Winter Illusions

Chapter 5 (Charlie)

Oh shit Sadie's here. I need to get out of this, I can't deal with her today with her clinginess. 

"She's right here!" I blurt out, in response to Sadie asking me if I have a girlfriend. Regardless,  Sadie needs to learn some personal boundaries, I was not comfortable with her hands plastered on my abs.

You know what, I'll just take Nova up on her offer to date Mara. Well, he'll change up the story a bit to make it a little more convincing, but Mara will be his girlfriend whether she wants to or not.

"Uh - hum what?" Sadie exclaims shakily.

"Yep! Mara is my girlfriend, we got together just before Christmas break actually!" I say.

I pull Mara into my chest and she stares up at me with those stunning emerald eyes. I remember one time when I happened to glance back at her in class and she caught my eye, mesmerising me with those beauties. She is gorgeous, but doesn't seem to know she is. Someone should really tell her, I'm surprised she doesn't have a bigger ego when she looks as gorgeous as that.

Sadie's face is mixed with emotions, confusion, sadness, but most of all anger towards Mara. Her eyes drop to Mara who's head is now leaning on my chest and pins her with a look worse than death. I feel mara shrink into me, and wrap my arms around her, protecting her from Sadie. 

I wonder what Mara's reaction to all this is.

I peer down at her and all I see is confusion, frustration, fear and slight bit of anger. She glances up at me and her gaze turns to anger. Maybe this was a really dumb idea. But what's done is done.

"Oh- well," Sadie stutters and runs off and out of the hall, embarrassed. As she runs off I see her look back once, tears on her cheeks catching in the light. All I see is my childhood best friend crying.

It makes me question all of this, makes me feel bad for what I did. Before I run after her, I stop myself. She needs to learn she can't always get what she wants, that there are consequences to her action. She doesn't get to take charge over everyone, especially Mara. I've seen the way she treats her, the way she completely disregards her existence, putting her down. No one deserves that, least of all Mara. Before I can say another word to Mara, she pushes away from my grip and turns away, pinning a death that tops any of Sadie's onto her sister. She marches over towards her, and I know she's angry. I can't be angry, I think it's so sweet how Mara immediately knows it was Nova, that they have that kind of bond. That is only something I could wish for, growing up as an only child. Sadie was the closest I ever came to a sibling, but she's changed. I've changed. We all have. Our wants have changed, our personalities. Whether for the better or worse. What happened to Sadie. She used to be so caring, and now all she is is a spoiled brat. She needs to learn rejection, to learn not everyone is going to give her what she wants. It is finally time for people to stand up to her, to realise what she's doing to others. I shouldn't have to have my personal boundaries invaded by her on the daily, I no longer need to put up with that.

Mara walks back over, this time with her sister. Now her anger is towards me.

"Why on earth would you agree to this? How could you get us into such a mess!"  She whisper shouts.

"Well.." I begin. But I begin to formulate a plan. "Look I know you might not want this, but don't you want your sister to be happy? I can tell she blames herself for you not having a boyfriend."

Honestly I can't tell, but from what I've seen of Mara, that seems accurate. I can see I've hit the spot when her face turns sorrowful. 

"We can just do this for a little while. To get Nova off your back and Sadie off of mine. Deal?" I suggest, silently praying she'll agree.

"Fine, but you better not pull any stupid shit like you did just now," She says, pushing her finger against my chest. I feel butterflies at the touch, but ignore them and put my hand out for her to shake it. She just looks down at it and walks away, towards Cleo. 

Nova appears beside me. "Well, that went just great didn't it?" She says. "Mara isn't mad, is she?"

Oh she definitely is, but the hopeful look in Nova's eyes makes me lie, saying, "Oh no, honestly I think she's happy now. Of course she was annoyed at first, she's not the one for public declarations about her, but I think it's all going to work out."

Nova sighs, her shoulders dipping. "Oh thank goodness. But you mister better not mess up. If you break her heart I will break you, understood? That girl doesn't need any more shit in her life, and if I find out you make one mistake you better run. All clear?" She smiles sweetly, but I know behind that smile is a girl who would do anything for her sister, and I don't plan on coming in the way of her wrath.

"Understood." 

Nova walks off, and I'm alone once again. It just hits me as to what has happened. I've gotten myself a girlfriend. My first girlfriend. Where the methods to getting there slightly questionable? Yes. But if it gives me and Mara a shot, I'm not turning this chance away. 

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Hi lovelies! It's been a while. My writers block really has been hitting, but I've just gotten a burst of motivation, she here's a new chapter. I know it might not be the best, but I really just wanted to start writing, to get back into the flow. I also do have exams coming up so I don't know if I'm going to be able to start regularly producing chapters, but here you go for now! And I'm so happy to finally get to show you a chapter from Charlie's perspective! I really hope you all enjoy x

Word Count: 6039

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