Sugar - Charlie Dalton

18

It seemed that the closer winter break approached, the slower the school days went.

Clara had been drowning in homework, classes, tests, and finals. The only thing that was keeping her afloat was Charlie.

It seemed like everyday a new note or little present was awaiting the girl at her dorm.

Today, it was a Hershey kiss, with a paper labeled;

Want a kiss? Come to my dorm.

The girl giggled to herself as she headed down to the boy's room.

"Special delivery!" She said as the door opened.

Immediately Clara launched herself on the boy, their lips connecting quickly.

"Woah, never seen you so excited." Charlie chuckled as they broke apart.

"What? I specifically remember being asked if I wanted a kiss. And I do."

The boys cheeks went dark for a moment as they began to kiss again. He almost was able to slip in hands under the girls shirt when the door was slammed open.

Quickly, Clara moved away from the boy as her cheeks heated up.

"Hey Pittise, What's for dinner?" Charlie smiled, entering the hallway with the others. He grabbed the girls hands immediately, dragging her with.

"Spaghetti and meatballs!"

"Has anyone seen Neil yet?" The brunette asked as the others shook their heads at her.

Today was Neil's big practice before the play tomorrow and Clare wanted to know how it went.

Almsot like the two did have twin telepathy, Neil came racing up the stairs.

"Save some for me. 'But, room, Fairy! Here comes Oberon.'"

"I'll see you soon, Charlie." The girl kissed the boys cheek as she caught up with her brother. "Neil! How was it?"

The older Perry turned to Clara with a smile, opening up his rooms door and entering backwards.

The girl stopped dead in her tracks and her heart dropped. "Father."

Neil frowned, still facing his sister. "Father?"

Surely, he turned around and saw their dad sitting at his desk. "Father."

"Neil. Clara, will you excuse us."

The brunette dropped her head and nodded. "Yes, Father. It was good to see you."

Stepping out of the room, she hung back and listened in. Only catching that their father wanted Neil to drop the play immediately.

It seemed like Neil had given up trying to go against the order as the room went silent.

Leaving the room, their father turned around and faced back to his son. "I made a great many sacrifices to get you here, Neil, and you will not let me down. Nor will you Clara, don't think I don't see you there."

Shamefully, Clare stepped from behind the wall and apologized.

The older man left as the girl moved over to her brother. A couple of tears in her eyes.

"Oh Clare, come here." Neil frowned, hugging his sister tightly.

"I'm so sorry." Clara said. "What are you going to do?"

The boy sighed and rested his head on the girls hair. "I don't know. I really don't know."

€€€

The following day, the buzz in the group was all about tonight. It even made classes seem more bearable.

"You excited for tonight, Clara?" Todd smiled at the girl in English.

"Of course, are you?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." The two smiled at each other as the final bell rang, meaning it was crunch time for homework.

Clare raced back to her dorm, not even stopping to talk with Meeks about his radio or Charlie about his cute notes.

For the next three hours, it was strictly homework.

And that's exactly what the girl did. When she completed all her assignments, a tired feeling came over, like she could fall asleep at her desk right now. Until she remembered what she'd be at tonight.

Walking to the bathrooms to shower and get ready, Clara could hear the boys all doing the same from down the hall.

After showering and curling her hair, Clara put on her finest dark blue dress and paired it with her black heels and winter jacket.

Finishing her makeup, the girl stepped out to see Charlie waiting for her.

"Wow Clara you look...beautiful. More beautiful than normal."

"Thanks, Dalton. You don't too bad yourself."

The two held hands as the group walked down the hallway.

"Wait Knox," Clare said, "what happened with Chris?"

The boy was about to answer when the others stopped in their tracks.

Looking over, Clara saw the beautiful blonde waiting by the doors.

She heard Charlie whistle, quickly hitting him and rolling her eyes.

Knox nodded absently, making his way over to the girl. "Chris, what are you doing here?"

"Gentlemen, let's go." From the other end of the hall came Mr. Keating's yell.

"Go ahead, guys. I'll catch up." Knox turned to the others as they all quickly nodded.

"Yeah, come on, guys."

"Bye!" Clara smiled at the girl who smiled back. "Meeks let's go."

Charlie sighed and dragged the boy by his collar.

The rest of the group all piled into the teachers car, taking about the play and Knox's luck with Chris.