"Ellie!"
The elder girl flinched at her sister's shrill tone. The tone she only used when she was freaking about something. Or someone.
"Charlie, what happened?" She asked into the phone, her sisters heavy breathing worried her.
"I-" Charlie struggled to say it.
"What happened?" Ellie asked sternly.
She heard Charlie take a deep breath. "I'm coming home."
.
. Earlier That Week
.
"As you're aware, you scored perfectly on your midterm exam."
Charlie beamed at Professor Flemming's words. She worked her ass off on that paper and was damn proud of it. When she finally got her score back she actually got up and began to dance. Bryce rolled his eyes at her silliness but still, he was clearly amused by it.
"Yeah, well, I studied really hard." When she heard that Professor Flemming wished to see she practically jumped out of her skin. So excited, perhaps her score was the best mark in the whole school. Just the idea made her smile widely.
Professor Flemming narrowed his eyes at Charlie and uneasy feeling washed over her. Maybe this was not about her test grade being the best...maybe it was about something else entirely.
"You even aced the last section-" The professor said suspiciously. "- encoded images."
Instantly Charlie smiled. Of course it was about that. She'd heard about how other students completely and utterly failed that last part of the test when she herself passed with flying colors even Bryce was surprised.
"That, well," Sheepishly she admitted the truth. "Those were just kind of a shot in the dark."
"You may be aware, I keep an answer key to every exam locked inside this office." Professor Flemming exclaimed. Charlie felt confusion stir inside her.
"No," She spoke. "I wasn't aware of that."
She felt chills run through her. Why did she feel so scared? The way he spoke to her..it was as if she did something wrong.
"Really?" Flemming replied. With a fierce glare he asked. "Then how do you explain the midterm answer key being found in your sorority room?"
Charlie felt like she couldn't breath. Like all the breath was torn out of her and destroyed.
"You searched my room?" Her voice was timid and soft.
Flemming nodded without showing any concern. "We received a tip from a student this morning."
"You got a tip about my room?" She repeated his words fearfully. "But I-I didn't do anything!"
Flemming didn't falter. "I need to know how you broke into this office and stole the answers, Charlotte."
"I-I didn't steal anything-I've never stolen anything! I don't even have to! I'm acing your class!" She felt tears building up within her eyes. Charlie didn't cry often. Not at movies, not at TV shows or books. Not even at Ellie (or herself's) graduation from high school. The last time she remembered truly crying was after their dad left.
"Exactly." He spoke callously. "The student also claimed that you're selling copies."
"What?!"
"I know you're a scholarship student," Flemming continued. "And that stanford is a very expensive school."
Charlie began shaking her head. Hot tears rolling down her face. She hated crying. She hated how she looked crying-she hated how it felt. "Look, who-whoever gave you your tip-they were lying! I would never-"
"Our source was Bryce Larkin." Charlie felt her heart skip a beat. "Your boyfriend."
.
. The Present
.
"He what?!"
Ellie couldn't believe her ears. "Just yesterday you guys were fine-more then fine." Except- "Does this have something to do with what Devon said? Because he only has little brothers so he figured he should treat you like he would them so-"
"I know he didn't mean any harm." Charlie reassured. "But he..he got me thinking. And then..."
"Oh." Ellie's voice came out calm and still. Suddenly pieces popped into place. "So after you two...that son of a-"
"Ellie!" Ellie usually wasn't one to curse. She normally an even temper and even when she didn't she barely ever resorted to curses. Unless, of course, it had to do with her baby sister.
"You don't get it," Charlie explained. "He tried to talk me out of it. He was so sweet and kind and kept saying anytime I wanted to stop...that I didn't have too..That can't be the reason! It just can't Ellie!"
Ellie knew many tactics guys used to get some. She was always cautious to leave the moment they started trying to use them on her. Charlie was smart. Smarter then 3/4's the people Ellie knew and she was a doctor. Charlie knew better then to fall for any tricks. It'd taken a year for them to even start dating, plus she and Bryce had been together for almost three years! No guy who was only after sex would wait that long.
"Do you think someone else planted it and he found it?" The question was random and Charlie's voice was pleading. Any reason for why it couldn't be Bryce.
Softly, Ellie asked. "Who? You don't have a roommate Charlie." Charlie got lucky. When she first found out she had her own room she had a field day telling Ellie about it. Too top that off Charlie only had a few close friends she even invited to her room. Those 'friends' weren't even close enough that she gave names to Ellie. Maybe she heard Charlie mention a 'Jill' once but that was only once. It was always Bryce. "It has to be Bryce."
"But-"
"Did you at least talk to him?" Ellie interrupted Charlie's objection. The other girl quieted down considerably.
"No, I...I'll do that."
Ellie sighed as the line went dead. Charlie had hung up. Hopefully this truly was some misunderstanding. That it somehow this could be fixed... Ellie ran a hand through her hair and closed her eyes tightly. If not...she wouldn't know what she'd do.
.
.
.
"Ellie. I need you too come pick me up."
"What-"
"Please."
Charlie's voice was tiny. Shaky and uneven. Tired.
"I'll be there as soon as possible." Ellie spoke. "Is there anything else you need?"
"Bring Morgan."
"Charlie-"
"Ellie."
"...alright."
.
.
.
Morgan was faster then Ellie. The moment they reached Stanford he jumped out of the car so fast Ellie could barely blink. Not one stupid pick up line on the whole way there. Morgan always got her last nerve...but she couldn't deny his devotion to her sister. No ill intent or anything. Just care.
Then Charlie was in the car. Sitting next to Morgan in the back seat. She hadn't spoken a word to Ellie. Despite Charlie's tear stained face she and Morgan spoke together like they'd never been apart. Silly things. Things that would help her get her mind off him. Ellie figured that was why she requested Morgan's presence. Also so she wouldn't have to talk to Ellie about what happened. Not yet anyway.
.
. Earlier That Day
.
"I don't get it, Bryce." Everyone was staring at her. Charlie wasn't one to be bold, she actually preferred attention off of her. But, at the moment, she didn't give a damn. She had slammed her hands on the door to Bryce's Fraternity until someone came opened it. Then she pushed past them and began looking for Bryce.
The guys of the house knew her well enough. Bryce's girl. None of them had anything against her-in fact most of them considered her their friend. That was why no one was objecting as she pushed her way through them. Maybe it also had to do with the fact that her face was red and her eyes bloodshot. She'd been crying.
"Why are you doing this?" She'dfinally found him. Playing pool so nonchalantly without a care if the world. He just hit the cue ball when she spoke. Slowly, carelessly, he turned to her. His eyes were cold, nothing like the tender warmth she was accustomed too. Nothing like the guy she loved.
"You did this to yourself." Those were the only words he said to her before resuming his game. His back turned to her Charlie simply stared. Tears began streaming down her face once more but she didn't make a sound. Too hurt. Too afraid of what might come out.
While Bryce had his back to her most of the guys were still staring at her, unsure of what to do for the brunette. Charlie took a shake breath in trying to calm herself before she spat three words. Three words and then she would turn around and leave. Three words that she had never said. Not to anyone-ever. Charlie always meant what she said that-she was always cautious and aware of what she spoke. So these words...she never said them. No matter-
"I hate you." And then she did. Soon she was gone. Turned tail and ran so fast, as far as she could. The guys in front of her path scrambled to get out of it, she shut the door behind her with a large slam.
She didn't see Bryce again for a very long time.
.
. Three Weeks Later
.
It was three weeks before she truly left the house. When she needed to talk to Morgan he'd come to her. When she needed someone to talk to that was not Morgan she had Devon, "Captain Awesome" who said sorry to her again and again. She said 'It's alright.' every single time. Sex was sex. Whatever happened...it had nothing to do with it. For whatever reason, she had a feeling it would've happened no matter what she did different. And finally, she had her big sis in the next room.
Ever since coming home Charlie hadn't shed a tear. She lightly smiled and shrugged when someone asked if she was okay. There was no answer that she could say without either worrying someone or lying.
"Charlie!" And then there was Morgan. He never asked if she was okay. He just knew she wasn't. No questions asked. He didn't try and get her to open up about what happened or anything like that. Instead he simply smiled and talked to her about whatever she wanted. Whatever she needed. Only this day was different. This day he came in wearing a strange green shirt...
"What?" She asked curiously. He gave a wide doofy smile.
"You won't believe this." He pulled on his shirt with a sense of accomplishment. "I got a job."
"You what-"
"And," He pulled a crumpled up piece of paper from his pocket. "I think you could too."
Charlie was hesitant. She never really had a job before, though she was more the qualified for one. But still...a job? "Morgan-"
"Come on Charlie." Morgan interjected. "You need something-you need more then this!" Her room was a pigsty. Clothes on the floor as well as crumbs. She wasn't even in actual clothing at 4:50 in the afternoon. She was in her pajamas. It was Monday.
"Just try it." He begged. "It won't hurt." Morgan tossed the paper to her. It was a flyer for something...Charlie squinted her eyes at the title. Finally, she gave out a sigh.
"Fine." She said. "I'll try it.""
Morgan nodded rapidly. "Okay, alright. Seriously though Charlie, you'll love it there! There are these two guys and-"
Charlie looked back at the flyer in her hand. She grimaced. It couldn't be so bad. After all, she and Ellie had talked about finding a way for her to finish her degree. This place would have to do until she finally did that. The Buy More. It was only temporary, right?
And that is the end to 'Charlie Versus Love' and the first installment in the Charlie Bartowski series! The next one will either be a one shot about Bryce's point of view on everything or where the actual show begins for Charlie with the intersect and everything. I haven't decided which one yet, you guys could tell me which one you'd prefer. Anyhow I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Can't say when the next part will come out but hopefully it'll be soon! Thanks for reading!