Chapter 3: Arguments

Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me. Come on Charlie, say something, anything.

I couldn't take any of this silence on our way to Mo's house. I was shaking. Why wouldn't he just make a sound, just do something?

"Charlie," I guess I had to be the one to break the silence, "we don't have to tell Mo. We can just pretend last night never happened. I just don't want this to ruin our friendship."

"No!" Charlie blurted. "This could never ruin our friendship. I care too much about you to just throw away everything over an incident like that."

"But it was our first time, and we shouldn't have wasted it on each other!" I protested.

Charlie snuck a glance at me for a second, his eyes wide. What was he staring at me like that for? It was the truth...right?

"Whoa, Stella. It wasn't my first time...you were a virgin?"

Once I had time to process what I had said, my hand flew over my mouth. Oops. That wasn't supposed to have been said. I slowly nodded.

Charlie didn't say anything, again. I didn't even think he was breathing.

"I...So you're saying I was your first time? I took your virginity?"

I sighed. "Charlie, please, don't..." I glanced at Mo's house. We were here. It was now or never.

We walked out of the car, and met halfway on our way to the door. Charlie glanced over at me, then looked down, fidgeting with his jacket. I've had the urge for a long time now, but this time, he needed it instead of me. I reached over, and grabbed his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. I think that gave him more confidence, because he started walking again towards the front porch, his hand never leaving mine. It felt amazing. He felt amazing. Especially from last night, but I knew it wasn't real. It wasn't right.

Once we reached the door, I let go of his hand. "Ready?"

Charlie nodded. His hand slowly raised up, and softly knocked on the door. The door slung open, and an angry Mohini stood in front of us with her arms folded. We were in deep trouble. You could just feel the tension.

"Come in, we need to talk," was all she said before stepping aside.

Charlie and I strolled inside. Everyone we saw from last night was here. And almost everyone looked terrible. Sabrina was leaning on Scott, who was holding his head in pain. Ray leaned up from the couch when he saw us, and winced, rubbing his forehead. Wen's head was on Olivia's lap, and Olivia was stroking his hair. It would've been considered romantic if you didn't know Wen was seriously drunk last night.

"Ray, Stella," Mo started. I smell lecture. "Can I just ask why? Why would you do this? What on Earth was going through your head?"

I did what I usually do - blamed it on someone else. "It was Ray's idea! He forced me into it!"

Ray seemed unfazed by this, only focusing on the fact that his head was pounding worse tan mine. "Thank you, Stella," he muttered.

"Stella!" Mo growled. "You seriously went too far with this! Spiking the punch? I mean, sometimes we have liquor, but only on special occasions! I mean, look at everyone!" Mo then proceeded to walk towards Charlie. "You ok, Charlie?" He nodded, and she pressed a kiss to his forehead. I winced like Ray did, and looked down.

"Speaking of, what did you two do last night? I came downstairs and you were gone." Mo glared at me.

Charlie looked towards me with a knowing look. "Look, Mo, I...I-I..."

I couldn't let their relationship fall apart, even though I really didn't like it. "We just went to Charlie's house and randomly sang Disney songs, okay? No big deal."

"No big de...Stella, I can't believe you went drunk driving!"

"Mo-"

"Out of all the things you've done, this has to be the most reckless thing ever!"

"I know, and-"

"I swear, sometimes you can be so careless and stupid!"

What? What gave her the right to say that? Yes, I can make mistakes, but I always learn from them! "Mo! You wanna know what I can't believe? I can't believe that you're yelling at me like this, when really you should've paid attention to what was going on and took care of us! But no, you just stormed upstairs without even checking on Charlie!"

Mo's mouth went agape, but she closed it quickly, obviously wanting the last word. "Well, none of this would've happened if you and Ray didn't-"

"I know! I know it was stupid, and I would be mad if it was you, but at least I would've taken care of everyone and made sure they didn't wander off, like how Charlie and I went off drunk driving! At least I would've been there for you! Why do you always treat me like I'm 8 years old? You're the most bossy and uptight person I've ever met!"

I started stomping towards the door, when I heard Mo say, "Stella!"

The sound of my name whirled me around. "You know, I wouldn't have to be bossy if you weren't so out of control!"

Mo was unbelieveable. I scoffed. "Out of control? Last night was so out of control and you didn't do a thing about it. Maybe I'm not the only careless one!"

I took a chance to look at everybody, and they were all wide awake with wide eyes. Charlie, however, was pleading me with his eyes to stay, to not do what I was doing.

I shook my head, turned towards the door with my head down, and put my hand on the doorknob. But before leaving, I whispered, "Oh, and by the way? Charlie and I had sex last night. That's what happened." Then I proceeded to open the door, and slam it on my way out.

NO ONE'S POV

"...Charlie and I had sex last night. That's what happened."

After Stella was gone, everything became an eerie silence. The whole gang forgot about the pain going through their heads. Charlie had tears glistening in his eyes as he looked at Mo, whose expression was unreadable.

"Is it true, Charlie?" Mo mumbled.

Charlie was mad at Stella for blurting it out, but he knew it had to be said. "Mo, it was a mistake. Please, we were drunk." But Mo was walking away. He called out again. "Mo, Mo...Wait, Mo."

Then Charlie was out. He was walking towards his car, cursing at himself for letting this happen. He knew it was all an accident, but he couldn't help but feel a little bit responsible. But that's not really what he was that upset about.

Once Charlie was at his car door, he drew his fist back, and punched the car like he had an iron fist. He opened the door, ignoring his throbbing hand, and slammed it with a ton of force.

He couldn't bring himself to even start the car. He wasn't just upset about seeing Mo's heart break just a few seconds ago.

Charlie was upset with himself. Because last night was one of the best nights of his life.

This was the wrong girl. This was Stella. It was a drunken mistake. If it were anybody, it should've been Mo. He loved Mo. Right? Stella was his best friend, nothing more.

So why does he all of a sudden feel so strange around her?

Maybe, he told himself, maybe it's just a fling. You're in love with Mo. Don't let something as stupid as a one night stand change that.

Charlie believed his mind, deciding it was nothing. He still loved Mo, and would still be faithful to her. He just hoped it wouldn't be the end of their relationship.

Meanwhile, Mo was upstairs, crying her heart out.

Charlie and Stella had their first time together, before Charlie and Mo had their first time.

Mo knew it was just an accident, but she knew she could've stopped them from leaving. She could've even stopped Ray and Stella from getting everyone drunk in the first place, had she known what they were doing. This whole party was her idea, and she shouldn't have suggested it. It was her fault. It was Ray's fault. And it was Stella's fault.

Stella...she was reckless, rebellious, but she was her own person. Stella was right. Mo was too bossy and uptight. Mo knew she shouldn't have started that argument with Stella, and now she probably won't forgive her. And Charlie must think Mo wouldn't forgive him.

She just didn't know. She didn't know what to do anymore. Everything was falling apart. What would happen with Stella and Mo's friendship? With Mo and Charlie's relationship? With Lemonade Mouth? Mo knew that all these problems wouldn't solve themselves on their own. Something had to be done.

But she still didn't know what to do.

Scott and Sabrina left after Olivia ran upstairs to talk to Mo.

"Are they gonna be ok?" asked Sabrina as they got into the car.

"I'm sure they'll be fine. They'll get over it eventually." Scott started the car, and they were on their way home.

"Scott, this isn't something they'll just 'get over.' This is serious. We gotta do something about this."

"You're right," Scott agreed. "But what are we gonna do?"

Sabrina thought about this. They can't just sit around and do nothing, but yet, they couldn't get to involved in their business either. But they could give some advice and cheer them up. But who to talk to? Olivia was talking to Mo. And maybe Ray should be the one to talk to Stella.

"We could start by talking to Charlie," Sabrina suggested.

"Ok. I hope everything will turn out fine. This could mean the end of Lemonade Mouth."

"Don't say that! You guys have been together for so long. 'More Than A Band', remember?" Sabrina encouraged.

Scott smiled. "We are, aren't we? Now let's go talk to Charlie."

Olivia knocked on Mo's door. "Mo? You ok? Open the door. I wanna talk to you."

Mo swung the door open, and invited Olivia inside.

"Mo, you know Charlie wouldn't do this on purpose."

"Yeah," Mo sputtered, "but then there's Stella and the big fight. She was right Olivia! Now, she won't talk to me. I know it. I wanna apologize, but what if she doesn't forgive me?"

Olivia wrapped her arms around her friend, seeing that she was crying again. "Mo, since when have we lived our lives saying, 'What if?' Stella will forgive you. You know, as long as you admit she's right." Olivia pulled away, and Mo giggled. "But seriously, we're all best friends. Whether it takes 2 hours or 2 years, we'll let go of the past. Trust me Mo, everything will turn out fine."

"I hope you're right."

"Me too," Olivia replied, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have something to take care of."

She started leaving. "Wait," Mo called out, "Did something happen last night? Did Wen do something?"

"I'll fill you in later. Gotta go."

Olivia walked downstairs to find Wen walking out the door. She ran to catch up with him, almost tripping in the process.

"Wen," she called his name.

Wen turned around. "Yeah?"

Olivia stepped towards him, feeling shaky and nervous, almost as nervous as in high school, before they peformed "Determinate" for the first time. "Wen...do you remember anything that happened last night?"

Wen furrowed his eyebrows. "No. Why, what'd I do? Did I do something wrong? Olivia, I'm so sorry if I did any-"

"You're rambling," Olivia giggled.

"Oh," Wen blushed, "Sorry. But I don't remember a thing."

Olivia frowned. "Um, ok. It's ok, I'll just..."

"Liv?"

Olivia looked up at Wen. "Tell me what happened?"

Olivia took a deep breath, then started telling him everything.

"Why do we have to leave? I was having fuuuun," Wen whined.

"Come on, I'm taking you to my place, you can stay there."

"But my car! That's my baby!" Wen made grabby hands towards his car, and Olivia giggled.

"No Wen." She continued walking towards her car, and once there she opened the passenger door for Wen. Wen slipped inside and Olivia closed his door. She slipped their sleeping bags and other items in the backseat, careful not to drop anything.

She slipped into the driver's seat, turned the key in the ignition, and started to drive.

"I like your hair," Wen said, his hand running through Olivia's long blonde locks. "It's soft, like a pillow."

"Uh...thanks, Wen." As strange as it was, Wen's hand in Olivia's hair felt nice. Even though he was drunk, it felt really nice. She wished it were real.

Soon enough, they were at Olivia's house, which wasn't far from Gram's, of course. Olivia helped Wen into the house, and set him down on the couch. Then, she ran back out to get their stuff and bring it in.

Once she set her stuff down, Wen motioned her to come towards him. She sat down next to him on the couch.

"Liv, can I be honest?"

Olivia looked confused. "Uh, s-sure, Wen."

Wen didn't say anything. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment, and then she felt it. A pair of lips on hers.

Olivia savored the feeling of Wen's soft lips, and found herself lost in his kiss. Wen tangled his hands once again in her hair, and that's when Olivia tasted the alcohol on his lips, and snapped back into reality. She pulled back and stared into Wen's eyes.

"No."

"Why not?" Wen whispered.

"Because you're drunk. This isn't real."

"Olivia," Wen said, "Please. I'm in love with you."

"No, Wen-"

"Ever since the day we met, I've been crazy about you," Wen used one hand to softly stroke her cheek.

"I-I don't believe that."

"It doesn't matter. But it's true. Drunk or not, I love you, Olivia. Your voice, your eyes, how shy you are, the way you blush...and your smile. I've always loved your smile."

Olivia was silent, so Wen took that as his chance to continue. "I'm sorry that I had to be drunk to tell you. Olivia, tell me you feel the same way."

Olivia gulped. What was she supposed to say to the love of her life, if he won't remember it the next day? "Look, Wen...I have feelings for you. I do. But I don't know if what you're saying is true."

Wen dropped his hands. "It's ok. I get it."

"Why don't you get some rest? You must be tired."

Wen laid down, and Olivia walked towards her room.

She plopped down on her bed, taking two fingers and touching her lips.

Olivia looked down a she finished, and Wen was frozen.

"Olivia, I'm sorry, I-"

"It's fine. But I just wanna know, is it true?"

Wen didn't speak for a minute. Olivia knew it. Wen didn't love her.

"I knew it," Olivia said before turning to leave.

Wen grabbed her arm, spun her around, and pressed his lips to hers.

Olivia sighed, wrapping her arms around Wen's neck. This was the kiss she wanted. This was the kiss she finally got.

After what seemed like forever, Wen pulled away. "I love you," he finally said.

"You mean that? I mean, I love you too," Olivia blushed.

Wen smiled. "I really do love it when you blush."

Ray was the last to leave.

This was all his fault. He didn't care who blamed themselves. Stella, Mo, Charlie...it was his fault. And he felt terrible. He was gonna fix this. He was gonna let everyone know how guilty he was, and how he's beating himself up for tearing a friendship, relationship, and band apart.

Ray didn't care how long it took. He would bring everyone together if that was the last thing he did. Ray remembered when he was out to destroy Lemonade Mouth. Oh, the irony. But now wasn't the time for jokes. Ray had gotten everyone in this soap opera scenario and was going to give it a happy ending.

He would start by talking to Stella.

R&R! -LoveIsInBloom