Chapter Fifteen

Joey was making herself some breakfast and borrowing a teabag from Charlie when Shannon, Watson and Angel walked into the kitchen.

"So..." Shannon said immediately. "How was your night last night?"

Joey couldn't help but smile at the mere thought of Charlie. She hoped that she would get to spend more time with her today and that last night was the first of many dates. The way she felt about her was unlike anything she had experienced before.

"I'm assuming it was good then!" Angel smirked, sitting down at the table.

Suddenly she looked serious.

"Have you cancelled the bet?" she asked.

"Not exactly," Joey admitted, looking and feeling awkward. "Brax won't let me so I've decided I'm just going to lose it on purpose."

"So, you didn't make the earth move for her last night?" Watson teased.

Joey blushed and shook her head.

"I really like her," she admitted. "And I want to do this right, you know? Take it slowly."

Shannon joined them at the table.

"Joey's finally found someone to tame her?" she remarked. "I'm impressed!"

Joey blushed and sipped her tea.

"In all seriousness though," Angel said. "If you're going to date Charlie then how are you going to lose the bet? I mean, are you really going to wait three months?"

"I don't think she's in a hurry," Joey said. "I mean, this whole thing started because she told us she was a virgin. I can get away with it. And Charlie never needs to know..."

"Charlie never needs to know what?"

Joey jumped, spilling her tea as last night's date opened the kitchen door. She was still in her pyjamas and Joey couldn't help but wonder how she managed to stay gorgeous at all times.

"Uh... nothing," Joey said anxiously.

Charlie looked a little suspicious.

"I might be a little besotted with you," Joey admitted. "But I was shy about telling you that. Until you made me."

She grinned. Charlie blushed and grinned back. Angel wasn't sure if she was impressed or horrified by Joey's ability to blag her way out of any awkward situation.

"Well, I was going to make coffee for me and Shane," she said, getting up and approaching the kettle.

"Ooh, how are things going now?" Shannon asked, amused.

Shane and Angel were quickly becoming a very cute couple. It made her both happy and sad now that Curtis and Selena were wandering around like love's young dream too. She wasn't sure if she wanted to meet someone new or stay far away from everybody.

"They're amazing," Angel grinned. "He's amazing. Honestly, I think I'm falling in love."

The rest of the girls giggled, including Charlie who moved to sit beside Joey. They smiled shyly at each other and held hands under the table.

"Morning," Joey said sweetly.

Charlie turned a little pink.

"Morning," she replied. "Did you sleep well?"

"I slept fantastically," Joey said. "I had some amazing dreams."

Charlie turned from pink to red. She wasn't used to this kind of thing. But she liked it.

"What are you up to today?" Joey asked.

"I was going to get some study done," Charlie ventured.

Joey pulled her best sad face, making Charlie laugh.

"And I was also thinking about going to the gym," the wannabe police officer added. "Care to join me?"

"Watch you get all hot and sweaty?" Joey smirked. "Count me in!"

It was early evening when Charlie and Joey finished their work out. Joey had succeeded in distracting Charlie enough to enjoy the day instead of studying, although she vowed to lock herself away on Sunday and catch herself up. They'd gone for a walk in the afternoon and then headed out to the gym where they'd spent more time talking than working out really.

"I am so hungry!" Joey declared.

"Me too," Charlie admitted.

Joey caught hold of her hand and turned them around and towards the bus stop.

"You're very spontaneous, you know," Charlie said a little nervously.

"Is that bad?" Joey asked.

"It's unsettling," Charlie said. "But I like it. I think."

She smiled. Joey sat down on the bus stop bench. Charlie sat next to her.

"So, do I get to take you out on another date sometime soon?" Joey asked.

"If you'd like to," she said. "I mean, it was my first nice date so that's pretty special to me. And it was my first kiss so..."

She looked down shyly, twisting her foot a little on the ground.

"It was the best kiss I've ever had," Joey said honestly.

Charlie looked up sharply, surprised and elated. She had worried that she didn't know how to kiss, being such a late bloomer. And yet somehow, Joey seemed to have a knack of making her feel special and confident.

"You don't have to say that," she said bashfully.

"It's true," Joey said. "I'd really like to do it again sometime if you'd let me."

Charlie hesitated, feeling shy. Plucking up all her courage, she leant in and brushed her lips against Joey's. The bus came and went before either girl managed to pull themselves away. Both of them felt like they had found something surprising but very special.

Next time… as they prepare for the Easter holidays, Joey finds out about Ruby…