Movie:
Author:
Title:
Rating:
Summary:
Author's Note:
Disclaimer:
Perfectly Ever After?
CHAPTER TWO
He reached the door and pushed it open as he ran outside. He paused a moment to catch his breath and look around. He couldn't see Jody. He couldn't see anyone. It was dark and all he could see were the outlines of a few trees and building against the stormy sky. It looked like it might rain. This had been the best day of Charlie's life earlier. Now he wished he had never even woken up this morning.
He looked around one last time before choosing to walk down the sidewalk to his right. It went to ABC/ABA, so he figured Jody would be there if anywhere. He started running before long and reached the large building quicker. He rushed up to the floor Jody's dorm room was on and ran down the hallway. He found Jody's room and paused a few seconds before knocking. There wasn't an answer, so he knocked again. Still no answer. He tried the doorknob and found it unlocked. He pushed open and saw Jody sitting on her bad. He smiled and opened the door the rest of the way.
Bryce was sitting next to Jody. He had his arm around her and was comforting her. Jody wasn't even crying anymore. Charlie stood their heart broken and un-noticed. He watched as Bryce leaned into kiss Jody. Jody kissed him back and flung her arms around his thin neck.
Charlie sighed louder than he had meant to and Jody's eyes popped open. She pushed Bryce off of her and looked at Charlie. Charlie blinked as Jody stood up and ran over to him.
"I… wait, please don't go!" Jody cried out as Charlie bolted down the hallway.
Bryce came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "It'll be ok." He said soothingly.
Jody pulled out of his grip and turned around to face him.
"What?" He asked.
"Bryce, can you just… leave me alone for a while."
Bryce shrugged and stepped out into the hallway. "Sure Jody. I'll see you later ok?"
Jody nodded and slammed the door in his face. She ran back to her bed and fell down on it. She stuffed her head into the pillow and began to cry. She really did like Charlie… but he KNEW about her and Cooper. She knew he had known they had been dating… but he knew how. She didn't want anyone to know about that. It was embarrassing and it made her feel horrible. And now Charlie comes and sees her making out with Bryce. And she had even realized before that Charlie didn't like Bryce… or Cooper.
Charlie sat on his bed looking out the small window in his dorm room. How could Jody do that? I mean, they weren't exactly a real couple, but still. They had been each other's date for the party, and they were going on dates in the future. Jody had said she'd love to go out with Charlie. So what was she doing making out with Cooper's jerk-off friend? Maybe she didn't really like Charlie after all. Maybe-
There was a knock on the door. Charlie shut his eyes and groaned. "Come in."
Jody slowly pushed the door open. Charlie saw her and turned his head away. Jody sighed.
"Charlie… can you just let me explain."
"Go ahead, no one's stopping you."
"Um well… I don't even know what to say. He was just sitting there calming me down and… I didn't know you were watching. I'm really sorry. Charlie. Charlie, come one, look at me! Say something please Charlie!" Jody began to cry.
Charlie turned his head to glare at Jody but saw her crying. He leaped up and hugged her. "Please, don't cry. It's fine. I'm sorry. Please don't cry."
Jody stopped crying and looked up at Charlie. "Why are you forgiving me so quickly?"
Charlie shrugged. "Well, we weren't even really going out… so… It's not too big…"
"But still… I was kissing the other guy. It has to be more than that. Why are you really forgiving me so quickly?"
"… I love you."
Jody stepped back. "What?"
Charlie shifted. "I love you."
"But you… we hardly know each other."
"That's not true." Charlie smiled. "I know a lot about you. I know about your family and your dreams and a lot of other stuff. And I know you are funny and sweet and a wonderful dancer. And I know you're beautiful. I know I love you."
Jody gulped. "I… Wow… Charlie… I don't know what to say."
Charlie put his hands on the side of Jody's soft face. "That's ok. I just want you to know. I love you. And… just don't do that again."
Jody smiled. "Ok."
Charlie smiled and kissed Jody. Jody closed her eyes and kissed him. "So," She asked, "So, you still wanna date me?" Jody asked playfully.
Charlie smiled. "Of course."
A long while later Charlie and Jody wandered back out onto the streets. The walked slowly back to the party, still kissing. When they got there Jody's parents rushed up to them.
"Jody! Where did you go? We were getting worried!" Her mother exclaimed.
Jody made a face. "Why were you worried about me?" She smiled at Charlie. "I was just up in my room."
"With Charlie?"
"No, of course not." Charlie said, praying he wasn't blushing too much.
"Oh… ok… then… well, you two kids have fun." Mr. Sawyer said as he dragged his wife to their table.
Jody laughed and she and Charlie ran back over to their friends.
"Hey, where did you guys go?" Erik asked.
"No where." Charlie put his arms around Jody.
Eva smiled at Jody before turning to Sergei. "When do you guys leave for California?"
"About a week." Sergei said.
"Oh, we're going to miss you!" Jody whined.
Jody's parents appeared behind her again. "Jody, we are going to head back to the hotel room ok? We'll see you later." Mrs. Sawyer said.
"Ok mom, but first I want you to meet my friends. This is Eva, Erik, Sergei, Galina, and you already know Charlie. Guys, these are my parents."
There were assorted "hellos" and "nice to meet you" from the gang. Jody's parents left a few minutes later and Sergei gave Charlie a nervous look after checking his watch.
"Charlie, can I talk to you for a minute?" Sergei pulled Charlie away from the group before he could respond.
"You have to hurry up, the party is almost over." Charlie said.
"I know, I know. But I'm just soooo nervous. I mean, I'm only 19! She's 20!"
"Are you saying you're gonna wait a few more years?"
Sergei shrugged. "To tell you the truth, I'm not very sure of anything. This is the best day of my life… and this would be a perfect ending…"
"So go for it!" Charlie encouraged.
Sergei smiled and nodded. "Ok."
A few minutes later Charlie and Sergei waltzed back over to their friends.
"What was that?" Jody whispered to Charlie.
Charlie looked down at Jody's happy face and smiled. "You'll see."
Jody shrugged and turned back to her friends. Sergei gave Charlie one last nervous look before turning to Galina. "I love you." He said sweetly.
Galina kissed him softly. "Awww, I love you too."
Sergei smiled and gulped nervously. He pulled something out of his pocket and knelt down in front of his girlfriend. All of his friends stopped talking and turned to watch.
"Galina, I love you. I've never loved anyone else, and I never want to. You are the most amazing person I have ever met. Everyday I think how lucky I am to have fallen in love with you, my best friend. I love you, Galina. Will you marry me?"
Without any hesitation Galina went insane with the giant grin on her face. "YES!" She exclaimed happily.
Sergei slipped the ring onto Galina's slender finger and stood up. He hugged and kissed her as their friends clapped and attacked them both in a group hug.
Later that night everyone had gathered in Jody and Eva's dorm room. Sergei and Galina sat on Maureen's bed along with Eva. Erik was lounging across Jody's bottom bunk and Charlie and Jody were sitting on Eva's top bunk.
"I still cannot believe you guys are engaged! And Charlie, you knew?!" Jody asked happily.
Charlie smiled and kissed Jody.
Eva rolled her eyes. "Do you guys ever stop?"
Jody laughed.
"What are they doing?" Erik asked
"Kissing…" Eva said slyly.
Charlie smiled at Sergei, and then at Jody. It was already past mid-night. Why did the day have to end? It had been so perfect…
