Charlie's Journal
Chapter Fourteen
AN: Hey Everyone,
Here finally is chapter 14.
Thank you as always to those who reviewed, alerted or favourited.
Enjoy
PrincessKay
I've missed you was all it took, an unspoken promise to forget. I tried pushing the subject as we left the airport but Dylan insisted he had no more to say.
I was startled awake the next morning by loud thudding against the bedroom door. I opened my eyes and took a few groggy and disoriented seconds to recall where exactly I was. I was lying in Dylan's bed next to him wrapped up in his soft warm football logoed sheets. Dylan and I had snuck in to his house late last night, his mother had no idea he had even left let alone the fact that he now had a girl in his bedroom. I had a feeling that finding her son's ex-girlfriend who had publicly cheat on him and hurt him in his bed was not going to go down well with Mrs Watson. There was another thud on the door.
"Dylan, get up and unlock this door! What have I told you about locking your door when you go to sleep, what if there was a fire and I couldn't get to you!" Mrs Watson ranted sounding frustrated already. I lifted my head from its comfortable spot on Dylan's chest to check he was awake. Dylan raised his finger to his lips then to his wardrobe, motioning for me to quietly hide in the wardrobe. I frowned and shook my head.
"That's just going to get you in more trouble!" I whisper yelled slowly sitting up so as to not make too much noise. There was more banging against the door.
"Dylan open up right now, or I will go get the spare key!" his mother threatened. I pointed to the door mouthing that he should just answer it. Dylan didn't seem to like that idea but he didn't have a whole lot of choice, I wasn't going to hide and his mother was definitely coming in.
"Morning Mom" Dylan said calmly after he had unlocked the door, he was careful to position himself so his mother could not look passed him and see me.
"I have been knocking for ages, what on earth have you been doing?" she sighed shaking her head.
"Sorry mom fell asleep with my Ipod in again" Dylan shrugged and I had to admit he was doing a great job at covering up; well he was until I unexpectedly sneezed. I pinched my nose and held my breath; my panicked heart beat suddenly echoing in my ears. Oh great, we were busted now.
"Did you have a friend stay over last night?" I heard Mrs Watson ask, as Dylan shifted from side to side clearly trying to block his mothers view.
"Who is it?" she asked her tone sounding light and curious, no longer worried or mad. I stood up and walked slowing to stand behind Dylan in the doorway, just waiting for her to get mad again. He finally gave in a stepped a little out of the way as my hand touched his shoulder.
"Hello Mrs Watson" I said timidly, my top teeth catching my bottom lip nervously.
"Charlie" she sounded surprised as she spoke my name. Dylan took my hand in his and straightened his shoulders.
"She came to visit and her parents do know that she is here" he told her pointedly clearing the matter up before anymore could be said. Mrs Watson nodded acceptingly, obviously deciding not to react negatively to the situation.
"Would you both like some breakfast?"
An hour later Dylan drove me to Connie and Steve's I figured it would be better if I stayed with my grandparents during my visit.
"Think you could stick around till the end of the week?" Dylan asked pulling the key out of the ignition and flipping the key ring around his finger. I shrugged my eyes watching his nervous fidgeting. Dylan and I hadn't sorted anything out; we had just pushed it all aside and were trying to ignore it.
"I don't think I can, I have school on Monday" I said softly distracting myself with undoing my seatbelt and gathering up my bag.
"There's a dance on at school on Friday and we're playing a set, Seth's idea, he thought it was the only way to make me go, seeing as you wouldn't be able to come" Dylan rambled staring ahead at Connie and Steve's garage door, his fingers still toying with his car keys. I smiled kind of liking the idea that he was nervous about asking me to a school dance.
"Sounds like fun, I think I could extend my stay a few more days, then I would get to see you boys perform at the dance" I suggested, Dylan had transferred to the same school as Seth, Noah and Alexis, after tour claiming he wanted to go to school with his friends even if it was across the other side of town. He smiled at me now, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
"Good, I'll pick up at two, you can come to band rehearsal, see everyone again" he grinned as I jumped out of the car.
"I can't wait" I smiled back running to the doorstep but not entering the house till I saw him drive away.
"Charlie!" My Grandmother cried throwing the door open and pulling me into a tight embrace. I giggled hugged her back just as tightly.
"Call your father before he has a heart attack will you?" My Grandfather called out from the living room. Before I could question him the telephone rang and Connie rolled her eyes.
"You answer it that will be him again no doubt" She grumbled heading towards the kitchen. I walked across the room and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" I asked slumping into the soft sofa next to Steve.
"Charlie, so you got there alright?" Dad sighed in relief from the other end.
"Yep no problems, Dylan picked me up from the airport; tell mom I love her and that I will be home Saturday afternoon, bye!" I rushed hitting the talk button and ending the call before he could respond. Steve laughed next to me wrapping an arm around my shoulders.
"Same old cheeky Charlie, It's good to have you here kiddo" he Chuckled pulling me into him. I hugged him back relaxing easily into a spot I still fit perfectly in. Sitting there with my Grandfather watching a baseball game on television, I couldn't help but think about my life if I had never found out the truth. Would I be in a band with an actual recording contract? Would I have gotten into such a mess New Years? Would I be getting a baby sibling in just a few Months? Would Mom and dad be together?
"Woah, did you see that one kiddo!" Steve cheered excitedly drawing me out of my thoughts.
"Ah no what happened?" I questioned shifting to stare intently at the replay on the television. I saw my grandfather frown out of the corner of my eye. I know he is worried but he won't question me on it. It's not his style; he will wait till I decided to come to him for help. He is good like that, he doesn't push.
My Grandmother on the other hand…
Mere seconds after the game ended she called me into the kitchen where she was busy making large trays of Mars bar slice.
"So you're friends with Dylan again?" she asked her eyes focused on what her hands were doing trying to pretend she wasn't all that interested. I slid onto a stool and dipped my fingers in a large mixing bowl, grabbing a pinch of the mixture and bringing it up to my lips. The chocolate melted away and I slowly crunched the rice bubbles between my teeth, delaying my response by a few minutes.
"We love each other" I stated reaching for more of the mixture. My grandmother raised her eyebrows and pulled the bowl away. I rolled my brown eyes and opened my mouth to respond.
"Charlie, that boy of yours is here" Grandad called from the living room, where he was pretending not to be listening in.
"Don't say it" I instructed Connie seeing her pink lips twitch ready to begin a lecture on good relationships, then I called out to my grandfather to let him in while I changed clothes at record speed. I didn't want to leave Dylan with my grandparents for too long so I tugged on my jacket and shoes and I entered the kitchen.
'Be home for dinner" Connie told me handing over a plastic food container filled with her slice.
"We trust each other" I breathed in her ear as I gave her a thank you kiss on the cheek.
"Charlie!" Alexis's screech rang in my ears as we arrived at Dylan's garage. I hadn't caught a glance at the girl before her blonde hair had blinded me and the force of her body caused me to stumble backwards.
"Woah Alexis, don't kill her!" Seth teased causing her to release me to stick her tongue out at him. I smiled, suddenly feeling very much at home. Noah and Seth greeted me with big hugs then Dylan told them the gossip session would have to wait till after rehearsal.
"Alright let's play the new song for the girls" Noah said eagerly as he picked up his guitar. Seth gave an excited drum roll before leading into the song as Alexis and I sat down on a bean bag by the garage door.
I felt this time that we had something
You rolled your eyes like it was nothing new (nothing new) Dylan began softly with Noah echoing.
You only think about you (think about you)
Put your shades on not to show it
Don't pretend that you don't know it's true (know it's true)
You only think about…
If you look good and girl you should Dylan's voice rose as the drums and guitar picked up.
Welcome to Hollywood
Boy, you better live it up before it bring you down
Welcome to Hollywood
Just got a grip on how to get around
I'm so glad I got to know you the rhythm like Dylan's vocals slowed as the chorus ended.
Know I know what I'm supposed to do (supposed to do)
You only think about you (think about you)
Friendly faces I've been seeing
Now I know they're far from being true (being true) the lyrics were pounding through my ears thanks to Noah's new amps and leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
You only think about…
If you look good I guess I should
Welcome to Hollywood
Boy, you better live it up before it brings you down
Welcome to Hollywood
Just got a grip on how to get around The boys appeared to be having fun, getting into the music and dancing around as much as they could move whilst playing or singing.
In your favourite tinsel town
The Boulevards and neon lights
I've been in love since the first sight
I wouldn't change it if I could
Welcome to Hollywood
Welcome to Hollywood the drums dropped out leaving just the steady strum of Noah's guitar against Dylan's voice.
Boy, you better live it up before it brings you down
Welcome to Hollywood (Welcome to Hollywood)
Just got a grip on how to get around (get around)
Welcome to Hollywood
Just got a grip on how to get around
Dog eat dog is to be seen
In the tabloid magazine
Seventeen, A billionaire
Daddy's money, do you care?
Welcome to Hollywood The boys finished the song with proud grins on their faces then turned to us girls for approval. I caught Alexis's eye, she looked a mix of horrified and outraged.
"So what did you think?" Noah asked enthusiastically. Alexis and I stood up. Alexis taking two steps forward looking like she was about ready to murder her boyfriend. I reached out placing a hand on her shoulder to hold her back.
"Leave it Lexi" I warned, getting ready to tell the boys I loved their song. The words of the song had hurt especially coming from Dylan's mouth. However I was still feeling sorry for myself and I like I deserved to be punished. Truth is the song was good it just was a little too close to home.
"What did I tell you?" Seth exclaimed, always the intelligent one he had clearly foreseen our reactions.
"Shut up Seth" the boys growled in perfect sync like it was a well practiced phrase.
"Are those bullies picking on you again Seth?" Dylan's mom smiled as she entered the garage with a tray of drinks.
"I clearly warned them, Mrs Watson" Seth smirked cockily. By this stage Alexis pretty much had Noah backed into a corner.
"How could you be so insensitive" she shoved him in the chest. Noah took her hands in his for his own protection and gave her an apologetic look. I took a deep breath, willing the prickling behind my eyelids to go away. I had done enough crying in the past few weeks.
"I guess you had more to say" I mumbled finally meeting Dylan's eyes.
The others were watching us, I could feel their eyes. Still Dylan walked towards me slid his hand behind my neck and ignoring my attempt to pull away he drew our foreheads together.
"It's just a song, it could be about any girl in Hollywood" he told me in a hushed voice, his blue eyes begging me to just accept it and see it his way.
"But it's not" I retorted trying to move away once again. His free hand moved to my hip keeping me there. Dylan's lips brushed lightly against my, quickly pulling away.
"Why do we keep hurting each other?" I grumbled looking down as a tear fell from my eye.
"I have no idea" Dylan whispered as we clutched at each other pulling ourselves close together. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
"Yeah, well just so you know there is only so many times when that is going to work" I whined slightly annoyed at his ability to make me cave in so easily.
"Oh, you mean this?" he taunted shifting to kiss me properly. His tongue worked its way through my lips. By the time he pulled away I had to bunch his shirt tightly between my fingers. The room was spinning. I shoved him away lightly once I could focus a little.
'What have I told you about that, your lungs are stronger than mine, one of these days you're going to make me pass out" I whined reaching up to hold my dizzy head in my hands.
"Damn, you're still conscious, I better try again" Dylan teased pretending to lean in to kiss me again. I stepped backwards directing my gaze pointedly to our audience.
"Or perhaps later" Dylan mumbled only loud enough for me to hear while scratching the back of his neck.
Band practice didn't last too much longer. I got a ride home the others after we all had dinner at Dylan's house. Life slipped back into the comfortable relaxed routine it had been in before I moved to California. My friends went to school while I help Connie and occasionally did a little of the school work I had been emailed. Dylan would pick me up on his way home from school then we would go to band practice. After practice we would all have dinner at someone's house followed by finally saying goodnight and going our separate ways home.
Thursday night Alexis declared that I was staying at her place; there was no school on the Friday to give everyone plenty of time to get ready. We stayed awake all night giving each other complete makeovers. We spent hours with her older sister who is studying to be a hairdresser. While she carefully put brightly coloured highlights through our hair. Alexis bravely went first selecting a violet purple colour to match her dress, while I anxiously watched painting my fingernails black. I didn't get to choose my colour because Alexis insisted it had to match the surprise dress she had picked out for me. The one I wasn't allowed to see.
"Alexis, we are going to a school dance, not my wedding, please just let me see the dress" I whined as her sister tugged at random strands of my hair.
"It's not just any dance, Charlie! It's the prom! It has to be perfect!" I decided not to argue with her, she seemed very passionate about making this the most perfect night ever.
"Trust me you are going to love it" Alexis exclaimed referring to my dress as she delicately painted Bright pink love hearts onto each of my fingernails with a toothpick.
As usual she was right. I loved the dress and my hair. Alexis's sister had placed seven thin random stripes of bright pink in my dark chocolate brown hair, the exact same shade of pink as my dress. Which was strapless and tight fitting till my waist where a thick black bow wrapped around and tied at my neatly near my left hip. The lower half of the dress was looser and rumpled with black netted type material at the very bottom, to look like the underneath of the dress was showing. It reached just a few inches below my knees. With a pair of simple black heels on my feet and bare silver chain around my neck I was ready to go. Except for that fact that Alexis still had me tied to a chair. Literally!
"Ok now hold still so I can put on your mascara" she ordered waving her black mascara wand in front of my face. She layered various shades of brown eye shadows around my eyelids blending it in to my foundation to make it look more natural. A quick coat of lipstick and gloss and I was done. I smiled at my best friend through the mirror.
She looked amazing too, she was dressed in a purple dress with lace and sequences across her chest then it hung loose till her lower thigh where elastic pulled it firmly against her tanned legs. Purple stilettos and some purple and silver glitter makeup added to the outfit.
"Wow Alexis, remind me to take you with me next time we go on tour, or have a photo shoot or make a music video or do anything public" I ranted on in amazement. Alexis grinned proudly at me her cheeks turning a light pink.
"Really? You think it's that good?" She questioned the grin never leaving her face and she turned to inspect her work more closely.
"Of course…the makeup artist on set of that music video I filmed in New York wasn't this good" I encouraged seeing how excited Alexis was becoming from hearing my praise. She deserved it too; she had done a great job. The door bell rang down stairs and Alexis squealed snatching up my hand and tugging me down the stairs behind her. My heart started racing beneath my chest. I suddenly felt almost sick, butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I froze and gasped giving Alexis a funny look.
"You ok?" she asked pausing just before the front door.
"I think I'm nervous" I whispered ending the sentence with a nervous giggle to prove my statement. We both started laughing when Alexis whispered her reply that she felt nervous too. It took a second ring of the doorbell before we both pulled ourselves together and answered the door. Their stood Noah and Dylan both dressed in black jeans and good dress shirts. Noah's was red and his top button was undone revealing a little of his purple t-shirt underneath. Dylan's was white with blue pin stripes; a blue t-shirt was slightly visible through the thin white material. I smiled I had always loved Dylan in blue it made his eyes shine so much brighter. Noah kissed Alexis's cheek and handed her a small purple flower arrangement to put on her wrist. Returning my gaze to Dylan I saw he was holding out a pink one with black ribbon for me. I gave him a questioning look and opened my mouth ready to ask how he had known exactly what colour to get.
"Alexis, pretty much took care of everything" He smirked at me taking my left hand and sliding the elastic around my wrist.
"Yep, we were each given a twenty page instruction manual" Noah chuckled earning a whack from Alexis giving me the impression that perhaps he wasn't entirely joking.
Alexis got her wish though; Dylan drove the four of us there, where we found the stage all set up for them to play. A dj took care of the music until the hall was almost full of people, then the boys took the stage while Alexis, myself and Seth's date made small talk. It was a tad awkward neither Alexis or I had met Megan before, but as soon as the boys started playing we didn't need to talk, just dance and cheer them on.
We were having fun twirling around like little girls and singing along to the songs we knew so well.
Dylan's arms encircle my waist from behind his lips pressed against my earlobe.
"Having fun?" he asked. I melted into his touch leaning back slightly and moving my hair out of his way.
"Yes" I said answering both his and Alexis's questions, she had just asked if anyone wanted to go get a drink. I had only danced two songs with Dylan when Alexis interrupted us. She came hurrying through the crowd towards us.
"You have like a million missed calls from your family in LA" she shouted into my ear over the loud music. She held out my phone which she had been looking after. I stepped away from Dylan to examine it. Seeing she wasn't lying I did have a lot of missed calls, 42 to be exact I began to worry. I thanked Alexis and motioned to Dylan that I would be back soon, running through the hall and out into an open corridor. I hit redial on the last missed call and waited just three short rings for someone to answer.
"Charlie, you need to be on the first flight back home" Nate's voice was desperate and urgent, pulling me out of my beautiful fairytale evening. I gulped as panic washed over me.
"Why? What's happened?" I begged, suddenly clutching my phone a little tighter.
"We're at the hospital, your mom's being prepped for an emergency caesarean, they don't know what's wrong yet" My heart leaped to my throat as he spoke, tears welling in my eyes. Something terrible was happing to my mom and baby brother or sister and I was miles away powerless to help.
"I'll be there as soon as I can, keep me updated and tell them I love them" I finished as quickly as possible. Knowing I had to get home straight away, I turned to run back into the hall and say goodbye to my friends, only to find Dylan right behind me.
"Is everything alright?" I just shook my head and pulled him into a hug.
"Mom's in hospital, I have to get home" I sobbed my voice sounded very weak and distant. Dylan hugged my tight and led me straight outside. He drove me to my grandparents telling them the little details I had retold to him on the car ride, while I raced around like a maniac packing up my stuff. I gave Dylan a big hug, as my grandparents gathered up some stuff and loaded it all into the car.
"I love you" I whispered it was all I could say. I brought my lips to his hoping a kiss would tell him everything I couldn't express right at that moment. It seemed to do the trick.
"I love you too, call me when you land" he instructed, opening the car door for me.
Uncle Nate rang just as we arrived at the airport saying he had organised tickets. Something we were very thankful for, as we were kind of just hoping to jump on any flight that would take us in the right direction.
I couldn't sit still on the plane fidgeting the whole way, constantly checking the time.
Nate was at the airport when we landed getting us to the hospital in the early hours of the morning. He explained what had happened during our absence to my grandparents but I wasn't really listening. Words like emergency, and phrases like it doesn't look good, send chills down my spine.
"The doctors can't tell us much, Shane hasn't left her side so he hasn't told us anything either" Nate explained as we pulled into the hospital car park. We practically jogged down the quiet dark halls in silence. Aunt Caitlyn pulled me into a tight hug when she saw me, promising everything would be ok. I wasn't allowed to see mom or dad and no one was really telling me anything. We sat on a row of plastic chairs lining a corridor wall, I heard the adults mutter stuff about taking me home, letting me sleep and trying to not worry me too much. Dad finally came out of some double doors not that long after we got there. He didn't look or talk to any of us; he just walked a little down the hall and sat down on a chair. He dropped his head to knees and held it in place with his hands. I stood up abruptly from my seat and moved quickly towards him a few hands reached out to stop me but someone told them to let me go. I ran to my dad skidding in my now bare feet and dropping to the floor in front of him. The skirt of my dress pooled around my ankles and feet reminding me I still had it on. I place my hand over his pulling them away and raising his head. There were tears leaking from his brown eyes which I am sure exactly matched my own teary eyes. He looked so broken, so in pain and as helpless as I felt.
"Daddy" I whispered unable to say anymore. He sat up straighter helping me up off the ground he pulled me into his lap and held me close. I rested my head on his chest and his head rested on mine. As I felt his tears drop onto my head more tears fell from my eyes. No one approached us. We just sat there holding each other, like the world would fall apart if we let go.
It was some time later that a nurse broke up the embrace pointing back towards the double doors gesturing for dad to follow. I gripped his hand firmly, letting him know I wouldn't be left behind. His arm wrapped around my shoulders directing me through with him. We walked down another corridor and into a small room; Mom was lying in this room. She looked extremely pale. An oxygen mask was covering her face and wires and tubes were dangling from her arm connected to various equipment. I ran over to her, but dad stopped me with just one hand on my shoulder.
"Careful" he warned releasing me. I walked over to my mother watching as she slept. My fingers reached for hers brushing gently across them.
"The sedative should wear off soon, we thought you would like to be here when she wakes up" The nurse explained. It took about half an hour for mom to wake up fully. She was really groggy when she first opened her eyes, barely able to string together two coherent words.
"Where is he?" she finally choked out her voice thick with sleep.
"The doctors are still ensuring he is ok, when your blood pressure settles you can go see him" the nurse smiled in response. Mom didn't seem to like this though she pulled back her blankets and tugged at the wires in her arm, successfully removing her IV drip, needle and all.
"Woah, lie back down, Mitch" Dad said moving between me and her, pushing her back down onto the bed.
"I am sure he is fine, just focus on you right now" Dad continued trying to reason with her.
"His right, you will be of no use to either of your children if you're unwell" the nurse pointed out. This seemed to settle mom down but only a little.
"Go and check Shane" mom begged her eyes desperate and scared. Dad nodded telling her to rest and that he would be back soon. He took me with him to the nursery. A neonatal doctor smiled as we walked in after washing out hands and putting on the required gowns. This was the intensive care unit of the maternity ward, reserved for the sickest of infants. Like my little brother. Who had just managed to survive a rather traumatic premature birth. He was gorgeous, despite all the wires covering his body. We couldn't touch him because he had to stay in his little baby bed until his body temperature stabilized.
"We are really pleased with his progress so far, he seems to be fairly stable for now" Dada explained that he wasn't breathing when he was born and how everyone had panicked. Little Christian James Gray had been rushed from the room with a team of doctors and nurses before dad could even blink. Even more tears fell from my eyes as I realised just how lucky we were, we had come so close to losing part of our family.
He is incredibly small looing even smaller wrapped up in those thick blankets and with the blue beanie on his head. I snapped a few photo's on my phone to show our family outside and mom who had yet to see her little boy. Every cried with joy when they saw him. Thankful both he and mom were ok. Mom cried the most, smiling the whole time, she held on to both mine and dads hands as we sat in the nursery watching Christian sleep.
"What are you wearing?" She suddenly asked pulling up the gown to reveal my dress.
"I was at the prom with Dylan when I heard" I giggled shifting in my chair. Dad caught a piece of pink hair between his fingers.
"I hope this washes out" he grumbled, giving me a disapproving look. Mom laughed this time. Telling me she liked it.
"It does wash out though, right?" she added giving me the same look dad had. I bite my bottom lip and nodded.
"I think so" I mumbled hoping they hadn't heard because I knew it wasn't a rinse out dye. Their unimpressed expressions told me otherwise.
the song is Welcome to Hollywood by Mitchel Musso.