Emerald Cove

Chapter 5

Charlotte's POV

"...If you don't already know your partner you will by the end of this class because you're going to be spending a lot of time with that person." Mr. Henderson states. This is effectively my worst nightmare. I cannot depend on someone else to pull their weight in order for me to pass this class. I also cannot do the work of two people and be able to give my attention to my other classes as well. This is awful. "...Charlotte."

Wait who did he say my partner is? I look around for any indication of who my partner is and realize I was wrong. Before that wasn't my worst nightmare. Nope! This is my worst that my worst nightmare. My grade depends on Katherine. This is going to be a long semester.

"Homework for this week is to come up with a legitimate business idea. Something that would actually make money. Yes, I'm expecting you to be creative, but I also want you to be realistic. Don't take this assignment lightly. Do your research. So Friday's assignment is come up with a business idea and submit research into why you think there is a need for your business. Spend the last 10 minutes discussing with your partner brainstorming ideas. By the way, do not expect to do this project successfully without working on this outside of class. Also... Teamwork makes the dream work," Mr. Henderson says with a huge grin. It's like he knows that he is destroying all of my dreams with this project.

I look over at Katherine half expecting her to not be engaged, but instead I find her looking excited. "So... Where should we begin?" I ask timidly. This is stupid. I should just tell her I'll come up with something and give it to her by Wednesday so she has time to review it and approve it before the due date on Friday.

"I don't know," she says chewing on her bottom lips. "How about we start by recognizing a need?... Or... I don't know... Maybe we should think out who we want our demographic to be.... Hm... Or we could talk about what we are passionate about and develop a plan from there." I'm impressed. Those are three really good starting points.

"Alright so why don't I make a list of my ideas on those three points and you do the same and we can talk about it tomorrow before class," I say.

"Not going to work," she says bluntly. Who is she to shut me down so quickly. Seriously, what is her deal? "We need more time than that. Here..."she continues and then writes something on a slip of paper and shoves it in my hand. Looking at the paper I realize it's an address.

"What's this?" I ask confused.

"My address. I have practice after school, but I should be free around 7. Come over tonight and we will start working on it." she states confidently and then suddenly her expression becomes guarded and she adds "If you're not busy tonight that is. You know... with Luke or whatever."

"I have to work until 9. It would be late and this address is way outside of town. I'd never be able to get there." I say.

"It's not that far. Only like a 10 minute drive." she states as I shake my head. "Unless you don't have a car."

I realize I'm blushing. Why am I suddenly ashamed of not having a car? Why do I care what Katherine thinks about me anyway? "I can pick you up from work, if you'd like," she states almost shyly and before I realize it I'm nodding my head yes.

What the hell just happened? I just agreed to not only spend time with, but also go to the person who drives me crazies' house. What the hell is wrong with me? It has to be my drive to get this academic scholarship. That would also explain why I am slightly excited about this also.

The bell rings and I gather my stuff as quickly as possible and leave to go find Luke. This turned out to not be a hard task, I find him quickly and he kisses the top of my head. "I can't spend time with you tonight after work. I have too much schoolwork that I need to get started on," I tell him with a frown.

"Why not? It's the first day of school. You can't have that much to do," he demands. His reaction is surprising. I've never seen him lose his temper before and especially towards me. My shocked expression must tip him off because he quickly says sweetly,"I'm sorry. I was just looking forward to spending time with you."

"Look I have to go," I say and kiss his cheek. I head out to where I know Jessica will be waiting for me next to her car.

Work is slow tonight. It usually is on Monday nights. Between waiting on my tables, I do my homework for my other classes and try not to think about Katherine and our project. However, Jessica has other plans.

"So what happened this morning?" she asked slumping into the booth across from me.

I groan and tell Jessica how I came about wearing Katherine's clothes. When I finish Jessica shakes her head and says, "Don't get me wrong. I always have your back. However, don't you think you're being a little rough on her. I mean it was clearly an accident and she was nice enough to give you her clothes. She tries really hard to be a good person and, honestly, you and I both have heard her defend you before."

I'm stunned. She's right. I have blown this way out of proportion. Katherine did defend me before. When Luke and I first started dating some people judged us. He is from a much better off family than I am and because of that some people were saying that he was slumming it by being with me or that I was just a gold digger getting an early start. However, people learned real quick that Katherine would put them in their place. She has always been the peacekeeper and the one saving someone from unjust persecution. What have I done? I was such a bitch to her and she was actually being nice to me by trying to right her wrong.

"Shit," I say under my breath. Jessica smiles knowing that she has made her point.

"Don't be too hard on yourself. Just apologize and tell her you were having a bad day. I'm sure she'll understand," she says as she get up to go drop her order that just came up.

I go back to studying, but now I can't focus at all. Why was I so hard on Katherine? Yes, she should have been paying attention to where she was going, but it was an accident. I should apologize. God, that's going to be awkward.

I'm not sure how long I've been zoned out in my own head, but I'm brought back to reality by someone slumping into booth across from me. I look up expecting to see Jessica, but instead I'm surprised to see Katherine across from me.

She smiles that million dollar smile and runs a hand through her long golden hair. "It's only 8:30... I don't get off for another 30 minutes... What're you..." I stammer.

"I know. I was hungry and this place has the best key lime pie," she says shyly.

"That's because it's homemade and not that store bought crap they sell at the other restaurants," I reply with a wink as I get up and head to the back to grab a slice of key lime pie and two forks. When I set it down between us and slide back into the booth she looks at me quizzically. "What?" I ask shoving a bite of pie in my mouth.

"Why yes, Ms. Charlotte. Please help yourself to my pie," she smirks with the cutest southern draw I've ever heard and then winks at me. I must admit, I'm really starting to like being around her and she is growing on me.