Love Notes (5 page)

I shower and get ready for bed, and again can’t help thinking about Charlie. She is now consuming my every thought. There were so many other things I noticed about her. I’m not going to lie and pretend I didn’t look at her ass as she walked out of class.

I mean like a nice ass. Not too much, and not too little–perfect.

What can I say? I’m a guy, I notice these things.

So, of course as I'm trying to go to sleep the only thing I can see when I shut my eyes is Charlie. Her brown hair with just a hint of red to it, her brilliant dark blue eyes, her lips that are just so damn kissable, and that smile she was sporting as she talked to Tori. I loved seeing that smile on her face, and I want to be the one to put one there.

After a sleepless night, I decide that today is the day. I'm going to make more of an effort to talk to Charlie. And lucky for me, I start my day with her in history and end my day with her in choir.

I start pulling clothes out of my dresser and find myself seriously contemplating what I’m going to wear.
What the hell am I thinking?
I have never cared before. This girl Charlie is doing wicked things to my head. She makes me think and care about things I never have before. But why?

Chapter 8-Charlie

Mornings are always rough here.
Really Charlie?
Actually every morning and evening is rough. Mornings consist of judging my choice of clothing, and evenings consist of watching my every damn move with a fork and a plate of food. This morning was no different.

As soon as I walk into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, because yes, I am a caffeine whore, I’m instantly confronted with the look. My dad’s sitting at the table with his coffee and paper, and even though I try to be invisible it doesn’t work.

The first thing out of his mouth is, “Charlie, only skinny girls can get away with wearing skinny jeans.” Yes, I’m wearing skinny jeans, but they actually look really good, and I have a tunic on long enough to cover my ass, so what the hell does it matter? Of course, I can never voice my opinion so I just act stupid. I mean, I am, aren’t I?

I can’t eat right, I can’t dress right. I can’t remember to do to the dishes. My parents have never in my whole life told me I’m pretty. Sure, my mom has called me cute, but cute is for kittens and puppies. They've never called me pretty. Doesn’t every girl want to be called pretty?

As quickly as I can, I say, “I don’t have time to change and I really need to go or I’m going to be late.” I can use the late card every now and then, because he’s the king of punctuality. He must be on time, at all times. I have to be careful though, if I use it too often he’d catch on.

The moment I climb in my Jeep and throw the iPod on, I feel at peace. Another favorite song of mine comes on, Try by Pink. How flipping appropriate, and it comes on at my favorite part. The words alone say so much. I close my eyes for just a moment and listen to the words.

A phrase of the song comes into my mind, “
But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die. You've gotta get up and try, and try, and try.”

As soon as the song is over I open my eyes and mentally prepare myself for the day. Oddly enough, I’m looking forward to going to school. I have a friend and that somehow makes it just a little easier.

Chapter 9-Maverick

When I get to school, I see Charlie get out of her white Jeep. Cool car, another point to her, although I’m not keeping track. And let’s face it; she has a lot of points from me already.

I pull my Camaro up and park beside her. As I’m pulling in, she glances my way and sees me. I smile at her but the look I get back seems conflicted. She turns her head and starts walking away quickly. I see her walk over to another car, which surprises me but then I notice Tori pop her head out and relief washes over me. I haven’t even spoken to the girl except to ask her if she was all right when I scared the shit out of her. Yet I'm having these possessive feelings when I think she might be talking to another guy. What is up with that?

All of a sudden, I hear my name being called. I turn around and see Miranda and Ashley walking quickly to catch up to me. My inner self starts groaning and I’m trying, really I am, to keep the groan from escaping my mouth. I don’t want to be mean, I’m not that kind of guy but I don’t ever want to give someone false hope either. I sure as hell don’t want Charlie to see me walking with them. After all, I saw them giving Charlie nasty looks yesterday. As they catch up to me, they both loop their arms through mine. As I am trying unsuccessfully, to untangle my arms from theirs I see Charlie look over. Our eyes catch and I can see the disappointment in hers.

I finally untangle my arms from Miranda and Ashley, but it’s too late.

Charlie is gone.

Chapter 10-Charlie

Well, that was disappointing and made my heart hurt for reasons unexplained. Of all the girls to have had their arms all over Maverick, it had to be Miranda and Ashley. I swear in that moment I wanted to be swallowed up into the parking lot ground. I certainly didn't want to be caught watching him.

Thank goodness for Tori. She saw exactly what I saw and wrapped her arm around my shoulder and gave me a squeeze surprising me.

“Don’t worry. He’s not interested in them my new friend.”

“How do you figure?”

“Remember that conversation we were going to continue that you didn’t want to finish?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say, tentatively.

“He was glancing at you all throughout choir class, not Miranda and Ashley.” I can’t help but give an un-lady like snort through my nose. Tori responds, “Do not look at me with that look on your face that says I’m crazy either. Plus, I’ve known Maverick for years. He could have been with them if he wanted to. He hasn’t ever been that kind of a guy. He’s really nice and has just always been about football. I’ve never seen him serious about a girl here. You are the first I’ve ever seen him take notice of.”

“But, why me?” Tori’s looking at me as if I just asked something crazy. The look is kind of scaring me to be honest. “What?”

She studies me for a second or two before saying, “You really don’t know, do you?”

I look at her questioningly. “Know what?”

“Do you not realize how pretty and different you are from a lot of the other girls in this school?”

Its conversations like these where I tend to have issues. I can be a sarcastic bitch when I need to be, especially when I feel like the joke’s on me and right now that's exactly how it feels.

“Tori, are you smoking crack or something?”

The bell rings and she cocks her head. It’s a mannerism that is so completely Tori, and nonchalantly says to me, “To be continued, once again. And no, Charlie, I do not smoke crack, I snort it.” I look at her like she is the crazy one and burst out laughing. “Gotcha!” she says as we part ways and head to class.

I head over to my history class thinking about what Tori said. I walk towards my now assigned seat and see that Maverick is already there. As I walk past Miranda and Ashley I hear a distinct pig noise. I feel my face grow increasingly warm which can only mean one thing. I’m completely embarrassed and it’s visible to everyone, all because those horrible girls are snorting and laughing at me. I don’t get it; I didn’t do anything to them. I look up and see Maverick looking at me with a startled look on his face. I don’t want anyone to feel pity for me, least of all him.

I don’t want anyone to pity me!

I sit down quietly and Maverick says, “Hey Charlie.” I can’t even speak and keep looking at my desk. Maverick continues to try to get my attention and finally whispers, “Are you okay?”

I turn my head sideways to look at him and say as casually as I can manage, “It’s not the first time something like that has happened, I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

“This has happened before?” I guess I give him a strange look, because he responds with a shocked expression on his face. Then to my astonishment, says, “You do realize those girls are just jealous.”

I glance at him and can see only sincerity in his eyes. I give him a little smile and say, “Thanks.”

He smiles in response, “Anytime.”

I can’t help but feel a little better. Of course, I can’t concentrate in class either. I peek at him out of the corner of my eyes a couple of times. I swear he catches me once or twice and smiles at me.

Lord that smile, I have never had my insides turn to Jell-O, by a simple smile before. Or not so simple smile, who knows?

I just know there is nothing simple about Maverick in any way, shape, or form. I’m not sure why he’s so nice to me, but I don’t care, and I like it. I’m scared of how I'm feeling and even more scared of getting hurt. But in this moment I don’t care at all, and that’s the scariest thing of all.

Maverick-Chapter 11

I have never in my life ever wanted to punch two girls the way I want to punch Miranda and Ashley. Ever!

I can not believe the way they treated Charlie. I felt her pain. I certainly can’t believe that this has ever happened to her before. What is wrong with people?

I managed to get a small smile from her even after what they did to her. A small smile, that did things to my already crazy growing feelings inside.

I caught her looking at me a couple of times through class. I know she thought she was being nonchalant, but I noticed. I wanted to let her know I noticed so I sure as hell made sure I smiled when she was caught. It kind of became a game.