Love Bites

Chapter 30 - Like A Rolling Stone

It was an unusually hot day. In spite of the fact that the clocks showed 1:20 pm, Charlotte was lying on the sofa in the living room of her flat. Yes, it was her flat now - Elle moved in with Axl a couple of weeks ago. Charlie missed watching TV late at night with her, fighting over the last yougurt and getting up early to use the bathroom first. It was strange to come back home to find nobody here and not to clean the shower from somebody else's hair. However, she knew Elle was happy with Axl even though they had such a fiery relationship. She needed him and it would be selfish of Charlie not to let them be together. Elle visited her often, they bought ice-cream and Oreos and discussed everything like they have always done.

In other news, Charlie quit her job. She had been on the verge of being fired for a long time anyway. She failed her college exams which meant there was hardly any need for her to save that much money by working for 12 hours straight and living on mac and cheese. It wasn't worth it. She still had some money and they also paid her for sending her drawings to different newspapers. However, she knew it wouldn't last long and then she would have to change something: either fly back home or find a new job. Neither of this options seemed very inspiring or exciting. Still, she preferred to let things slide. She was disappointed. Who knew adulting was that hard?

Today Ellie came by after going to the doctor's. She was due next month and has already bought a ton of baby clothes and shoes in all shades of pink and white. She was almost convinced that she was having a baby girl, but Charlie secretly hoped the child was actually a boy. She bet Duff fifty bucks that it was a little man, and the money wouldn't hurt right now.

- You know dude, I am sorry, but it ain't gonna be a boy, - Elle stated, have sipped some juice from a glass, - what on earth am I gonna do with a boy anyway?

Charlie snorted and shrugged her shoulders.

- I don't know...Feed, take on the walks, sing to sleep. Love. It's your child.

- You know, I can't make it a boy just because you need cash. I might have a bun in the oven, but it is not a bakery!

- Come on, you said I was your friend! - Charlie whined, sitting up and putting on her bandana. She was also wearing her favorite socks but they didn't make her happy. She sort of understood she was on her way to become a constantly depressed person, but nothing except for bad thoughts was in her head and she couldn't help herself. - You do not know for sure as well!

- Oh, get a job, pour l'amour de Dieu! - Elle suddenly switched from English to French, as she often did when she was getting too emotional. Charlie didn't dare tell her she found that habit annoying to say the least,

- You see, I tried but not successfully, - Charlie retorted bitterly, - maybe I should give up and become your maid and make you fresh orange juice every morning...

- Or you could be Effie's nanny! - Elle remarked excitedly, jumping up way too quickly for a heavily pregnant lady. - That would be so great, we could live together...

- Excuse me?

One of Charlie's eyebrow lifted. She wasn't sure how to make another one lift though.

- It's the name we chose for her, - Pomeline explained, - Seraphina Reverie. Stunning, isn't it?

Charlotte chuckled on her soda but fortunately Elle didn't hear that.

- We?

- Well, I chose it...Axl doesn't know. But he also doesn't care. He only suggested Ajax, and it's a male name...

Charlie was curious how come Elle was so familiar with Iliad but didn't want to sound like a bitch, so she refrained from comments.

- So you could look after her. I don't wanna spend my whole time home with a baby. I would probably pay you...