Here is chapter seven! Also writing my other two stories, Running with Wolves and A Dangerous Game to Play, and they should be updated soon. RandR

Disclaimer: I do not own The Peanuts Characters.

The Start of Char and Lu

Charlie thought they should have talked more about how they were going to get together. Of course, showing up unprepared, at a party full of their friends, was the better idea. Lucy had thought being spontaneous about it would work better, make it more believable. Charlie wasn't so sure.

She was across the room from him, talking to Frieda. She kept looking at him ever so often. This time when her eyes met his Lucy raised her eyebrows. The look was both question and challenge. What was he going to do? her eyes asked him.

That look made nervousness bubble up in his stomach. The look also made him excited, he was going to win her over. He had to win her over. So he counted to ten and walked toward her.

"Hey Lucy." He inturrupted their conversation.

Lucy turned to fully face him. She gave him a soft smile, an ecouragment. So what to say now?

He realized something as Lucy stared at him. Charlie Brown wouldn't ask a girl out in front of his friends. The fear of rejection was too great. Even now, knowing that the relationship was fake, he felt sick. So he went another route.

"Lucy, are we still on for our date Friday?"

He thought he might have heard Frieda gasp but he ignored her and focus all his attention on Lucy. Her smile grew larger.

"Yes. I'm really excited."

"Good", Charlie responded, "Me too, I'll pick you up at 5:30 and we can start the night at Joe's. Is that okat?"

"Perfect."

Then Lucy did something Charlie wasn't expecting, she put one hand on his cheek, reaching up she kissed the other cheek. He felt himself go red. Leaning away she smiled up at him. After mouthing the word thank you she turned away.

Turning, Frieda ran after Lucy. The ball was officially rolling.

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Linus came to his house the next day. After knocking he came and sat beside him on the couch. He opened his mouth and then closed it back. Charlie waited patiently.

"Did you forget to tell me about you and Lucy using the plan I came up with?"

"Linus, you have to keep it a secret."

"No. Really?" Linus rolled his eyes.

"What's your problem?" Charlie asked.

"I think it's strange you didn't tell me you were using my idea."

"It was just decided..."

"Long enough to work up a plan." Linus interrupted.

Why was his friend acting so strange? Linus was an easy going person.

The front door opened to reveal Sally. She looked startled when she saw Charlie and Linus.

"Oh... hey guys. What are you doing?"

"Don't you have a boyfriend to get back to?" Linus looked annoyed.

Charlie stared at him. Linus hadn't been this mean to Sally in a while.

"I'm sorry okay." Sally apologized to Linus.

"Yeah whatever." Linus went to walk out of the room but Sally stopped him.

"I didn't mean to forget. You should have called me."

"I shouldn't have to remind you. Traditions are not suppose to be forgettable."

"Did he show? The Great Pumpkin."

"That's not the point." Linus yelled.

Of course. Charlie thought. No wonder he was upset.

"Then, there is still next year." Sally smiled.

"No. Not with you."

Sally look heartbroken as she let Linus leave the room. She looked at her feet a second before she turned her attention to Charlie.

"So congratulations are in order I hear."

"How could you forget Sal?"

"I don't know."

"Yeah well don't ever call Lucy selfish again, seems like you can be just as bad."

Charlie left the room.

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On the following Friday Charlie Brown picked Lucy up as they planned. He wanted it to feel like a real date. Not like friends hanging out or worse like friends pretending to date.

After ringing the door bell, which he hadn't done in a while, he stepped back from the door and waited. He gripped the leather jacket he had borrowed from Marcus.

They had agreed to look nice but not too fancy. So he had decided on a light blue shirt and dark jeans. His hair was combed and he wore his classic converses.

When the door opened Charlie Brown lost his breathe.

Lucy looked very much like she did on a daily bases but her curles looked bigger, her makeup done a little more carefully. She had on dark jeans, a plaid long sleeve shirt, a grey cardigan, and black flats.

"Wow, Luce, You look nice."

"Thanks, you clean up nice as well."

They walked to his car and Charlie opened the door for her. After closing it he walked to the driver side. He was trying not to freak out. His nervous had kicked into over drive.

They didn't talk much on the way to Joe's. Just a tad bit of conversation here and there. Mostly about school and the upcoming break for Thanksgiving.

When they got to Joe's Charlie opened the door for her again and they headed for the restruant. On the way Lucy grabbed his hand. He looked over at her, she smiled back.

His heart fluttered and then he noticed Schroeder and Sally, along with other people from school. He remembered then that that is why they chose this place. It was a popular hangout on the weekends.

He needed to get his head in the game. Loving her couldn't destract him from his goal.

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Once they were inside they took the first available seat. Charlie didn't even have to look at the menu. Before he could suggest sharing a pizza Lucy spoke.

"Pizza?"

Charlie laughed, "You read my mind."

"I know you all too well, Charlie Brown."

When the waitress came over they ordered a large pepperoni and mushroom pizza and a large fry to share.

After the waitress left they fell into easy conversation. Things about movies and books. How Charlie's job at the local car repair shop was going. How Lucy felt about starting her new job at the movie theatre. How they both couldn't wait to graduate next year.

The conversations continued even once they got their food. Charlie felt like the whole world disappeared. It was just him and Lucy.

Then Schroeder come over. He sat done beside Charlie and took a fry.

"Hey, lovebirds. When did this become a thing?"

Schroeder ticked him off way too easily. Lucy seemed to like that he was over there though, of course she would. Charlie tried to keep his cool.

"I got tired of waiting on you. So I went looking for better things." She smiled at Charlie.

"Well, I'm happy for you guys. Sally and I agree y'all are the cutest couple."

Lucy's smile became strained while Charlie said thanks. Then Schroeder left.

After that Charlie took Lucy home. He walked her to her front porch.

"I think we need to step up our game, okay?"

"Yeah, okay."

She went to go inside but then turned back around.

"I had fun tonight, Charlie. Thank you."

The fluttering returned in full force.

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They went out the next night also and the following weekend.

Now it was Thanksgiving and they were going to be spending it together. Which wasn't hard since they usually spent the holidays at least somewhat together.

Their families had always been close. So that night the Van Pelts arrived at the Brown's house.

They had agreed to tell their families separately that they were a couple. That way it wasn't announced in front of everyone.

Everything was going smoothly until after dinner. Everyone was standing around the kitchen when Linus spoke up.

"You guys are a really cute couple. You know what would be fun? A kiss from the lovely couple."

Charlie felt dred come over him. What was Linus doing? This wasn't helpful.

Before anyone could say anything Charlie leaned over and kissed Lucy on the cheek. It was awful. The kiss was wet and Lucy tensed up.

The room filled with silence.

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Charlie Brown closed the door to his room. Turning he saw Lucy moving to sit on his desk. The cheek kiss had been overly awkward and now he didn't know what to do.

He had to bring the situation back into his control. How to do that?

A bold idea formed in his head. The other week Sally was watching a movie, an 80's movie called Some Kind of Wonderful.

"Maybe we could practice."

"Pratice what?" Lucy asked.

"Kissing."

"Like watch a movie?"

"No each other."

"What?"

Charlie wanted to kiss her. He reached for her hands. Why watch when they could just practice themselves.

He stepped closer to her and put her arms around his neck. She looked confused.

"We could practice kissing each other. I mean watching a movie isn't going to help us be less awkward."

Lucy's look of confusion turned into a look of panic.

"Come on Luce, you have to admit that was pretty bad."

"Yes it was but," She bit her lip.

Charlie placed his hands on her hips. He thought they fit nicely. Leaning forward he placed his lips on her's.

All those years of imagining this moment had been worth the wait. Kissing Lucy was heavenly.