Falling In Love

X. Bold of You

Chapter Ten...Bold of You

We were backstage in the arena, the hum of the crowd just beyond the walls giving me that familiar buzz. Raw was always high energy, and the adrenaline was already starting to hit. I could feel it pulsing through me, but something caught my attention that instantly shifted my focus away from the chaos of the night.

I noticed her. Charm.

And she wasn't alone.

Gzim. Of course, it had to be Gzim. I don't know why it bothered me so much, but seeing him talking to her, laughing with her? It hit me in a way I didn't quite expect. I'd known Charm for a while now, but lately? Lately, it was different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I felt something — something stronger than just coparenting.

I squinted over at them, my heart rate picking up a little, and then I turned to Joe, who was standing nearby, watching everything unfold. "Why is he talking to her?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, but I couldn't help the irritation that snuck in.

Joe didn't look as upset about it as I was, but I could see the way his eyes flicked between me and the pair of them. He smirked like he already knew what was going through my mind. "You better handle that," he said casually, as if it was no big deal. He was probably right, though. I had to handle it. I needed to handle it.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The last thing I wanted was to make a scene, but I also couldn't just let Gzim hang around her like that. So, I made my way toward them, every step feeling like I was walking in slow motion. My mind raced, trying to figure out exactly what to say.

When I got close enough, I didn't even acknowledge Gzim. I couldn't. I looked right at Charm. "Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, my voice firm but not too harsh.

She blinked, surprised by my approach, but she didn't hesitate. "Sure," she said, flashing me a smile before she turned to Gzim. "I'll catch you later," she added, and Gzim just nodded, giving her a lazy wave as she followed me away.

I led her back toward where Joe was still standing. As soon as I saw Joe, I felt a wave of nerves crash over me. He had this smirk on his face like he was watching some kind of drama unfold, and part of me just wanted to punch him in the arm for it. But I knew what I had to do.

I stopped in front of Charm, taking a moment to look her in the eyes. She had that same easy smile on her face, but there was a spark in her eyes that had me all twisted up inside. I was nervous, but I pushed through it. I had to be direct. I had to let her know how I felt, no matter how stupid it made me look.

"I'm gonna be straightforward with you," I said, my voice coming out a little more serious than I intended. "I like you. Like, I have strong feelings for you. I want you, and I need you to know that." I paused for a moment, trying to gauge her reaction.

She was just staring at me, a little surprised, but she wasn't walking away or saying anything, so that was something, right?

I took a step closer, my chest tight with nerves. "All that kiking you were doing with him? Cut it out," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but I could hear a slight tremor in it. Damn it, why did it have to be so hard?

Charm just blinked at me, not saying anything at first. Then, after what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice soft but with a hint of amusement. "Okay," she stuttered, like she wasn't quite sure what to make of it all.

"Yeah, that's right, uce," Joe piped up from behind me, slapping me on the shoulder in approval. "You got this, Joshua."

I didn't have time to react to Joe's little comment because before I could, Charm blinked at me once more, then just... walked away. She didn't say anything else, didn't give me a second glance — she just walked off like nothing had happened.

"Where are you going?" I called after her, my voice a little more desperate than I'd intended.

She waved me off without turning around. "I'll catch you later," she said, and then she kept walking.

That was it. I stood there for a moment, staring at her retreating form, trying to process what the hell had just happened.

"What just happened?" I muttered to myself, still half in shock.

Joe chuckled behind me. "You just told her you liked her, uce. It's not that complicated."

"No, I mean..." I trailed off, unsure of how to explain the knot that was forming in my stomach. "Why did she just walk off like that? I didn't expect her to just..." I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the weird tension I felt.

"Bro, women are complicated," Joe said with a shrug. "Give her some time. It's not like she can just jump straight into whatever you're offering after one conversation."

I knew he was right. It was just that, with Charm, everything felt different. She wasn't like the others. And maybe that's why I was so caught off guard.

Later that night, as the show was winding down and most of the crew was hanging around backstage, I found myself with a little more time on my hands. Amias and Rami were playing around nearby, their laughter echoing through the halls. But before I could even think too much about what had just happened with Charm, I was interrupted by Bianca and Jade, both walking over with their usual flair.

"So, now that you and Charm are, like, a couple now?" Bianca asked, giving me a teasing grin. "Are we getting another cutie pie running around backstage?"

I blushed immediately, the heat rushing to my face as I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. "I mean, you know... it's up to her," I stammered, flustered beyond belief. "I didn't— I didn't mean to— I just wanted her to know—"

"Oh my god, he's flustered!" Jade said, cutting me off and practically cackling at my reaction.

Bianca elbowed Jade in the side. "Let the man talk, Jade."

But I wasn't sure what to say. The situation with Charm felt like it was spinning out of my control, and I wasn't entirely sure where we stood. I hadn't expected to be put on the spot like this, but here I was. "I don't know what's going to happen, guys," I said, trying to shake off my embarrassment. "I just told her how I felt, that's all."

"Well, we all know how you feel, uce," Jonathan added, walking over with a big grin on his face. "But I wouldn't get too comfortable yet. Charm's not the type to rush into things."

I nodded, knowing he was right. But still, the thought of her walking away from me like that, not giving me a second glance, left me wondering if I had made a mistake or if I had just misunderstood everything between us. Was it too soon? Was she just not interested?

Only time would tell.