One Way~ a Charlie Rowe fanfic

Chapter Seven

EMMA'S POV:: Mrs. Rowe was kind enough to lend their guest bedroom to be my bedroom for however long my stay is. I told her I wasn't able to stay and that I had some unfinished business with someone, but she protested. "If you leave, Charlie nor I will be able to save you a second time if you're dealing with someone dangerous." Her sympathetic eyes told me that it was wiser for me to stay, so I did.

Charlie did everything to make me feel wanted in the Rowe household. He bought me flowers and put them in my favorite vase, attempted to teach me guitar, and was my basic bodyguard if anyone who looked like Mr. Walker glanced at me. After a while, I felt like family even though Charlie treated me like his girlfriend. I laid awake at night, thinking about running away and the what ifs that were involved, like what it I don't have enough money or what if I get the wrong address. Finally, I decided it was time. Time to disappear from the London scene.

I decided on Saturday, July 27th's night. It was going to be hard to leave because Charlie left his door open when he slept and Mr. and Mrs. Rowe's bedroom was right near the staircase. It was raining on Saturday morning, and the night wasn't looking so good either.

"Emma, I'm running out to the store to grab things for dinner. Be careful while I'm gone," Mrs. Rowe said as I rinsed off my lunch dishes. Once she left, I was the only one left in the house. I turned up my music and sang along.

"I really wanna love somebody! I really wanna dance the night away! I know we're only half way there but take me all the way, take me all the way!" Then I broke into terrible WOOOAAAAHHHH's as the song ended. I struck a pose on the last few notes then yelled, "Thank you New York City! You've been a great crowd!" I began to laugh but immediately screamed once I saw in the doorway to the kitchen. He was smirking as I approached him. "Did you intend to scare me?" I poked his arm playfully and he smiled.

"I heard music from outside," I blushed, "and knew it was you." I giggled and grinned while blushing. "I'd like to teach you something. Wait here while I grab my guitar!" He ran upstairs as loud as an elephant and jumped the last step coming down. He placed the guitar on my lap and sat behind me. He rested his head on my shoulder and placed his hands on mine. "Relax  your hands," he whispered, his breath tickling my neck. Charlie moved his hands and mine on the strings, playing familiar chords. Once down, he whispered, "I like watching you dance and sing. You seem so carefree,." I turned to look at him, my lips grazing his accidentally. We both pulled away in shock and looked the opposite ways awkwardly.

Later that night, Charlie came into my room when he thought I was sleeping. I was still awake but he didn't know that. "Emma," he began and I heard him sigh, "I think I like you. A lot." He kissed my forehead then left. I willed myself not to cry because in that moment, I realized I liked him too. A lot.