Chapter Sixteen
It had been an interesting few weeks to say the least and Charlie, Joey and the rest of the University were hurtling rather fast the end of their first term. Charlie and Joey had been officially dating for a few weeks and Charlie was surprised at how willing her girlfriend was to take things slowly. Judging by past behaviour, Charlie had assumed that Joey would want to dive straight in, so to speak. But she was gentle, patient and willing to go at any pace Charlie liked. And for her part, Charlie was enjoying being in a relationship for the first time. It was changing her. She was surprised to find herself turning into an affectionate person who was capable of relaxing and having fun. She was even warming to Brax, who was ever present in their lives, what with he and Joey being a double act.
As a group, they had celebrated Rachel, Angel, Shane, Bianca and Hugo's birthdays and life on their floor had become happily settled, but always interesting. Alongside Charlie and Joey, Martha and Jack were in a committed relationship with each other, as were Shane and Angel and Aden and Belle. Shannon had made reluctant peace with Selena and Curtis and seemed to be growing rather close to Watson. Joey and Charlie had also spotted an attraction between Liam and Bianca – both of whom were already in relationships – and Nicole and Angelo. Charlie in particular thought that the way Angelo seemed to stand by Nicole and support her through her pregnancy was very sweet. She had been shocked to discover that Nicole had no intention of raising the baby and had set up an adoption to a nearby family who were eager to have a child together, although the boyfriend had two teenage kids of his own already. Once upon a time, Charlie knew she would have made an insensitive remark. But she felt a lot less on edge and ready for attack these days. Joey was certainly mellowing her out. And she liked it.
"I can't believe I'm losing you for a whole month!" Joey complained, dramatically flopping on Charlie's bed.
Charlie turned from where she had been working on an assignment at her desk.
"We'll be in touch every day," she said.
"Yeah, but I can't kiss you on the phone," Joey pouted.
Smiling, Charlie dropped her pen and moved over to the bed. They kissed until Joey wrapped her arms a little too tightly around Charlie, toppling her onto the bed with a shriek.
"Joey!" Charlie giggled, straddling her hips.
Joey offered her cheekiest smile. Charlie leant in and kissed her, silently wondering if she might soon be ready to take that next step with her. She appreciated that there was no pressure. Joey had been perfectly patient. But Charlie also knew that although she hadn't actually said the words, she had fallen in love with Joey and wanted to make more of a commitment. Maybe after the holidays, she mused.
"What are you thinking?" Joey asked, noting Charlie's thoughtful expression.
"I was thinking that I love you," Charlie admitted.
She held her breath, fearful of rejection. Joey reached out and ran her hands through Charlie's hair.
"I love you too," she said honestly.
They kissed, breathing sighs of relief.
"And I'm really, really going to miss you while you're away."
"You're going away too," Charlie pointed out.
Joey shook her head. Charlie sat up, puzzled.
"You're not heading home for the holidays?" she asked.
"No," Joey admitted. "I have no desire to ever go home again if I can help it. I don't belong there anymore. I don't think I ever have."
It was the last day of term and Charlie was packing her things, ready for her father to pick her up and take her home for the holidays. Last night, she and Joey had shared a bed for the first time, although nothing sexual had actually happened between them. Charlie had found it surprisingly pleasant to cuddle up with Joey and hold her through the night. It felt... right.
"I'm really going to miss you," Joey sighed.
"I'll call you every day," Charlie promised.
"You'd better," Joey replied.
Charlie leant over and kissed her tenderly. They were interrupted by an impatient knock on the door. Puzzled, Charlie stood to open up. The moment the door was open, an energetic five year old burst into the room, excitedly launching herself at Charlie.
"Mummy!" she bellowed joyfully.
"Hey, baby," Charlie said awkwardly, torn between being pleased to see her and horrified that Joey had found out her secret.
Next time… Charlie explains Ruby to Joey and invites her to spend the holidays with her…