Chapter 46
Waking up is when the blinding sunlight slaps your eyelids with such force that the harshness of reality reduces you to a ball of early morning frustration. Of course, if you asked me another day I would've told you to preach those words. But today? Well, today was different.
Today, I feel this warmth, this feeling of being embraced--held, even though I'm not. There's a soft buzzing from somewhere beneath my pillow, and it annoys me so much that I force my arm to try and feel for it. As my brain begins to transition into a more wakeful state, I finally get a hold of said source of buzzing. It's only my phone though, going crazy for a reason I don't know yet. The lights, they filter through the curstains, casting light shadows here and there. I try to fight waking, but it doesn't work. So finally, I open one eye with caution, and then the other.
You know what I saw first? Charlie. He has his arms folded on top of the mattress, his chin resting on his arms. He must have fallen asleep...staring, maybe? I shake my head, along with my silly assumption. His back must've been hurting from sleeping on a beanbag in the middle of the night and went to sleep in a different position, no need to overthink things.
Although, the more I stare at him, the more I feel inclined to like him. There's just something about Charlie; the way he understands me. It's not the same with Andrew. Andrew only sees me for the parts of me that I selectively showed, which is the ridiculously polite, always proper, and somewhat awkward Eli. Drew's never seen the part of me that's overtly embarassing and immaculately clumsy. He doesn't know that sometimes I have stalker tendencies when I'm on any form of social media network. He doesn't know how much I love my stolen bicycle or that I really suck at Chemistry; that oceans bring out my philosophical and poetic side; that I got a job at SCÖÖP because of a deal. He doesn't know that I'm setting up my blonde twin--who has a boyfriend--with this guy that I might actually be in love with. I mean, that's gotta be something, right? Drew has no idea how disfunctional things are. And I mean that in a totally first-world-problem sort of disfunctional.
"What's going on?"
"Huh?" I said, looking back at the now awake Charlie.
"You looked like you were trying to think of a cure for cancer," he remarked, his voice deep and hoarse, eyelids still threatening to close on him. "I'm surprised you haven't blurted anything out."
I blinked, unsure. "I had to learn how to keep to myself when I'm around you."
Charlie straightened up a little. He rested his head on his hand, sleepily eyeing me with curiosity. "Why's that?"
"A girl's got to keep a certain air of mystery," I said, shaking it off and trying to evade my real answer. "Plus, you don't have to know everything that goes on in my head."
Charlie tilted his head, his pretty, gold eyes softening. "It would be nice to know, though."
Suddenly, the excessive buzzing resumed and it startled the both of us. Since I already had my phone in my hand, I quickly lifted it up and read the caller ID. My eyebrows scrunched together as I saw Drew's name flashing on my screen. Why would he call me so early? Is there something wrong? Maybe its little Agatha again?
"Hey," I said slowly as I glanced at Charlie. He quietly sat and watched me intently.
"Uh, hi," answered Drew. "I'm sorry if I woke you up."
I laughed quietly. "Well, technically, you did but its no biggie. Why'd you call?"
"I don't know. I just wanted to see you again."
My eyes darted to the ceiling. I could just feel Charlie's stare. "When?" I asked.
"Tonight," Drew said, "I want to take you out, if that's okay with you."
"Oh," was all I could say in that exact moment. I mean, what about Charlie and Penny? Didn't I just prepare this whole thing for them these last two months? Didn't I deserve to see it through? I cast my eyes back at Charlie. He was frowning now, but I wasn't sure why. I could feel myself giving into my infatuation with him, but I wasn't supposed to--give in, I mean.
So then, I figured: that makes perfect sense! This call was a sign! I just needed some space away from Charlie, was all. It might be easier to stop liking him by not being around him so much. Yes, this is good for me, I thought to myself.
"Okay," I chirped hopefully, before I could change my mind. "Wait, are you still there?"
I heard a soft chuckle in response. "Yeah, I'm still here, Elouise."
"What time?"
"Pick you up at six," he said with finality.
I glanced at Charlie one more time before I replied, "Sure."
A few moments after the call, Charls cleared his throat. When I kept my eyes closed and ignored him, he did it again. It was right next to my ear this time. With my eyes wide open, I scowled at him. "Do you need a glass of water for your throat?" I asked smartly.
"What was that?"
"A phone call?" I joked.
"No, I meant what was it about?" he tried again, eyeing me as if I was a guilty prisoner.
I wrapped the blankets around myself more tightly, wanting it to shield me from everything. "Drew."
"I assumed as much," he commented. "Continue."
"I agreed to see him tonight," I said, slightly curious if he caught on or not.
Surprisingly, Charlie only chuckled. "For a second, I thought you said tonight."
I raised my brow at him, wondering if he had gone nuts. "I did," I told him, sitting up.
Looking confused, he scratched his head. "Wait, you know what today is, right?" He didn't wait for my answer. "I need you, Eli. You--you can't just leave me!"
"You'll be fine, Charls. Everything's set up," I reassured him. "Trust me, this plan is full proof."
And yet, no matter how much I explain things to him, he couldn't seem to wrap his head around it. When I felt that we were about to start a shouting match, I glanced at the clock. It's quarter past seven. He has to leave soon.
"Charlie, I wouldn't just agree if I thought the plan wasn't gonna go smoothly with or without me. I've got your back, okay? Cindy's going too, for your information. Now, if you're planning not to get caught by my parents, I suggest you scuttle on out," I stated, giving him a serious look. My lips were set in a straight line, my eyes were narrowed--the whole lot. Let him know there were not but's in this conversation.
"Okay, fine," Charlie replied reluctantly. "But I'll see you in three hours. Wear something casual."
Without so much as an explanation or even a goodbye, Charlie stood up and went to my balcony. I watched as he descended slowly. When I couldn't see him anymore, I laid back down on my mattress and covered my face with my blanket.
Tell me again why I like this punk?
~
I spent my three Charlie-free hours eating, getting ready, talking to my parents, eating some more, and confirming plans with Penny. Of course, she said yes. That girl loved romantic yacht rides just as much as the next girl. It just so happens that the captain is Diana's uncle and Charlie is there helping out. Of course, once Charlie rows a good distance away from the yacht when he takes Penny for a short boat ride, the captain will "forget" and go on without them. Charlie would obviously have a safe direction to go to, in which he will proceed to "build a shelter from scratch" and "hunt food" for them. Then, Charlie needs to find the walkie talkie we hid together so he could contact Cindy. And finally, it's easy enough to remember that they really aren't lost. The spot Charlie and Penny will be at is directly opposite the hotel that Cindy will be temporarily residing. They're only separated by a mini jungle that spans along the beach. It's small enough that Charlie and Penny can easily cross it; with much persuading on Penny's part.
"Elouise, someone's at the door for you!" Mom shouted from the front door.
I trudged along to the front door, where my mother was standing with a suggestive smile. Charlie donned his worn sneakers, jeans, and a basic tee. He didn't look as good as he did in formal wear, but I liked him just as much.
God. What am I saying?
Charlie grabs my hand and we exit together after telling my mother when we'll get back. I brush off the fact that he didn't let go of my hand, it's not that big of a deal anyway.
"So what's happening?" I ask, trying for nonchalant.
He gives me a dimpled smile, quite boyish in nature. "We're going on a sudden field trip, darling."
I frown at his choice of nickname. "I think you've prepared me enough, Charls."
"We'll see."
Charlie and I hop onto Cindy's black car and drive to the mall. Our first stop is at the clothing stores. I haven't planned anything about what my attire tonight. Honestly, Charlie should be the one prepping outfits. You know, get the whole sailor look going on. Anyway, like children, the two of us race to the elevator. Of course, because I'm a ninja, I win. I got to press the button first.
Charlie's pouts like a little boy and I chuckle. "Dammit, Elouise! I wanted to press the damn button!"
I ignore his fit, watching the number change until we're at out destination: the clothing floor. As we look for what I'm going to wear, Charlie starts to constantly make me try clothes that he thinks looks good. They're a bit on the slutty side and not exactly my cup of tea. At first, I don't really think much of it but a few more comments in and suddenly I'm done.
"Hey, can you cut it out?" I request, frowning at him as he sat on a seat outside the change rooms.
"What? I was just suggesting," he says, looking remotely confused.
"You want me to wear that?" I point to the blue strapless dress he had in his hands. It looks like one of those second skin sort of dresses. It kind of offends me that he doesn't know me enough to remember that I only wear clothes that speak for me, not anybody else. "You think I would wear something like that?"
He nods. "Well, yeah. Girls look good in these sort of dresses," he replies like a real douche. "But that looks just as good," Charlie adds, probably out of pity.
I nod, not saying another word. Maybe he's just trying to make me fit into this cookie cutter mould. I'm not sure if he's trying to make me seem perfect, with all the shape wear and the heels. But I don't know. It's just--well, sad.
He frowns. "Hey, don't take it the wrong wa--"
"I get it, okay?" I interrupt him as I put my hands on my hips. "I'm not perfect; I don't have your so-called ideal body. I don't have insanely long legs or a tiny little waist. I don't have the perfect butt or huge boobs. I can't change those things about myself."
He tries to speak, most likely to defend himself, but I stop him before he can even start.
"You can try to create illusions as your way out of it, but at the end of the day, I'll still be the same person. This is me, and this is all you're gonna get," I stated, glancing at myself in the mirror.
Charlie clears his throat, his soft, kind eyes fixated on mine. "I was just gonna say that you look beautiful, El. I was only suggesting those dresses because I really liked seeing you wear blue," he murmurs, a blush creeping up his neck.
Now that I think of it, all his suggestions really are blue. My eyes widen in embarrassment and I join him in blushing.
Charlie looks away from me, and scratches the back of his neck. "You may not be the most drool-worthy girl out there, but you're good enough for me."
I try to say something witty, but how do you respond to something as sweet as that? Truly, I wanted to ask him what he meant, but I let the opportunity pass. Maybe I'll ask him another time. Instead, I try for clueless. Laughing, I reply, "What do you mean, not drool-worthy? You obviously can't handle my sexiness."
I got changed after that. As we exit the store, Charlie reaches for my hand and kisses my knuckles, his eyes focused on mine. "Clearly, I can't."
Dear God. What am I gonna do with this boy?
* * *
Heeeeey.
Since the jig is up, and I couldn't even publish an extra... I would like to apologise to all of you. I know it must be annoying but I really am trying my best to balance everything.
I'm dedicating this chapter to all of you. Thank you for staying with MBFB. I love you all. xoxo
See you on the next update.
J~