Love Bites

Chapter 10 - Cherry Pie

- Are you sure this is going to turn out edible? - Charlotte asked insecurely, stirring the flour into the contents of a big bowl she was holding.

- Absolutely! This is my grandma's old recipe, and she was always considered one of the best cooks in the whole town, - Elle assured. She was sitting on the high stool, sipping lemon mineral water, dangling her leg and watching Charlie try her best at cooking.

- I mean, my family's coming round for the first time ever, I don't want to poison them, - Charlie explained, mixing the substance once again and cautiously inspecting every spoonful. 

- You won't, I give you my word! It's finger licking good, and has about as many calories as in a burger, but I'll just pretend it doesn't matter.

- You're going out and won't be tasting it, anyway, so why would you spoil other people's fun? - Charlie knit her brows.

- Okay, I won't lock horns with the birthday girl, - Elle giggled, getting on her feet and fixing her hair with a comb, - have great time and stuff, I hope your old people won't make a mess of everything!

- Oh, I too hope so, - Charlie agreed, biting her lip anxiously, - m-m, Ellie, by the way, before you're gone, could I borrow your mascara?

- What? Am I in my right mind? - Elle put her handbag aside and goggled at Charlie in keen astonishment, - you are asking me for make-up?

- Not make-up...I don't need eye shadow and stuff. Can I only have mascara?

- I can't believe you can be nineteen and not have a mascara of your own...Okay, take it. It's in the make-up bag on my bedside table. What's the reason, en passant? Is your hunk popping in?

- If you are hinting at Duff, then firstly, he is not my hunk. And also, I am not prettying up for him. That's just...like everybody does. I want to look good at my birthday party, that's it.

- Of course, of course, - Elle smirked sarcastically, - just make sure you don't end up in the club!

- Pomeline! - Charlie shrieked, clenching her fists, - if you don't shut the heck up, I promise the day you die will coincide with my birthday!

- Fine, I'm going away, - Elle promised with a laugh, - send my love to Peter!

- Bye, - Charlotte mumbled, frowning. Elle told her she was allegedly having a meeting with one of her photographers, and that her whole future career depended on that day, but Charlie didn't really believe her. More likely, she was trying to avoid her parents and brother after the tricky incident at the prom party. She had no stable job they could approve of , so she decided she'd better go her away so not to meet them.

Having put the pan in the oven, Charlie walked into Elle's room. It was to untidy she thought it was a good idea to keep the door locked most of the time. Different bright clothes were lying in piles on the floor, the windows definitely needed cleaning, and the air clearly smelled of cigarettes. Charlie made her way through the mess and picked up the make-up bag. The mascara's tub lid didn't want to screw for quite an amount of time, and then she finally managed to open it, the paste dripped on her tee, leaving a couple of stains. Charlie cursed but didn't give up and eventually did her lashes, not without poking herself in the eye with the brush.

She looked up in the mirror and thought she looked rather fabulous, not silly or slutty like she expected. Nevertheless, she decided she now had to change her shirt for something clean and fancy - mom's certainly going to notice the stain. 

She's only put on her smart sequin-trimmed button-up top when the doorbel rang. Although Charlie wasn't expecting her guests to arrive so early, she had nothing to do but go and open.