Here's Meme's chapter. She tends to whip 'em out faster than me. Heh. Hopefully I'll be more with the program this time around. Enjoy!

-Connie's POV-

I knew this would happen. It had been in the back of my mind the entire trip… and the whole time we were making love. I knew this friendship, that meant more to me than my own life, would be destroyed, and I did nothing to stop it. I let my emotions and carnal urges get the best of me. Now my best friend, who I love more than anything, won't even look at me.

Did I do something wrong? Moved in a way I shouldn't, moaned too much or not enough? I know I was thumbs and fumbling, but it was my first time. His too. He couldn't have possibly had that bad of a time… Could he? Or is it that the worst has happened - the possibility that all those clichés about boys losing all respect for a girl when she sleeps with him too easily. Maybe I've repulsed him, disgusted him, made him question how the little the girl that he use to climb trees with could be such a whore, to the point of him not wanting to be friends anymore.

I find myself not looking at anything or anyone as we walk down the strip in search a record store. Elisha heard someone playing this really cool wooden flute in the park the other night, and now she's determined to find his CD. I hardly notice when we pass the store, and she and Charlie duck inside. I've walked a few down the street before I realize I'm alone and turn around to go back.

I slink onto the ground, my back resting rather uncomfortably against the storefront. The soft, gentle smell of orchid from the night before, replaced by a strong, pungent odor of coconut. I hate coconut. And black licorice. I hate coconut and black licorice. But mostly I hate whatever's happening to Charlie and me. I hate coconut, black licorice and whatever's happening.

"So how was it?" I jump as the sound of a familiar voice shatters my bubble of thought.

I turn my head to the side and find Elisha has exited the store and is now seated beside me. I wonder how long she's been there. I watch her twist the top off of her 7Up bottle and take a long sip before swallowing and looking at me expectedly.

"How was what?" I ask, hoping she's referring to omelet I had for breakfast. She can't possibly know… Can she?

My step sister raises her eyebrows at me and a ball forms in the pit of my stomach, suddenly nauseous. "I saw Charlie's clothes on the chair when I came in this morning and the blood on the sheets before we left."

I nod slowly, the little girl coming out of the corner store across the street with a huge bag of candy holding my gaze. She knows - no good can come out of this. "You didn't tell anyone, did you?" I enquire, my eyes widening. I can feel the color draining from my sun kissed face.

"Charlie's still alive, right?"

I nod again.

"Then obviously I haven't said anything to Taylor and Alex yet. The fact that they haven't killed him and all proves it."

The knot inside me tightens, and I gulp. What does she mean, 'yet'? "You plan to tell?"

Elisha just giggles and shakes her head. "I'm only kidding." She bumps my shoulder.

"Oh." I let out a heavy breath. "Thank God."

"So are you going to tell me how it was? As the older sister I have the right to know. Was it romantic and tender, or was it one of those unbridled passion, hot, monkey sex kind of things?"

My cheeks start to heat up almost instantly. I don't want to talk about last night. In fact, I don't even want to think about last night. Not after it ruined my life…or at least the most important person in it. I just want to be alone in my own bed at home. I want to pull my knees to my chest, curled under my warmest quilt, and I want to cry. Bawl until my eyes run dry and all that's left are strangled sobs.

I sigh and steal a swig of her soda, delaying as long as I can. "Neither really." I lament. "It hurt, for one…more than I thought it would. Not that I was actually doing much thinking at the time. I know he was trying to be gentle and all. He's my best friend he'd never want to hurt me, especially at a time like that. I'm sure he wanted it to be perfect.

"But honestly, I wasn't ready. I know I wasn't. I just wasn't thinking clearly last night. I got caught up in the moment. The heat of the night, the kisses, the smell of the fresh flowers. I was acting more on instinct and emotion, than thought. If I'd considered what I was doing, I'd have stopped.

"Truthfully, just falling asleep in his arms was the simple most amazing feeling or my life. It was so much better than the sex stuff. Feeling his bare skin against mine, strong arms wrapped tight around me as I listen to him breathe…It was almost magical. I never wanted that to end. But…" I sigh again. "As great as the cuddling was, it doesn't make up for the fact I'd always thought my first time would be with someone I was in love with."

"Take it from me," Elisha pats my arm supportively "that person is Charlie. You're very much in love with him. Anyone with eyes can see it. The sooner you accept it the better off you'll both be."

As my friend emerges from the record store empty-handed, I look up at him. For a brief second our eyes meet, and I feel like a light had just gone on in a dark room. But swiftly he looks away, and I literally feel the breath leave my body. I ruined it. I ruined everything.

I hate coconut, I hate black licorice, and I hate what's happen to me and Charlie.

Hockey-girl90- Thanks!

Punkteacher- Evil school. :sigh: Lol, Charlie is gifted with messing things like that up. XD

Tiff- So glad you like it. :grins: Hee, you said I was funny. :D Yay! I'm always glad when things come out funny. It's a bummer when I think they're funny, but they're really not…lol. Thanks for the review!

PaceyAndJoey4EverandAlways- Starting off, nice pen name. Heh. Yay for PJ. Err, anyway. I'm so glad you like it. :D It's good to find fellow Charlie/Connie fans. :)

Banksiesbabe99- Aww, thanks. :blush: Hee hee, it's totally mind control. ;) I'm always so glad you enjoy. You rock!

Agel15- Heh, they excel at awkward situations. Hee, yes, ever-so-subtle Elisha. XD Glad you liked it!

Blonde-brain- Thanks for the review. :D

Supernatural523- Thank you. :) Yay for Charlie/Connie. :heart: