Finally Free - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter Seven

Kenedi
Today is the day that Charlie lands in North Carolina. We're finally meeting in person and to say I'm nervous is an understatement.

While he was in Ecuador, he FaceTimed me every day and sent me snaps of everything he did. I hated snakes, but he made them grow on me. He even told me he brought me a souvenir!

I put my bags in the trunk of my car and hug my mom goodbye. I told her I was spending a week with some of my coworkers at an air BnB because she wouldn't approve of me staying in a hotel with a guy I haven't even met yet.

She'd say I'm asking for it and everything like the amazing mom she is.

Sofia and Anna have been spamming me all morning asking if he's landed yet and I keep telling them no, but the closer it gets, the more anxious I get.

What if we don't have the same connection in person that we do over the phone?

That's ridiculous. We're best friends. That won't change just because he's here in person.

I send him a snap in my car and caption it "IM ON MY WAY!!!!🤭"

I pull up the directions and blast the soundtrack jamming out excitedly. As soon as I pull into the parking lot, I turn the volume down chewing on my bottom lip nervously. I pull my mask on and grab my sign.

Here we go.

I read his text again looking at the information and walk to his gate. As soon as I get there, he snaps me saying he's landed and he's on his way.

I hold up my sign that says "NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER" with a ghost on it.

I see his guitar first then burst out laughing seeing his crazy hair. He definitely needs a haircut.

As soon as he sees me, he drops all of his stuff and runs over to me. He picks me up spinning me around. I drop the sign holding onto him in tears. I can't believe this is really happening.

He sets me back down on my feet but doesn't let go of me. I listen to his heartbeat struggling to hold back my tears.

I haven't felt this loved in a long time and it feels good. Really good.

He slowly pulls back and wipes my tears. I can't see his mouth, but I know he's smiling.

"Hi sunshine." I giggle sniffling.

"Hi baby." He hugs me again and it feels like the whole world is perfect. Like nothing can break this perfect moment.

"I can't believe this is happening." I laugh lightly gently running my fingers through his hair.

"Imagine how I feel." He laughs pulling away looking me up and down.

"You look so much better than I ever imagined." I roll my eyes scoffing.

"Thanks."

"What?! You can only see so much on the phone."

"Well as I promised, I made that sign." I point to it on the ground. He laughs and I pull out a picture of us on FaceTime being idiots. "Charlie! Oh my god! Charlie Gillespie! Can I have your autograph?!" He shakes his head taking the picture from me.

"I can't believe you printed it out."

"I said I would didn't I?"

"You did." He laughs signing it then pulls out his phone. "I need to post this."

"Oh god. Imagine how bad people are gonna react."

"All you should worry about is how Owen will react. He was mad at me for not telling him I was coming so he could come with me."

"Is he coming for New Years?"

"He's trying to. Savannah is coming." I cover my mouth in shock.

"Please tell me you're being serious. If you're joking, I'm leaving you here."

"Nope. I'm being serious."

"I'm in love with her."

"Um hello. The guy who just flew how many hours to see you is right here."

"Yeah yeah. But I mean...Savannah." He rolls his eyes. "Ask someone to take a picture for us."

"Um...no thanks." I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Still too nervous?"

"Oh most definitely." I look around trying to find someone to take our picture and smile wide seeing two girls whispering while staring at us.

I walk over to them waving. They immediately stop whispering, eyes widening.

"Hi! Would you mind taking a picture of me and my friend for us?"

"Y-you're Kenedi." I raise my eyebrows shocked that they know who I am.

"Yeah I am." I laugh nervously scratching my neck.

"Can we take a picture with you?!" I look over at Charlie, heart pounding. What the fuck?

"Um...you mean you want a picture with Charlie?"

"Yes, but we want one with you too!" I smile lightly still in shock.

"Oh um. Of course! Cmon. I'll take a picture of you with him and he'll take a picture of us if you'll take a picture for us!" They squeal to each other as I walk back over to Charlie.

I take a picture of the two of them with him and he takes a picture of me with them then they take a few pictures of me with Charlie.

We both autograph their boarding passes then they walk off.

"What the fuck was that?"

"What?"

"They wanted a picture and an autograph?"

"Yeah?"

"From me! Like I understand you, but me?"

"Sunshine, you're almost as famous as me."

"What?"

"Have you not been on instagram or tiktok today?"

"No?"

He pulls out his phone showing me both of my accounts. I have almost 85k on instagram and 47k on tiktok. What the fuck.

"HOLY SHIT!" People look at us weirdly making me cover my mouth. He just laughs shaking his head. He wraps his arm around my shoulder as I grab the sign and start walking to my car.

"Still weirded out?"

"Oh yeah. This is so weird."

"That's how I felt."

"But like...you're an actor. I'm literally nobody."

"You said you like acting though. Maybe you should give it a shot."

"One, I wouldn't even know how to begin. Two, my mom wouldn't support it."

"So? You have me and everyone else on your side. I can talk to Kenny."

"And my mom?"

"Fuck her." I give him an unamused glare. "No seriously. All she does is drag you down and hold you back." I sigh knowing he's right. "Once you get away from her, you know you'll be happier."

"I know it's just hard. I can't afford it."

"Yes you can. I've offered to let you move in with me."

"But if I do, I'll have to quit my job."

"So? Just become an actress."

"Like I said, I don't know how."

"Like I said, you have me." I shake my head giggling and unlock my car.

"Do you really think I could make it in the acting world?"

"I do." I watch him put his stuff in the trunk then he looks at me pulling his mask off smiling. "I think you can do anything you set your mind to."

I just watch him not knowing what to say or do. He gently pulls my mask down. For a second, I swear he looks at my lips then he looks to my eyes.

"I believe in you."