Perfect Match

Chapter 15

Dear Blueeyes,

I was so upset when you abandoned our date; I really couldn't understand why! And not having heard from you since has broken my heart! You really have made such an impact on my life, even though we have never met! The way you wrote to me before, set my soul on fire! Please don't give up on us already! I want and need to meet you so badly! Please say you will give me another chance! Please! Please! Please! Meet me at the Summer Bay Surf Club at 8:30pm on Tuesday evening!

With love and always in hope,

Browneyes. xx

Charlie slammed down the lid of her laptop computer. The blood drained from her face and her mouth hung open in shock as Browneyes' written words echoed around in her mind. What was Joey playing at? What did she mean by saying that her 'heart was broken' and her 'soul' had been 'set on fire' by Blueeyes? What was she thinking of?

Charlie slumped back into her chair; her heart beating so rapidly, she thought it might burst right through her chest. She swallowed back the lump in her throat and closed her eyes from the reality with which she was now faced.

Joey preferred Blueeyes!

"Oh dear God!" Charlie whispered under her breath.

Why had she left it so long without telling Joey the truth? Why hadn't she told Joey at the greasy-spoon cafe that she was her date for the evening and her very own 'perfect match'? She had now left it too late and things had got complicated. Joey had fallen for a profile name and had no feelings for Charlie in the real world at all. What was she to do now?

Joey Collins awoke from a restless sleep. As always, her first thoughts were of Charlie and she smiled thinking of her girlfriend's beautiful face and her warm arms which wrapped around her, making her feel safe and beloved. She propped herself up and reached for her mobile phone which was lying on the bedside cabinet. She navigated down to Charlie's name and composed a 'good morning' text message. But when it came to the point of sending the message, something held her back... Guilt.

Charlie lay on top of her bed covers; not having attempted to get undressed or climb into bed, but instead, stared at the pattern of her bedroom wallpaper; mechanically, following its lines with her eyes, taking in its every curve and delicate feature, but in reality seeing nothing but the tears which clouded her vision.

How could she have so misread Joey's feelings for her? Had the warm intentions which Joey had offered in her kisses not meant anything? Could she really have been so easily mistaken? Really?

Ruby Buckton smiled as she left her English Literature class. By now, Charlie should have read the message which Ruby had tampered with in the name of Browneyes, begging for another chance at a date. How could Charlie refuse such a plea from someone as sweet as Browneyes?

Joey's hands were finding it hard to do what they should be doing. Somehow, they seemed to have lost their dexterity with ropes and tackle around the fishing boat, and her strength had disappeared overnight. Had her name been 'Sampson', she would have been looking for a pair of scissors and a pile of hair on the deck.

"What's your problem, Collins?" Aden said as he helped Joey unravel a tangled fishing net.

"Nothing." Was her one word answer.

"Yeah, right! What gives?"

Joey glanced at her ship mate and sighed.

"Nerves."

"Nerves! You're killing me! S'truth! What's there to be nervous about? It's only a fishing net!"

"Tonight."

"Tonight?" Aden replied with a frown.

"You know... meeting up with that Blueeyes person."

"And?"

"Well, I just feel so nervous and guilty about it, that's all!"

"But you're only going to meet the girl! It's not like it's a date or anything!"

"I know, but I'm so scared that Charlie will find out and take things the wrong way!" Joey said, beginning to look so pale that Aden began to fear she would faint.

"Fair dinkum?"

Joey nodded her head instead of answering, for fear of being physically sick.

Aden smiled reassuringly and wrapped his muscular arm about her shoulders, comfortingly.

"You'll be fine, mate! You know I'm going to be with you and so what if Charlie does find out! I can be your witness!"

"As if she will believe anything you say!"

"What do you mean by that?" Aden asked; a little annoyed.

"She'll think we've colluded!"

"Why on earth would Charlie think that?" Aden enquired; his brow furrowed.

"Because you are my friend and she will naturally think you are just 'playing the game' and covering up something!"

"Honestly! Women!"

"It's just the way we are, Ade'. Perhaps it's inbred to be naturally suspicious of what men say!" Joey smiled with irony. "Normally, it doesn't bother me in the slightest!"

Aden opening his mouth to argue, but seeing the look in Joey's eye, changed his mind.

Charlie bent down and picked up a piece of driftwood; brushing off some sand with her finger tips. She pressed her lips together resolutely and started to make her way down to the shore line. As she reached the gentle lapping of the waves, she threw the stick out into the ocean and watched it bob about on top of the water, being sent this way and that by the pull of the gentle tide. She bent down and slipped off her flip-flops and holding them in her hands, began to walk in the warm, shallow water, instantly gaining some comfort by its placebo effect.

She watched a fishing boat way out in the ocean; wondering if it might have Joey Collins on board and with the mere thought of Joey, Charlie's heart began to ache all over again.

"I really don't know if I can do this tonight, Aden!" Joey cried anxiously, dropping a pile of empty crates onto the deck.

"Look, we've been through this time and time again! You'll be fine! You just walk up to her and say, 'this is how it is...' Once you have done this, you can say 'farewell', go find Charlie and tell her what you've done! Easy as pie!"

"In your eyes, maybe!"

"In reality, Jo!" Aden advised, sincerely. "You really shouldn't have agreed to meet this girl in the first place. You should have told her that you had moved on."

"I wish I had now!"

"The trouble with you, Collins, is you fall for everyone's sob stories! Okay, this girl might have the world and its mother on her shoulders, but it's not your problem!"

"I know."

Charlie wandered along to the pier, just in time to see the end of a pier-performance, by some young, travelling players. The crowd which had gathered around to watch their performance, applauded enthusiastically and the actors, bowed and smiled handsomely at their captive audience.

"Thank you all for watching and if you'd like to show your appreciation, please feel free to place your donations in the bucket." The principle actor smiled and gestured to the yellow receptacle which was gaily decorated with daisies. "Your generous gifts will be most appreciated and will be given to the 'Yabbie Creek and District Children In Care Charity'. Thank you again for watching!"

The previous enthusiasm of the crowd suddenly waned, and with disinterest, quickly left the scene with very few making a donation. Charlie watched their retreat and glanced back at the players whose eyes followed the disappearing crowds with dismay.

"What is it with people?" A pretty, brown haired actress muttered as she picked up the bucket containing only a few dollars.

"Something for nothing." A voice answered.

The actress looked up and saw she was being approached by a very good looking brunette.

"Hey, my name's Charlie!"

"Hi, I'm Anna." The actress answered sweetly.

She watched as Charlie took several bank notes from her pocket and dropped them into the bucket.

"Wow! Thanks Charlie! That certainly is a very generous donation! It makes it all worth it!"

"Is acting your main profession?" Charlie enquired with interest.

"Only during the summer months. I'm studying to become a lawyer, so have to make time for that. In truth, it can be a bit hard." Anna smiled sadly. "I could really do with a talk with someone who knows about it; maybe get a little free advice and encouragement."

"My step mother is a lawyer." Charlie smiled.

"How useful is that! If you ever get into trouble, at least you have family help!"

"Well, being a Senior Constable, I try not to get into trouble!" Charlie grinned.

"My! It certainly is 'Law and Order' in your family." Anna chuckled.

"Anna! We're off for a swim. Coming?" One of Anna's fellow actors called.

"No thanks, Stevie. I'm gonna grab a cuppa and sandwich from the pier cafe. See you guys later!" She said waving to her friends.

"Anna, can I buy you lunch?" Charlie asked impulsively. "Perhaps I can put you in touch with my step mother, if it helps, and... I'd like to... get to know you... better."