Dead Poets and Dying Roses

Thirteenth Chapter

(AN: own plot idea)

"So, you've got time tonight?" I'm sitting on the floor, eating some cream puffs. They are my uncle's favourites and therefor my preparation for later. "For you, mon chérie, I always have time." I giggle. "You know, this is a crucious butchery of my language. You'll never learn it, will you?" "Maybe, I just love to tease you a bit?", he responds to my complaint. I feel the butterflies in my stomach and quickly try to get them under control again. Charlie has had the upper hand in our little game far too often lately. Maybe I shouldn't chat with him, but it's neccessary. Exited, I look at the crumpled flyer in my hand. It says only groups of two or more. "Shut up, so are you ready to pay back the favour you owe me?" "Is that really a question?" As always he sounds like a great hero, taking on an incredible quest. "Good.", I say smiling. "Meet me in the city at the Jazz club." I can already here him asking, what we are going to do, but I talk over him. "No further questions. Just be there. And, oh, bring your sax." His laughter should be illegal. "Alright then, mystery girl. I'll be there. I'm looking forward to our little date. Gotta go now. Bye.", the words splash out of his mouth like a waterfall and then he hangs up, leaving me flabbergasted. Did he just call it a date? Do I want it to be one? Damn it, he's got into my mind with this. He's probably celebrating his win right now, how he got me confused within seconds.

With anticipation I wait for the evening to come. Gladly, the Perry's are invited for dinner at the Dawson's and as their son is known to be rather busy concerning the topic of girls, it was deemed better for me to stay at home. "No going out. No visits.", Mr. Perry lectures me the fifth time today. "Of course, uncle.", I give him the same monoton answer as the times before, an angelic smile on my lips. "And you better be sleeping, when we come back." While he is talking I can see the vein at his head twitching. It's almost like they leave for war and not for dinner. They treat me like a dumb child. Well, at least I'm not a child. "Good night, my dear.", Mrs. Perry finally chirps and they are gone. The second the door is closed, I turn around and jump up the stairs straight into the bathroom. I apply some make up, but nothing really pleases me. I need to remind myself that we are just going as friends, but still I want to look good for him. Actually it's more than that. I want him to look at me like I'm the only girl in the world. Just for one night I want to drive him crazy. That's probably a bad idea. I'm already on the edge of falling for him. And I don't like it. The false hope, that lifts you up in the sky just to let you fall again, crushing everything. The lightheaded dizziness, that makes you see everything in a better light, but also blinds you for other things. It's like a panic attack, crippling slowly towards you, until you can't stop it anymore and takes you down. Love means pain. It hurts. And I don't want to be hurt again. Not by him. But this is just one night, right? This is about retrieving a favour. He is just my side kick for this, anyways. Nothing more. A few minutes later I grab my guitar case and step into the cab.

The club is living. People with different instruments, looks and attitudes surround the building. Everybody is chattering, while I still nervously search for a glimpse of Charlie's head. The groups are already streaming in, taking their seats, when out of nowhere two hands wrap around my head and cover my eyes. "Who am I?", he whispers near my ear, causing me goosebumps all over my body. But I don't let him play with me. Instead I turn around and push him away. "We've got no time for this, you're late." "Oh, you are breaking my heart.", Charlie dramatically exclaims. "After all the battles I had to conquer to get to you, my princess." I cross my arms and hold my chin up high. "You shall be forgiven. But no we have to get inside." My hand finds his and I drag him behind me. "So, what is this? A show?", my companion asks me curious, eyeing everything around him with hungry eyes. He likes the mystery. "No, it's a competition. Like a dance off, but with instruments.", I give back to him. "And you want to use my incredible talent to win?", Charlie remarks cockily. "No." I put my hands at his chest. "We will use MY talent. You are just my ticket in." I give him a pat on the chest and then we find us some seats.