Chapter Eleven:

It was now nighttime, and Brooke and Charlie were laying in her bed while Billy was snoring away in the guest room. The two friends were poking and tickling each other like there was no tomorrow. They made sure that their laughter wasn't too loud to wake anyone up, and kept up with their antics.

Once they were tired of what they were doing, they just laid next to each other. Brooke's body was curled against Charlie's, as usual, and their arms were wrapped around each other. Brooke felt completely relaxed as Charlie's hand soothingly rubbed her side.

"Remember the first time we met?" Charlie asked, smiling as he reminisced the moment.

"Yeah." Brooke laughed. "That was definitely a nice memory."

Four Years Ago:

It had been a hot summer's day in June, and if Shana had still lived with them, she would have just gotten done celebrating her birthday about two weeks ago. She was now fourteen, and had run off to live with their aunt and uncle for unknown reasons. She left her family in distress over the situation, and a friend named with a last name of Merrill upset.

Young Brooke was preparing for her own birthday in about a month. She would be turning thirteen, and their youngest sister was only three. Lindsey would turn four in October.

For now, however, it was about seven in the evening, and their mother, Alana, was preparing dinner. She would prepare things faster, had it not been for the fact that she was missing some ingredients for her recipes. So she asked Brooke to run down to the grocery store to buy them.

"And remember, don't talk to any strangers. Come right back, understand?" Alana lectured.

"I understand, okay? Can I go now? Please?" Brooke begged, just wanting to get away from all the lecturing.

"Yes you may."

"Yay!" Brooke declared as she bounded out of the room, and out of the house.

Now that it was nighttime, the temperature was definitely cooler, making it much more enjoyable. It had definitely been too hot when it was daytime. Brooke was willing to bet that half the town didn't even want to leave their homes for the sake of the weather…except, maybe to go swimming.

Clutching the money that her mother gave her, Brooke saw the store, and jogged the way there. However, she was not paying attention and jogged straight into someone that had just came out of the store.

Umpth.

Brooke shook her dark brown hair out of her face, and looked at the person who she ran into.

"Sorry!" She apologized quickly while getting up and holding a hand out for the other person to grasp onto.

"It's alright. I should've paid attention to where I was going." He stated as he took her hand.

"I'm Brooke." She smiled.

"I'm Charlie." He replied, smiling back at her. He didn't know her, but he already felt relaxed around her.

End.

"Honestly, I don't know if you and I would be friends if you hadn't ran into me that night." Charlie stated.

"We could've. I mean, you're part of the Cobras, and Ace had some interest back then too."

Charlie nodded, and tried to remember other good memories between them.

"Hey remember when you first introduced me to your family?"

Brooke laughed. How could she forget? Her dad had given Charlie a real treat when he first saw him.

"Oh yeah, I remember that. It was hilarious!"

"Your dad pulled a gun on me!"

"Exactly! Hilarious!" Brooke grinned.

Brooke's Birthday:

"Are you sure it's okay?" Charlie asked nervously. This was honestly the first time he had been invited to a birthday party.

"It's fine." Brooke hoped that her smile would calm him down.

"If you say so." Charlie mumbled as he walked through the threshold into Brooke's home.

Charlie looked around and noticed that the house was nice and clean. The walls were decorated with pictures of the family, and the whole house smelled of delicious food. It was better than any of the house that the Cobras lived in.

"You have a nice house." Charlie complimented.

"Thank you." Brooke ushered him into the living room.

"Oh! Who's your friend Brookie?" Alana asked, smiling warmly at Charlie.

"This is Charlie Hogan momma. Charlie, this is my mom." Brooke introduced.

"Well, nice to meet you Charlie. Please, make yourself at home. I'll bring some drinks for you." Alana said as she walked into the kitchen.

Charlie was surprised; most parents wouldn't even give him the time of day. Obviously it stemmed from his status in the town. So, to be treated like how Alana treated him was a change, a very nice change that made him feel at home.

"And who are you?" Another voice asked.

"Oh, hi dad! This is my friend Charlie." Brooke announced.

"Nice to meet you…sir?" Charlie felt intimidated by Brooke's father. He stood at maybe six feet, and was a scruffy looking man. He was definitely someone who'd look like he would be protective of his daughter.

"I'll be right back."

Brooke and Charlie looked at each other and then back at the spot Lionel had just vacated. Once he came back, Charlie felt downright terrified while Brooke was stifling her laughter.

"If you're gonna be friends with my daughter, you better promise to take care of her." Lionel said as he looked at his gun.

"I- I promise sir!" Charlie stammered.

"Lionel! You put that thing away! And quit intimidating the boy! Look at him! He's almost shaking like a leaf!" Alana demanded as she gave him a cup of fruit punch.

"Fine." Lionel sulked as he put his gun away.

End.

"Hehe, my dad was so protective." Brooke smiled.

"More like he was terrifying." Charlie mumbled. He had become friends with Brooke's dad after the incident though. He had become so close with the family that any burden of theirs, almost felt like his own.

"Oh shush." Brooke snickered, but then had a somber expression slither onto her lovely features. "I really miss him."

"I miss him too." Charlie whispered as he placed a light kiss on top of her head.

October:

It was getting close to Halloween, but it was getting even closer to Lindsey's birthday. Lindsey was really excited for her birthday. She had invitations made and everything! She was going to invite all of her classmates! She was also inviting Charlie, who had become like a big brother to her.

"Mommy! What kind of cake are you going to make me?!" Lindsey asked, hopping up and down.

"Your favorite kind! Chocolate and vanilla." Alana replied with a warm twinkle in her eyes.

"Yay!"

Lindsey's excitement was definitely entertaining Brooke and Charlie, who were sitting on the couch. The two had become super close in the last couple of months, and they felt like they had known each their entire lives.

"She sure is excited." Charlie noted.

"Yeah, but you would be too if it was your birthday coming up, and you could do almost anything." Brooke laughed lightly while laying her head on Charlie's shoulder.

"I guess so." Charlie tried to smile, but he didn't really know what having a birthday party like this felt like. His parents were dirt poor, and couldn't afford much.

"Charlie! Brooke! Play hide and seek with me!" Lindsey ran up to them, and jumped on the couch.

"Sure thing Linds!"

Both Charlie and Brooke went to hide while Lindsey sat on the couch counting. She may or may not have peeked a couple times.

"Ready or not! Here I come!" She shouted as she went to look for the two of them.

Alana felt happy as she heard the two older teens being found by Lindsey. Before she could think anymore of it, a knock at the door took her attention. She dried her hands, and walked to the front door.

When she opened the door, her eyebrows furrowed as she saw one of Lionel's co-workers standing there.

"Why, Bobby, what are you doing here?" She questioned. "And where is Lionel?"

"Alana…" Bobby looked down before looking back up at her, and taking off his hat. "I don't know how to say this politely, but um…"

"Oh Bobby, you're scaring me. What is it?" Through her eyes, Bobby could see the fear.

"Lionel…Lionel is…he's dead." He said quickly.

"..What?!"

End.

Alana had gathered them around, and when she told them the news, they all had tears in their eyes.

"He was a great guy." Charlie stated.

"He was an even better dad." Brooke mumbled sleepily.

Charlie noticed her sleepy change in demeanor, and pulled the blanket over their bodies.

"Go to sleep Brooke. It's getting late." He whispered while kissing the tip of her nose.

Brooke gave him a brilliant smile, and hugged him.

"Good night Charlie." She whispered as she snuggled close to him.

A warm feeling spread throughout his body, and he whispered good night to her.