Hey guys!
FINALLY! I finally found time to write again. Yesterday I had my final exams in maths and now it feels kind of strange that this chapter of my life is finally over. I have been told for all my life that it would be so hard and so important for me and now it is over and I have no idea whether or not I feel relieved.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter, let me know what you think of it!
Charlotte sighed and grabbed one of the filled watering can that had been standing in the sun for several days. She pointed at another one and Sebastian drew closer to their position. When he picked one up, a bit of water flow over his hand and soaked a small bit of his sleeve. He shook the hand and a look of disgust had found its way on his face.
"This is as warm as piss.", he stated and Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"Well, lucky you, it really is just water. Rainwater, actually. It needs to be this warm because I don't want my poor plants to be shocked when they are watered with fresh, cold water. I have read about this somewhere.", Charlotte explained but Sebastian had already left with his thoughts. How was he supposed to catch up with his work if he was stuck with Charlotte? He had several projects due until the next week. He was brought back by Charlotte's fingers snipping in front of his face.
"You need to listen to what I tell you! And I'm going to teach you how to water the crops properly. This is the very least I can do. I won't let you tend my crops all by yourself, of course, I'm sure you have things to do at home yourself, but it's very important that you know when you have to water them if I'm not able to do so.", she said and he looked up in surprise. He cocked an eyebrow.
"Why shouldn't you be able to do things like that?", he asked and Charlotte sighed heavily.
"Maybe because there are duties that Sebastian has to fulfil? I don't know if you remember but your father's birthday is in what, a week?" Sebastian sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes.
"Demetrius' birthday... Completely forgot about that one. But who says that we will stay like this for such a long time? This would be horrible.", he remarked and Charlotte shook her head.
"Indeed, it would be horrible. But we need to be prepared. And that's why you are going to look at how I'm tending those tomato-plants.", she demanded and continued her work. Then she kneeled next to the plant and started stroking its leaves lightly.
"Well, I can water them but I won't start to pet them.", Sebastian announced dryly and Charlotte shot a glance at him.
"I'm not petting them. I have to look if there are any lice on them.", she explained and stood up. She then shrugged and turned around, going in the direction of her house. When she stepped onto her patio, she told him to follow her. Indoors, she put a pot of water on her stove and heated it.
"Do you want some tea as well?", Charlotte asked and Sebastian nodded.
"I would prefer coffee but tea is fine, too.", he replied and placed himself onto the shaky wooden chair at her small table.
"Oh, no sorry. I usually don't drink this much coffee. Only occasionally, actually.", she explained and Sebastian shrugged. There were so many things that had to be discussed but Sebastian didn't know how to start talking about those things because he felt uncomfortable even thinking about this. It was Charlotte started.
"Is there anything I need to know? About your body, I mean.", she asked and Sebastian shrugged. "I mean, are there any sicknesses of yours I have to know about? Do you need to take any medications?"
"No, nothing like this. Well, I'm kind of allergic to fructose but I'm not that fond of fruits, anyway.", he replied. "I don't know how often you eat things like that but if you're not fond of flatulence, you probably shouldn't eat it.", he added and Charlotte frowned.
"I actually don't have any sicknesses and I'm not allergic to anything but... There's something you need to promise me.", she said and Sebastian perked up. He looked at her questioningly. "This shouldn't be too hard for you, at least I hope so, but... you are not allowed to smoke. You need to promise me that you won't. I hope for you that your addiction isn't of psychological manner."
Sebastian hadn't even wasted one thought on this fact. Smoking wasn't this important to him, sure. But knowing that he wasn't allowed to do it because he was stuck in another person's body made him nervous. And when he was nervous, he usually smoked some cigarettes. He let his fingers run through the freaky red curls on his head. They were softer than he had thought when he had seen Charlotte elsewhen.
"Can't promise you this but I'm gonna try.", he told her truthfully but Charlotte didn't seem to be convinced.
"I think our body deserves to be treated well. It's the only one we have, you know? And we won't grow another pair of lungs if we destroy the first one.", she said and Sebastian sighed heavily.
"You don't want to say things like: 'Your body is a temple' like Emily usually does, do you?", he commented but she didn't even listen to him and continued talking. He had switched off his ears and he let his eyes search in her room. He didn't know what he was looking for until he couldn't find it. "You don't have any space where I could set up my PC, have you?", he interrupted her rambling about sports and yoga and healthy food. She looked around as well and frowned.
"I don't even have an internet connection here.", she replied and Sebastian tried to figure out how he could do his work in her body. Luckily, he wasn't in face-to-face-contact with his customers but his Mum already freaked out when Abigail came visiting him without Sebastian telling her before. How would he react if she saw Charlotte in his room – All by herself and on his computer?
"I mean, the fact that I know that you are smoking shows how much you smoke. I mean, we haven't really talked to each other and I have seen you smoking at least five times a week.", she continued and Sebastian rolled his eyes.
"You are not my mother. And now: How do we handle the fact that I have many projects to complete until next week without somebody noticing?", he asked and Charlotte stopped in motion while pouring tea into two cups.
"Well, I have worked quite a long time as a programmer. But I guess you wouldn't want me to practice again with your clients.", she told Sebastian and he looked at her in genuine surprise.
"You have?", he asked and she nodded in response.
"I worked for Joja before moving here. Actually, this was the reason I moved. But we won't talk about this right now, we have to figure out how to fulfil our tasks. But for the first days, I would say that you simply sneak into your room at night and work then. You could sleep here while I work outside and I could visit your parents from time to time so they won't freak out.", she suggested and Sebastian looked at her, his head tilted slightly.
"This could work.", he replied and she was surprised herself that there wasn't anything else coming from him. She sipped on her cup and handed him his. "Anything else I need to know?", he asked and shifted on his chair uncomfortably. Charlotte blushed a little bit. Even though she knew exactly that there were topics they had to talk about, she wouldn't be the one to start.
"I have kind of crazy hair but I guess you already figured this. But if you simply use the things I have in my shower, you should be fine.", she answered and he blew up his cheeks because he knew exactly that this wasn't everything. He figured he would need to find out several things himself. "Oh, maybe it would be the best to simply stay away from our friends if it isn't necessary.", she added and Sebastian sighed again. He had no idea how often he had done this that day.
"That's not this easy. Remember how you reminded me of Demetrius' birthday? Sam's is two days before. And I don't know how well you know him but he would never forgive me if I forgot his birthday.", Sebastian replied and Charlotte shrugged while sipping on her cup again.
"Sam won't be a problem. He's a nice guy, I would be happy if I had the chance to go on his birthday.", she said and Sebastian rolled his eyes.
"I bet he would have invited you, anyway. He's this party-person and he likes you." Sebastian was reminded of how his best friend had gushed about her when he had visited him the last time. Sure, Charlotte was beautiful and Sebastian had the feeling that everybody liked her just because she was new and this was exactly the reason why he himself had been interested in her in the first place. Because she was new and came from the city. But the more time he spent with her stressed-out self, the more he wished to be far away from her. He couldn't be any closer to her now, could he?
"Then I'm going to sit around and look all gloomy and lonely and you are going to be the nicest you can be.", she teased and Sebastian shot her a glance.
"To be honest, you are nowhere near nice right now.", he said and Charlotte shrugged.
"Because I'm in a situation where I can't really think of what I say before I do so. I'm emotionally unstable right now. And I bet, you can relate to that." She took another sip of her cup. When Sebastian had finished his, he stood up and put it in the sink. When Charlotte watched him, she had an idea.
"We should probably try to at least look like the other one. I mean, you can't walk like this and I'm doing several things wrong, I suppose.", she suggested and Sebastian shrugged.
"Why can't I walk like this?", he asked and Charlotte shook her head and stood up as well. She pointed at her hips.
"Because girls have a natural swing while walking. Not too much, but it's there.", she replied and started walking back and forth the room, while Sebastian watched her.
"Please don't do this. I look as gay as one can be.", he stated and Charlotte laughed. "No worries, I'll try to do my best not to make you look 'gay' in any manner.", she reassured him. "And now do what I told you!", she demanded and Sebastian felt like he wanted to be anywhere but there with her when he actually tried shaking his butt while going. It wasn't getting any better when Charlotte commented on his skills as a natural gift. Memories he had always tried to shove away had come back but he reminded himself that things that have happened were the past. He felt a shiver running over his back but Charlotte was oblivious to this. She had taken place at her table and Sebastian decided to participate in this game.
"You can't sit like this.", he said and pointed at her crossed legs. "How can this even be possible? You must squeeze... things... like this." For the first time this day, he had noticed the emptiness between his legs. There wasn't anything he had to shift around uncomfortably but at the same time, he felt... emasculated. "This comes with being stuck in a female body, genius.", he hissed to himself and felt the urge to hit himself for his stupidity.
"Actually, I feel like if I sat any different, there would be too much moving involved.", she pointed out.
"Get used to it.", Sebastian advised.
"I really hope I don't have to.", Charlotte replied and downed her last bit of tea. "Is there anything else I need to know how to handle your body?", she asked and Sebastian almost choked on his own saliva. This had sounded so wrong. Soo wrong.
"No, no... Everything should be fine. Not much of a challenge.", he said quickly and brushed through his hair. He started thinking about how to resolve this awkward situation but he was interrupted by a threatening sound. He looked at Charlotte, who looked at her front door with wide eyes. Somebody was knocking.