Charlotte's Story

Interference

Renee's POV:

"You ready?" I ask Chad, grabbing my coat from the rack. The other siblings had snuck off to do whatever they did on Sundays together. Josh calls out lunch would be done in an hour. Josh had been dejected when I told him I couldn't help out. I didn't want to lead him on, especially since Luke let it slip that it would be nice if Josh and I got together.

When we step into the elevator, Chad takes my hand and pushes my back against the elevator wall. He kisses my cheek. My arms flinch up in front of me, my hands turning into a fist.

"Chad, No," I try to sidestep him.

He put his arm up on my left side, leaning into the wall; his chest was turned to me, he leans forward. "Come on, I miss this. I miss us." his breath was warm near my ear. This would have sent goosebumps everywhere on me a year ago, but it made me feel uncomfortable today.

"No" My voice comes out shaky as I try to move to the right; the elevator had landed on the lobby. Chad put his right arm up, blocking my path.

"Come on" he turns to hit the close button on the elevator and then turns back to me. "I need you. College is not the same without you. I made the biggest mistake breaking up with you, I was stupid, and I need you back in Ohio." He kisses my cheek getting closer to my mouth.

"No, Chad." This was the Chad I remembered from the end of high school. A hand shot up, stopping the elevator door from closing on us. Ryder's eyes fall on Chad's hand on my right hip. He takes in the elevator scene, and I don't know if he had just heard our previous conversation or not. Because if he didn't, this looks very bad. Chad was leaning into me, and I was leaning as far away as I could in the small space I had.

"I believe she said No." Ryder's voice booms and Chad steps back, releasing my hip.

"This is your last chance Renee," Chad says, waiting for me to change my mind.

"You need to leave. I don't need you or want you." I said, looking at his eyes, wanting him to finally accept that we were done.

Lunch was very quiet when I got back after Chad packed his bags and left.

My readers posted their thoughts, even arguing over which brother was best for me, which one I should go for. Blogs.com apparently had a better idea altogether.

"Hi Charlotte," I answered my phone to a block number.

"Who is this?"

"My name is Sandy with Blogs.com. Due to the number of replies to your last few blogs, we would love to send you and your friends on an all-inclusive cruise."

"You would?"

"Yes," the lady's voice was too upbeat.

"What is the catch?"

"No catch at all. We would just like you to bring Ryder, Josh, Luke, and Mandy along with."

"Why?"

"As you can tell, the Constanso boys have become a big discussion post on our website, and we would like to help move things along."

"Move things along? Like you want me to choose? Because I won't."

"No. We would never interfere like that. But we would like you to blog and post pictures of your trip." She responded.

I had never posted any pictures of any of my friends. I had one picture, and it was my profile picture; it was me standing on the beach in front of the ocean in Maine, my hair was down, and my sunglasses sat on top of my head. It was the first time I had ever seen the ocean.

The following Sunday lunch, I broke the news to everyone. "Would you like to go on an all-inclusive cruise with me?"

Mandy is the first one to put her fork down. "All of us?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"Because I won five free tickets, and I happen to know four people I would like to take?" I smiled at them all. Feeling a little guilty.

"Where too and when?" Josh asks.

"Just around the Florida keys, and we could pick the dates, that's what the lady told me on the phone. She is waiting for my response, but I told her you guys might not want to go due to work and school."

"A free vacation, I'm in," Ryder says, taking my breadstick off of my plate.

"You sure?" I ask him, my stomach tight, thinking about the cruise we would be on together. A whole week of seeing him walk around in his swim shorts and no shirt.

"Get me the dates, and I'll get back to you," Josh says, smiling at me. Was this a good idea? I felt like I was betraying them all.

Two weeks later, we were on our way.

Date April 18, 2010
Title: Vacation with my Favorite Family
Writer: Charlotte

Today I start another journey.

This one will be short and hopefully with a lot of fun memories.

I will be going on a cruise for five days with the Constanso family. Five days of Luke, Mandy, Josh, and Ryder.

I know I can already feel the sun on me and the stress of school behind me.

Thank you spring break.

Mandy has packed two suitcases, stating she will find a man for her even though she added it will be short-lived, but that is what makes life fun.

She declared that she would be finding me one on this cruise, but she has no clue how I feel about her brother. My thoughts have been weighing on me a lot lately. It is hard sharing an apartment with someone you have feelings for.

Should this be the week I bring my feelings to the surface? I know deep down I will not...

- Charlotte