Author's Note: Okay, so this is my first fanfiction story. Tell me what you think. Advice is much appreciated. I hope to be writing more soon.
Disclaimer: I wish I could write like Jane Austen, but I can't.
CHAPTER FIVE---THE DISCUSSIONS
"I hate to ask, but what exactly happened at the party?"
Charlie sighed. "To be honest, I have no idea. I left you to go find Liz, but on my way, I saw the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I didn't even know I was walking in her direction until I was standing right in front of her. She looked so lost... I just wanted to... I don't know... make her feel better. Next thing I knew, she and I were dancing." Charlie sighed again. "And then about halfway through the song, I heard Liz calling my name. It was like a cold shower, waking me up. I didn't know what to do or how to explain what was going on. I didn't even know what was going on."
Silence followed.
Charlie continued. "It's been a week now since Liz and I have talked. School's starting in two weeks, and I don't know what to do." He started to become angry. "You know, all I did was dance with her friend. I was just being nice. You'd think she'd be grateful."
"Bitterness doesn't become you, Charlie," said Will.
"I know. I just feel like I'm getting blamed for things I didn't do."
"Talk to her, then."
"I can't. I've tried to call, but she won't pick up the phone."
"Try to visit."
Charlie snorted. "Like she'd let me in..."
"You never know... Well, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye."
Charlie stared outside his window. August was starting to come to an end, but summer still dominated the landscape. Vibrant green decorated the trees. Flowers dotted the hillside. The river gleamed in the bright sunshine. Charlie did not notice any of those things. He was too engrossed in his own thoughts.
Something had happened when he'd met Jane. He couldn't describe it for the life of him, but it had happened all the same. He'd been drawn to her, and he hadn't been able to stop himself from going to her. In such a short period of time, things had become so complicated. What was to be done?
The ringing of his phone snapped him out of his reverie. "Hello?" he asked.
No one answered. He asked again, "Hello?"
Just as he was about to hang up, a voice spoke. "Hi. It's Liz."
Charlie couldn't have been more surprised. "Hi!" He found he had no idea what else to say. "How are you?"
"Not too good, actually, but I'm pretty sure you already knew that."
What could he say to that?
Liz cleared her throat. "Look, I didn't call to blame you. But, we do need to talk about what happened."
"Nothing happened!"
"Oh, really?" The comment hung in the air. "Don't lie to me, Charlie. Don't lie to yourself, either. It won't help anybody."
"So what do you want to talk about?"
"Where we stand." Pause. "Honestly, I'm still really pissed off. So, I guess I just need a little space for a while so I can cool off. Maybe then we can be friends."
"Maybe?"
"Yeah, maybe." Liz took a deep breath. "Look, I'll call you later. Bye."
"Bye."
Charlie felt empty. He'd never thought of the possibility that he and Liz would no longer be friends. Now, that possibility seemed about to become a reality. He thought of Jane. Had Liz given her the same speech? He hoped not.
He hadn't spoken to Jane since he'd given her a ride home. He longed to talk to her and yet feared to at the same time. What could he say to her? I'm sorry I started this whole mess?
That'd be a start, at least, he told himself.
He dialed the number he'd looked up in the phone book. His heart started to beat faster. After a few rings, Jane's quiet voice answered. "Hello?"
"Hey! This is Charlie." His voice sounded a bit unnatural.
"Hi, Charlie." She sounded happy to hear from him. "How are you?"
The question reminded him of his previous conversation. "I've been better, but I'm okay. How are you?"
"The same, pretty much."
Neither one wanted to talk about the party or Liz. They both avoided those subjects. As a result, silence dominated the moment.
"So, what are you up to?" asked Charlie.
"Oh, I'm just doing a bit of reading."
"Big reader, huh?"
Jane laughed, a little self-consciously. "Yeah. Reading lets me escape into a different world. I can forget myself and become somebody else."
"That's how I've always felt about movies."
That comment caught Jane's attention. "You like movies?"
Charlie laughed. "That's an understatement. Movies are my passion."
"Are you considering a movie-making career, then?"
Charlie sighed. "I've always wanted to be a film director, but there seems to be a very low chance of that happening."
"Why? I'm sure you'd make a great director."
"Well, I'm not convinced about that. But enough about me, what kind of career are you considering?"
"Well... um... actually, I've always wanted to be an actress."
"Really?"
"It's just a silly, childish dream." From the tone of her voice, Charlie knew that wasn't the case.
"Oh, I get it. I'm supposed to be a first-class film director, but your dream of being an actress is totally ridiculous."
Jane laughed. "Well, I didn't quite mean it that way... Oh no! I'm almost late for work!"
Disappointment washed over Charlie. He didn't want the conversation to end. "Have fun at work. Maybe we could get together sometime and talk some more." The last sentence was almost a question.
Though Charlie couldn't see it, Jane smiled. "I'd like that."
I tried to write this chapter as fast as I possibly could. I've had so much homework lately that I haven't really been able to write. This should be the worst week, though, so I should be able to make more chapters soon. Big smile. Please keep writing those reviews!