Saving the Reject | Michael Clifford | Editing

t w e n t y ;

Charli

It's been about two weeks since Scarlett left for Italy. I hate not having her around, and though we FaceTime her each and every day, Psych wasn't the same. Neither was English. Neither was World War Studies. And lunch was definitely a major change.

Though she insists that she misses us just as much, I know Scarlett doesn't regret leaving. She talks about the new friends she's made, while insisting that Evie and I aren't being replace. She tells us that she contacts Luke almost as much as she does us, yet there's always a smile on her face when she brings up Jacob, a fellow exchange student from the U.S.

Michael and I have made some progress. Now, not only does his knowledge impress Mrs. Wilson, but it annoys Mr. Duke, which greatly entertains me.

As for the song; it's a work in progress.

"Hey, Charli," I heard as I closed my locker. I turned, surprised when I saw Noah next me. We hardly speak outside of class.

"Hey, Noah," I replied. I began to walk in the direction of Mrs. Wilson's classroom, and he walked beside me.

"So how's Scarlett liking Italy?" he asked conversationally as we turned a corner. I noticed Michael standing with Luke as he retrieved his lunch from his locker. Michael noticed me, too.

"She really likes it," I continued politely, smiling at the boy to my right. "I think Rome's a good place for her."

It was when Noah shyly smiled at me that I heard Michael's voice across the hall. "Charli!" he called.

I looked up to see Michael waving me over, sending looks to Noah that I couldn't read. I turned to Noah with a sympathetic smile, and he returned a dismissive one. With one last goodbye to Noah, I made my way over to Luke and Michael.

"Have you been sitting with him since Scarlett left?" Michael questioned the moment I reached the two of them.

"No," I said with a shrug. "I've been hanging out in Mrs. Wilson's room. Noah was just saying 'hi'."

Luke and Michael glanced at each other at the mention of Noah. Though I was suspicious, I chose to ignore it.

Michael turned back to me. "Since we have next period together, why don't you come sit with us?"

I didn't see why not.

* * * * * *

I've never been a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Normally, it was okay, but that was only because I'd go over to Evie's with Scarlett, and we'd make cheesy friendship cupcakes and watch Disney movies. But a lot has happened in a year. Evie was diagnosed with cancer. Scarlett moved to Italy. They both got boyfriends. Wow, this Valentine's Day is looking pretty grim for me.

"Hi Charli," Emmy said as she walked in. She worked the afternoon rush on Fridays, and got home a little later than usual. Dawson, of course, used this to his advantage with this cheesy 'Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt' he's been planning. Meanwhile, I've been sitting at home with a coffee, a fuzzy blanket, and Mulan. A minute later, Emmy walked back into the living room, a rose and a note in her hand. "Are you in on this?" she asked, holding up the note with a small smile.

"No, but I know about it," I told her with a smirk.

Emmy sighed, though a smile was still on her face. "Now I have to go back to work. . ."

Her work, a small café in midtown, was the place she and Dawson met about four years ago. It was actually pretty clever of Dawson to lead her there.