One Touch | Charlie Gillespie

O N E

"I'm Charlie Gillespie, nice to meet you."

As soon as I get off the plane, the warm Washington sun burns onto my skin. I look up and there are only a few clouds covering the bright, blue sky. The weather's almost as good as the weather in my home town. I look around to see the high palm trees and people walking all over the place. I just can't believe this is real, that this is actually happening.

I have been trying to get a job as a screenwriter for so long, but no one was interested in my work. Until a month ago, when I was backpacking in Australia. I suddenly got a phone call from the man himself: Kenny Ortega.

Kenny is an amazing director and I didn't understand why he wanted me, June Riley, in his team. But I was about to prove him that he didn't make a mistake by offering me this job.

I walk through the airport with my suitcase and bags, looking around for my cousin. She lives in Seattle, a city close to Vancouver where I have to be for the job. I was able to stay at her place overnight. My first day at work will start tomorrow, and I could not be any more excited.

"June! Here!" I hear a familiar voice with a slight Southern accent calling out behind me. I turn to see a blond-haired girl with a black cap on her head waving her hands. She grins and holds her arms wide open for a hug.

I smile and jog to my cousin.

"Quinn, I'm so happy to see you!" I exclaim, dropping my bags onto the ground to free my hands to hug her. She hugs me so tight that I can barely breathe.

"I'm happy to see you too! I missed ya, Junes," she says. I let go of the embrace and look at her. She hasn't changed a thing since the last time I saw her, which was almost a year ago.

Her bright blue eyes sparkle like always and her body is really slim since she became a personal trainer. But unfortunately, we look nothing like each other.

I have dark hair and brown eyes, and my skin is a little more tanned than hers. Quinn is just like the opposite of me. She has long, blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and she's super fit. The only thing we have in common, is that we both have long legs. Although, Quinn's a lot taller than me.

"I missed you too! I'm so excited to see this city," I cheer. Quinn smiles and carries a few of my bags.

"And I'm excited to show you Seattle! Now tell me, how've you been, hun?" she asks, walking toward the exit of the airport. My smile drops and I just shrug my shoulders, looking down.

"Well, now I've got this job I'm better," I answer with an uncertain tone. Quinn looks at me with raised eyebrows. "And your mom?"

I shake my head and Quinn knows exactly what I mean. "I don't know, the last time I saw her she was still drinking."

Quinn takes my hand and gives me a little smile. "She's gonna be okay. I promise."

I smile back at her and appreciated that at least someone cared. My dad loves me, but he's always busy with his work. He works hard to make his only child happy, but I never get to see him. And my mom... I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks. My parents divorced after my mom cheated on my dad. Now she's a total mess.

But Quinn's mother—my dad's sister and my aunt— feels like a second mom to me, because she was often there for me growing up as a kid when my own mom wasn't. She took care of me and I could stay at their place whenever I wanted. That's also why Quinn and I grew up as sisters and have a strong connection.