Love Bites

Chapter 22 - Violet

Charlie could not be more glad to be home that morning. She got into great trouble at work because of her constantly missing working hours when she was out with Duff, so she was made to work night shifts only - the shifts nobody wanted. Besides that, her co-workers started looking strangely at her, and that was all sorts of unpleasant. Charlie could see their reasons though - firstly, she would ran away from her workplace with a punk-looking guy and don't come back, secondly, she never tried to make friends with any other guys working with her, and lastly, she was the reason that weird Gary guy spent quite an amount of time with a tragic expression on his face and his hands swathed in bandages. Yeah, Charlie could see why she wasn't the most popular chick in the restaurant.

However, it did not really bother her. Charlie always knew she was not staying there for long, and last night, while talking about their future, Duff promised he would make her quit the job.

- You are not going to be a burger-serving girl any more, Charlotte, - he mouthed, drawing on his cigarette. That put a weak smile on the face of Charlie, who was lying by his side, trying to take a comfortable position on the narrow sofa in his room. She shrugged her shoulders indifferently. - I can't bear seeing you in that...I don't know what it is, a shitty uniform?

- Really? Oh, come on. I am going to be a waitress until my dying day, - Charlie smirked, - I kinda got used to it...I dunno. I have to earn money, you see.

- But my girlfriend can't be a waitress, you get it? - Duff asked, caressing her red hair. The solemnity of his tone made Charlie laugh. Her nose started itching, and she needed to scratch it without disturbing Duff, so she was trying her best to reach it with her left hand.

- Haha, who are you, a duke?

He gave her a tired look.

- That's not funny, Charlotte. You could as well be a go-go dancer or anything. That's not serious.

Charlie actually wondered what kind of man would it take to want to see her dance in her underwear. Weird.

- But look, nobody wants me, - she sighed, finally being able to relieve her itch, - I can't be a painter, and frankly, I don't want to be anybody else.

- You could be a model. Or an actress, like all musicians' girlfriends, - Duff suggested. Charlie actually contemplated the idea for some time before answering. Elle was a model. Judging by her words, it wasn't that difficult. You just strike poses in different cute clothes and try to look good. Charlie could definitely do that, too. As a matter of fact, she had a better yearbook photo than Elle in like, ninth grade. On the other hand, her boobs were probably a tad too small...- Or no, you are going to be a painter, I promise you. I will do something. You can do a single cover or something like that. It should bring you some money as well.

So today Charlie couldn't be watching America's Top 10 doing nothing like she always did. She was sketching in her notebook, trying to think of anything decent that would be suitable for a cover, and also wondering what her new image should be like. Not everybody is rockstar's girlfriend, she decided, so she had to do something impressive. Maybe dye her hair black-and-white like Cruella De Vill? Or try to lose a couple of pounds? Joni Holger definitely looks better in her bikini than Charlie.

Her deep thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Elle's voice.

- Howdy! What's up?

Charlie jumped in her sit and dropped her notebook. In fact, there wasn't anything nice because the sort of skull she has drawn has been seen a million times and associated with other bands - Iron Maiden, the Misfits and so on.

She wasn't surprise to see Ellie arrive home only in the morning. She's been doing that for quite an amount of time, so Charlie decided it was none of her business. If her flatmate was alive and safe, she had nothing to worry about.

Today Elle actually looked better than Charlie would have guessed. Her complexion was glimmering and not as pale as usually, and she was smiling happily. Having looked at her more closely, Charlie came to the conclusion she put on some weight which caused her to look healthier. She claimed to have had a magazine cover that was rather well-paid, so perhaps things were turning for the better for her.

- Nothing much, - Charlie shook her head, - do you want me to make you a cup of tea?

- Yeah, please. Has anybody phoned? - Elle asked cheerfully, sitting down.

- M-m, yes, Axl did. Something like five times, and then he finally hit the roof, called me a slut and hung up.

- Excellent! - Elle smiled widely, her eyes glowing. - What did he say?

- That he hated you, I think. Nothing much.

- Nice. That means he's on the hook, - Elle summed up, crossing her legs, - I think it is very nice.

- Hook? What hook? - Charlie asked, frowning. She hardly managed not to burn herself in the kitchen because she was hurrying so not to miss any gossip from Elle.

- Oh, you don't understand.

- But I thought you and Izzy...

- We? Oh yes, we do! - Elle giggled, flipping her hair back, - what's wrong, Chuckie?

- You do understand you can't be with two guys at the same time, don't you? That doesn't do any good. Especially if they are in the same freaking band, - Charlie's brows knit. She fixed her eyes on Elle, who still looked innocently joyful.

- Bebe Buell could. And so did Anita Pallenberg. Why can't I?

- You are so not  Anita Pallenberg, - Charlie stated confidently. Elle pursed her lips.

- But why?!

- You're prettier. Tell me, so you want to be a groupie? You're much above that, Ellie.

Elle pretended to roll her eyes. She searched her pockets, then took out a cigarette and lit it up.

- Damn, calm down, Charlie! Everything is going great.

- Oh, uhm, okay. Glad. Hey, what's this?

Charlie quickly grasped Elle's wrist before she could do anything. There was a big black bruise on her arm.

- Nothing...

- You are not going to tell me you tripped while climbing the ladder. Who gave you this?

- But it's fine! - Elle tried to set free. Her displeased expression turned into a scowl. - It doesn't hurt!

- I don't care if it hurts or not! I just wanna know who the fuck beat you up! That junkie bastard?! John, or what the hell his name is?!

- Well, if so, what?

- And you let him?! What a violent dickhead!

- I defended myself! - Elle objected, getting on her feet, - take a chill pill, it's over! I am not seeing him anymore!

- Oh, but why? Having three guys is just so much more fun! - Charlie spat out sarcastically. Elle let out a laugh.

- That's a level passed! I don't want him anymore now that I had him. It's not interesting!

- And what is interesting? Tricking to guys at once to believe you fancy them?

Elle didn't answer. She went on sipping her tea pretending that nothing happened. Charlie drew in a deep breath. Her hands were shaking.

- You are a mess. A total, complete mess. I don't know what I am going to do with you unless you sort things out, at least in your head.

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♪ Hole - Violet