Turning pages ~ Charlie Jones (stereo kicks)

Chapter 38

Annabelle's P.O.V

"Is Charlie taking you?" Cole questioned, sitting himself down on my bed. He had a bar of chocolate in his hands and sat there trying to unwrap it as he looked at me, expectant of an answer. "I mean, he is your boyfriend. Isn't it like, a code or something for him to take you."

"He is taking me," I answered, sitting down next to him and taking the chocolate from him. "He asked me a couple of days ago."

I saw Cole visibly relax and he shot me a dirty look, motioning to the chocolate. I put my finger up in a one minute sign and unwrapped it for him. I passed it back and he grinned. "Wasn't that cutting it a bit close?" Cole stated. "It's this weekend and you still need a dress and everything."

Shaking my head, I stood up and stalked toward the wardrobe. "My grandma had given me this," I murmured, gulping down the forming lump in my throat. I found the large box at the foot of my wardrobe and placed it on the floor of my bedroom. "She told me I should wear it from the prom."

Cole gave me a sympathetic look before sliding onto the floor next to me while I crouched down. "What's in it?"

Lifting the lid of the box, stray swirls of glitter flew out onto Cole and I. I pulled out a silk dress and laid it on the bed. "My mother's prom dress," I stated, answering Cole's earlier question. Then I picked up the folded card inside the box, laid down beside the silver heels.

Opening it up, I read and took in the words written in cursive script.

Dear Annabelle,
I was your age once, I know what it was like with my first serious relationship. It was obvious that you weren't telling the truth about your status with that Charlie. You both weren't secretive and subtle, I saw you kissing once! You are going to have to get better at hiding things Dearie. Don't worry, I haven't told your grandfather.
Anyway, it's your prom soon and I have been keeping this for you especially. I know you'll look absolutely stunning, as usual. You'll blow Charlie's socks off.
Love you, forever and always, my darling.
- Grandma xoxo

I know a tear had fallen from my eye, I could feel it's coldness rolling down my cheek in a familiar way. Cole's arm had found itself around my shoulders and I fell into him. "Hey, don't cry, Anna," Cole whispered.

"It's hard," I muttered in reply and I felt Cole nod.

"I know, I know," Cole cooed. "But you need cheering up!" He pulled me to my feet and towards the window. In a flash he'd lifted it up and pushed me towards the roof. "Go on, I'm going to get something."

Furrowing my eyebrows in confusion, I climbed out onto the roof and waited impatiently for Cole to come back. It wasn't long before he was pulling his feet out of my room and onto the roof. In his hand was a slim, hardback book and in the other was the iPad that I had been given last Christmas. "What are you doing?"

Cole looked up at me, his eyes meeting mine and a smile appearing on his face. "Cheering you up," He stated, as if it was the answer to my question. He sat himself down next to me, the cover of the book becoming visible to my eyes. It was Peter Pan, the story Cole and I used to read to each other when we were younger.

"What's this about?" I asked. Cole gave me a look.

"I know this cheers you up," Cole said bluntly, his arm finding my shoulders again. He wrapped it around them, his hand squeezing my upper arm as he pulled me closer to him. "What do you want to do first, watch the film or read?"

I glanced at him and shrugged truthfully. "You choose."

Cole met my eyes and smiled, waving the book next to his face.He opened the book and began reading. "All children, except one, grow up..."

Charlie's P.O.V

"So you're taking Annabelle?" Reece asked gleefully as he fished through my cupboards for food. It wasn't for him, it was going to be put out for Casey, to stop him from destroying my house from trying to find something to eat. "I mean, I was gonna take Leoni, but didn't you tell Casey that you were gonna go with him?"

"He'll get over it," I waved my hand to brush the matter aside. "She wont let me see what she's wearing though."

"Leoni won't let me see either," Reece replied, placing a packet of Doritos on the counter. "Maybe it's this new trend."

"Maybe," I shrugged my shoulders and moved Rosy's glass from earlier into the sink. "It's better though, I think."

"Why?" Reece inquired. "How are you meant to colour co-ordinate."

"It's Prom, not a wedding, Butsy." I rolled my eyes. "It's better because then you don't know what to expect. Plus it's more exciting."

"You're such a girl," Reece muttered, shaking his head at me. I scowled at him.

"I am not!" I defended, folding my arms over my chest. "This is a big deal, it's a once in a lifetime chance and I want to make it the best for myself and Annabelle. So excuse me for caring." I realised after I opened my mouth that I sounded even more sappy than I'd wanted to and Reece just laughed.

"I was joking, Bro," He chuckled while shaking his head for a second time. "You lot always call me a girl when I say things like that, I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine."

"That's because you always talk like that," I protested. I was telling the truth, he did say things that were considerably more thoughtful than the rest of us. It wasn't like it was a bad thing, in fact I sometimes wished I could think like him. He was considerate and philosophical, not something I was. "It's not a bad thing."

"Whatever," Reece murmured. "How's she holding up anyway?"

"She's doing well," I replied, my throat clogging up as I thought about the events of this week. "Better than I expected."

"She's a strong girl, Charlie," Reece stated. "Almost too strong."

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