Bridge (ON HOLD)

two // almost naked

T W O / / A L M O S T  N A K E D

Charlie and I took the train home from the airport.

On the way we had talked a little, mostly about his flight, but before I knew it we were back in the air conditioned safety that was my house. I showed Charlie around quickly and led him upstairs to my step brother, Rowen's old room.

"Alright, well you're probably pretty tired so I'll just let you sleep or whatever. If you need anything, let me know, I'll most likely be in my room." I said, walking towards the door. 

"Thanks," Charlie mumbled before I walked into the hallway, closing the door behind me.

Taking a deep breath I retreated to my room and plopped down on my bed. The arrival of Charlie should have made me excited, but instead it was just a cruel reminder of the fast-approaching school year.

Sure it was Senior year, but I had a feeling mine wouldn't end up like one in High School Musical 3. First of all, I would have to bear it without Luke, and although I hated to admit it, I really missed the little turd. Secondly, although I loved them dearly, I only really had two friends. Not to mention I had been placed in an advanced math class with Ms. Walters, the harshest teacher on the planet. Oh, and college? Don't even remind me.

I woke up the next morning feeling exhausted and sweaty from the heat of Colorado in the summer and decided a cold shower was exactly what I needed. 

As soon as the water hit my skin I felt 1,000 times better. Allowing myself to get lost in the feeling of serenity and forgetting I wasn't alone in my house I began to sing, well, more like belt, my favorite song.

Following my usual routine, I used the shampoo to spike up my hair into a mow-hawk, a ritual I had been doing since I was 3. What can I say? Old habits die hard.

After about 15 minutes I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fuzzy yellow towel around my body and kicked my dirty clothes into the corner, I could deal with them later. Once I was ready, I opened the bathroom door still humming, and ran straight into something. Or rather, some one.

I shrieked and hands grabbed my shoulders, keeping me from falling down. I slowly craned my neck up, completely terrified because I knew exactly who was standing in front of me.

"Hey," Charlie said, a huge smirk on his face.

"Uh, um, h-hey," I stuttered, my eyes wide.

Charlie's brown eyes slowly raked down my body and he raised an eyebrow when he reached my towel. 

"I-I, I'm almost naked!" I whisper-yelled in sudden realization.

"And I'm Charlie,"

"Oh my god, this is awkward," I breathed out, breaking eye contact.

"Would it be less awkward if I took my clothes off too?" Charlie offered, grabbing for the hem of his shirt.

"No!" I shrieked, "d-don't do that,"

"Calm down, I was just joking," he chuckled.

I knit my eyebrows together in frustration and embarrassment and shoved Charlie out of the way before making my way to my room and slamming the door shut. 

Well, my life was definitely turning into a cliche. Charlie had only been in my life for 24 hours and he had already seen me mostly naked. Great.

- -- -

"So, you have a sister and brother back in London?" my mom questioned over breakfast.

"Yeah," Charlie replied politely, "They are both older than me but they visit from Uni every once in a while."