Dreaming Big

Chapter 12:

Charlotte's P.O.V.

The sunlight was streaming into my face, turning the back of my eyes red. Forehead scrunching up, I turned my head to the side and snuggled in closer to my warm pillow. My pillow sighed in content and wrapped its arms closer around me, pulling me closer into its sides.

Wait. What?

Alarmed, and only half awake, I jumped away from the person next to me. The person gave a start, and was on his feet before he even seemed to know what was going on. "What's wrong?" Chase asked groggily, after seeing that there was no one else around. "Sorry Chase," I mumbled, getting to my feet. "I thought you were-wait, what's on your forehead?" I cut myself off, seeing 'I LOVE CHASE GRIFFIN MORE!' written in thick black letters across Chase's head. Suddenly, a slow, arrogant smile spread across his face. "Of course, I knew it was only a matter of time you expressed your undying love for me."

I looked at him, blinked a few times, rubbed my eyes, and stared back at him. Maybe this was all some type of crazy dream. "What the heck are you talking about?" He pointed to my forehead in response. I reached up and rubbed my head, and when I brought my hand away, it was smeared with black ink. Chase laughed at that. I ran over to a small puddle, and stared down at my reflection. My mouth popped open with an audible pop, as I stared at my rather bedraggled expression.

Written in my sister's unmistakable handwriting were the words "I LOVE CHASE GRIFFIN'.

Ava.

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I stormed along the woods, forehead still burning from when I had rubbed it so vigorously, trying to get the marker off. What had come off so easily in my hand seemed almost impossible to come off with water. All that I had really accomplished was turning my forehead to a bright red. Chase hadn't even attempted to take the writing off. He had just left it on, thinking it was funny. He had tried to tease me about it, but after he saw me shouting at Ava, and nearly pushed her into the river when she said she was just messing around, he didn't even attempt to talk to me again.

Ava was ticked at me for taking it 'too seriously', and Carson and I never really talked. So I was left alone, at the head of the group, to stomp along in silence. It was just the way I liked it. Where we were going? I wasn't sure. Ava and Carson refused to say, which only fueled my anger. "We'll tell you when we get out of here," They had said. Of course, it was my job to find a way to get us out.

"Hey, Charlotte?" Carson said suddenly, jogging up to stand by my shoulder. I grunted in response. "Right, well I was wondering if you could maybe be nicer to Ava? She's going through a lot right now and..." He trailed off at the look of pure murder on my face. I stopped, and turned slowly to face him. He took a step back, almost looking frightened.

"She's going through a lot right now? In case you haven't noticed, Carson, we're all going through a lot right now!" I began quietly, but my voice growing louder with every word. "We're in the middle of nowhere, already considered dangerous for a crime we didn't do, and now probably the most wanted fugitives in the world and-"

"Whoa, whoa, Charlotte, calm down," Carson said, looking alarmed. But that, if anything, only made it worse. "Calm down?! CALM DOWN?! HOW ABOUT I SHOVE THIS STICK DOWN YOUR THROAT AND I'LL TELL YOU TO CALM DOWN!" I screamed, taking a threatening step toward him. All of the anxiety, uncertainty, and frustration from the last day came exploding out of me before I could stop it. 

I took another step towards him raising my hand to hit him, when I felt Chase come up behind me and grab my arms. "C'mon Char, you don't want to do this!" He said, using one arm to secure my arms and  wrapping the other around my wait to restrain me. "YES I DO! HE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A COMPLETE JERK TO AVA FOR YEARS! HE DESERVES IT!" I shouted, struggling against Chase's grip.

The look on Carson's face was as though I had already slapped him. "No you don't! You'll regret it as soon as you do!" Chase replied to me, dragging me back away from Carson and further into the woods. I continued to struggle, but he held me like I was nothing more than ten pounds. I saw Ava walk over to Carson, and put a hand on his startled face, and then the trees swallowed them. Chase held onto me until I stopped restraining against him, only letting go when he was sure I wouldn't run.

I sat down on the ground, hard. Chase was right. I hadn't even punched Carson, but felt horrible about trying to. He was just worried about Ava. Of course he'd ask me to be nicer. I groaned and put my head onto my knees. I felt Chase sit down next to me. He was quiet for a moment before saying, "Geez Char. And here I was thinking you were some sweet, innocent girl." He was teasing, I know, but I didn't respond.

"Look Char, I know how scared you are right now-and don't try to deny it, I can see right through you," He said, seeing I was going to object. "...and I am too." He answered quietly. I picked my head up sharply and looked at him. Here was arrogant, brave, Chase, confessing he was afraid in a small voice and looking quite like a little kid in need of a hug. Just for a moment, the hard mask he wore faded a little, showing a concerned fifteen year old boy, going through a hard time.

"But tell anyone I said that, and I'll have to kill you," He joked, nudging my shoulder. Just like that, the mask was back on. I smiled a bit, and nudged him back. "Lottie!" Ava shouted, suddenly running out of a patch of trees towards us. I got to my feet with Chase at my side. "Look, I'm sorry how I reacted, I'm going to apologize  to him right-"

"Never mind that! Lottie, do you realize where we are?" She asked, eyes huge.  Confused I looked around, and that's when I saw it. The big old log cabin which had once been beautifully kept with pretty flowers and a well-kept lawn, but had since fallen into horrible disrepair.

Home.