Before we dive into the action we left off with, I want to take a step back to show some of Charlie's POV. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

Charlie moved quickly throughout the apartment rearranging everything that wasn't nailed to the floor. God, Hazel is going to be so pissed. She hates when I move her sewing supplies. But she couldn't help herself, she always got this was when she was anxious. Normally she was fairly reserved and relaxed, but when something stressful happened she had a tendency to start babbling or reorganizing (her brain often choosing the activity that would cause the most embarrassment for herself in the given moment).

I have nothing to be nervous about. Cohen, you need to stop acting like a pre-teen about to go on her first date.

Charlie finally gave up on moving things around the room and started getting ready. She had decided the night before that she wanted to wear her favorite baby blue blouse, and black circle skirt. But now that she had it on she felt completely overdressed and foolish. I'm just going to a movie, not a job interview. Damn, now I need to pick out something completely new.

She finally settled on her well-loved cable-knit sweater that Hazel, her roommate had made for her a few years ago. And after she threw that on she selected dark grey skinny jeans and black ankle boots to complete the look. She examined herself in the mirror. Huh, not too shabby. Hazel is going to be so proud of me.

Charlie had never been incredibly fashion-conscious, but her beloved roommate dedicated most of her free time to making clothing, as evident from the stacks of fabric and sketches scattered about the two-bedroom apartment they shared. She preferred to spend her time curled up with a good book, listening to music, or watching movies, of course.

Anyway, since she now had a solid outfit picked out she just had to finish getting ready. She glimpsed at the clock after applying her mascara and signature red lipstick. Shit! When did it get so late?! Charlie glanced at her thick, unruly curls in the mirror and muttered, "It'll have to do," before she grabbed her trench coat and ran out the door.

She arrived at the theater just a few minutes before the movie began and had to rush to buy her snacks. While waiting for the cashier to ring up her sweets she was hit with that feeling of nervousness again. She had felt those dumb little butterflies ever since she had met Steve over a month ago. He was completely gorgeous, and completely out of her league. And given his strange reaction to her the first time they met, she doubted he was even remotely interested. He had just seemed so lost… Get over it, Cohen. Yeah he's cute and sweet with total puppy-dog eyes, but don't get your hopes up, it's not going to happen.

Although Steve was incredibly polite and kind to her, she had no illusions that it meant she was special. Somehow, he just had that gentlemanly air about him, she had sensed it ever since he opened the door for her that first night. But just because he wasn't the average jerk she came across in NYC didn't mean he liked her that way.

Charlie headed into the theater, and said a quick hi to Steve, who had stood up to greet her. He was wearing his usual khaki pants and plaid button-up, with his reddish-brown leather jacket already draped over the back of his chair. Seriously, how are his eyes that blue?! Charlie's cheeks quickly flushed a soft pink that she hoped he didn't notice.

She traded him some licorice for a couple of handfuls of Milk Duds and they found their seats. Tonight they were playing one of her favorites, Gone With The Wind. She must've seen the movie and read the book at least a dozen times each.

She always laughed and cried during this movie, but this time she felt somewhat embarrassed to do so. It was crazy, but it seemed like Steve kept glancing at her during very emotional scenes. Charlie you need to get over yourself, he's just watching the movie, he's not looking at you. But God, why can't I watch movies like a normal person?

And as she mouthed along to Clark Gable's famous line "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," she glanced over and saw Steve quickly look away with a smile on his face. And for the second time that night her cheeks turned pink. Yeah, he definitely saw that. Could I be more embarrassing?

Hoping that her blush had gone down by the time the theater lights came up, she quickly stood up and yawned while stretching. They walked outside together, Charlie glad that she remembered her jacket, and quickly bundled up in it on the cold November night.

"Goodnight, Steve," she said through her yawns. She then began to turn to walk the short distance to her apartment.

"Wait, Charlie… I was wondering if you…" Steve mumbled with a bright pink blush forming on his cheeks.

She turned back expecting him to finish his thought, but after an awkward pause she asked, "You were wondering?" She hadn't seen him blush before; somehow he even made that look handsome. She smiled, hoping to encourage him to speak.

"Yeah… I was just wondering… if you um, had any licorice left?" Oh. Somehow I thought maybe…

"Oh. Sure! Have the rest the bag," she said, unable to keep the surprise out of her tone, "Night, Steve."

"Thanks, Charlie! Goodnight."

As she walked away she inwardly cursed herself. I told you not to get your hopes up. He doesn't like you like that. He's just being a gentleman and you shouldn't read into it…

She continued on the mental tirade for nearly block until she noticed the man approach her from the alley up ahead. He was wearing a dark green jacket with the hood up, dirty jeans, and had a dark scruffy beard. She walked in silence for a few more feet, clutching her purse tighter and trying to decide what to do.

Before she formed a plan, he called out, "Hey, sugar. What are you up to tonight?" in a low scratchy voice that repulsed her. Being from a big city, she was unfortunately used to catcalls and some street harassment, but this seemed like the first time the man actually intended to approach her.

She ducked her head down and quickly turned to cross to the other side of the street. This move seemed to just make the man more indignant. He was still about 50 feet in front of her, but he copied her movements and headed towards the other sidewalk as well.

"Please leave me alone. I don't want any trouble," she called out, her voice not quite reaching the forceful tone she had hoped for.

"Oh honey, it'll only be trouble if you struggle," and at that he began to quickly stalk towards her. At his words she felt bile rise in her throat, she knew he had more intended than just stealing her purse.

Think, Charlie, think! Fuck, I'll never be able to outrun him. She reached into her bag, grabbed her phone and tried to dial 911. He grabbed her wrist before she could type out the number.

"I just wanna have a little fun darling," he whispered with foul hot breath into her ear.

Before she could fully think the scenario out she, she harshly twisted her body out of his grasp. She threw a wild punch with her right hand and all her strength that luckily landed right on his nose. She heard a sickening crunch, and he stumbled back.

"You fucking bitch!," he yelled in pain. He grabbed at his face, where blood was starting to flow down.

As she turned to run, the man screamed, "Gabriel, grab the little slut!"

She had been so caught up in fighting off her attacker that she hadn't noticed he had his two friends approaching from behind her.

Before she could process their arrival, one of the men pushed her to the ground. Charlie let out an ear-piercing shriek as her head struck the ground hard. She could feel blood on her face where her lip had split and the pain in her head threatened to make her blackout.

She heard the men arguing over what to do next.

"We have to move her, someone might have heard her scream!"

"No one cares, no one is going to come help her."

"She broke my fucking nose! I'm gonna kill the stupid bitch!"

Hot, tears spilled out of Charlie's face, out of both fear and pain. She tried to look around the alley they had dragged her into to see if she could find some sort of a weapon. She was just about to reach toward a broken bottle when she heard a crash.

She looked over and saw one the named Gabriel crumpled in heap in front of a dumpster, which now had a human-shaped dent in the front of it.

The other two began to shout, and each pulled out knives. A man stepped out of the shadows, he was tall and his normally smooth blonde hair was rustled. It took her a moment to realize who it was. Steve? What the hell is happening?! The man who had initially grabbed her was now approaching Steve.

"Get out of here pretty boy, before I cut you," he flashed his knife dangerously.

Steve ran towards the man, and through a series of movies to quick for her eyes to follow, her attacker was disarmed and lying unconscious on the ground.

The third man, after seeing what had happened to his comrades, turned to run away. But before he had taken even two steps, Steve had thrown him on the ground.

"Next time pick on someone your own size," Steve practically growled before landing a punch on the man's jaw that knocked him out cold.

Charlie's body, as if sensing the danger was gone, began to feel numb and cold as the burst of adrenaline left her system. Her vision narrowed and the last thing she saw, before passing out, was Steve kneeling over her, his blue eyes incredibly bright.

She was vaguely aware of him shouting her name as she drifted into darkness.

So now that you've had a chance to get to know my OC a little better what do you think? I know she started off fairly simple, but I wanted you to see her a bit from Steve's perspective of getting to know her before we dove into her POV.

Thanks for reading and/or reviewing!