just friends...

dreams

"Mia, I-I like you... a lot... and I have for a while now," Charlie spoke, his gentle voice reassuring me. The back of his hand reaches toward my cheekbone and caresses it. I became flustered.

"Wait, you really do? Because I've liked you ever since like 8th grade and I-" Both of his hands were cupping my face while he leaned down. I gulped, looking deep into his chocolate brown eyes. He looked at me as if asking for consent, just by using his eyes. Charlie was always a gentleman, putting my needs before his.

I nodded my head, and he continued closer towards me, now only being inches away from my face. He grinned, closing the gap between us. His soft lips pressed against mine, butterflies flooded my stomach and I could feel my face flush with red. I put my hands on his chest, bringing my hands upward and around his neck. At this point, he had brought his left hand down to my waist, bringing me in closer, our bodies pressed against each other.

I felt relieved, 1. Charlie knew I had feelings for him; 2. Charlie had feelings for me. Nothing could ruin this moment, except-

bZzZt... BzZzT... bZzZt...BzZzT...

My phone continued to buzz. I slowly rose from laying down and picked up my phone. Today was September 2nd, 2021, my final first day in high school. It was 5:58, just enough time to get ready before I had to leave at 7 am. I sighed, wishing last night's dream was a reality, and then climbed out of bed.

I walked to the bathroom, splashed my face with cold water, and looked up at the reflection in the mirror. I sighed as I stared, looking at my awful bed head and the slight purpleness of my under eye bags. The voices in my head returned: Why do you even like Charlie, Mi? He doesn't like you back, he'll NEVER like you back. I slam my face into my cupped hands. He'll never like me back. 

I sigh, proceeding to brush my teeth, allowing my thoughts to drift to the fact that school starts soon and I need to get there on time. I finish brushing and open my makeup drawer, taking out my concealer, my beauty blender, and my lash lengthening serum. I apply the concealer under my eyes to attempt to cover my eye bags, but a slit reddish purple tint still remains under my eyes. I gave up and moved onto lashes. I had naturally thick and long eye lashes, but the serum gave them a natural, dewy, elongating look. 

I brushed out my long, chestnut brown hair, making it go from a birds nest to messy beach waves. I walk towards the closet in my room and pick out a washed out navy blue cropped crewneck sweater and my favorite pair of light washed mom jeans. I check the time; it's now 6:24, just in time to eat something and pick up Charlie before heading to school. 

Ever since 9th grade, I had always dreamed of having a white Ford Mustang convertible, and Charlie loved the idea of getting a free ride in a car with the roof off, so it was a win-win for me. So, that summer I got a job, and saved up as much as I could, not including my online shopping addiction in 10th grade, and bought a white Ford Mustang as soon as I got my licenses the summer before 11th grade.

***

**(author's note: for the best reading experience, play "Meet Me At Our Spot" by THE ANXIETY, Tyler Cole, and Willow [youtube link below]. "~" indicates that the character is singing along to the lyrics. also *** indicates a flash back/flash forward)**

I had never felt more accomplished when I first pulled into Charlie's drive way for the first time, top down, blasting our favorite song at the time. I honk twice, hearing the front door slam shut, I see Charlie run down towards the driveway.

"No. Fucking. Way." He starred at me in shock. 

"Get in loser, I'm driving you to school," I say, pointing towards the empty seat next to me. 

He hops into the car, without opening the door, and looks right at me. "How were you able to even-" I turn the volume up, jokingly avoiding the question. "Wow, don't wanna share you're secrets with me..."

"Shh the chorus is coming up," I look at him as I pull out of the driveway. I begin to sing along, "~Caught a vibe...Baby, are you coming for the ride? I just wanna look into your eyes." I look at Charlie, his eyes closed, enjoying the breeze on his face. "~When we take a drive, maybe we can hit the 405. Hypnotized by the lights. Man, this must be the life.~"

"My turn," Charlie says. "~When I go to sleep, I can't even fall asleep. Something's got ahold of me, feel it taking over me. But when I'm older, I'll be moving onward. I just got a drunk text~"

"~Meet me at our spot,~" I sing. 

"~We caught a vibe. Baby, are you coming for the ride? When I look into your eyes. I just wanna hold you all night. Maybe we can take a drive. Maybe we can hit the 405. Hypnotized by the lights. Man, this must be the life.~" 

I stop at a traffic light. I turn to glance at him, and I meet his gaze. He's staring, grinning at me. Butterflies flood my stomach, and I turn to face the road again to try to cover my blush and my smile. Gosh, why does he make me feel this way...

The light turns green, and I proceed to sing, "~Caught a vibe. Baby, are you coming for the ride~"

"~I just wanna look into your eyes~"

"~I just wanna stay for the night, night, night~"

"~When we take a drive, maybe we can hit the 405.~"

"~Hypnotized by the lights.~"

"~Man, this must be the life,~" Charlie sings, the song ending. 

***

I run down the stairs, entering the kitchen to be greeted by my mom, reading a novel and drinking her coffee.

"Good morning, sweetheart," she looks up from her book, smiling at me. "Ready for your last 'first day' of high school?"

"I guess, kinda anxious is all."

"Alright, well, do you want me to make you some breakfast?" 

"It's ok mom," I smile at her. "I think I'm  going to go pick up Charlie early and get a coffee at 'The Grounds' before school."

"Ok, have fun sweetie... Be safe on the road, stay at speed limit, stop at all stop signs-"

"I will be careful, ma, no need to worry."

"You I know love you and just want you to be safe."

"I love you too...Ciao mama!" ("Bye mom!" in Italian)

"Ciao!!! Dimi tutto quando torni!" ("Bye!!! Tell me about everything when you get back!" in Italian)

I grab my school bag and lanyard - which has my drivers license, school id, wallet, pepper spray and car keys - and head out the front door towards my car. I take the top down and get in the car, turning the ignition, and heading for Charlie's house.

1295 Words - Thank you so much for reading! Stay tuned for updates and check me out on TikTok and Instagram, where I mighttt upload sneak peeks to new chapters and announcements... 👀

TikTok - @strawb3rry.smoothi3 

insta - @strawb3rrysmoothi3

also, feel free to reply to this with your thoughts and any suggestions, I am always up for constructive criticism, but please remember to be nice as this is my first Wattpad story. 

If you have any scene recommendations that fit with the plot that you'd like to see, let me know here!