He Held My Hand

Chapter 3: Not Him

When Charlie made it to her room she collapsed on her bed with a big sigh. She couldn't believe that she was going on a date with Gabe soon let alone that he kissed her cheek. But her glorious thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening coming behind two familiar voices. ' Great, Riley and friends.' Charlie sighed and got up to meet Riley and her guest.
       When Charlie reached the kitchen were Riley and friends were she almost threw up everything she had drank earlier this morning. She saw the sight not even a sister would want to see, Haden White and Riley Rivers kissing! Even though they kind of looked cute together she couldn't bare to see the two making out in the kitchen were the food was. Charlie loved food and wasn't letting it get ruined by two making out teens.
       Charlie then grabbed Riley's hair and pulled her away from Haden who's perfect hair was all messed up. ' Brody won't like this Riles.' Charlie thought as Riley grabbed her head.
       " Ow! What was that for!"  Riley yelled, while Haden fixed his hair. Charlie rolled her eyes and frowned. With that Charlie let go of Rileys hair and smacked her arm.
       " Oh I don't know...... maybe you have.... mmmm BOYFRIEND!" Charlie snapped thinking of what Brody would think about Riley now. Riley looked at Charlie with a friendly smile followed by a wink. Charlie wrinkled her nose and glances at Haden who shrugged his shoulders. ' What is she thinking?' Charlie asked herself, looking at Riley once again, this time with caution. Riley grabbed Charlie's hand and squeezed it tightly.
        " It's true, I have a boyfriend. But how could he possibly find out that Haden and I kissed? Surely my good old friend Charlie won't say a word, right?" Riley's eyes brightened as she spoke. Haden too a step forward so that he was right behind Riley, smiling as big as ever. Charlie suspiciously searched the twos face as they kept smiling. At this point Charlie didn't know what to do. ' I can either help the two, or I can tell Brody.' Charlie thought releasing her hand from Rileys grip.
      She looked away from the two for a few seconds then looked back at them, clearing her throat.
             " I can't lie Riley, I just can't." Charlie decided, putting her hands in her jean pockets nervously. With every word Riley became more and more mad at Charlie, so Riley took Charlie's arm and dragged her to their room leaving Haden behind.
       Charlie couldn't help but sit as far away from Riley as possible, she could tell she was mad at her. Riley then sat across from Charlie and sighed.
       " Just one white lie Charles, one white lie is all." Riley explained standing up in frustration. Charlie grunted and also stood up, pushing a strand of her brown hair behind her ear.
       " Riley, one 'little white lie' will turn into so many more." Charlie growled glaring at Riley. Riley frowned and then turned so her back was now facing Charlie. ' Why can't she just help me?' Riley thought rubbing her temples.
      " Right, Charlie. You are right. But we are best friends can't you just keep a little secret? I'm not asking you to kill someone!" Riley yelled clenching her fist. Charlie started to feel heat rise to her face. ' Why can't she just not cheat?' Charlie asked herself stepping toward Riley with a sigh.
       " Riley I'm not keeping a secret because that would be untrustworthy to your BOYFRIEND! Why can't you just not cheat on him?! While your at it stop making me your slave!" Charlie yelled and stormed out of the apartment tears forming in her green eyes. With such shock she started running, but soon after she bumped in a boy , knocking her over. She hit her head on the ground and scraped her arm.
       " Are you okay? I didn't mean to!" The boy exclaimed, grabbing Charlie's arm helping her up. Charlie rubbed her head and looked up at the boy who gave her a sweet smile. He had Grey eyes, floppy blond hair and was definitely built. Once Charlie was on her feat he kept and arm around her waist to valence herself. She gave the boy a slight smile.
      " No it wasn't your fault, I'm just really clumsy. My name is Charlie by the way." Charlie held out her hand nervously and searched the boys face. The boy smiled ear to ear and shook Charlie's hand. ' He is hot. Wait no you are going out with Gabe..... I think.' Charlie thought breathing out.
       " My name is Grayson." He said huskily, looking deeply into Charlie's eyes. Charlie got uncomfortable and turned her head away from him, her cheeks turning bright red. Grayson chuckled making Charlie shiver.
       " See you around Grayson." Charlie got out slowly turning away from him not aware were exactly she was going to go. Grayson put his hand on her shoulder to turn her into around.
       " Charlie, would you want to go out sometime, to get to know each other?" Grayson asked his smile still on his very handsome face. Charlie nodded and walked toward her dorm not thinking of anything but Grayson and Gabe. ' Am I cheating? No, you and Gabe aren't a thing and Grayson asked to get to know you. This can't be cheating.' Charlie told herself looking at her phone standing by the door, to the main entrance.
        She decided to text Gabe a question, but it was too risky so she sighed and went in the direction of her dorm but realized that her and Riley had a fight and she didn't deserve to know about her little run into. So on that note, Charlie turned around and say Grayson standing there, his face lit up with a smile. Charlie couldn't help but let her mouth form into a grin as well. ' I want to be with him....' she thought her eyes still on Grayson but her mind was elsewhere, thinking about Gabe. ' All the times I was single I wanted boys to fight over me, but I don't want it anymore.' Charlie felt her grin leave her face and Grayson walked over to her, Charlie was being herself and admiring Grayson's nice body. Grayson looked at Charlie with sadness in his eyes.
       " What's wrong?" Grayson politely asked his jaw muscles twitching. Charlie looked up at Grayson and felt her heart drop to her stomach feeling sick. ' You have to lie... No you can't, you just told Riley you wouldn't lie for her. But he can't know....' Charlie tried to pull her overwhelmed thoughts out of her mind but they would budge. Charlie frowned and just went to. Rileys story.
       " Grayson, it is my friend. She cheated on a boy who is a player and is making me lie for her. But I can't! I just can't..." Charlie suddenly felt the urge of anger and she could tell Grayson wanted to help so she let herself hug him. She felt safe and loved. But she felt like a cheat, she felt she was cheating a man of the name of Gabe. But her dear friend was cheating with a guy that was her... her complete enemy. He wasn't the guy for her, not him.