Hey! Thanks again for the support, makes me write a hell of a lot faster getting the reviews. Thrilled you are enjoying it so far.
Things have only just started;)
xx
The following morning Charlie got up early to ensure Ruby was at school in plenty of time. Ruby was already awake when Charlie crept into her room; she was standing in front of her full length mirror adjusting her uniform. From the reflection in the mirror Ruby spotted her coming in. Charlie tightened her robe.
"Don't you look cute," Charlie cooed knowing this would agitate her.
"Charlie it's not meant to be cute, its ridiculous there's no shape to it." Ruby exclaimed, frustrated because her adjusting was making very little difference.
"Rube's it's the same for everyone else, come on you need to eat some breakfast."
Ruby followed Charlie into their kitchen and sat at the table as Charlie put together her breakfast "Toast?"
"Yes please." Ruby waited patiently as Charlie served her the food.
"Eat that and I'll go get changed," Charlie smiled and put the plate on the table in front of her sister.
Charlie got changed into a small pair of white shorts and lemon t-shirt. She tied her hair back loosely and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
"Rubes?" She shouted between mouthfuls of minty foam.
"Yeah?"
"Do you need a lunch?" Charlie rinsed her mouth and dabbed her lips with the hand towel.
"Oh god. No but I would like some money to buy a lunch?"
"Of course," Charlie opened her wallet and handed Ruby some cash "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Ruby grabbed her bag and left the house.
Charlie dropped Ruby off at school and after some joking with her about making friends she drove off. She drove through the town on the way home checking for anything suspicious. It was the first time in days she had found herself alone; and it was strange. She parked her car outside the diner, after locking it she made her way inside. She recognised the waitress Leah, from the last day. She was seated at a small table talking to pretty looking lady.
Charlie walked up to the counter, mobile in one hand, wallet in the other. She ordered a cup of coffee and paid. Leah saw Charlie approach and called her over. Charlie smiled, genuinely pleased to welcomed to their conversation.
"Charlie this is Martha, and Martha this is Charlie."
Both girls smiled at one another "Nice to meet you Charlie," Martha greeted her "Why don't you join us?"
"Nice to meet you too, that's very kind but I don't want to intrude."
"You wouldn't, honestly." Leah smiled wholeheartedly at the newcomer.
Charlie sat down next to Leah, Martha was across from them.
"Charlie's just moved here with her sister." Leah informed Martha.
"Well welcome to Summer Bay then Charlie, what age is your sister?" Martha smiled kindly at Charlie, it must be tough her coming here basically alone.
"She's seventeen, her names Ruby. She started at the school today."
"Don't worry she'll get on fine, they're a lovely bunch of kids."
"Yeah they are, they come here most days at lunch time." Leah agreed.
"Really? Because I was anxious there wouldn't be many people her age here but she was determined to come regardless." Charlie sipped on her steaming mug of coffee.
"She'll be part of the gang before you know it." Martha smiled.
"So have you guys always lived here?" Charlie asked genuinely interested.
"Neither of us have, we're only here a couple of years but I don't plan on living anytime too soon." Leah spoke first, and Martha concurred.
"First impressions are everything, and I must say they've been good." Charlie said. She traced the rim of her mug with her index finger.
"With regards to the male population is it?"
"Should it be?"
"Am, well if you've seen my Hugo you'd be impressed." Martha beamed.
"Her partner," Leah informed her "Young love." She added then rolled her eyes.
"Right, Hugo. I'll try and remember that."
"Wait till you see the guys. Or rather they see you." Martha and Leah laughed together, leaving Charlie baffled.
Noticing her look of confusion Leah took the task of explaining things to her.
"Charlie you're gorgeous, you're going to have your pick of guys around here."
"Not that you would want it." Martha mumbled.
"Martha, hush," Leah warned. "Don't worry Charlie they're not all bad. Why don't you meet up with us tonight and we'll go for a few drinks? It would be a great opportunity for you to get to meet everyone?"
Charlie didn't need long to answer, it was exactly the sort of proposition she was only waiting to be offered. "That'd be great, what time?"
Leah turned to Martha "Say… Nine? At the Surf Club."
"Great. Well I better go; I want to have dinner ready for Ruby when she comes home. I'll see you guys later?" Charlie stood up and drank the remainder of her coffee.
"See ya then Charlie," Martha waved lightly, and Leah smiled.
"She seems really nice?"
"I think she really is," Leah pondered aloud.
***
"Charlie are you home?" Ruby called from the kitchen, dropping her school bag onto the table.
"I'm in my room," Charlie called back. She was scrutinising over the display of clothing on her bed; she wasn't sure what to wear.
"Hey," Ruby flopped onto Charlie's bed, ignoring the clothes.
Charlie frowned, but let it pass "How was school? I thought you'd be home ages ago?"
"It was great. The kids in my class are cool, I didn't think I'd be so late but afterwards a girl called Annie asked me over to her house for a while. We just hung out and listened to music. I think I'm going to really like it here." Ruby lay on the flat of her back, with her arms folded under her head.
"And the first day was going to be the hardest so now you've got that out of the way. And you even made some friends?" Charlie laughed as she bent over and poked Ruby in the ribs.
"Ah Charles!" Ruby yelped "Stop it."
Charlie pulled back.
"So are you going somewhere tonight?" Ruby gestured to the clothes underneath her.
"Yes I am and if you," Charlie rolled Ruby over "Would get off maybe I could find something to wear."
Ruby picked up grey skinny jeans and a black loose top and tossed them at Charlie. "Wear these, so where are you going? Or more importantly who with?" Ruby raised her eyebrows suggestively.
Charlie began to undress.
"Only to the Surf Club with two girls I met. You remember Leah the waitress, well her and one of her friends Martha. They said I'll get to meet everyone so might as well go."
Charlie turned away from Ruby, reaching behind her back she unhooked her bra and slid it down her defined biceps. She opened the drawer in front of the window and took out a black and ivory silk bra.
"Yeah it's a good idea I suppose, so do you fancy your chances for tonight?" Ruby giggled referring to Charlie putting on her silk lingerie.
"Drop it Rubes," Charlie snatched her top and quickly pulled it over her head "Its work."
"Charlie you need to enjoy yourself as well ya know…"
"And I will. Do you need dinner?" Charlie fastened the button on the top her jeans.
"I had something at Annie's, hey Charlie can she come over later? To do homework of course." she quickly added.
Charlie eyed her suspiciously. "Ok, but you better do your homework. What time is it?" Charlie looked in the mirror and put a layer of gloss on her lips.
"Just after half eight, when are you going?" Ruby sat up and looked through the jewellery on Charlie's bedside table. "Here wear this." She handed her a small silver bracelet.
Charlie stepped over to her and held out her wrist for Ruby to tie it.
"I'm going now. Are you sure you'll be ok? Just call me if you need anything." Charlie kissed Ruby on her forehead.
"Are you going to be home tonight?" she whispered coyly.
Pretending not to hear her she warned "Be good." and walked out of the house.
Charlie arrived outside the Surf Club twenty minutes later. As she sat in her car she noticed a group of rowdy young men outside the entrance, and presumed Brett was in their midst.
Aden and Joey walked up to the Surf Club, set on having a few relaxing drinks. Joey stopped in her tracks upon seeing her brother with his group of so-called friends.
"Take no notice Jo." Aden wrapped his arm around her waist and they walked on in.