and a loyal friend. Susie loved hanging out with her even though she was three years younger because she was so much fun. Susie finished getting dressed, and they left for the java lava. They made it to the java lava. Everyone greeted Susie and she introduced them to Monica. Everyone was at the java lava except Chuckie and Dil. Everyone was talking and having fun when Dil walked into the store.
"What's up everyone?" Dil asked.
"Nothing we're just meeting Susie's friend from London." Tommy answered.
Dil looked up and saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. For once in his life, he was at a loss for words. He stood there without saying anything, so she got up from her seat and walked up to him.
"Hi. My name is Monica. I've heard so much about you." She extended her hand for him to shake.
"Dil." He managed to get out taking her hand.
After they finished shaking hands, Monica turned to Susie and said, "You still have to finish showing me around, Susie. Come on let's go."
"I can show her around!" Dil hastily offered, "I mean shouldn't you be rehearsing for your performance tomorrow, Susie."
"I guess extra practice couldn't hurt," Susie remarked, "if Monica doesn't mind then it's ok with me."
"I don't mind." Monica answered.
"Shall we?" Dil offered her his arm.
Monica took Dil's arm and they left the store together. Susie left with Phil to go practice once more before the performance. After the sun had gone down, she made it home. When, she made it into her apartment she heard a noise in the guest bedroom, so she walked in to see if Monica was ok. Susie walked in on Monica and Dil having sex.
"OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HELL!"
Monica jumped out of the bed and grabbed a large t-shirt and put it on.
"Ok. Don't freak out, Susie."
"Ok. Don't freak out. You guys were just having sex in my guest bedroom and I'm not supposed to freak out."
"I'm sorry, but things just got out of control."
"Oh my god. Did you have to sleep with him of all people? He is my friend and I don't want you to end up hurting him."
"I like him a lot, Susie. You didn't tell me he was so charming."
Susie took a minute to picture Dil being charming. She shuddered at the thought.
"Weren't you the one that said you didn't do relationships just no strings attached sex."
" Ok. Maybe I stretched the truth somewhere between a little and a lot. I've been keeping a secret. I'm a virgin, or at least I was until today."
"Somewhere between a little and a lot? You've been lying to me for three years pretending to be some sort of sexual vixen."
"Well I have a reputation to uphold in London. I wouldn't have been as popular if everyone knew I was a virgin. By the way, don't tell anyone back home."
"Your secret is safe with me, but what about all the guys I saw you go out with?"
"Those were just dates nothing happened with any of those guys. Here I don't have a reputation to protect and I like dil and he was a virgin too. One thing led to another and here we are."
"I give up," Susie said throwing her arms in the air, "when did my life get so complicated? Well, I'm sorry I ruined you guys' first time." Susie apologized.
"Oh, you didn't. That was actually about the third time." Monica said as she walked back to the room.
Before going into the room, Monica turned to Susie and said, "Now, we just have to help you lose your virginity."
Susie flushed red at this, and she looked after her with a crazy expression. Soon after, Monica walked into the bedroom Dil walked out.
"Sorry Susie" Dil said with puppy dog eyes.
"Yeah Yeah." Susie responded rolling her eyes.
Susie gave up and decided to shower and go to sleep. She hadn't talked to Chuckie since he moved out of the apartment. She hoped that he would still be at her performance. She scolded herself for doubting that Chuckie would attend her show. He said he would be there and he would be. She needed him to be there. All the songs she picked were for him. She didn't know how to tell him how she felt, but she hoped that the songs would get the point across for her.
Twas the night of Susie's performance and it was packed. She looked through the curtain and saw people from the bars she had performed at, students from school, and people she didn't even recognize. She was excited not only for her performance, but also because she had finally gotten her letter from Juilliard and was waiting for everyone to arrive so she could open it. Everyone arrived and was backstage except Chuckie. The band, Tommy, Lil, Kimmi, Dil, and Monica. Angelica came with Sean. Susie was taken aback by this. She guessed breaking it off with him worked after all. She handed the letter to Angelica.
Angelica skimmed the letter and yelled, "YOU GOT ACCEPTED, SUSIE!" Susie and Angelica screamed and hugged each other. Angelica wished her luck. Chuckie still had not arrived. It was time for them to go on. Susie was devastated that Chuckie still had not arrived. During their introduction, Susie turned to Phil. She told him that she wanted to change the last song. He informed the rest of the band. They had rehearsed the song a thousand times, so they wouldn't have any trouble performing it last minute. After their introduction, they walked out onstage. Everyone was cheering for them. They performed four songs.
They opened with "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" by the Smiths
Followed by "Golden Girl" by the Naked and Famous
Then "The Best Treasure Stays Buried" by Zoey Van Goey
Finally "You Love Me To Death" by the Hooverphonics
When they finished everyone cheered ten times louder. Susie was so happy that it was a success. But she was bothered by the fact that Chuckie never showed. She thanked the crowd for coming out and supporting her. The band left the stage. Everyone congratulated her backstage. She thanked them and asked them why Chuckie had not showed up. Angelica pulled Susie to the side and told her what happened.
"I was going to meet with him about maybe getting back together, but Sean called me on the way to the restaurant and told me that he missed me and if it was so important to me then he wanted us to be officially together. I was so happy that I forgot about Chuckie. He is probably still waiting at the restaurant. I'm sorry Susie. It's my fault." Angelica explained.
"It's ok Angelica it's not your fault."
Susie wasn't sure if that made it better or worse. He chose to sit alone in a restuarant waiting for Angelica than show up to her performance. Susie was hurt and angry. She left with Monica and Dil to go back to her apartment. Right after she left, Chuckie showed up, but the show was over. He had missed it. Kimmi ran into Chuckie walking backstage.
"Hey bro. Where have you been?"
"I was supposed to meet up with Angelica, but she never showed. Is Susie here? I need to apologize for missing her show."
"You're an idiot," Kimmi said bluntly, "Susie is gone, and she was very upset that you didn't show tonight. You blew off her performance because your cheating ex girlfriend asked you to meet her somewhere."
"Susie will have a million more shows. So what if I missed this one?" Chuckie countered.
"You really are stupid. She's in love with you moron. I wasn't supposed to say anything, but god it seems like you'll never figure it out on your own. Those songs were for you. She changed the last song before they went on after she saw that you hadn't shown."
Chuckie was stunned. Kimmi pulled out her phone and went to the video she recorded of Susie's performance. She handed Chuckie the phone.
"Knock yourself out." Kimmi told Chuckie as she left with Phil.
Chuckie watched that video a thousand times that night and thought about what Kimmi had said. How could he have been so wrong about everything. All this time, he so upset over Angelica that he never noticed Susie's feelings for him, or his possible feelings for her. And now it was possible that he may have figured it out too late. He prayed that she would forgive him.
The next day at school when he arrived at school, he immediately began to look for Susie. He saw her at her locker, so he ran over to her.
"Susie, I'm-" Chuckie started, but Susie cut him off.
"Just stop Chuckie. I'm over your sad story with Angelica. You know why Angelica never showed up? Because she was at my show with Sean. Now, just do me a huge favor and stay away from me until I leave for New York to attend Juilliard. You would have known that I got accepted last night if you had bothered to at any point get up and leave the restaurant and come to my show. Before it was over."
"Susie, I'm sor-" Chuckie started, but Susie interrupted him again.
"Save it Chuckie." She said as she stormed off.
Chuckie stood in the hallway staring after her. He was so confused about everything. He didn't want to lose his best friend (and possibly the girl that he loved), but he had never seen her so upset. Maybe he should give her some space? After all, he did not have any right to demand anything of her especially after missing her show. Kimmi was right he had been an idiot. Chuckie went to his class. He couldn't concentrate on anything. All he could think about was all the time that they had spent together. Now, he would give anything for her to ask him who he wanted beside him. Chuckie would say her without a second thought. It out it was too late. She didn't want to see him again and pretty soon she would be in New York. Chuckie thought about her moving to New York. This gave him a strange feeling. He was happy that she was pursuing her dream, but he didn't want her to leave him again. At lunch, he saw Angelica and Sean sitting together. It was all over school that they were officially dating. Chuckie was not angry with Angelica for being with Sean. He was completely over her, now. He was angry with her for standing him up and causing him to miss Susie's performance. Maybe it wasn't her fault. He could have gotten up and left. He could have never agreed to meet with her in the first place. Why did he agree to meet her? Chuckie felt awful and decided that he had to try and talk to Susie again after school.
When school ended, Chuckie ran to find Susie. He saw her leaving the school. He tried to go up to her, but he was met with Monica and Dil.
"She doesn't want to talk to you." Monica told Chuckie.
"I need to talk to her."
"She is really angry. I've never seen her this mad. Trying to talk to her now probably wouldn't do any good. It's probably best to leave her alone like she asked." Monica explained.
"Yeah bro Susie is really upset." Dil agreed.
Chuckie thought about it for a moment for a moment and said, "Fine."
"She'll come around just give her time." Monica said to Chuckie.
Dil and Monica ran after Susie, and Chuckie turned to go home. Susie, Monica, and Dil made it back to her apartment. She went into her bedroom.
Monica knocked on the door, "Are you ok, Susie?"
"Yeah I'm fine I just want to take a nap is all." Susie responded.
"Ok. We're here if you need anything."
"Thanks. I'm fine."
Susie turned on some music and got into bed and wrapped herself in the covers. She started to cry until she finally fell asleep.
The days just ran together for both Chuckie and Susie. Susie was sad that she wasn't friends with Chuckie anymore, but she didn't want to admit it. Chuckie wanted to respect her wish not be his friend anymore no matter how hard it really was for him. They avoided each other. When everyone was with Susie they didn't talk about Chuckie and when everyone was with Chuckie they didn't bring up Susie. It went on like this for what seemed like couple of weeks. Everyone was secretly hoping that they would just make up and be friends again, but at this rate it seemed like that was never going to happen.
