Charlotte is a first year at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Little does she know that inside these old walls not only her love for acting will grow.
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Tom's POV
"That bird is totally into you, mate" Ben says with a smirk. My childhood friend sits across me in our local pub. Aside from my family, he is the one person that knows me best in this world. He always has my back and if necessary talks some sense into me.
With everything that went down with Charlotte, I am in big need of his advice. Or at least for him to reassure me, that I am not simply losing the plot.
"That makes two of us" I take a large sip from my beer, processing what I just told him.
The whole evening on the rooftop seems unreal. Sitting up there, drinking wine, talking about cabbages and kings. My thoughts drift back to our time together.
If I have been captivated by her before, the fascination only grew listening to her. How candid she would talk about her childhood, everyday life, her dreams and fears. The understanding and emotional intelligence she displays in everything she says. Our conversation covering everything from Shakespeare, Existentialism to acting.
An odd sensation talking to someone her age, someone that just started her training only a few months back. Despite her age she has an old soul. Being on a constant quest for knowledge, wisdom and the truth, while most of her peers would indulge in the latest gossip.
Her understanding of acting taking me by surprise. It almost made me feel as if I was the apprentice in our conversation.
We have been sitting on that rooftop for hours. Yet it still felt too short. I could have stayed up there forever. Just listening to the lovely sound of her voice and her beliefs, that touched me deep inside.
"So, you said there is more to the story. Don't put me on the rack" Ben says raising his eyebrows. Pulling me from my thoughts and back to the noisy surroundings of the pub.
"Well yesterday I had to go back in the evening, because I forgot a script on my desk" I stutter. Nerves building as I recall last nights events in my head.
"I walked down the corridor, when I heard music playing in the rehearsal room. I knew Peter, one of the lads, mentioned a concert the whole class was going too, so I didn't expect anyone to be in there that time of night. When I opened the door, that's when I saw her" taking another sip from my beer, I feel the butterflies causing havoc in my stomach.
"Yeah and? What was she doing? Go on!" I hear the anticipation in Ben's voice.
"Dancing" I whisper. A smile crossing my face.
"Dancing?" he looks at me in disbelief.
"Yeah, dancing. Mate, that was the most intriguing thing I have ever seen. Her body was captivated by the beat of Gimme Shelter. Completely oblivious to her surroundings. She looked so happy and carefree and beautiful. The way she moved her body. Fuck" I stop, losing myself in the pictures in my mind.
"Okaaaayyy" Ben drags out every letter.
"When the music died, she suddenly noticed me by the door. She froze, but relaxed once she recognized me. Standing there, her amazing golden eyes staring at me. She didn't say a word. I was mesmerized. I don't know why, but I took her phone and scrolled through her playlist. I reckon I didn't want whatever moment we just had, to end".
"Out of all the songs, she had Little Wing on her phone. Hendrix, can you believe it? What's the odds? I hit play and immediately saw that sparkle appear in her eyes. And then she started to move her body to the tune. Keeping her eyes locked with mine. That was so .. I can't even put it in words. Seductive and sexy. I was in some sort of trance, I suppose. Walking over to her, dancing with her, wrapping my arms around her body. All of it is only a blur in my memory"
"That's my boy. Did you kiss her?" he winks at me.
"I thought about it. I wanted to. But I didn't. I don't know why. I didn't want to come across blunt. Maybe my nerves got the best of me. It's been a while since I felt like that. Maybe I am just a pussy. I told her what Hendrix said about the song though. You know, that it is like one of those beautiful girls that come around sometimes" I tell him, rolling my eyes at myself. Looking back my actions make me cringe. Why didn't I kiss her?
"Yeah, but he also said Little Wing was a very sweet girl that came around that gave her whole world to him and more if he wanted to. And him being the crazy ass, he couldn't get it together and was off here and there instead" his comment makes my heart sink. I know him long enough to know where this is going.
"The question you have to ask yourself mate is, can you get your act together this time? Can your crazy ass take it, if she offers you her whole world? Do you even want her too?" Ben says with a quizzical look.
I take a deep breath, processing his words. "I don't know, Ben. All I know is everything about her is drawing me in. I am bewitched by her beauty, her talent, her wit, her charm, her strength. There is this part inside me that just wants to make room for her in my life. That wants her to fill the void my work can't. I always put my work first, but lately I feel like there needs to be more. And I ask myself if she could be that" I shrug my shoulders at him.
"But there is also this part of me that fears to loose my focus and get distracted from what I worked so hard for. A part that blames getting older for the change of heart. And a part that doubts, that she can put up with me. All of me. The crazy shit included, you know" I say with a sigh.
"Sounds like typical Tom to me" Ben says, smiling at me. "Joke aside. I know you enjoy the time with her and I know you are under her spell. So thinking straight is definitely not going to happen around her. But for her sake, make your mind up, before this goes any further. That girl clearly likes you, if not more. I know you are a sincere person, but sometimes honesty can hurt too, if you are in it too deep" he says with a calm voice.
"I know. I clearly like her, if not more" I say, watching Ben choke on his beer.
"What?" he stammers in-between coughs.
"There you have it. I said it" I roll my eyes at him.
"Mate, you changed your tune. This girl must be special" he says with a smile.
"She sure is. Maybe special enough to finally change my chosen truth"
