~Pucker face~ Charlie Conway

Chapter fourteen: What Valentine's Don't Do Part Two

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Wednesday night in Mickey's Diner was crowded beyond belief. Local high school kids hung around the booths while adults took seats at the counter, all in wait for a milkshake or burger. I decided to catch the bus away from campus by myself for a little bit of relief. I looked like an absolute loser by myself, but it didn't matter. I was finally away from everything for a bit. This would only last a matter of time, but it would do.

A waitress by the name of Casey came over to my table to take my order. She really must have seen everything in me, because she asked me if I was okay. I reassured her I was fine, but she took the liberty to sit with me and talk. For some reason, she looked oddly familiar, I just couldn't tell where I'd seen her before.

"You don't look very happy." She said, sliding in the seat across from me.

"I'm alright, really. Just feeling a little crazed, everything's just so hectic." I answered.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I have a break and want to sit with you. You seem very sane in my eyes." She added.

"Thank you..."

"Casey. And you are?"

"Sloane."

Her eyes widened in surprise as I mentioned my name. It wasn't very common, sure, but it often didn't receive this reaction.

"You must be Sloane!" She exclaimed.

"That I am?"

At this point, I didn't really get what she meant. I was me? Yeah, pretty sure I'm Sloane.

"Charlie's mentioned you a few times. Not very nice things in the beginning, but I guess he's warmed up to you. He's like that sometimes!"

Charlie? Charlie Conway? She must've been his mother. Then I also realized where I'd seen her before. Eons ago, when I came here and spoke to Coach Bombay, he was waiting on her. She started going on and on about Charlie and what he went through before Eden Hall. It really was underdog story, but he'd made it so far.

"Oh my gosh, he would just kill me if he knew I told you about all of that. It's not something he likes to talk about."

I got what she meant. Deep down, I felt a little sorry. Charlie always waited for someone to be his hero. The bigger figure in his life. He relied on them, and as soon as they would enter his life, they left. I was always surrounded by people and supported endlessly. I couldn't complain. Charlie became his own idol, didn't care how he was treated. Regardless, he would put in the work to show that he could do it himself.

I couldn't get another word in before she excused herself. Her break had ended five minutes prior, but she spent extra time talking to me. It was getting late, and the buses were going to stop running soon. I left two things at the diner. A five for Casey, and the perspective I had of Charlie.

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Thursday was very anticlimactic. Besides the fact I was still a mental wreck, things were regular. Get up, go to school, finish school, go to practice, have dinner. The cycle I would repeat everyday. The 6:45 alarm, the 10:30 bedtime. But now, it was Friday. Valentine's day.

I had a very early alarm set for 5:00 am. I awoke with a jolt, and stared at the ceiling. What was I doing up again? Right...the gym. I started doing weight training by myself at the complex in early mornings so I wouldn't have to do it surrounded by sweaty boys jamming the heaviest weight they can find on the barbells. Some girls would say it sounds like paradise. Trust me, they talk in the most egotistical ways because they're showcasing any muscle they have. The smell is somewhat sickening too.