Stalking Charlie

White Roses For A Princess

Nick Stone

I opened the door with my key, and was welcomed with silence. I called for my father and Alex, but no one's home. Even Charlie.

Charlie. Just thinking about her makes my head hurt. All I can think of is her and Ashley.

I wanted to confront her earlier, shake her senseless, but I stopped myself. It wasn't really my problem. I'm not her boyfriend.

I decided to call Alex, to hear her voice and know if she's alright. I've been calling her all day but Kenneth intercepts my calls.

Why is he with her anyway? I frowned. I haven't seen him all day. Does that mean they were together the whole day?

"Yeah?" came Kenneth's annoying voice.

"Where the fuck are you? Alex should be home by now, Dad will be mad." I said grumpily. My ever annoying bestfriend just laughed at me.

"We're on our way." he hung up. I scowled at my phone and went to my room to change.

I was on my way back downstairs when I noticed Charlie's bedroom door is slightly open. I frowned as I walked over and checked the inside of her room. It's empty.

I shook my head when I saw that she just left her bed unmade. I straightened it up and picked up books and other things on the floor, putting them on their rightful places.

The Devil and Miss Prym. I flipped through the pages of the book, surprised to see that Charlie read books like this. She had put a thin cardboard to mark her progress.

I examined the bookmark closely. It's not like any other bookmarks. It's short and star-shaped. There's an intricate design of swirls and stars in it.

Princess. The neat, cursive penmanship wrote.

I shrugged, putting it down and looking around her room. She had put very little personal things inside it. Just her clothes and books. There was nothing that says it's her room. No personal decoration or anything.

It's as if she can go up and leave one day, not leaving any trace that she once settled here.

I heard the sound of a car coming up the driveway. I poke my head out of the window to see Kenneth climbing down the driver's seat. And Alex on the passenger side.

I was about to run downstairs and greet them when I saw my bestfriend envelope my sister in a hug. I frowned, watching the scene below me.

He murmured something in her ear, and she nodded. She looked up at him, adoration clear on her face.

Huh? I was confused as hell. Kenneth smiled down at her, his eyes lingering affectionately on Alex.

I studied them, wondering if they like each other more than I originally thought.

Wait, I thought he likes Charlie? What's this? I've been friends with Kenneth for a long time but I never knew what's going on inside his curly head.

And Alex, she's already in a relationship with Charlie. Why is she.. I don't know what to think anymore.

"Kenneth!"

He had already waved goodbye, but my sister ran to him. My bestfriend opened his arms, obviously thinking it was another hug. But my sister did something unexpected.

Alex kissed him and I almost shouted in surprise. The urge to slug my bestfriend's face right then and there was strong, but I managed to keep my big brother protectiveness in check. I saw my sister held his face with two hands, eyes closed, standing in tiptoes to reach him.

Kenneth cradled her head with his big hands, and suddenly pulled her away from him. I hid behind the curtains, peeking very discreetly. He might be cautious and embarrass because Alex is my sister.

I saw him clenching his hands, and walking out of there. He seemed angry, and Alex was left stunned. I saw her bow down, hands covering her face.

Shit. I'm gonna strangle you for this, Mitchell!

I raced to the garage, but met Alex on the foot of the stairs. She looked up at me with surprise on her face.

"H-Hey.." she nodded awkwardly. Alex avoided my stare and tried to get past me.

"Are you alright?" I asked, grabbing her arm. She whirled around me, her eyes wide and innocent but the deep blush she had on her face betrayed her.

"Y-Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Alex stuttered. I narrowed my eyes at her. She doesn't know I was spying on them just now, and I bet she'll be very embarrassed to know that I saw how Kenneth rejected her.

"I'm sorry about earlier." I said, clearing my throat.

My sister just nodded and smiled weakly at me. Then she excused herself and went up to her room.

I had decided to follow Kenneth and beat the crap out of him, when a knock on the front door interrupted my furious musings. A middle aged delivery guy held a huge bouquet of white roses on our doorstep.

"Delivery for a.. Miss Cassandra Raven?" the guy announced, reading something on his clipboard.

"She's not here yet." I said. The guy just gave me the flowers and made me sign a form. Then he went off.

I looked at the flowers curiously, my anger long gone. Who could have sent Charlie this? And why?

A card was protruding out of the flowers, and against my better judgement, I opened and read it.

Princess,

Be well and stay safe. For me.

Princess? I snorted. I looked at the short message once more, the penmanship calling to a recently acquired memory.

The bookmark.

I scowled. Just how many lovers does that Charlie Raven have, seriously?