young enough - c.l

fifteen.

Monaco, Summer break - last week.

Charles

Everybody had gone to the store as we had docked the boat.

I was staying behind making sure everything was ready for our last week on the yacht. Today we were heading out to an island not too far away.

The current crew on the yacht:
Max & Kelly, Austin & Rose, Oscar & Lily, Carlos & Rebecca.
Then there was me and Lando, the two singles of the group.

Oscar and Lily just arrived yesterday as Daniel and Heidi headed back home.
George and Carmen had been here for the first week, but they had a vacation in Greece to enjoy by themselves.

Since we were more people than I had anticipated, we leased a bigger yacht - it would've been pretty tight on mine if we'd be 10 people on it at all times.

I was chilling on one of the seats - sunglasses on, enjoying the sun.
My friends slowly making their way back, joining me with smiles on their lips. They had bought everything they thought we needed.
Alcohol and food in their bags.
We were here to enjoy the last week of this break.

"Aren't we missing someone?" I said as I looked around, we were only nine out of ten on board. We were missing Rose.
"Oh yeah, Rose is going to need a little more time getting back" Austin answered my question.
"What she up to now?" Lando said as he cracked open a beer.
"Just give her half an hour, if she's not back we'll leave" Max joined in on the conversation most of us just laughing at his statement. We ain't leaving nobody behind, but we get what he meant.

I laid back down with the back of my head resting on my hands, closing my eyes a bit.
I am trying to enjoy every second of this break but my mind wanders off to Aurora every now and then.

We haven't said a word to each other in three weeks, maybe I shouldn't wait for her - I shouldn't get my hopes up.

But as soon as I closed my eyes, her blonde hair and brown eyes filled my brain. Her gorgeous smile - her infectious laugh ringing in my ears.

I'm not giving up on this, I shouldn't give up on this - all she needs is time.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been closing my eyes more often lately just to be able to see her.

I could hear my friends murmur in the background, awaiting the last one of the crew. Most of them walking inside unpacking the bags.

"Charles do you think we have space for one more?" Rose soft voice filled the quietness around. I opened my eyes to look at her. Space for one more? What does she even mean with tha-

My eyes met the brown eyes of the girl I had been daydreaming of. She's here, right in front of me.

"Hi Charles" Aurora smiled shyly, putting a strand of hair behind her ear. I got up so fast, taking my glasses off in the moment as well.
"A-Aurora?" I smiled, but I couldn't take a step towards her. The shock now filled my body, her presence making me feel almost paralyzed.

My god she was gorgeous.

"You're here?" Was all I could get out. She giggled a bit, making me giggle as well.
"Hi yes I am" She held her hand out a bit, her right hand. I took a second to look at it, the burn marks from her accident - I grabbed it pulling her into a hug.
"Oh my, you ARE here!!!"

She's here, not something I had made up in my mind.

I lifted her off the floor spinning us around a bit. Honestly laughing in disbelief, but she held me close as well. This felt like home - her touch felt like home. I pulled away slowly as we had stopped spinning, my hands still on her waist.

"I should've texted you or something I don't know what I was thinking but giving you the space you said you wanted made the most sense how are you what are you doing here-"
"Charles breaaathe" she chuckled.
"I am- good, very good. How are you?" She caressed my arm a bit and I took what felt like the first breath in forever.
"Great, I'm good- you're here" I should probably stop saying that.
"So do you have space for one more?" Her teeth resting on her bottom lip a bit, nervous.

She was nervous.

"Of course- yes, for you? Always." We were looking into eachother eyes. This was a moment we both would remember for forever.

"Aurora? When- WHAT" Aurora now turned around to see Lando standing behind her in disbelief. She got out of my touch and ran over to her best friend, hugging him close.
They were laughing.

"Okay what's with all the noise you guys-" Oscar had now joined us.
"FINALLY" was all that he got out, hugging her as well.

Once everybody had been through the rollercoaster of emotions of seeing Aurora here - we left the docks heading towards the island.

/~\

Aurora

I am here. The flight on my way here was the worst one I've been on for a while. It felt like time was moving so fast, that's how nervous I was.

But as soon as Charles hugged me - everything felt normal again.

Everything I had been so nervous about washed away by his smile and his touch.

The girlfriends of these drivers?
They're ALL so nice.

Kelly? An actual angel
Lily? The cutest person on earth
Rebecca? A goddess

They made me feel so welcome.

"What are you thinking about there miss?" My eyes met with Charles'.
"Not much really, I was so nervous coming here" I couldn't help but blush and look down at my fingers that were fiddling with each other. He sat down next to me, putting his hand softly on top of mine.
"Here" he held up a glass for me - my left hand grabbing it as he was caressing my right one with his thumb. I smiled softly at him.
"What's this?" I took a small sniff, bringing the glass to my nose. He chuckled at me, I must look so stupid right now.
"Don't worry, it's just some wine. I can get you something else if you'd like that?" He started getting up, but I never let go of his hand.
"Nono this is great. Wine good. I love wine"

God? Wine good? Should I let go of his hand? Am I sweating? I'm definitely sweating.

"I see you brought your camera with you, prepared to take some photos?" His fingers slowly intertwining with mine.

Okay do not let go of his hand.

"Yeah! Dude have you seen this place? Photo opportunities everywhere." I gestured around the island. We were still on the yacht as the rest had made their way to land.

"I am so happy you're here"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world" I turned to him holding my glass up.

"Cheers?" I tilted my head a bit, him reaching for his drink on the table next to us.

Our glasses clinking together.

"Cheers." He smiled and I couldn't help but smile as well.

This is going to be a week to remember for forever.

~~~~~~~~