Broken and Together

Chapter Five: Closer

    For the next few weeks, Michael and Charlie studied together. It turned out that Michael had quite a knack for technician work, and he learned quickly. Their days of studying became more lighthearted and enjoyable than Michael anticipated. It felt good spending so much time with Charlie, and the two bonded even more as they worked together. A week later, Michael had already gained quite a bit of knowledge on his future job, as well as gotten to know her again, better than the previous week.

    "This part can be a little tricky." Charlie tapped the page of the book. "But once you master it, it gets pretty easy."

    "Mm." Michael jotted down tips in his notebook.

    She watched him, a smile crossing her lips. "Looks like you're not having too much trouble with it, though."

    "Nope, not at all," he said. "Guess I'm just genius." He sent her a brief smug look, then went back to his paper and pen.

    She shook her head at him. "Don't get too confident. If you do, you can bet you'll accidentally electrocute yourself."

    "As if." He gave a laugh.

    They studied for a little more, then after finishing up the chapter of that book, Charlie suggested they take a break.

    "The sun's going to set soon." She rose to her feet. "You haven't been on the balcony yet, have you?"

    "No, I don't believe so," he replied, also standing. "Why?"

    "Sometimes I like to eat dinner and watch the sun set," she said. "It's beautiful, especially from out there."

    "Hmm, well, if you're alright with making dinner for us, then I suppose we could do it," said he.

    "Great!" Charlie clapped her hands. "That view is gonna knock your socks off."

    "And your cooking is too I'm assuming?" Michael said.

    "Um...sort of." She shrugged, sending him a nervous smile. "I'm not always the best at it."

    "I could lend you a hand," he said.

    "You know how to cook?" She raised her eyebrows.

    "There was a time when I practically raised my siblings, of course I know how to cook," he said. His expression clouded over and a familiar, unwanted feeling sensation in the pit of his stomach. He cleared his throat. "Anyways, what are you planning on cooking?"

    Charlie tilted her head, unwanted concern in her expression. To his relief, she simply went along with the conversation. "Well—" she tapped her chin— "to be completely honest, I was just going to make sandwiches, but if you actually want to cook something, you could."

    "Hmm," he said. "Sandwiches will do for now. Cooking might take too long, and we don't want to miss that sunset."

    "Good idea." She headed for the kitchen. "I've got a lot of stuff. We can make our sandwiches, grab a few drinks, and then head out there."

    "Sounds good to me." He followed. They spent the next several minutes making themselves their sandwiches. It was a quick task, but Michael made it take longer when he may or may not have purposely spilled something on the floor, just to see Charlie's shocked expression and exclamation of surprise. Her reactions to such things were hilarious to him, adorable even.

    "Mike!" She playfully smacked him on the arm. "You know very well you could've caught that jar of mayonnaise."

    "I'm hurt you'd even suggest such a thing," he said, putting a hand to his chest. "I have butterfingers, I couldn't have caught it. See?" He stuck his hands in the nearby thing of butter and showed her his fingers.