Observations

You can stand on your own two feet,

You can lead me through the streets

Pave the way, so we can dream dreams

No one else can see what you made me see

("Paris," Kate Nash)

Once you fall in love with Riley Matthews, a part of her always stays in your heart. Charlie Gardner knew this more astutely than anyone – okay, maybe not more than Lucas, but God knows that's a long story. Over the years, Charlie and Riley's relationship evolved. Eventually he outgrew his crush and the two settled into a comfortable friendship. They were something like best friends, something like siblings, something else that includes crushes, kisses, dates, heart-to-heart conversations, and unfailing trust. Charlie considers Riley his person.

All of that said, Charlie Gardner feels justified in judging anyone and everyone who disrupts Riley Matthews' life.

Charlie has to admit that he constantly waffles between rooting for Lucas and wanting to shove all of the ice cream in New York into Friar's annoyingly symmetric face. Yes, Charlie can see the look – he's been forced to deal with the look for years; but just because Friar can pull some puppy dog eyes and can make Riley smile doesn't mean the guy is some kind of superhero. And, in Charlie's book, Lucas has proven many times that he doesn't deserve Riles.

When Charlie finds out – via Instagram of all things, seriously? Weren't they friends? – about Hailey, he goes past thinking of ice cream and wants to punch Friar in the face. He even bought a seat on a plane from California to Texas with the plan to walk up to his friend, punch him, say "This is from Riley, remember her? First kiss? Matching tattoos? The girl you say is your own personal sun?" and then immediately leave for New York to do some damage control.

Friar's nose better be thankful that a good, long jog and a conversation with Zay led to the cancelation of that particular plane ticket. Charlie knows that Riley has to solve her own problems and has to save herself. But, if she asks, he'd be there for her.

That's how it's always been. Charlie is a cheerleader. A comforter. A source of calm. And he wouldn't have it any other way, because – Lord knows – Riley is all of those things and more for him.

So, because Charlie is Charlie. And because Charlie loves Riley. And because Charlie has witnessed the RileyandLucas drama first-hand for most of his life, his antennae immediately rise at the mention of Ben.

It first happens during one of their FaceTime conversations freshman year. They're unloading to each other and Riley brings him up. Charlie immediately is interested because it's the first person Riley mentions by name as someone she's close with. Charlie almost remembers that sentence verbatim: "I probably would be even more of a mess if it wasn't for Ben." And that was all.

Over the course of the year, Riley's mentions of Ben grew in frequency. Charlie was smart enough to know that the number of mentions was directly related to the influence of Ben in Riles' life.

"Ben is just so, so good, you know? He's such a talented writer, but modest about it. And he's basically a walking encyclopedia. I've talked him into being my own personal fact-checker."

"It's funny. He calls me 'Reporter Girl.' Like Rory on Gilmore Girls. It's basically the highest compliment I could ever be paid. And, it's so weird. He really believes in my writing, you know?"

"Ben picked me up that night. I don't think I'm ever touching alcohol again."

"He's from London, Charlie. Can you imagine living anywhere more magical? And of course, because he's Ben, he's so cavalier about it. Like it's nothing. It's insane."

Charlie's not an idiot. He can recognize a crush when he sees it. At first, he's upset. If Riley wasn't going to ride into the sunset with Lucas, then why wasn't he – Charlie – the next option. And then he's upset with Riley and Lucas. The two idiots went and got matching tattoos of all things and they are too damn chicken to seal the deal. And then he's frustrated with Ben – who the hell was this guy? From Riley's favorite city. A writer. A book dork. They have inside jokes. Ben got to see Riley drunk and hold her hair when she puked. He went with her to sorority parties and fell asleep in her dorm room during study sessions. Eventually, Charlie recognized his frustration for jealousy – the group dynamic is so different now that they're all spread out. Charlie moves from jealous of Riley to happy for her. Ben actually sounds like a good person and Charlie is thankful that Riley has someone in her life like that.

After Charlie hears about Hailey, he makes a bet with Zay about when Riley and Ben will start dating. Zay says no and refuses to jump off of the RileyandLucas bandwagon. But Charlie knows better. He knows that change happens and time cannot be stopped. He knows that Riles and Ben actually sound like they complement each other pretty well. He knows that a break can actually be the best thing for Riley and Lucas. They bet an ice cream cone facial.

On Riley's nineteenth birthday, Zay and Charlie meet Ben. The British guy is exactly how Ben imagines him: tall, intelligent, a bit dorky, and completely infatuated with Riles.

Charlie watches through the evening. He notices the handholding and the kisses. He admires the easy banter. He is comforted that Ben seems to instinctually catch Riley when she stumbles. There's something in the air between them, a level of comfort and ease that Charlie has never noticed in Riley before.

When Charlie and Zay escort Riley back to her dorm after Ben buys a round of amaretto gelato – Charlie is shocked to discover that amaretto is Riley's favorite flavor, she's let the group think it's coffee for most of her life and never had to heart to correct them – Charlie silently takes note of Ben's clothes and books that litter her room. He chooses not to say anything to Riley's slip-up and blush when she offers "Ben's side" of her bed to one of them that night.

In the back of Charlie's mind, he wonders if Lucas knows about Ben. Charlie wonders if he likes Ben more than Lucas. Wonders if Riley likes Ben more than she likes Lucas. Charlie wonders what it all means. Would he still root for Lucas when he finally comes around and realizes Hailey is a ditz? Feelings are complicated…

On the day after Riley's nineteenth birthday, Charlie and Zay talk about Ben. He is surprised that Zay actually likes him, too. They talk about what it all means for the group and for RileyandLucas. They talk about how Maya and Farkle are not going to take well to the idea of Ben. That afternoon, Zay gets a face full of cookies and cream and Charlie and Riley discuss change.

Charlie reflects on how much they've all grown in a year-and-a-half of distance. He wonders if Riley knows just how many men's hearts she's managed to carve a home in.