Wrath
Charice got up at six in the morning, running late. Normally she got up at five to take a shower and do her hair, etc. Looked like it would be a ponytail day. She quickly got dressed and darted into the kitchen, slinging her many bags and art supplies over her shoulder and grabbing a muffin that her mother had made from the table. "Bye! Love you," she called as she ran out, and her mother's parting words were lost in the noise of a slamming door. Sliding into her little black Corolla, she drove at a reckless speed to the school. Pulling into a spot that was unfortunately far away from where she needed to be, she ran all the way to her first class. The teacher frowned when she walked in just as the minute changed, but said nothing. Charice placed two canvases covered in cloth on the project table. One was a painting of her street the other was a painting of her old house. Sitting in her seat, she paid close attention to her teacher to make up for being late.
Brittany, a snotty girl with pale blonde hair and a face full of derision, sneered as Charice took notes. "Christ, Cherry." The girl spat. "All you ever do is study. I still don't get why Caleb gives one shit what you think." Stiffening, the little brunette looked up at her only enemy. "How did you know we were dating? Why do you care?" Brittany rolled her eyes. "Because we used to date. I was the first serious relationship he ever had." Startled, Charice stuttered in confusion. "W-what?" Why would Caleb go out with someone so mean and cold-hearted? That did not seem like him. "You heard me," Brittany continued, seeing that she had won. "Your little boyfriend and I used to fuck our brains out."
Charice's hand flew on its own. There was a sharp sound as her palm connected with Brittany's cheek. The classroom went silent. People did not fight in art school. Charice Grey did not fight. Yet there she was, striking someone out of self-righteous anger. Fuming, the normally demure student rose from her seat and left the room she had only entered twenty minutes prior. She would rather leave than be sent out. Slinging her backpack over her shoulder, she stormed across the campus. There was one reason the comment had bothered her so much. Caleb was not hers. He had been with other girls; he had been like Drake. New girls on the weekends, never anything serious, he did what he wanted. Charice would never be with him physically because of her religion. Unless they got married, that meant no sex. Normally that would have never crossed her mind. Normally she wouldn't have cared, but deep down a part of her wanted Caleb to be something more. She wanted to love him in all the ways she could, because in her heart she loved him in many ways at once. Brittany, the stupid selfish bitch that broke hearts daily, did not deserve someone as flawless as Caleb. Still, Brittany was the one he had chosen. Charice was just the rebound.
It didn't help the matter to remember that Caleb had stood her up the night before. She had waited for an hour, afraid to call him and afraid not to, finally going home and getting a message at midnight. Brittany's words rang in her ears now, rooting a deep fear inside of her. Would he leave her because of her old-fashioned choice? What man would date a younger girl who still talked like a child and hadn't lost her virginity? Cherry's brown eyes filled with angry tears. She did not want to change herself, she did not want to go against her family and her God- but she could not bear to live a day without Caleb. Though he was part of the reason she was so upset, she found herself calling her boyfriend.
"Yes, darling?" was his breezy greeting. "Is everything okay?" Charice winced and was glad he could not see her. "Not really. I mean I want to see you. And I want to talk about last night." Caleb let out a sigh, but it seemed guilty more than anything. "Of course. I'll meet you at Tina's in an hour?" He didn't have a class then- Tina's was one of the more expensive restaurants in town. Cherry agreed and hung up, his voice helping and hurting at the same time.
Caleb was waiting for her when she arrived at the restaurant. He looked anxious to see her, immediately pouring out words when she sat down. "I'm so sorry, darling. I stood you up last night, there's no excusing it. My only explanation is that I had a terribly stressful day and I didn't realize what time it was until too late. Please, please forgive me?" Looking at his pleading brown eyes made it difficult to be upset, but Charice couldn't help thinking that perhaps he had once pleaded with Brittany the same way. Reaching across the table, she took his hand and lifted in to her face, leaning her cheek against his knuckles and thinking. He didn't move; content to let her gather her thoughts.
"There's nothing to forgive," she finally decided. "Everybody forgets things, you've never done it before. You're allowed to take a night off." The girl smiled, releasing his hand. A waiter came to give them drinks. When he was gone Caleb moved over to Cherry's booth, leaning in to kiss her cheek but met instead by her lips when she turned swiftly. "I wasn't really upset, more concerned that something might have happened to keep you away. Today was stressful for me, so I know how you feel." Caleb tilted his head as he went back to his own seat. "What happened?" Shrugging in a noncommittal way, Cherry sipped her water before speaking.
"You…dated Brittany Vela, didn't you? From my school?" Caleb was taken aback, but he nodded. "Yes, I thought you knew that?" Charice winced. "Just double-checking. Anyway, she and I have never gotten along. Even before I met you. We're sort of enemies, actually. I got to class late this morning and she was- well, talking shit actually." Charice had become a bit more liberal with cursing after spending so much time with Caleb. In this case, she was especially angry as she remembered the snarky blonde girl's words. Caleb's eyebrows furrowed. "What did she say?" Deciding to leave out the inappropriate parts, Cherry explained a little of the conversation. "And then I slapped her," she said, hanging her head. Caleb was dumbfounded for a second, but then he laughed. "She probably deserved it. No, I know she deserved it."
Looking at her tenderly, Caleb seemed to understand the problem. "Cherry, does it bother you that I loved her?" The blushing girl shook her head. "Not really. I mean, you're allowed to have a past, most people fall in love a few times, right? Just because I didn't doesn't mean you shouldn't have any ex's. What bothers me is that she has a part of you that I never can. I can't catch up to her." She was bright red now, trying to make her understand while not really wanting him to. Unfortunately, he did. "Charice Grey, it doesn't matter to me. You two are not the same girl, and I broke up with Brittany for a reason. Well technically she broke up with me, but either way she was a whore. I love you for your personality and beauty, not for sex. That isn't to say I don't want you, but I can wait as long as you need." His words made Cherry's stomach quiver. "Thank you," she whispered. "I shouldn't have worried- I know you wouldn't be so shallow."
After they ate, Caleb reluctantly stood. "You're like the weekend," he sighed. "When I see you it's Friday, I have so many good things ahead. Then it's Saturday, I know the end is coming. The end of our date is Sunday, and your house is the dreaded Monday." Cherry grinned, her pleasant attitude back in place. "Well it will be the weekend again, soon. We should meet tomorrow. Though as I've said, dating you is practically a sin in and of itself- being alone with you gets me a one-way ticket to hell." Caleb laughed, a sound that filled the room without being obnoxious. "Well I don't know if you noticed, but there's a transparent dome over my house that protects you from the suspicious eyes of deities." Cherry rolled her own eyes, a smile playing on her lips as they left the building. "Impossible; but why transparent? Can't it be purple?" Giving her a quizzical look, her boyfriend shrugged. "If you wish it to be purple, it will be purple. Whatever will persuade you to stay with me for a few days."
The next day was indeed the start of a three-day weekend, as Cherry and Caleb both had classes cancelled. Cherry went to Sonny's house for lunch before going to Caleb's, which was a mistake. Sonny had a very aggressive Terrier named Trevor who, as it turned out, intensely disliked Charice. She was only there for half an hour when she accidentally nudged the dog as he slept when reaching for her purse. With a growl Trevor bit at her arm. Being allergic to dogs, Cherry wasn't surprised when the wound began to swell. She kept her medication handy for a reason. "Oh my gosh!" Sonny gasped, rushing to help her friend and push the dog away. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry!" Cherry shook her head. "It's fine, I startled him," she said through gritted teeth as she washed out the little bite mark. "Maybe I should go," she said while Sonny helped her wrap up her arm. Trevor had been banished to the other room, but Cherry didn't want to take any chances.
Driving to Caleb's house only minutes later, she texted him ahead of time to let him know what happened. He stood by the door when she got there. "I'm sorry, darling." He murmured as she approached, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm fine," she assured him. "The purple dome makes me feel much better." Bullet raced towards them upon walking inside, but Caleb held the dog back- Cherry wasn't really in a canine mood. Curling up on the couch, Cherry put her head against Caleb's chest, her unmarked arm reaching up to rest on his neck while Caleb took the injured one and gently kissed below the bandage. They stayed there for a while, not paying much attention to the TV playing or making much conversation at all.