Chapter 2
Charlie carried Jody's 2 suitcases as he climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor of the apartment building. Jody followed him, clutching her backpack nervously. When they reached the door to Charlie's apartment, he took out his key and unlocked the door. Before he opened it, he turned to Jody.
"Uh, can you stay out here for just a second? I just have to check your room really quick." he said.
Jody nodded and Charlie opened the door, "I'll call you in a minute, when it's ready." Charlie said and he stepped into his apartment, closing the door behind him.
After about 6 minutes Jody began to worry. "Charlie?" she called out, "May I come in now?"
There was silence for a few seconds before Jody heard a slap and stomping footsteps heading towards the door. A thin girl with brown hair who was about Jody's age and height stormed out the door, not even glancing at Jody.
Jody watched the girl leave, surprised. She stepped into Charlie's apartment and saw him standing in front of a beige couch, his face bright red, mostly his burning cheek.
"Are you okay?" Jody asked, concerned, "Who was that?"
Charlie didn't answer, but instead pointed to a closed door. "That's your room." He said, and then locked himself into his own room for the rest of the night.
Jody looked around the room, completely confused. She shrugged and picked up her bags. She walked into her room and placed her stuff gently on the floor. She glanced around. There was a dresser with a mirror, a double bed, a closet, and a small book self/desk.
Jody changed into her sleeping boxer shorts and a large tee shirt and sat down on the bed. She looked at the dresser and saw a small photo album.
She picked it up and looked at it.
The first picture was of Charlie, Jody, Erik, Eva, Maureen, Jim, and the limo driver on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. They were all smiling and holding donuts.
Jody smiled, remembering how fun Erik's birthday had been. She got sad after a moment how she had to tell Charlie that she was "seeing" someone when he asked her out, and seeing the hurt, sad look in his deep eyes.
She flipped through the rest of the book until she saw a picture that caught her eye.
It was of Charlie sitting in a chair at his kitchen table. The girl Jody had seen earlier, that she now recognized as Jamalee, was sitting on his lap, smiling. Her hand was on the table and Jody could see a beautiful gold ring on her finger.
Jody dropped the book onto the floor and looked down at the picture in horror and amazement. She carefully picked up the book, barely touching it, as if it were evil. She carefully placed it back on the dresser and backed away from it.
Jody crawled under the covers of the bed, trying not to cry, and fall asleep. She was woken up the next morning by Charlie knocking lightly on the door. Jody turned over and groaned. "Com in." she mumbled into her pillow.
Charlie slowly opened the door and poked his head in. "Sorry to wake you so early, I just wanted to sat good-bye. I have to go the company now, but I'll be back before dinner, ok?"
Jody nodded, "Ok, bye." she said, trying to wake up.
Charlie left and Jody rolled over again. She looked at the digital clock sitting on the small desk/table by the bed. It was 6:17 am. Jody closed her eyes and smiled. She rolled out of bed and changed into a pair of really short shorts and a small blue tank top. She looked at the photo album on the dresser, and he smiled faded.
Jody entered the small kitchen and looked around. She saw a box of cereal and pored herself a bowl. She added milk, grabbed a spoon, and sat down at the table.
She thought about what to do for the day while she ate her breakfast. When she was done she placed her empty bowl in the sink and sat down on the sofa. Suddenly she got an idea and stood up. She grabbed her coat and left, making sure the door was locked.
Jody got into her rental car and drove off. When she reached ABC, she looked up at the building and smiled. "Well, here goes nothing." she said, and shrugged, entering the company.
Jody managed to find the main office from memory. "Excuse me." She said sweetly to the secretary, "Is Jonath- I mean Mr. Reeves in a class right now?"
The secretary looked up at her and smiled. "No, he's in his office, his first class doesn't start until 8:00."
"Thank you." Jody said, leaving the office. She looked around and went off in the direction she thought Jonathan's office was in.
She located the room, and hoped it was still his office. Jody knocked on the door.
"Come in." Jonathan's voice said from inside.
Jody smiled and entered the room.
"Hi Jonath- Mr. Reeves." Jody began, "You probably don't remember me, but-"
"Jody!" Jonathan exclaimed, "It's so good to see you again. Call me Jonathan. Please. So, how have you been?"
Jody smiled and sat down on one of the chairs. "Good."
"Are you still in Cooper Neilson's Company?"
"Yep." Jody replied.
"Do you like it there?"
"Yes, it's really nice. But it's so far away, you know? It's all the way in Chicago, so I don't get to see my old friends a lot."
Jonathan nodded. "So, what brings you here?"
"I, uh, came to see the new ballet for ABC, Charlie invited me to come see it." Jody explained.
"Oh!" Jonathan said, raising his eyebrows, "Is that all? How long are you staying here?"
"Well, the ballet, and that gives me a chance to see old friends and all as well. Oh, I'm probably staying about 2 weeks, maybe."
"Oh, would you like to came watch rehearsal some times while you are here? You could be my 'special guest', or something." Jonathan offered.
Jody smiled. "Sure, I'd love to."
"Would you like to watch today?"
"Yes, sure." She said.
"Ok, great. It doesn't start until 8."
"I'll meet you then." Jody said quickly.
"Oh, ok. Room 6."
"Ok, see you then." Jody said, and left his office.
She went into the dorm buildings for ABA and wondered around. She found her old room and looked at the door for a few minutes. She had lived there with Eva and Maureen for a year while attending ABA. She walked past another familiar door and bit her lip nervously. It was Charlie's old room, where he had lived with Sergei and Erik for a year.
When it was 8, Jody found herself sitting next to Jonathan on a chair up against the mirrored wall. She was watching Julliette Simone teach a petit redheaded girl a dance for the ABA workshop.
After an hour Charlie and Jamalee walked through the door, totally ignoring each other. Jody pretended not to see them and watched Juliette intently.
Jamalee announced her presence to Juliette that she was there and was instructed to teach a small amount of girls the choral dance.
Charlie looked at Jody for a moment, confused, before sitting in the empty chair next to her. "Hey." He said softly.
"Hey." Jody said, not looking away from the redhead trying to dance the steps correctly.
After rehearsal ended, Charlie cautiously invited Jody to lunch, and she agreed. They got into their cars and Jody followed Charlie to the restaurant.
"So, what were you doing there in rehearsal?" Charlie asked during lunch. He was sitting across from Jody at a two-person booth.
"I was, uh, just visiting Jonathan." Jody explained.
Charlie nodded and took a bite of his lunch.
"Charlie, was that girl from last night your dancing partner?" Jody asked.
"Uh, yeah." Charlie said after a moment.
"And that was her this morning with Juliette, right?"
"Uh huh." He said blankly.
"What was she doing at your apartment last night?"
Charlie just shook his head and continued eating.
"Charlie! Come on! Please!" Jody pleaded.
"She, uh, was just returning something she had borrowed earlier."
"Charlie?" Jody asked softly, "Are you two engaged?"
Charlie's eyes widened as he slowly lifted his head to look at Jody.
