Becoming Ready

Chapter 12 - Mine

After she asked for the check, Cassius' behavior improved significantly. He paid for dinner, even though she offered to split it. He also opened her car door for her. She didn't understand why he bothered. It was a bit too late for all that.

As they pulled up to her apartment building, Cassius asked, "Have I been a jerk?"

Charlie contemplated the question. There were so many ways to answer it, but so little time.

"Yes, you have," she said simply. "But it's fine."

"No, no. It's not fine, I'm sorry," he apologized.

"Don't worry about it," she accepted, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"I really didn't mean to be," he insisted, a pained look on his face. He sounded like he wanted to keep talking, but that was the last thing Charlie wanted to do. She realized she should have just said no, because none of it mattered anyway. She just wanted to get out of there.

She smiled at him reassuringly. "I know. I'll see you around school."

She didn't take back what she said about him being a jerk, because she really meant it, but she was being friendly. She knew it confused him, but it was the only way to end the conversation quickly. And she didn't care if he was confused. He used to confuse her all the time, so now the shoe was on the other foot, or whatever.

He leaned forward to hug her. She gave him a quick squeeze with one arm, then got out of his car. She shut the door, feeling the late summer night air swirling around her. She took a deep breath. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

She went inside, grabbed the car keys, and turned right back around. Thankfully, her father, who was sitting in the living room, didn't ask too many questions. That was one good thing about her parents. They gave her space, even when physically there was none.

When she arrived at Shawn's apartment, she didn't text him that she was there. She just threw the car in park, barely remembering to lock it, and ran all the way to his front door. She knocked anxiously.

The door opened just a crack. Then after a moment, it opened wide, and Charlie saw Shawn's face. He looked like he was ready to fight someone.

"Jesus Charlie, who knocks like that anymore? I thought you were a crazy homeless person, or something," he said, breathing out in relief.

Charlie laughed. He was right, no one showed up unannounced, at least not in this generation.

"I'm sorry," she said, still laughing. "I just really wanted to see you."

"Well come on in already, Goldie." He waved her inside.

She stepped into the living room and he gave her a kiss. Charlie looked around and saw Shawn's roommates all gathered in front of the television, watching what looked like a UFC match. They looked up to acknowledge her, but otherwise remained enthralled. They would probably be entertained for hours.

Shawn took her hand and led her to his room. Charlie waited until they were in private before throwing her arms around him and kissing him.

He kissed her back, surprised, but he returned her enthusiasm nonetheless. After about a minute, Charlie broke the kiss.

"What was that for?" he smiled.

She looked at him intently. "For being you."

He got that naughty twinkle in his eyes that she recognized so well by now. "You're gonna have to be more specific, Goldie. I wanna know what I did so I can do it again."

She turned and locked the door, then turned to face him again.

She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a kiss. "For being so trusting." She gave him another. "For not giving me the cold shoulder even though I went to dinner with my ex." And another. "And for being so sexy without even trying."

"Damn," he said, still smiling. "Who else can I let you go on a date with, and what do I get then?"

She burst into laughter. "I'm never going on a date with anyone but you ever again."

"That's right," he agreed. "You're all mine."

And with that, he picked her up and threw her on the bed. 

**Not gonna lie, it felt nice to wrap things up with Cassius! This is basically the end of Act 1, but I have something pretty exciting (at least I think it is) planned for Act 2! Xx