To Skin A Lamb

20

TERRANCE

"Oh she's a jolly good fellowwwww! Which nobody can deny!" We all clapped our hands together as we wished Charity best wishes for her birthday. We were almost at the end of the summer and we all knew this joyous day was coming.

She leaned over with this blissful smile and blew out her candles over Tres Leches cake crafted by one of the kind people that Charity has helped out during the summer. I don't think I have ever seen her so happy and... free.

She seemed rid of her worries and in her element, which for her was a rare thing to catch. Charity spent the night dancing with her friends to american music, which played on this one station. It was mainly disco music, which she seemed to enjoy the most.

She got drunk off of sugar and the presence of the SVs. I made sure that Sheila and Henry were uninvited because of their foul moods towards her and I would be damned if they ruined this surprise that all of her friends have been cultivating the entire summer.

Two weeks.

We only had two weeks until the summer was over and we'd go home. Two weeks until we were back on campus and two weeks until I could publicly kiss Charity.

Don't get me wrong. Stolen kisses were fun and exciting, but I wanted everyone to know that the glowing girl that danced around in bright yellow with the rose pendant wrapped around her neck was mine. My girl.

Until then I watched her twirl around with a glimmer in her eyes that she hasn't had and I shared this moment with our friends.

During the mini party, Brett came over to me with a small smirk and said, "I know you two are a thing."

My heart skipped a beat.

"I'm not going to snitch, Terrance, you guys are my friends. I'm just... happy to see you guys happy. She's a star and you are the sun."

"The sun is a star." I chuckled, nodding my head.

"Whatever, you get what I'm saying." He rolled his eyes and nudged me a bit, almost causing my drink to spill. "She's literally glowing tonight and I think it's because of you."

"You think so?" I questioned with a lifted brow.

"I do." He gave me one last grin before heading off to find Vini, which I suspect might have secretly started something up too.

Charity was vivaciously laughing at something Cash said to Phoebe. I mean head back, hand over stomach, and tears falling. She was genuinely happy, but I don't think I could take credit for it.

I think that Charity needed to allow people to affect her life how she has graciously affected theirs. People hold the ability to make you feel free and pushing others away can make you bitter, cold even.

Her openness and vulnerability, in the end, has set her free and I just got lucky enough to witness it firsthand.

Across the way, about two yards away, our eyes connected and her smile grew the smallest amount. A noticeable amount that made me smile.

I love you, I blinked.

I know, she blinked back, which caused me to nod my head.

"What am I going to do with you?" I mouthed from across the way.

"Take me away." She mouthed while nodding towards the camp. I didn't hesitate to fulfill her request. I dropped off my drink and then walked over to the group. The second I appeared, Phoebe gave her a very pointed look while wiggling her eyebrows up and down.

"Saw that." I told her, pinching her arm. Phoebe immediately swatted me away and played dumb.

"I don't know what you are talking about, but have fun kids!" She cheered, standing up and taking Cash with her.