The Virginity Bet [#Wattys 2015]

Chapter 7

"Uh, it's fine. We just got a ride from one of Lucy's classmates. I think her name was Lauren or something. But... that's not important. What's important is the fact that I have a major hangover that is seriously killing me." She said softly.

Charlie frowned, "Great. My 15 year old sister drank alcohol last night."

Crystal rolled her eyes, "Please. I saw you drinking once with Luk-" She topped herself suddenly as she realized she was about to say the name of Charlie's one and only ex boyfriend. 

Charlie suppressed a tear, "You can say his name, you know, he's not some sort of unspoken person." She joked, but it hurt her to even talk about him.

Crystal gave her a knowing look and changing the subject, "So what were you up to last night? Lucy and I looked everywhere for you but like you totally vanished. Except the car was still there."

Charlie apologetically smiled, "Funny story, actually. Did you know Logan has a 7 year old brother?"

Crystal stiffened, "I'd rather not talk about Logan."

"Uh-oh. Spill, missy!" Charlie encouraged her sister, even though she knew now that Crystal had no chance of being with Logan since he was "dating" Kylie.

"Ugh. It's just. I felt like he was flirting with me but it wasn't real, you know? Like he would lead me on and then suddenly dissapear. You would think he has a girlfriend or something." She joked bitterly.

Charlie looked at the ground, "How weird." She mumbled. 

Charlie decided she wasn't going to say anything about Logan and Kylie to anyone until she confronted Kylie herself.

Crystal nodded, "I know, it's totally weird. I think he might be gay."

Charlie almost choked at this. She held back her laughter, "Maybe." Then she remembered what she saw Caleb doing earlier with the mystery-whore of the week, and she felt sad again.

"Hey, Char? Are you okay?" Crystal said, placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder, as if sensing her new change in mood.

She looked up, "Oh. I'm fine." No I'm not, she thought.

"No you're not." Crystal stated. 

"Oh sis, you know me so well."

"What's going on?"

Charlie sighed, "It's really not that big of a deal. It's just... boy trouble."

"Caleb?" Crystal guessed.

Charlie nodded. 

Crystal sighed, "What happened?"

Suddenly Charlie felt the need to tell Crystal everything. So she told her every detail from the minute she got into the car driving home to what she saw when she did get home, including showing Crystal her texting conversation with Caleb.

"Wow." Crystal said.

"I know... I'm trying not to like him, but I can't help it. I like him so much, and here he is sleeping with some bimbo. Her name's probably like Chloe, or Precious, or like Kassandra with a "K".

Crystal giggled and then her expression turned serious, "Are you sure it's Caleb that you like and not just the idea of him- of having a boyfriend?"

Charlie let out a dramatic sigh and her head fell into her hands, "I honestly don't know anymore."

Crystal shook her head but smiled, "The taste you have in men still hasn't changed."

"What do you mean?" Charlie asked curiously.

"I mean... you know who."

"Say it." Charlie whispered, needing to hear her say his name.

"Do I really need to?" She said softly.

"Yes." Charlie begged.

"I mean Luke."

Charlie nodded and Crystal continued, "Luke- I swear, he is like the exact same as Caleb."

Charlie gulped, "Yeah, he was an asshole too. At first..."

"Tell me about him. This is the first time since it happened that you've actually been willing to talk about it. I'm proud of you, Char."

Charlie's breath got stuck in her throat. Finally, she whispered quietly, "He was so on-edge. I swear, when I met him, he was in a really bad place. His dad used to beat him and his younger brother. Did you know that? He had scars and bruises. Permanent ones. Everyone was so scared to talk to him. But one day at lunch I just got up and sat next to him. We sat in silence for two weeks." Charlie sadly smiled at the next part, "But after that two weeks, he said, 'nice socks' because my socks weren't matching, and we started talking. He was so scared, Crys. He didn't have anyone. But he got better. He got nicer and sweeter, but he was still sad. He had that look in his eye, you know? Then one day, he was just happy. Just like that. I thought I changed him... I thought he loved-" Charlie stopped because she was at a loss of words.

"Yep." Crystal shook her head, "You like Caleb because he's so broken that you feel like you need to fix him. You don't have to fix everything, Charlie. Sometimes... things are just broken beyond repair."

Charlie softly smiled, "Thanks Crys. You know, I like the way we've been getting close in the past few days, Crys. You're the best sister I could have asked for."

Crystal scoffed, "Don't get too mushy on me, nerd!" 

Charlie laughed loudly and Crystal winced, holding her hand to her head, "Damn this hangover."

Charlie smiled, "Get some sleep Crys. There's Aspirin in the 2nd drawer to the left of my bathroom."

Crystal breathed a sigh of relief, "I love you, Char."

She walked out and once Charlie thought she was out of earshot, Charlie whispered, "I love you too, Crys."

"I heard that!" Crystal yelled playfully, finally leaving Charlie to collect her thoughts about what she was going to do about Caleb.