AN: Hello guys and welcome back! Before I start I just wanted to clear something up that might have confused you. Eliza was not angry at the end of chapter 5. I pictured her saying it more in a defeated sort of way, but I guess that wasn't completely clear for you all. Sorry about that! Furthermore, I know I stated in chapter 1 that this story would be 20 chapters at the most; I think you should count on a bit less. Perhaps more around 10 or so? Anyways, fanfiction is acting out on my laptop (site won't open) so I had to do all the editing on my phone. Sorry if I left in any mistakes! Big thanks to Brandy, Guest, lagoon child, decaddnceofmysoul and Lizzie for reviewing! On with the story!
Chapter 6.
'Hey,' I spoke softly, my voice shaking.
'Eliza, is that you?'
'Yeah Donna, it's me,' I smiled at hearing her voice. It had been a week since I'd started college, a week since I'd left Charming behind, and I already missed it dearly.
'It's great to hear from you! How are you? How's college? Made any friends yet?'
I laughed at her enthusiasm and leaned on the bathroom sink. 'I've missed you too, Donna.' I contemplated how to answer her next question. In all honesty, I was a mess. Part of me wanted to just run back to Charming and on top of that, even after just a few day I felt I was already falling behind in all of my classes. Although my grades in high school had never been exceptional, I'd never felt this stupid. On top of that, the city people here hardly spared me a glance – even less so after they found out how stupid I was – and my roommate was an alcoholic. I looked at myself in the mirror; red blotched cheeks, bloodshot eyes, my hair a total mess. 'I'm good; it's good. The people are really friendly and my roommate's pretty chill. But how are you, Opie and the kids, Donna? I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages!'
'That's because you haven't, love; you were quite busy your last few weeks in Charming.' I caught the obvious accusation in her voice. 'But me and the kids are fine. Same old, same old you know.'
'And Ope?'
'Oh you know him; as long as he can ride around on his bike he's happy.'
I laughed at that. Despite us never actually having become very close, I liked my cousin. He was straightforward, completely honest and behind the tough exterior, had a heart of gold. 'That's good to know. And the others?'
'Well, Piney's not saying much, as usual I suppose, but I'm sure he misses the few decent meals a week he used to get. Eliza..' There was a pregnant pause. 'Jax is a mess.'
My mouth went dry at the mention of his name and I did not know what to say. Luckily, Donna did not expect anything.
'He's moved back into his dorm room. Apparently he told Opie that he could not deal with the idea of becoming a father anymore. Opie said he barely sleeps, is barely sober.. I'm guessing you leaving hasn't really helped either.'
'I can't come back, Donna.'
She sighed 'I know, love.' In the background, I heard the sound of children screaming and Donna groaned. 'I've got to go, or they might kill each other. Keep me updated, okay?'
'I will. Love you, Donna.'
'I love you too, dear Eliza, never forget that.' Then she was gone.
I looked down at the display, noticing lunch break was almost over. I slipped my phone back into my pocket, wiped the last mascara stains off of my cheeks and, after taking a deep intake of breath, left the public bathroom. And immediately collided with something hard.
'Gosh, I am so sorry!' Two hands shot out to stabilize me and I looked up. His face was friendly, more cute than handsome, his brown hair neatly parted and his smile concerned. 'I did not hurt you, did I?'
My head was slow in registering his words. Then, when I finally realized he'd asked me a question, I shook my head. 'No, I'm fine. Sorry for bumping into you like that.'
His smile widened 'I wasn't watching where I was going. But hey, let me make it up to you. I know there's this really good sushi bar just off campus. It's on me.'
His smile was infectious and before I realized what I was doing, I had already agreed.
Later that night, I found myself in a cozy, toko-style sushi bar with crossed legs on a fluffed, red pillow. We had just ordered drinks and Charlie – which I'd just found out was his name – was telling me how he'd discovered this place two weeks before when he was moving his stuff. All in all, I'd had worse nights.
As the waitress came back with our drinks, we were silent for a moment and he took a quick sip of his Sprite. 'So, how are you liking college so far?'
'Oh you know it's.. it's pretty fucked up.' I watched him flinch at my language, and mentally scolded myself for being so unmannerly. That kind of language might be accepted, even normal, at the clubhouse, but I was at college now. 'Sorry.'
He smiled 'You were saying?'
'Well,' I sighed, looking down at the table top 'I feel like I'm always one step behind in all of my classes, you know? It's like no matter how hard I try, I'll never be smart enough.'
His hand came to lie on my left one and gave it a soft squeeze. 'Don't think like that; you're not stupid. You know, we're in Philosophy together.'
My cheeks flared up, realizing that he must have been witness to the humiliation that had led to my latest meltdown in the public bathroom that morning. 'Great..'
'No! I just wanted to say that I don't think your answer to his question was wrong per se.. it's just not what he was looking for. You just need to figure out what they want to hear, you know? I think your answer was actually quite smart.'
A warmth spread from his hand, radiating through my arm and spreading through the rest of my body. No one had ever told me I was smart.
We agreed to have dinner at another restaurant in town next Friday. In the meanwhile, we frequently had lunch together or simply went to get coffee after class. I found that I felt good around Charlie, that he made we want to be a better version of myself if only to not let him down.
He told me he came from a middle class family, that his father had been in the military and his mother was a primary school teacher. He was the second of four children and with an older brother already having started his own business, he had a lot to live up to. In turn, I told him that I'd lived with my mother, until after her death I moved in with my uncle. I did not tell him about the Sons and I did not tell him about Jax. Instead, I merely told him that Piney (at which he'd laughed and said that "surely that was not a real name") was part of a motor club. Although he had never actually said so, something in his face told me that he did not quite like the idea of that, and I didn't bring it up again.
'You should try the grilled cuttlefish, it's really good.'
I shook my head absentmindedly, still peering down at the menu. 'I don't eat that shit.' I noticed his lips purse at my language and scolded myself for letting forgeting. 'The idea of eating squid does not sit well with me.'
'But you haven't tried it before, how do you know that you don't want to eat it? I'm certain you like it, if you get over the initial idea.'
I did not respond, instead settled on the salmon and closed my menu. When I took a sip of my wine – Charlie had given me that specific look when I'd ordered a beer, so I had quickly changed it to red wine – a waiter stopped at our table. I was still forcing the bitter liquid down my throat when Charlie spoke.
'I'll have the seared scallops and the lady will have the cuttlefish, please.'
I almost spew out the red wine, but by the time I'd finally managed to swallow, the waiter was already gone. Instead, I turned to Charlie with an irritated look. 'I said I didn't want the god damn squid!'
'Language!' He looked around embarrassed 'Now will you calm down, you are behaving like a mad woman. I just figured you should try it, there's no harm in widening your horizons a bit. Besides, you'll like it, I'm sure.'
I threw my napkin down on the table, a show of passive aggression, and excused myself through gritted teeth. Then, I stalked to the bathroom. For a moment, all I could do was stare at my angry expression, but then I sighed and leaned my head against the cold stone of the wall. He had only been trying to be nice and here I was, blowing up on him and making a scene that was clearly embarrassing him.
I quickly fixed my hair, then quietly made my way back to the table. As I sat down, I let out a deep sigh. 'I'm sorry, Charlie.'
'I was only trying to be friendly.'
'I know.. I should not have overreacted like that.'
He nodded, but had no time to respond before our waiter returned with two dishes. As he set one down in front of me, I tried my best not to let the initial distaste show on my face. Instead I picked up my cutlery and cut off a small piece. Hesitantly, I brought it to my mouth. And to my surprise, I found that he'd been right. 'It's really good!'
'Told you,' he smiled, then started on his own dish.
And as the night wore on and we ate, drank and talked, I found myself quite satisfied and, at least for a few hours, Jax did not cross my mind once.
That was almost four months ago and by now, almost just as long as we'd officially been in a relationship. It had not always been easy, combining a full course load and a love life, but we had somehow made it work – even if that more than once meant that we had to spend our time together studying.
Now, the last exams of the calendar year were finally over and Christmas break was coming up. A couple of days ago, Charlie had asked me to go home with him for Christmas to meet his family and, honestly, I had not known what to say. Despite the seriousness of our relationship, I'd never really thought about having to meet his parents – or for that matter, anyone that mattered to him. The only romantic experience I'd had was with Nate and that one drunken night with Jax – and we all know how those two pursuits ended. In the end, when seeing his face fall at my silence, I'd quickly agreed.
It was decided that we would leave tomorrow morning, so that we would be at his house two days before Christmas in hopes of being ahead of traffic. Charlie was helping me with packing my clothes – jokingly saying that he did not trust me to pick appropriate clothing – when my phone rang.
Looking down at the display, I saw it was Donna and I gave Charlie an apologetic look 'I've got to take this, sorry.' Then I pushed the green button. 'Hi Donna!'
'Close, but no cigar! I didnt have your number so she borrowed me hers.'
I laughed at the sound of his voice, remembering just how long it was since I'd heard from him – or from anyone in Charming for that matter. The last months had been so hectic! 'Opie, it's so good to hear from you! What's the occasion?'
'Can't I just be missing my dear little cousin?'
'You? I don't think so. Come on, spit it out!'
He laughed, the sound so loud that I had to hold the phone away from my ear for a moment. 'Always knew you were the smarter one in the family. In any case, Gemma is hosting a Christmas dinner party and she asked me to invite you.'
'Oh Ope, I..' I bit my lip 'I can't, I'm sorry.' And I was. I missed all of them dearly. It would have been nice to see them all for a bit. 'I have.. I have other plans.'
'That's okay, Eliza. Maybe you can come over for New Year's Eve? You know the New Year's parties at the clubhouse get pretty wild.'
'That's an understatement!' I laughed, then looked at Charlie, who had stopped rummaging through my closet and was giving me a curious look. I knew he'd planned to spend both Christmas and New Year at his parents' house, but maybe he wouldn't mind if I left early? 'I'll let you know, okay?'
'Sure thing, little cousin.'
'I got to go now, though. Bye Ope.'
'Bye Eliza.'
'Who was that?'
'That was Opie, my cousin.'
Charlie pulled up one of his eyebrows 'The son of your motor club uncle?'
'The very same. He's actually also part of the club.'
He nodded, but did not respond to that tidbit of news. 'What did he call you for?'
'He called to invite me to a Christmas dinner of.. a friend's mom.' I swallowed, ignoring the sting that was still present whenever I thought of Jax.
'And you told him?'
'Jeez, is this 21 questions?' I laughed, but at his serious face quickly sobered up. 'I told him I had other plans. Then he asked if I wanted to come over for New Year's Eve. I told him I would think about it.'
'We were going to spend New Year's Eve at my parents' house, remember?'
'I know. I just thought that maybe we could leave a little early or something?'
Charlie wore that specific face that told me that he did not agree, but said nothing. Instead, he turned his back to me and returned to selecting clothes.
I heaved a sigh, knowing that I would have to call Opie back sooner or later with my negative answer.
