Chasing Autumn

Chapter | Four

Same Day

"Charlie?" she says embarrassed and finally meets my gaze.

"Yes its me silly" I smile warmly at her, taking in her appearence she is actually beautiful i don't know how i missed it before, maybe I was just being stubbourn again.

"Sorry i thought you were my ex who happens to be at the bar" she says apologetically and i sit down at the table.

"Crazy ex?" I smirk and look over to the guy she was pointing out, to me he looked like a complete douche bag if you asked me, with his desinger looking clothes, couldn't fool me.

"How did you know? Only this one is beyond bonkerdom" she laughs and I can't help but stare a little to long and silence is replaced. Good one way to make it awkward for the poor girl.

Snap out of it charlie. What are you doing. Your digging yourself a hole that's what. Just get your head together man. Just be cool.

"Want to hear what happened to me this afternoon?" I beam like a kid at show and tell when you have the coolest show and tell and the class is in pure awe.

I tell her about the bridge, the so called suicide attempt, the fat cop and that annoying old man who i wouldn't mind knocking the lights out of if i happened to ever see the loser again. She laughed here and there which encouraged me continue on. The evening went on like this telling jokes, funny stories, pretty much just being ourselves and i was completely greatful that there wasn't to many awkward silences or i probably would of left, yes i have a serious problem with awkwardness i just don't cope well when its awkward. By now its the end of the evening and we are about to part ways to finish the night.

"Did you enjoy the evening?"I ask making conversation to of course not make awkwardness.

"It was lovely actually" She smiles warmly at me.

"Well i guess i better be going, I had a good time, Autumn" i say and lean down to kiss her on her soft cheek hovering there for to long. As i pull away i see a blush plastered on her cheeks and i can't help but grin.

"Goodbye Charlie" she says shyly.

"Don't say goodbye" i blurt out before i even can process what i was thinking of saying.

"And whys that?' she says concerned.

"Because you only say goodbye if and only I'm never going to see you again, you copy" I say with all seriousness and her pretty face is covered in worry, i start laughing and she joins in to.

"But seriously don't say goodbye unless your actually leaving" i say and watch her as she considers it,

"Fine i hear by to never say goodbye unless I'm really leaving" she says through laughs as she puts her hand over her heart.

"Good" I say smiling and we just stand there staring at eachother like it's the most normal thing in the world thats until her cab honks and she's gone like that.

I walk home with my hands in my coat, down the damp streets of Manhattan where everything seems so awake and full of life, through the chaotic traffic and rush of people it still manages to capture its beauty. I check my watch and see its 5 passed 10 and decide to quicken my pace no one wants be out passed 11 for reasons i'll keep a secret. I round a few blocks till I'm finally at my apartment building, i stand out the front for a minute or so just going through tonights events and i can't help but smile.

"Charlie you coming in or what i need to shut shop in about a minute" Henry the guard of the apartment yells from the glass doors making me forget what i was just thinking about. I bet your always wondering why we have a gaurd in our apartment block, well lets just say theres a curfew for 11 and then you manually have to exit after that, its complicated really.

"Yes Henry i'm coming" i say and race up the 5 stairs and walk into the building saluting Henry in the process.

After taking the elevator and finally find my apartment 7B I unlock the door and walk inside only to be met with-

"Veronica'" i say under my breath and gasp at her, she hadnt changed at all she still had the unearthly pale skin with black hair that casaceded down the small of her back and not to mention her sapphire eyes that dominated her small face making her beautiful to the eye, when really she wasn't.

"Charlie" she beams as recognition fills her eyes and she starts towards me opening her arms wide to crush me and i instantly pull back realising the situation at hand.

"Veronica what in the hell in god's name are you doing here?" i demand and she stops in her tracks.

"Duh for you" she says matter-of-factly and smiles sweetly at me.

"Did you forget that we aren't together anymore or did you get hit by a piano on your way out" I say blankly trying to contain the fury that was about to break free.

"We aren't over Charlie that was a mistake and a one time thing i can't stop thinking about you and my mistakes" she says weakly and stands in front of me. But see i've known her long enough to know this is a facade.

"What so you call sleeping with my best friend in my fucking house nothing but a mistake, wake up to yourself Veronica" i yell in her face and she winces.

"I never said it was nothing Charlie!" she yells back and throws her to her sides.

"Then what was going through your fucking head at the time when you decided to have sex with him when you knew i was going to be home any minute, you know what i can't do this again i need you to get out of my apartment" i yell angrily and walk away from her in disgust.

"Charlie wait" she says with pleading eyes.

"Did i not make it clear Veronica.. Get.. OUT" I yell furiously and point to the door that was curently closed.

"Charlie please just hear me out" she trys again.

"What is there to hear Veronica" i say coldly.

"I didn't mean to sleep with him he came onto me" she yells.

"Bullshit! He never fancied you that way it was you and your manipulative ways. And now look what you've done your ruined my friendship with him because your a slut and couldnt control your fucking self" I say my voice cold as ice.

"I'm not a slut!" she says back defending herself.

"Just...Get....Out" I say ending the conversation and storming off into the kitchen to get a drink of alcohol. I sigh into the couch when i hear the door slam relieved her presence is gone for what i hope  good.I kick up my legs onto the coffee table and sip on my drink staring out the window at New York City.

"What a perfect end to a perfect day"