Losing Charley

Chapter 5 Part 1

The remainder of the week I hang out with the girls on my hall and try to make a decision about joining the swim team. Gah, I could use some advice.

Piper: Hey girl! Had ya on my mind!

Charley: You've got freakin' ESP! Call me like yesterday!

Ten minutes later I hear "Hell on Heels" blaring on my phone. It's Piper. I miss her so bad.

"What's up, Charley?"

"So, let me just go ahead and tell ya. I know this is the right place, but I don't know if I can keep my head on straight."

"Okay, so what's his name?"

"Joe, but the other problem is Cash."

"Charley, you know he loves you, no matter what you think is good for you."

"I know he does, and he means so much to me. But I want to experience college life, and find out who I am without a guy, but now there's a bigger problem. Everyone here plays a damn sport, and they know I used to swim. What am I going to do?" I'm a little bit on the panicky side.

"Girl, do what you want. You love it, kick ass at it, and are worried about a problem that no longer exists. Go for it!"

"I just don't know; there's this red tape thing I gotta go to tomorrow, if I decide to do it. I'm telling ya, if I decide to do this, I better not have a chance in hell of running into that piece of shit!"

"Damn, Charley, calm down. You know he's off at some Division One. You're good."

"Okay, well I guess I'm just going to weigh the pros and cons. So, how's the beach? I'm totally coming to see ya soon!"

"It's great, and ohmygah, these guys are eye candy everywhere I turn. My roommate's pretty cool, too. She's an Army brat. She likes to have a good time. So far so good."

"Aight girl, thanks for the pep talk, but I guess I better figure out where I gotta be in the morning and what I'm going to wear."

"Char, why don't you wear your look pretty, play dirty camo racerback and your cut-offs? Just be you. You ain't gotta impress anybody."

"I heart you so much! You know exactly what I should do and are my fashion conscience. Love ya like a Choice Cherry Gold!" We both laugh and then hang up. I take a look at my schedule... 8:00 a.m. Biology. What was I thinking? I get my books, iPad, and notebook and place them inside my bag. I take a look in the closet. Where is that outfit? I swear Piper knows me better than myself sometimes. I grab my phone, set my alarm, and decide to talk to Georgia across the hall.

"Hey, Charley, I'm about to go over to Tori's room. We're gonna watch Scandal. Wanna go?"

"Sure, but my first class is at eight. What was I thinkin'?"

We are all chilling on Tori's futon watching Scandal. During the last commercial, Georgia brings up a topic I've been dreading.

"So, Charley, did ya decide yet about the team?"

"Y'all, I just don't know." How do I tell them what happened? Or do I?

Tori turns to me with a devilish grin. "Charley, there's this thing called Google. I know you swim faster than a fish!"

"Yes, Tori, I know I'm a good swimmer, but I just don't know if that is what is in the plan for me here."

"How about you go to the red tape meeting with us tomorrow, meet Coach, and go from there. Why are you so wishy-washy?"