CHAPTER 8: CHARLIE
1067 Words
I had been cleaning all day, and finally, I was starting to see a difference. I still had a long way to go, though. I was taking down all the long curtains that covered the windows. I was pretty sure that they had once been blue, but now it was hard to see what colour they were, through the years of dirt and dust. I hoped that a good wash at the pack laundrette would be able to breathe some life into them, otherwise I was going to have to speak to David about getting new ones and I had a feeling that he wasn't going to like that.
I was struggling to get the last one down. A noise behind me startled me, and just as I turned to see what it was, the curtain came loose, and I lost my footing. I braced myself for the impact of the hard floor but instead found myself caught in warm, strong arms. Opening my eyes, I saw Charlie grinning down at me. "I always knew that you would fall for me one day," he joked, laughing. "Oh haha, in your dreams," I retorted, punching him playfully in the arm. he put me down and rubbed his arm, mocking injury. "Oww, you bully. Is that any way to thank your hero," he said, grinning. I shook my head, chuckling. "You're right. Thank you, Charlie," I said. He grinned even wider. "What are you doing here anyway?" I asked. "Mrs Bury sent me. She had a feeling that you were still down here. She said that I am to take you home and feed you," he said. "I'm fine. You don't need to do that," I told him. He just stared at me, looking serious all of a sudden. "Oh yes, I do. I'm not pissing her off. Besides, i've already got your car and the food she gave me is in it. Now come on, this mess will still be here tomorrow," he said. I laughed, knowing when I was beat. I held up my hands, dropping the curtain that I was still holding. "Okay, you win. Let's go,"
We got back to mine, and the smell of the food coming from the back seat was making my mouth water. Mrs Bury was an amazing cook. There was no way that I was eating before washing, though. I told Charlie to get the food ready while I jumped in the shower. I paused at the bottom of the stairs. "Sorry, I didn't even think, you are joining me, aren't you? Or do you need to get home?" I asked, realising that I hadn't thought to check. Last night, Charlie had been totally focused on me and what had happened to bring me back here. I had felt so down, and it was good to have someone to let it all out to. I hadn't found out anything about his life. For all I knew, he had a mate and babies waiting for him at home. I felt ashamed that I hadn't bothered to ask. "Of course I'm staying. Have you smelt this food?" he replied. I smiled. "Won't be long," I called out as I ran upstairs. Tonight I would find out about Charli about how his life had gone.
I saw myself in the mirror as I entered the bathroom and grimaced. I looked worse than I had this morning. I began to laugh, if only Michael could see me now. he had treated me kind of like a doll. He would have had a heart attack seeing me like this. I jumped in the shower and scrubbed away all the dirt and grime of the day. sighing in pleasure as the hot water ran over my aching body. Once I was clea, I quickly dried myself and pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. I ran downstairs hungry for the food that I knew was waiting for me. Charlie had laid it out on the table and grabbed plates from the cupboard. I sat down and looked up at him with a smile. I noticed that he looked a little flustered and was blushing slightly. "What's up?" I asked. He looked down at the table, You uhhh.... forgot to put a bra on. I just wasn't expecting it," he said, sounding a little embarrassed. "We are werewolve. Wee have seen each other naked," I reminded him, but offered to go put on a bra if that would him more comfortable. He shook his head and laughed at himself. "Sorry, I was just caught off guard, that's all. I'm good," he assured me. I took a mouthful of food. "It's a good thing he doesn't know you're not wearing any pants under those shorts," Lilly chuckled.
It was a good night. I found out all about who Charlie was now. He hadn't found his mate and hadn't even really dated anyone seriously, either. He said that he didn't see the point as sooner or later one of them would meet their mate and it would just end in someone getting hurt. As soon as he finished speaking, he had looked up at me and apologised. He was right, of course. That was exactly what had happened to me. After the food, we had put a film on and curled up on the sofa with a blanket to watch it. I hadn't even made it halfway through the film before falling asleep. I woke up as he was carrying me up the stairs to my bedroom. As he lay me on the bed, I looked into his big light green eyes and almost asked if he wanted to stay. I wasn't sure if I wanted someone to cuddle up to, or if I was hoping for something a little more physical, but either way, I stopped myself and just thanked him and said goodnight. He left, and I scolded myself. What was I thinking? Charlie is a friend. It wouldn't do any good complicating things like that. I was just feeling lonely and wanting someone to spend the night with, to feel a little less lonely. Even if it was just for a few hours. It wasn't worth risking losing the only true friend that I had over it, though. I told myself off again and curled up.It didn't take long to fall back to sleep.
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