September 27th, 2009, Sunday...
At Charlotte's house...
Charlotte's POV
"MOM! WE'RE HOME!" I yelled as Alaine and I entered through the front door.
We had just got back from the island an hour or two ago and decided to surprise my mom by hitching a ride and arriving home early.
It was silent in the house. No TV was on, running water or sizzling from the kitchen, and not even Thomas bulldozing his way to the front door to greet us.
Either something was wrong or my mom was not home.
Suddenly, we heard a scream.
"SHE IS MY DAUGHTER AND UNLESS YOU WANT THE POLICE OVER HERE, I WANT THE GIRL NOW!"
Startled, exchanging looks with Alaine, we dropped our stuff and headed into the dining room.
Running in there, I swore the temperature dropped a few degrees.
My mom was sitting on the left of the table, with her head down in her hands. Sitting across from her on the other side of the table, was an older-looking woman. Her hair was in a tight bun, wearing a tight, blue dress. She looked all business-like, but it was her face that made me aware of who she was.
After all, it was my best friend's face.
Andrea Williams.
"Mom, what is she doing here?" I asked, looking at her while standing in front of Alaine, blocking her from Andrea's view.
I watched as my mother lifted her head and turned to me, but couldn't look me in the eyes. I just knew I wasn't going to like this.
"Sweetie...I-" my mom was interrupted.
"I'm here to take my daughter home," Andrea said strictly, getting out of the chair and smoothing her tight dress. She gave me a glare that told me instantly that she meant business.
And I gave her one in return as I stood in front of Alaine. I could practically feel the fear radiating off of Alaine and it made me even more determined to protect her.
"And that would be over my dead body!" I exclaimed. "Why would I hand over my best friend to an abusive, self-centered, egotistic SHE-DEVIL LIKE YOU! She's not your punch bag! She's a human being!"
It was silent, but tense between us as we gave each other our nastiest glares. I heard pawing and realized that Thomas was locked outside. No wonder I didn't get a warning.
It was all a blur to me, the next few moments.
One moment, my face was in Andrea's. The next moment, I'm on the hard floor, my cheek stinging like Hell, and my world slightly flashing before my eyes until I heard Alaine's screaming mixed with my mother's.
"COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT! HOW DARE YOU HIT MY CHILD!" my mother yelled in her most ferocious tone. Not that I blame her.
What woman wouldn't be angry if a stranger touched their kid?
Getting off the floor as quick as I could, I ran out of the dining room and dashed out the front door.
I rushed past my mom and ran as fast as I could to get Alaine, but Andrea pushed me to the ground and slammed the car door shut. I got up and banged my hands onto the window, screaming and yelling. On the other side, Alaine was doing the same thing and also sprouting curses at her mother as well.
Just as Andrea got in the driver's seat and closed the door, she looked directly at me and my mom out the window and gave us her coldest glare.
"Listen here and listen good. This little tramp here is my daughter, you hear me!? I'm her mother and I decide where she goes, when she goes, who she hangs out with, and every single little thing she does. Now, you are going to go back to your business or else I'll make sure it's YOU that will be having the police knocking on your door. UNDERSTAND!?"
Alaine was still banging on the window, crying her eyes out in heartbreak as Andrea rolled up her window, pulled out of the driveway and drove off. I wanted nothing more than to chase after them, but I just collapsed instead.
I didn't even register the feeling of my mother's arms wrapping around me, brushing the hair from my face, shushing me as the tears felll down my face, telling me it was going to be okay. I knew she was trying to comfort me, but...
How could it when I just lost my sister?
September 28th, 2009, Monday...
3rd POV
Charlotte woke up empty that morning. That's the best she could describe it.
There was no laughter, sweet aroma filling her nose from the kitchen, or playful bickering either.
After getting dressed, she walked downstairs into the kitchen to see breakfast already made and her mother reading the newspapeer.
When she looked up at her, she noticed that she had bags in her eyes.
Alaine's presence was more noticable in the house.
All the spirited energy she held brightened up my home like a lighthouse on a dark ocean.
And now it's gone.
When Charlotte got to school, she checked through Domonique and the rest of the softball team, Choir, and Ms. Anelies to see if Alaine had come to school that morning.
But there wasn't a good answer.
By then, she slowly walked towards her locker, looking defeated, when she heard footsteps walking towards her. Looking up, she hoped that it was Alaine...
Only to see it was just Riley.
"Oh, it's you," she said rather glumly.
"Well, that was not the type of reaction I was expecting," he replied, now looking concerned, "You okay?"
"And why do you care?" she asked, not bothering to look at him as she got her things from her locker.
"Why wouldn't I? And where's your shadow? She's usually right behind you on everything?" Riley asked, not realizing the spot he hit.
"She's gone."
"Gone, like went away for a while? Look, I understand Alaine is your friend, but don't even girls want their alone time?" Riley asked, confused.
It took all Charlotte had to not strangle the guy in front of her.
So, instead, she snapped.
Charlotte slammed her locker loudly, making Riley jump, and glared at him.
"Oh, I wish!" she said sarcastically, "First off, my best friend didn't leave. She was taken by her psychotic, abusive mother! And now, I have no idea what's happened to her! She not at school, not answering ANY of my calls, and I don't even know where she lives, which makes me an even worse friend and..." Charlotte rambled, hating this situation more and more.
RRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNGGGGG!
"Listen, Riley, I need to get to class," she said, trying to walk past him, but she stoppe her by grabbing her arm.
"Remember that 'surprise' date I wanted to take you? It's tonight!"
Her eyes widened at those words. Tonight? As in a school night? She had literally got back from an island camping trip and mourning a full night after crying over Alaine! Why would he chose tonight of all nights!?
"You're insane," she said, shaking her head, "it's a school night! What on Earth could be happening on a Monday night!?"
Riley chuckled "You'd actually be surprised. So, I'll come over to pick you up at 7:30 p.m."
RRRRRIIIIIINNNNGGGG!
"Whelp, I gotta go! See you tonight Char!"
And with that, he sped away from me and blended in with the rest of the students heading to class.
Leaving Charlotte to figure out: What just happened!?
At Charlotte's house, that evening...
Nerves started to build as Charlotte paced her. With Thomas watching her in confusion as she stopped for a minute then pace again.
"Thomas, I'm so nervous! I mean, I have been on dates before but that was with Lewis, but I was the one organizing them. What if I hate where he takes me? What if he introduces me to his friends and they don't like me? Or worse what if he stands me up and doesn't show up?" Charlotte asked Thomas, looking down at the protective Pitt bull.
Thomas then barked up at Charlotte and moved from the spot on the floor where he had been watching Charlotte pacing her bedroom. He then made his way over to Charlotte and nuzzled her leg.
This simple act seemed to calm Charlotte down, as she crouched down to pat her soul mate. Which she believed to be true and knew that if things didn't work out with Riley, at least Thomas would be with her.
"You're right, I'm just working myself up. He's said he would be here at 6:30, and that's ten minutes away," Charlotte said to Thomas with a smile.
Thomas then licked her neck before Charlotte pulled away whipping of the slobber.
"Urgh! Thomas!" Charlotte chucked. "You will ruin my makeup. Speaking of which, how do I look?" Charlotte asked.
Giving a pose so that Thomas could get a good look at her, Charlotte started showing off her brown faded gladiator shoes, a coral white dress that was trimmed with white lace that lined the top of her dress and bottom of it. It was tight at the waist which showed of her slim waistline, that fell to her knees.
Her now long, brown hair was up in a loose fishtail braid with loose pieces of hair framing her face. And to finish the ensemble, a collection of silver bangles with differing charms on each of them adorned her wrists with a silver seahorse necklace.
The pitt bull looked up at Charlotte and gave her a look like he was smiling, before letting out a bark of delight.
"I take that to mean I look amazing" Charlotte smiled at him before he heart began to beat out of her chest, when she heard a knock on the door downstairs, and her mum call out.
"Charlotte, Riley's here!"
Charlotte then looked down at Thomas a little flustered before grabbing her phone and wallet, then checked the time.
"He's early!" Charlotte whispered to Thomas, freaked out.
"Charlotte!" Annette cried out again.
Charlotte then gave Thomas another freaked out yet excited look before saying "Wish me luck", and walked down the stairs to the front door, with Thomas traling behind her then running past her and jumping up on Riley, almost tripping him over in the process.
"Thomas!" Charlotte yelled at him. "I'm so sorry Riley I don't know what came over him" Charlotte apologized before telling Thomas to go into her room until she left, which she knew he would do.
Charlotte then let out a laugh before turning her attention back to Riley who hadn't taken his eyes of her since he saw her come down the stairs.
"So..." Charlotte said shyly.
"So..." Riley replied, both not really knowing what to say before there silent banter was interrupted by Annette.
"So, where are you taking my daughter?" Annette asked Riley bluntely, for the sake of her daughter's safety.
"Mum!" Charlotte exclaimed shyly, turning her attention to the floor.
"It's a surprise, Miss Watsford," Riley replied.
"And how long will you be at this surprise place?" Annette asked reluctantly to just let her daughter leave without intimidating Charlotte's date a little in the processes.
"What time would you like it to end?" Riley asked.
"Smart answer," Annette said with a smile. She had to give him some credit the boy was smart. "One. You can be back by one but if it's earlier, I will like you even more," Annette smiled.
"Ok Miss Watsford, one o'clock it is. Are you ready Charlotte?" Riley asked as he began to make his way out the door.
"Yeah I'm ready," Charlotte replied as she followed him outside the house.
"Cool! Well let's get going then," Riley said waiting just outside the house near the driveway.
Charlotte then turned to have her mum a hug before saying goodbye.
"Bye, Mum. See you tomorrow."
"Bye, I love you," Annette replied, as Charlotte walked out of the house.
And just before she closed the door she yelled out. "BE SAFE!"
Charlotte looked at the ground in embarrassment before facing Riley and asking the all important question.
"So, where exactly are we going?"
Riley gave her a cheeky grin before passing her a helmet.
"You will just have to wait and see," he said.
Charlotte looked at him annoyed. "Riley, you know I hate surprises!" she said, pissed off.
They then began walking down Charlotte driveway to the connecting rode.
"Okay, okay. We are going to a beach party," he replied.
"A beach party? Really! Like with your friends?"
"Yeah, is that a problem?" Riley asked.
"No. It's just what if they don't like me?"
Riley then let out a laugh before saying. "They're going to love you."
"If you say so," Charlotte said with a shrug. "Just one other question?"
"Yeah, what's that?" Riley asked.
"What is with the helmets?" Charlotte exclaimed, examining hers.
Riley laughed before saying "I'm glad you asked."
He then walked towards a white Vespa, gesturing to it before letting out a "TADA!"
Charlotte looked at the Vespa excited and a smile on her face, before walking over to the white Vespa and wrapping her arms around Riley's waist, who by now had started the Vespa up and was ready to go.
"You ready?" Riley asked turning his head around to see Charlotte.
"Yeah. But I'm kind of regretting wearing a dress now. I blame Thomas. He said it would be ok," Charlotte replied.
Riley laughed at her, before saying "Hold on!"
Then they were off the sun setting as they made there way towards Riley's beach party.
Riley's POV
"Paradise Cove," Charlotte asked, as I turned off the Vespa and climbed off, placing my helmet on the handle of the scooter.
"Yep," I told her. I bet she didn't expect the party to be here.
"Is there really no other place to hang out?" Charlotte inquired.
I let out a laugh. God, this girl made me laugh! Not many people can make me do that, at least not the way she does.
"Riley!" Charlotte called out, breaking me from my trance.
"Oh, um, I don't know seems to be," I answered, keeping my cool the best I could.
"Well as long as I not over at the cafe working, I'm happy!" Charlotte said with a smile.
"I'm glad" I smiled.
"So let's, get this over with," Charlotte grunted as she hopped off my Vespa, and put her helmet on the seat.
"That's the kind of attitude I'm looking for!" I said sarcastically.
She then gave me one of her signature 'I'll-slap-you' looks, which I seemed to be on the receiving end of a lot of.
"You know what I mean," she tried to explain. I did, but I wasn't going to tell her that.
Before we began walking over to the group of people who were already started partying, and where dancing to "I Got A Feeling" by the Black Eye Peas around a bunch of logs, which they were going to burn once the sun had completely gone down.
I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night
A feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night
"I know what you mean. But don't worry, thery are going to love you. And to be honest, I don't even know everyone here, so we are on the same page," I attempted to be comforting, but it didn't work.
"Okay then, here goes nothing," she sighed.
We slowly made our way over to the group, because I knew that Charlotte would want to take as long as possible before she had to meet my friends. But finally, we reached them and all eyes fell on her.
I then turned to face Charlotte, who was suddenly found the sand very interesting, before she tilted her head up towards me.
"Why is everyone staring at us?" Charlotte whispered to me.
It's like she doesn't even realize the effect she has on people. She doesn't even have to speak and she could control a room!
"They're not staring at us, Charlotte. There staring at you."
"Why?" Charlotte huffed.
"Because your beautiful," I exclaimed, staring into her deep brown eyes.
I knew what would come next but I didn't care. And sure enough, not five seconds after I said it, Charlotte whacked me on the shoulder.
"Don't call me that!" She yelled at me.
"Sorry, but it's true," I said.
"Take it back, or I'll hit you again!" she threatened me, beginning to raise her hand up again.
"Okay, okay, I take it back!" I said as I held my hands up in surrender.
"Good, now where is some food around here?" she asked.
"There's a table over there near the fire pit," I informed her.
"Oh great, I'm starving. If you need me you know where I'll be," she said with a wink, and she snuck over to the food table making sure that no one saw her.
"You're beautifu..." I let whispered to myself.
I don't know why she doesn't see it. Who made her feel like she was no good, like she didn't deserve to be complimented, and dare I say it, loved.
"Hey, Riley! You made it!" I heard get yelled at me.
I turned to see one of my friends Gary- Gaz, we called him- making his way over to me.
"Hey Gaz!" I said as I shook his hand. "Of course I made it"
"I'm glad you did, bro. Party wouldn't be any fun without ya!" Gaz exclaimed before he got distracted. "Whose that babe over there?"
"That's my girl," I informed Gaz, before looking over at Charlotte, smiling. She then turned and faced me, a smile spreading across her face as soon as we locked eyes.
I can't believe I found her. I really can't.
"Really? That girl is sooo out of your league...unless you plan on getting busy with her," I heard Gary say, breaking me out of my trance.
WHAT DID HE JUST SAY!? I could feel my hands turning it to fists.
Stay calm Riley, you're not that's better than that. Charlotte makes you better, I thought to myself to keep calm.
"Hey Riley, you okay?" I heard Charlotte say.
I looked up to find her standing in front of me, and Gaz nowhere in sight.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I assured her.
"Good. You know, there's not much food over there. Is it like a rule not to have any food at beach parties, so it's easier to get wasted?" Charlotte asked me.
"I have no idea. Maybe they ate it all before we got here," I said. However, her theory did sound plausible...
"Well then, we'll just have to get something on the way back to my place," Charlotte informed me.
"Sure, but seeing as that's a while from now, what do you say to a dance?" I asked.
"Okay, let's dance," Charlotte replied, taking my hand in hers and leading me over to a free space with not many people there.
Someone had started the fire now, and all I could think of while Charlotte began to dance to Iyaz's "Replay", and how beautiful the light of the fire made her look. And I knew if she could read my mind, she would slap me.
Shawty's like a melody in my head
That I can't keep out
Got me singin' like
Na na na na everyday
It's like my iPod's stuck on replay
Replay-ay-ay-ay
Shawty's like a melody in my head
That I can't keep out
Got me singin' like
Na na na na everyday
It's like my iPod's stuck on replay
Replay
Remember the first time we met
You was at the mall wit yo friend
I was scared to approach ya
But then you came closer
Hopin' you would give me a chance
Who would have ever knew
That we would ever be more than friends
We're real worldwide, breakin' all the rules
She like a song played again and again
Charlotte's POV
I never realized how fun it was to dance. I thought that after the first two dances I would get sick of it but I was having so much fun!
Ever since Australia, I have avoided things like this, but with Riley, I just don't care. I mean I usually wouldn't condone moves like that are used dirty dancing, but tonight I think I used all of them with Riley, and maybe even invented some new ones.
"I'm glad you brought me here!" I yelled over the music.
"Well, I'm just glad you're having a good time, and I would have taken you to go see "New Moon" if I thought it would make you happy!" Riley said.
I then hit him again.
"Owww!" Riley laughed.
"You're an idiot, did you know that?" I asked him teasingly.
"Yeah, but I'm your idiot right," Riley expressed.
I looked down at the sand blushing, and hoping that he couldn't see it by just the light of the fire.
He then grabbed my chin and began to lift it drawing me closer. I might have kissed him the time was right and I wanted to, that was if what happened next didn't happen.
Some drunk idiot bumped into us and split his drink all over me. Oh no.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Riley semi-yelled at the idiot, and I took this oppertunity to run for it to the ocean.
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
I made it to the water just in time.
I then swam a little deeper into the water so no one could see me. Even though most where drunk that didn't mean I was going to risk blowing my secret.
I then popped my head out of the water and tried to find Riley. After a few minutes of searching, I spotted him and began to hear him calling out my name. I just hope Riley won't go looking for me.
"CHARLOTTE!"
"CHARLOTTE!"
"CHARLOTTE!"
I groaned internally. Of course, I'm gonna be wrong on this, again!
Oh great, how am I going to talk my way out of this one?
