Our Forever

Chapter XII

The sun felt like tendrils of love expressing their affection for the melanated skin that glistened underneath its warmth. The quiet wind whipped her unruly hair in every which direction as the mustang sped off into the sun-bound horizon.

Her fingers stretch outward passed the window feeling air escape from her touch. It was reminiscent of her attempts to hold onto the stability that seemed unattainable at times. Her eyes become squinty and her lips curled upwards as she felt the warmth of Charlie's hand on her left thigh. She couldn't bring herself to look at him as she felt the tingling sensation of their skin touching. Her eyes looked out the window as her smile turned giddy, her teeth taking up half of her face. The warm feeling in her cheeks arose as he etched his fingers lovingly in circles on her exposed flesh.

With Charlie, everything always felt new. The butterflies she felt on the bus that very first day had only magnified more as she learned about the boy who proposes to girls in his mother's kitchen. She learned that he doesn't like milk or sugar in his coffee, that his eye twitches when she touches his neck, that his favorite color is gray, that he loves his mother like the wind loves the leaves they rustle in the nigh time, that he always wanted to be in a band, and that his favorite place in the world to be was anywhere with her.

"What's on your mind, mi amor?" Charlie asked as he took his eyes off the road briefly.

Her eyes turned toward him and admired his side profile, everything down to the way his hair ruffled in the breeze. They had spent so much time together over the last month that it was as if they were the same person. They had shared almost everything with each other but she felt like good things never lasted.

And he was her good thing.

"Umm, nothing. It's just been such a beautiful morning."

~~~

"Hey, keep your fingers off my plate," She screeched dumbfounded. Charlie had taken the best piece of bacon off her plate and ate it right in front of her which felt like a slap in her face. Her eyebrows knitted as the slight anger rose within her.

Charlie slightly chuckled as his girlfriend threw a small fit over him taking some of her food. She never liked to share but loved to "try" everything he ordered. He couldn't help the small smile on his face in lieu of her dislike of him at the moment.

She looked so beautiful in the red paisley dress she wore. It made her skin radiate and brought out the warmness of her brown skin. Her hair was down and beautifully framed her face. He loved her hair. It was dark, shiny, and tightly coiled. She was was meant to be admired.

"I'm sorry, baby," he softly spoke knowing how much she liked it when he called her that. Lesley's demeanor softened at the pet name but she tried her hardest keep a front.

"I dare you to try it again Charlie and you'll see what will happen," she threatened; well tried to threaten.

He couldn't hold back his laughter as deep rumbles escaped his lips which only made her even more upset.  Lesley watched speechlessly at the hundredth time Charlie never took her seriously. Her eyes narrowed in on him before she slid out of the booth and headed to the bathroom.

The bathroom was near the kitchen and she could hear the loud clashing of the plates and sizzling of the hot griddle. The smell of freshly cooked bacon reminded her that she was still upset with Charlie. The lights flickered until the fluorescent hue took over every crevice of the small space. Lesley's eyes slowly analyzed her reflection in the mirror. She turned her body slightly in all directions skeptically until she slumped her shoulders straightening out her dress. Charlie told her he loved seeing her in red so she specifically picked out this short little red number wanting to look pretty for him.

Her forehead creased as she she continued criticizing her appearance. She didn't see what he was in her. Why the one of the most popular boy in school liked her. He was rich and kind and loving and somehow he chose her. Lesley couldn't help but constantly compare herself to Chloe. He had chosen her before too. The beautiful popular blonde cheerleader who every guy wanted.

And there Lesley was, a wallflower who still used a flip phone and was the biggest laughing stock of school. She knew she would never be Chloe, and she hated it. Chloe would always have a piece of Charlie, their first child together—something Lesley would never have.

So, she tugged at her shrunken hair hoping it would elongate a little bit from the humid morning air before making her way back to Charlie. He was looking in her direction right as she opened the bathroom door and his intense gaze made her cross her arms hoping it would shield her from his eyes. When she sat down a bright smile replaced any remnant of the unpleasant feelings a few moments before.

Charlie had ordered waffles and decorated them with blueberries in the shape of a heart with an extra plate of bacon. She couldn't help but lean over the table and motion him over to meet her halfway, and she kissed him. It was a short and loving kiss that had his ears turn pink.

"I should start ordering waffles for you more often," he joked as she dug into her meal with a mouth full of bacon.

And he hadn't seen anything more beautiful.

~~~

The couple had made it to school and they walked into the building holding hands as everyone else was caught up with their friends telling each other about their weekends. They were wearing matching white vans and it reminded her of the couples she used to hate when she was single. He bought them for her on their 2 month anniversary and she didn't know he got the exact same pair for himself until the next day when he came to pick her up for school. He knew she hated that type of stuff, but she agreed it because she knew how happy it made him.

The loud teenagers crowded the halls making it almost impossible to get to her locker if it wasn't for Charlie. He grabbed her securely by her waist and maneuver through the throng of backpacks easily. She would never get used to the looks she got when they were together. Lesley would always have her head down trying her best to avoid the curious eyes almost as if if she didn't see them they wouldn't see her too.

However, Charlie would notice, and he would hold her even closer to him because she was his everything and he wanted everyone else to know.

When they arrived at her locker, he kissed her forehead and squeezed her hand (their normal goodbye routine). Her eyes peered up at him and she smiled before opening her mouth to say something when a familiar voice caught both of their attention.

"Charlie, I need to speak with you," Chloe spoke sharply as she stood in front of the couple. Her hair curled loosely and swept to the side. She wore a blue romper which made her ocean blue eyes look identical to the Atlantic sea. Charlie's grip tightened on Lesley's hand as he quickly glanced at her before turning his attention to Chloe.

"Yeah, sure. Just give me a second."

She looked between the both of them then looked down at their intertwined hands before redirecting her attention to him, "ok, meet me in the band room."

She turned around disappearing into the crowd without another word but not before placing a manicured hand on her stomach.  A little bit of Lesley's heart broke at that very moment and she was reminded of all the doubts and insecurities that weighed on her mind heavily.

Charlie gently grabbed her chin scanning her face to try and get a read on her. He could see all the emotions flash through her brown eyes so he placed his lips on top of hers reassuringly. When they pulled away he said, "I love you."

She mustered a weak smile before saying, "I love you too...now go. She waiting for you."

His eyebrows knitted as he looked at her once more making sure she was ok. He felt like shit knowing how she felt. It was all of his fault.

Lesley could sense his unease so she gave him a peck before giving him a toothy smile to convince him of her fabricated ease.

"Go, Charlie. I'll see you later"

Charlie's face relaxed and he kissed her forehead one last time hand one last time before turning away and following Chloe's trail. She watched until she could no longer spot his brown locks. And like that, he was gone.

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Sorry for my absence. I will be updating more often. Much love <3