Preston Greens

15. Beauty

I heard mom on the phone as soon as I woke up. I silently walked to my door frame, the old carpet muffling my footsteps. I put my ear up to the wall, trying to hear what she said.

"Yes, I know you would like to interview us, but I need to ask my daughter and see what she thinks. Yes, he is a very close friend of hers. I can ask, I don't think he's busy today, but I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you so much Katrina. Yes, you too. Goodbye." Mom hung up the phone and sighed. 

I've heard that sigh before. She was preparing for an avalanche of questions. She muttered something and walked out of the office. I heard footsteps getting closer to my room, so I ran back to bed and went under the covers. 

Mom knocked on my door. "Hey Carly. We need you to wake up sweetheart. I have to ask you and Charlie a question." I woke up, pretending to be groggy even though I was awake for about twenty minutes already. 

I walked out to the kitchen to see Charlie sitting at the table, drinking orange juice, talking to dad. Something was up. 

"Good morning, C." Dad said. I gave him a kiss on the forehead and went to go to get some juice. I gave Charlie a hug, a little embarrassed that he saw me in my pajamas, but then I remembered he should be the one embarrassed, since he was the one talking in his sleep. I giggled at the thought. 

I sat at the table, ready for the news. "Well, the news station wants to interview us, but we're not doing it unless you want to. Here's the catch- They want you and Charlie to do an interview together, and we can't step in to help you, but we trust your judgment and we think you can handle it. If we take this offer, we need to be at the news station at around 7:30 pm for the 8pm show, so we have some time to get ready, and that means you, Carly." Mom said.

I looked at Charlie. "Well, I'm up for it. What do you think?" I asked him. 

"I don't see any catch in this situation, and I think I can handle it." He replied confidently. 

It was decided. Charlie and I were going to star in tonight's new cast.

Mom called the spa and scheduled an appointment for me. I was going to get a facial, have my nails done, have my hair done, and have a make up stylist do my makeup at my house. The news station was paying for all these luxuries, probably because when they last saw me they thought I wasn't pretty so they needed to bring it up a notch. I was only pleased. Mom and I were going to have a spa day with Shannon and Charlie and dad are going to a barber shop. I was excited for tonight and I was wondering if Charlie was going to faint I was so pretty, and I wonder what I will look like on television. 

Before we knew it, I was at the news station. Earlier, at the house, when I saw my face in the mirror after the makeup artist was done with my makeup, I thought I was a different person. I was so stunned I almost fell back in my chair. Charlie's reaction was simply adorable. He almost fainted and said I could have anyone I wanted. Charlie looked stunning himself, so I commented on his look as well, to make him feel good. 

The cameraman held up a sign that said "get ready" on it. I smoothed out my dress and Charlie made sure his hair was ok. I made sure to stay as poise as possible so I can make Vicky jealous. Charlie was beaming at me, simply enjoying this moment. I know he wanted to be in it forever, and so did I. I felt so new and clean.I felt like I was ready for anything. Turns out, I was not.

The news reporter only had a seat that was designed to hold two people, so Charlie and I had to sit next to each other. In my opinion, it was a little awkward, but Charlie was the complete opposite. I prepared myself for sitting in one chair alone, but the news reporter had other plans.