Errr, yipes. This took a loooong time to post, and it's not even long at all. I'm so sorry, guys. Geh. I couldn't get anything to come out the way I wanted to, and I just lacked much-needed inspiration. Not my best at all. Forgive me. I hope you guys still manage to enjoy it. :blows kisses:

-Charlie's POV-

I watch her disappear behind the door, but I'm unable to get her face out of my mind. Unable to forget the knots twisting in my stomach. The electricity, the…the rightness.

But I know she didn't mean it. I know Connie, and I am the last person she would fall for...I mean, she was nearly taken advantage of, I saved her from the situation, and so…she must not have been thinking straight. It was misplaced and confused emotion. Another heat-of-the-moment thing, and I couldn't take advantage of her in her weakened state…she could have been raped by that guy. She was fragile, and it would have been wrong.

…No matter how incredibly amazing and right it felt. She would just end up hating me…again. I just regained her forgiveness, and that's not something I'm willing to lose for the second time in a twenty-four hour timeframe. As soon as she realized what she was doing, she would have pushed me away and ran. I feel a twinge of guilt (or something) at stopping her since she looked so flustered…but it was probably just the embarrassment of realizing she was kissing me, someone who she likely sees as a brother when our history is considered. She wouldn't even look me in the eye.

I chew on my lip, still staring at the door she disappeared through. Connie's startled, flushed, and humiliated face still burns in my mind, and I know better than to try and talk to her. It would only make it worse, and by her speedy exit, I can gather that she doesn't want my company at the moment.

It's not until the door swings open and Alex walks in with Taylor that I snap out of my trance. I can't help but think how much less embarrassing it is for them to walk in on me zoning, as opposed to them walking in on me and Connie making out on the couch. Guess that's kind of positive…though I would have rather faced the latter embarrassment, if only it could have been under different circumstances…You know, non-drunken and non-trauma-induced-gratification ones.

But I just simply cannot get that kiss out of my mind. Seriously. It just cannot be a healthy thing. I could have just lost myself right there, but…

I'm talking in circles, and it's not making it any easier.

I sigh and fall face down on the couch, covering my face and head with my arms and ignoring Taylor's plea to change the channel…though he changes it anyway when I don't respond.

Closing my eyes, I remember the look in her eyes right before she kissed me…that sudden and foreign look of desire. The feeling of her lips on mine…I can still taste the hint of strawberry balm on my lips. Her soft whispered plea for me to touch her…

A shiver creeps down my spine and I shake my head. Bad things to be thinking about. Not helping at all.

"You alright?" I hear Taylor ask. I don't need to look to know that he's got an eyebrow quirked at me.

"Yeah," I say, my voice muffled as I push the thoughts from my mind. The more I think about it, the more likely I am to randomly pounce on her after she's already realized that she was just feeling vulnerable, thus freaking her out and messing everything up again.

"You sure?" he asks again.

I need to clear my head.

"Yeah," I say, standing up. "I'm just gonna take a walk…"

"It's eleven o'clock," Alex says, glancing at the red numbers illuminating from the digital clock sitting on the bedside table.

"I won't go far," I say, walking over to and out the door before any more protests are voiced. It obviously doesn't bother them too much considering they don't follow me or demand that I stay.

Once I'm back out in the slightly cool Hawaiian night, I take in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. I focus on placing one foot in front of the other. The subtle sounds of the breeze. The faint crash of the ocean.

It's kind of calming, just walking out here. I don't even have to worry about being mugged and murdered, which is definitely a plus.

By the end of my walk, I'm still not much closer to getting Connie out of my mind. It's like all the mental restraint I've been exercising all these years is suddenly rendered useless now that she has actually soberly kissed me, even if it was for the wrong reasons. All the blocks and walls that used to be there are crumbling, and it's weirding me out.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do…Ignore it and pretend it didn't happen? That may not work this time, as we were both very much sober. Bring it up? "Oh yeah, Connie, remember how last night you kissed me because Seth and his posse had you in their clutches, and you were simply grateful that I saved you? I've actually been pining for you for awhile, so that kind of screwed over my head. Thanks for that." Nah, that's probably not a good idea either.

When I walk back into the room, the lights are out and both Taylor and Alex are sleeping, slightly to my surprise. Must have been a thrilling and exciting day for them. I'm feeling drained myself, though it's more of a mental exhaustion, as opposed to a physical one. I simply was not cut out for intense and relentless thought. I avoid thinking on a regular basis for a reason.

Crawling onto the couch, I wrap the blanket around myself and close my eyes. I don't even have the will to unfold the couch into a bed.

After sending one last lingering glance at the door connecting to Connie and Elisha's room, I close my eyes and eventually drift to sleep.

Duckys- Teenagers are just silly gooses. Hehe. Or geese, rather, but that doesn't sound as cute. Meh. Nevermind. I killed it, lol. Hehehe, I doubt we're all really that oblivious, but it makes for a more interesting story, yes. :P

Hockey-girl90- Hehe, yes, the sympathy just switches back and forth. :) Thanks!

antiIRONY- Lol, still sounds painful. Eee, my precious Josh:) I want to see that movie just because he's in it, hehe. Meh, who cares if he's supposed to be gay in it. He's still pretty. :P

Punkteacher- Glad you liked it. :)

Banksiesbabe99- Hehehe, it's all good, Sarah. XD Silly. YAY FOR CHARLIE AND CONNIE. :D Charlie is a silly goof and just messed it up. :shakes head: What are we gonna do with that boy? Hee, anyway, thanks for the review, as always. ;)

SweetNJuicyX0- Hee, thanks! Glad you liked it. :)

Tiff- I think he would make a great knight in shining armor too. ;) :giggles: They are just silly. :P Maybe one day they'll figure it out. ;D Thanks for the review!

Blonde-brain- Yes, Connie's having a rough time. :pats her: Glad you liked it!

Agel15- I know right. Charlie, the silly goose. :shakes head at him:P :pats them both: Aww, don't die! XD We won't leave you like that forever. :)