You Belong With Me

17.

Stoffel, Anna and Max had gotten up early to decorate the house for Charlie's birthday. When Charlie had woken up she had 100 notifications with people wishing her happy birthday. She scrolled through Instagram, Stoffel had posted 10 pictures from ones when they were little, in college, drunken nights, and the one that made her cry one with her and her parents. As she read the caption she couldn't stop crying: happy birthday Charlie!! I can't believe you're 24 you crazy woman. We have been through everything together and I'm so proud to call you my best friend. The amount of drunken nights we've had that we don't talk about. We have been each others rocks these past few years and I couldn't imagine a life without you in it. I know your parents are looking down on you today wishing you happy birthday, they are so proud of you and there's times they are probably screaming at you or laughing at you. But happy birthday best friend, I love you. Anna had posted a picture of one Halloween were they went as sexy school girls Charlie laughed at how slutty they looked, Max posted a picture they took when the first met. Charlie was in tears reading all the birthday messages off everyone.

Stoffel's parents had come round for breakfast, as Charlie walked downstairs she saw the room decorated and the buffet breakfast with people she loved in one room. "Omg guyyysss!" Charlie said tearing up again. She hugged and thanked everyone, "thank you Stoff for this, and your post was cute" Charlie said hugging Stoffel. After breakfast it was present time, Stoffel's parents had made Charlie a huge photo album full of pictures with her and Stoffel, her parents and pictures of the happy times. Anna was most excited to give Charlie her gifts, it was a huge bag and in there was a huge bottle of vodka, drinking games and little things that Charlie loved. On top there was two tickets "you didn't!" Charlie smirked. "I did!" Anna jumped up. "AHHHHHH" they both screamed running around, "what?" Max was so confused "WE ARE GOING TO SEE SHAWN MENDES IN THE SUMMER" Charlie screamed waving the tickets in air. Charlie attacked Anna with a hug as Shawn was probably their favourite artist ever. "Never guess who is the support act" Anna prepared for more screaming "The Chainsmokers!" Charlie just screamed the house down, they were her and her moms favourite band in the world. Next was Max's gift, it was a car charm to go on her Pandora bracelet. Charlie thanked Max however it still felt awkward.  Stoffel's  gift was this gorgeous infinity bracelet and a necklace with a locket with a picture of her parents inside. Charlie burst into tears when she saw the amount of effort everyone had gone into to make this day special.

As everyone was tidying up Charlie went to Stoffel "I'm going to go visit them" Charlie had never been to her parents grave except the funeral, she could never bring herself to do it. "Do you want us to come" Stoffel asked. Charlie just nodded. She could really do with some support off her friends. Stoffel drove them to the graveyard. Charlie and Stoffel walked over to the grave stone as Anna and Max hung back giving Charlie space. "Hey mom, hey dad" Charlie said with a shaky voice tracing her fingers over their names. "Look Stoff's here as well, also my new friends Anna and Max. Anna is Stoff's girlfriend they met a few years ago, you would love her mom. And Max god dad you would love him, he's an F1 driver just like Stoff." Charlie was talking to her parents like they were there, Stoffel gave Charlie some space. Max wanted to go over and Stoffel signalled it was okay, he didn't interrupt Charlie talking he just stood watching her talking. Stoffel and Anna waiting in the car. "I'm sorry I didn't visit it's just hard, but you should see my apartment it's amazing! Dad I did it by the way, I met Kimi and Jos and I've been to a race. I can see how you fell in love with the sport. Mom I could really use your advice at times like this." Charlie started crying "I need you so much, both of you I need someone to share these memories with not just Stoffel. Oh and me are Michael are over, that was hard. Mom if you were here you would be telling to go out and meet someone new" Charlie laughed through the tears. "Max is lovely, he's a gentleman and a goofball. He's perfect but I'm scared, I don't want to be hurt again." Max stepped closer to Charlie who was sitting on the floor. He sat next to her and put his arm around her. "Please come back to me, I can't do this anymore." At times like this Charlie can't see herself carrying on without her parents. Max let Charlie cry into his shoulder and held her.

They were all getting ready to go out for dinner at Charlie's favourite Italian when Max knocked on Charlie's door. "Can we talk?" Max asks, "sure" Charlie let him in her room. "I don't want to argue but I heard what you said today and I care about you so much Charlie. I'm so sorry about Bahrain I was drunk and it's not an excuse but what you didn't see was the reason I was so close to this girl was because I was telling her I'm not interested in her." Charlie's heart lifted at this. "So you heard what I said to my parents" Charlie blushed, "you called me perfect" max smirked. "Don't let your ego get too high I meant for me because we get along so well." They both laughed and joined Anna and Stoffel downstairs. "The plan: we go out for a sophisticated meal like adults, the we party and get so drunk we can't walk or remember anything." Charlie says while opening a bottle of champagne. Everyone burst into laughter. The boys were dressed in smart jeans and tops and the girls were in gorgeous dresses. "You look gorgeous as always" Max complimented Charlie while passing her some champagne. Charlie blushed. After many giggles and pictures they went to the restaurant.

The night was filled with laughter and on the way to the club Charlie and Anna had already had too much at the restaurant. "Hey you lads need to catch up" Charlie giggled. "I've already had a lot, and who's going to look after you when you're drunk" Stoffel said. "Don't worry I'm not drinking that much mate, go have fun I can look after Charlie" Max said to Stoffel as Stoffel wanted to party. When they were in the club Charlie had ordered everyone at least 10 shots however max only did two meaning Charlie had extra. Just as they finished the DJ started playing 1D songs, "Stoff did you do this" Charlie questioned as only he knew how much Charlie loved them. "Maybe" Stoffel smirked. As 'Kiss You' came on Charlie dragged everyone to the dance floor. Charlie danced like no one was watching singing along. Having the best time in her life. When 'Happily' came on Anna and Stoffel started dancing together. "That's our cue to go to the bar" Charlie laughed pulling Max to the bar. As they got their drinks Charlie couldn't stop watching how happy Anna and Stoffel were. "Look at them, their so happy. I'm so happy for Stoff but I want to be that happy." Charlie admitted. "Aren't you that happy." Max questioned, "I mean I'm so happy right now but never that happy." Charlie said looking back at Anna and Stoffel. '18' was a special song for Charlie, "would you like to dance" max offered. Charlie took his hand and he led her to the dance floor where everyone was slow dancing. Charlie looked up to Max while dancing and their eyes connected, Charlie just smiled placing her head in the crook of Max's neck. When 'Does He Know' came on Anna grabbed Charlie to dance with her. Max and Stoffel watched the girls dance together having the best time. Anna started to sing the lyrics "does Max know.." to Charlie making her giggle. 'Story of My Life' was the last song to play, Stoffel, Charlie, Max and Anna all stood in a circle singing together. Max looked over to Charlie and although she was drunk he couldn't help notice her naturally amazing singing voice. This song was really special to Charlie as everything that had happened had made her who she is today.

After the One Direction dance party was over they all moved back to their table and Charlie and Anna carried on drinking. The alcohol went straight to Charlie's head making her very dizzy when she went to stand up she fell back down. "Okay home time" max decided while helping Charlie and Stoffel helped Anna. Charlie didn't protest as she was so wasted.

Max carried Charlie from the taxi upstairs, as he placed her in her bed she pulled him down on to her. Charlie burst laughing so did Max. Their faces were really close and Charlie pushed her lips against Max's. Max didn't reject her and he kissed her back. Charlie sat up so she was sitting in Max's lap who was sitting on her bed. The kiss was passionate, Charlie opened her mouth allowing Max to enter his tongue. Charlie's hands started to unbutton his shirt ripping it off leaving him bare chest. Charlie's  hands then moved to Max's hair gripping it making him grunt. Max moved onto Charlie's neck where he lightly sucked so he won't leave lilac bruises. Charlie didn't want this to go any further as she was still quite drunk, "max" Charlie groaned. Max stopped and looked up to her Charlie gave him a final peck on the lips. "Can you stay" Charlie whispered, "sure" max said smiling. Charlie stood up to try and get her dress of however she was incapable of undoing the zip at the back, Max saw her struggling and offered assistance. As he unzipped her dress is fell to the ground leaving Charlie's beautiful body, Charlie was too drunk to care. She got an oversized top and pulled it on .Her and max both got into bed however max was still wearing his jeans "max your jeans are uncomfortable" Charlie giggled. "God your so demanding" max laughed taking them off. They lay there as Max held Charlie in his arms.

A.N- I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while it was because I've been away this weekend. Hopefully I will start updating more often. X