Charlotte

Chapter One

You know that feeling of inadequacy? When you feel like you’re just not enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough to be in the “In crowd”. Well I know the feeling, my mom and her friends say, “Your turning into a beautiful young lady.” My friends, well friend in my case says, “Your gorgeous darling.” And then everyone else says, “Look at her, she’s too fat, she has zits.” I think I know who is speaking the truth it was everyone else up until the summer before my junior year of high school I finally lost my baby fat and could fit into a size two. My acne began too fad, my glasses turned into contacts and finally my braces came off after three long years of waiting. Two weeks before school starts I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning in Texas. The birds singing, warm sunshine pouring through my window and splashing my whole room in light. Lacey my German Shepard was sprawled out across my window seat basking in the early morning sun. My clock read 9:15 AM as I got out of bed I got ready to go for a run. Finishing tying the laces of my Nikes I jogged down the stairs and out my front door. I turned on my iPod and put in my headphones letting my music lead my way. I turned every which way and before I knew it I was the old park I used to play in as a kid. About a 15 minute run from my house, I slowed my pace to a walk and sat down on a bench. Taking out my headphones I leaned back and closed my eyes and listened to the sound of children’s laughter, the every so often bark of a dog. Life has been going pretty well lately, I feel like I’m finally growing into my shell. My best friend Olivia has been away in Greece for the summer and is getting back today, she says she can’t wait to see my transformation. Getting up I put my headphones back in and ran home.

~*~

          After I got out of the shower I put on my silk rob with red, black and, white flowers that comes to about mid-thigh. Wrapping my hair in a towel I walked out of the bathroom and to my room. After a minute or two of rummaging around in my closet I found light wash jean short shorts with a few holes and a light pink tank top. When I was dressed I went back to the bathroom and got out my makeup box and contact lenses. I sat cross legged on the counter infront of the mirror and put in my contacts over my blue/green eyes. I put on light makeup consisting of only mascara and a light line of eyeliner on the top lid. I hopped off the counter and brushed my hair and teeth I let my hair dry into its natural ringlets. My blond low light showed up more when my hair was curly. I put on black sandals, grabbed my phone from its charger and, got my keys. I went outside to my car and drove to the airport to pick up Olivia. I climbed out of my black Toyota Tundra and walked through the parking garage to baggage claim. I waited and watched for only about five minutes before I saw her making her way through the throngs of people.

          I smiled and yelled, “Hey Olive over here!” She instantly perked up at hearing my voice and turned in my direction, she smiled and ran over too me.

          “Oh my god you look different! An amazing different, you’re beautiful!” she rambled as she tackled me into a hug. I hugged her back and thanked her; we stood there and talked about our summers for 10 minutes before we finally decided to get her luggage.

“How much shit did you need in Greece?!” I puffed as we hauled all four of her bags to my truck.

“Enough to get by.” She replied with a smirk. I just rolled my eyes and threw her bags into the truck bed; I slid into the driver’s seat put the keys in the ignition and heard the car purr to life. Olivia slid in next to me and we were off. “So Charlotte,”

          “Yes Olivia?” I asked not paying her much attention.

          “You turned hot! Please tell me you have boys knocking down your door!” She squealed excitedly.

          “Olive, I did not turn hot, I simply changed a little. And no, boys are not knocking down my door.” I rolled my eyes running my hands through my hair.

          “Well they will be.” She said in a low voice as though she wasn’t really talking to anyone in general. The rest of the ride to her house was short and quiet, I pulled into her driveway and she dashed out of my car and into her house as fast as she could. I laughed and shook my head getting out of the car. I opened the tailgate and pulled out her excessive amount of bags.

          “Let us take that.” I heard a manly voice say from behind me as I was about to try taking in two bags. I quickly spun on my heels to come face to face with Jack, Olivia’s older brother and Mason his best friend and my next door neighbor, and man were they both hot!

          “Hi Jack.” I said smiling.

          “Charlotte.” He replied smirking clearly checking me out with no shame. I blushed under his gaze only causing his smirk to grow.

          “I’m Mason; I don’t believe we’ve met.” Mason said sticking his hand out also visibly checking me out.

          “I’m Charlotte.” I said shaking his hand and smiling.

          “Well Charlotte I think I’d like to see you again.” He smirked I blushed and turned and walk towards the house. Before I reached the front door I heard a loud wolf whistle, I paused for a second and blushed even harder kept going. I entered the house and sat down on the couch across from Olivia and her parents. I tried to pay attention but she talked about a mile a minute and I got lost and started thinking about what had happened outside. Guys never look at me like that, they usually never even look at me I’m usually invisible, like I’m not even there. I was pulled out of my thoughts when Jack and Mason came tromping into the house with all four of Olivia’s bags. They disappeared with them down the hall and in a minute they were back, they came and sat down next to me on the couch Jack on my right and Mason on the left. I tried to ignore where their thighs touched mine, but it proved to be almost impossible.

          “So, how about dinner tomorrow night?” Mason whispered into my ear make me shutter.

          Without thinking I replied, “You think I’d want to go to dinner with you? How cute.” Adding a wink to top it off.

          “You may not know you want to but I know you do.” He smirked; I blushed and turned my head. I felt him shake with silent laughter and extend his arm over the back of my seat.