Chapter Thirty-One

The week had continued wonderfully. Charlie and Joey had thrown themselves into rehearsals and drama class and they found they were quite enjoying playing the most famous lovers in history. They had continued their secret relationship, although Charlie was paranoid that Ruby was becoming suspicious. She also felt that now might be the time to tell the truth. The only problem was that she was terrified. She didn't want to make a big statement. She didn't want Ruby and her friends to start throwing labels around, boxing her in and judging her. She liked the sweet, secret euphoria that she and Joey were experiencing now. She was afraid of the outside world destroying what they had.

"Hey, Joey, we never went for that run," Amber said from the back of the car.

Charlie tightened her grip of the steering wheel.

"Oh, yeah," Joey said awkwardly.

Charlie had been convinced that Amber was interested in her. Joey had promised to keep away.

"So, would you like to meet up this week sometime?" Amber asked.

"Um, well, Charlie's an exercise freak," Joey said. "Maybe all three of us could go."

Amber was momentarily disappointed but she supposed she didn't mind. Agreeing readily, the three of them arranged to meet early the next morning before Charlie went to work.

All three women were out of breath when they finished their run. Charlie had enjoyed herself, although she was certain that Amber was interested in Joey. Aside from that, she was a nice girl. She was funny and interesting.

"Thanks for meeting up with me," Amber said genuinely.

"It was fun," Joey said. "Please forgive the competitiveness of a certain someone though!"

Amber laughed.

"Hey! You're just as competitive as me," Charlie protested, slipping an arm around Joey's waist.

Joey leaned into her, smiling. Their bickering over who won various races had always been amusing and it had made Amber laugh a lot while they were running. Now, Amber observed the affection between the two of them with interest. If they hadn't sworn they weren't together, she would be certain they were. They were such a couple.

"Well, I need to get showered before work," Charlie announced, letting Joey go.

"Do you want to get a coffee or something?" Amber asked Joey.

Joey cast a glance at Charlie.

"That sounds like a great idea," Charlie said warmly. "Have fun."

Joey smiled, pleased that Charlie trusted her. Even if Amber was interested, which Joey doubted, she hoped Charlie knew nothing would ever happen. Charlie was Joey's world and that was the end of it. Charlie smiled and waved before jogging off in the direction of home.

Inside the Diner, Joey and Amber sat down and indulged in a milkshake each.

"So, you and Charlie are really close then?" Amber said, jumping straight in.

Joey blanched. She didn't want to lie to her new friend but she also knew on pain of death that she wasn't supposed to tell anybody about her and Charlie.

"She's my best friend," Joey confirmed, sucking hard on her straw.

Amused, Amber observed her.

"I'll keep it a secret," she promised.

Joey almost choked. She looked up, startled. Amber continued to smile knowingly at her. Joey didn't know whether to feel panicked or relieved.

"We're not…" Joey managed. "It's not… It's complicated."

"It always is."

Amber couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Joey was a nice girl and she felt like she clicked with her. But then, she wouldn't want to get in the way of someone's relationship and whether they realised it and accepted it or not, Charlie and Joey were in a relationship.

"I, um…"

"You don't need to spill any secrets," Amber assured her. "How did you meet?"

That seemed like a safe enough question.

"She… she helped me when I was having a hard time," Joey said, wanting to keep it vague. "She helped me get back on my feet. That's why we came to class actually. I was trying to improve my confidence."

"Well, starring in Romeo and Juliet should do that!" Amber laughed.

"Don't!" Joey sighed. "I so didn't mean to audition for that role."

"You both make good leads," Amber told her.

Joey was nervous while she waited for Charlie to come home. She knew she had to tell her about Amber working out that they were an item and she was terrified that it would break them. Charlie wasn't ready to tell people yet and if she was going to tell anyone, she would want it to be Ruby first. She looked up when she heard someone come home, relaxing again when she realised it was Ruby.

"Hey, Joey," the schoolgirl greeted her, slinging her bag on the table, grateful that another school day was over.

"Hi, Ruby," Joey replied.

"Are you alright?" Ruby asked, studying her housemate curiously.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh huh."

Ruby wasn't convinced. Joey was behaving strangely, although in all fairness, it was nothing unusual. She had no idea what was going on in this house anymore but it was weird. What two friends willingly shared a bed on a seemingly long-term plan? Charlie and Joey behaved more like a couple every day. They were inseparable and they bickered like they had been married for years. And now they were even playing lovers in some play. If Ruby wasn't certain that Charlie was heterosexual and she hadn't had so many boyfriends in the past, she would wonder if there was something going on. Part of her wondered despite that. She had come to adore Joey and really enjoyed spending time with her but the suspicious part of her was beginning to wonder if she was trying to turn her sister into a lesbian. Was that even possible? Could someone be turned like that just because of influences or did they have to have it as part of them already? If it was the latter, Charlie would be safe but Ruby couldn't help but feel a little concerned.

"Well, I'm going to get changed," Ruby said brightly.

"Okay," Joey said, sinking back on the sofa.

She leapt up when she heard someone else come home. Charlie smiled brightly and headed straight over. Double checking that nobody was around, Charlie kissed her.

"How was your day? Did you have fun with Amber?" she asked.

"Yeah, I did. Um… about that…"

Charlie's blood turned cold. She looked at Joey, heart in mouth, suddenly fearful that something had happened between them. Joey looked so frightened and as much as Charlie didn't want to doubt, the thought of losing her made everything so intense. She couldn't help but fear the worst.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Amber knows about us," Joey said quietly.

"What?" Charlie yelled, leaping to her feet.

"I'm sorry," Joey said, pleading with her. "I didn't tell her! She knew. She knew before we even got together, remember?"

Joey stayed perched on the sofa, gazing at up at Charlie, desperate for her to understand. Charlie looked down at her, watching her beg for understanding. Her heart melted and she sank to the floor, gathering Joey into her arms.

"It's okay," she sighed. "I know it's not your fault."

"I didn't confirm it," Joey said, clinging tightly to Charlie's shoulder. "But I didn't deny it either. I didn't want to lie. I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Charlie said, stroking her hair. "You should have to apologise for wanting to be honest."

She gazed at Joey who seemed so fragile in her arms. They could go for days without Charlie remembering how vulnerable she was. Joey was so strong, confident and capable. It was only at times like these that she realised that she wasn't as perfectly secure and in control as she liked other people to believe.

"She won't tell anyone," Joey said.

"Good. I'm just… I'm not ready yet. And when we do tell, I want Ruby to know first. She deserves to know first."

"I know."
"I'm not ready for her to know yet."

"I know."

"Do you? Is that all still okay with you?" Charlie asked.

"As long as I can be with you, it's fine," Joey confirmed.