Stalking Charlie

In A Slump

Alex Stone

Charlie didn't join us for dinner, and also skipped breakfast the morning after. I knocked on her door, but Charlie didn't even answered.

"You should apologize to her! It's your fault!" I whined to my brother, who's doing his best to avoid my stare.

I know he's ashamed that he has ever thought that Charlie and Devin have a more intimate relationship than they really have. He had defended to me that he honestly don't know, so he don't have to apologize.

"It was just a misunderstanding, Alessandra. I'm sure Cassie won't mind. Besides, no one told me they are actually a family." he said, glaring at me. He's annoyed that I didn't told him sooner.

"That doesn't mean you can think of them as lovers, stupid! The age alone should have stopped you." I rolled my eyes on him.

"Hey, celebrities do that." Nick countered. "And as you said, that guy's filthy rich. Rich men do that kind of thing."

"Whatever. Just go and apologize to her, Nicolas. She haven't eaten yet since last night." I pleaded, plopping to the sofa next to him.

He ignored me, flicking through the channels on the television. I grabbed the remote from him and pulled it away from his grasp.

"Are you crazy?" he yelled, his face darkened as he scowls down at me. "Give it back, Alessandra!"

"No!" I stated firmly, then turned off the television. "Apologize. Now."

He didn't answer, just leaned back on the sofa and covered his face, groaning. I know he'd rather stuff his foot in his mouth than go upstairs and apologize to Charlie. He's that proud.

"Nicolas. Please? For me? I'm really worried.." I begged at him. He looked at me and I let him see how concerned I am about my bestfriend.

"What will I say to her?" he groaned again. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make such an insensitive and cruel judgement about your real relationship with Devin? I'm sorry I was a jerk, please come out and eat or else my twin will strangle me to death?"

"Just say sorry you're such a ruthless motherfucking jerk, an insensitive one too. That should do it."

Nick and I looked around to see Charlie standing barefooted by the stairs, hair in glorious disarray and wearing sweatpants and loose shirt.

"Why are you wearing your dark glasses?" Nick asked incredulously.

Charlie didn't respond, she just stood there unmoving. I swatted Nick by the shoulder and glared at him. He should really have a filter, preferably laced with sensitivity toward others feelings.

He cleared his throat, looking abashed.

"I'm sorry I was an insensitive and ruthless motherfucking jerk to you yesterday, Raven." he said solemnly enough, his ears pink and gaze averted from Charlie's face.

"It's fine." Charlie nodded. "Not many people knows of my association with him, and you're right, he acts more like a sugar daddy than a real father to me. He doesn't really know how to act as a father to his bastard child."

She turned on her heels, and went to the kitchen, probably to eat. Nick stared after her, looking as if he wants to go after her and comfort her. She obviously needs someone.

I was waiting for him to get up and talk to Charlie, but instead he pulled the remote from my hand and turned the tv on, his eyes fixated on it.

"Talk to your girlfriend, Alex." Nick said grimly, a frown marring his striking face.