𝐇𝐈𝐌 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑. joe goldberg

their story: one

[DUAL PERSPECTIVE CHAPTER !
ITALICS IS JOE NORMAL IS CHARLIE]

it was the night of our date.
i closed up shop as early as 3pm.

i passed by the store a few times today, hoping to see you, joe, but oddly it was closed. maybe you werent feeling well? i hoped not, since tonight was our date. i thought about texting you, but that might seem weird.

i spent lots of time carefully picking out a nice outfit. not too formal, not to casual, something charming. i settled with a pair of black jeans with little rips and a grey pullover. i mustve done my hair a million times, because by the time i was finished, it looked the same as when i started.

i was still a little worried you might text me saying you couldnt come, but you didnt. i also scoured through my closet countless times, to find a good dress. i tried on, what, 10 outfits? maybe more. i ended up with dark blue jeans and a white peasant top on. i also had to worry about shoes. i wondered countless times why im obsessing over what to wear, but had the answer immediately.

for you, joe. ive seen the kind of girls you date, (although i honestly dont get why you dated that wreck, guinevere beck.) how your house is tidied up, how you dress. everything counts to something. you like a sweet, innocent girl. someone who can clean, cook, take care of you.

anyways, i settled on wearing a pair of black flats that had a thick heel in the back. it was around 6:30ish, almost time for us to meet up at the shop. i decided to leave at around 6:40; you can never be too early.

i waited around the shop at 6:30. i like when a girl is early. i thought maybe you were different from beck, or candace; and you were. you arrived at 6:40, 20minutes earlier than our stated time.

i left the house in a rush, worried joe would be waiting for me. i got to the front of the shop and there you were, looking at the books through the shop window. i tapped your shoulder playfully.
"hey there!" i grinned. you turned to meet my eyes, and smiled back.
"your early, arent you?" you said.
"early? more like late, you were here before me, and its only 6:40!" i retorted. you chuckled, and we started to walk around the neighborhood.

you ran up to me, tapping my shoulder.
"hey there!" i turned to see your face. you wore a white button up peasant top and a pair of blue skinny jeans with black flats. not the ballet shoes today? "your early, arent you?" i said.
"early? more like late, you were here before me and its only 6:40!" you retorted, as i chuckled.

we began to walk around the neighborhood, passing each shop near mooneys that was still open. the cafe, a sandwich shop, an antique store, a record shop. you talked about your day and such, what was inside the stores. i nodded and listened, as i learned your favourite foods, your hobbys,

your favourite books.

when we got to the party, it was packed. i thought it was supposed to be a small gathering! i turned to you, a little worried, but your smile melted it away.
"come with me, lets get a drink." you said, dragging me. i took a couple of shots, and so did you, but the alcohol had more of an effect on me than you. i went to see my sister, giving her a happy birthday. when i got back to you, joe, you were talking to a group of girls. i scowled, and walked over to you.

when you left to say hello to your sister, a group of girls came over to me. and guess who they were. peach, beck, annika, and lynn. i mentally facepalmed. they gave small talk, and i wanted to die, honestly. but then you came. you walked over to me, a drink in hand. you leaned on me, and talked to the rest of the girls. thats when you suddenly yelled. "annika !" you said.

annika atwater. social media influencer. bestfriends with guinevere beck, peach salinger and lynn lieser. thats who i thought were all your friends. but it seems not. being a social media influencer has its perks. you met charlies older sister, callie at a influencer party. you hit it off with callie immediately. so i shouldnt be surprised that you were also friends with charlie. had i researched charlies following more, this would not be a surprise to me. but i was dumb.

you gave annika a tight hug and thanked her for throwing this birthday party for callie. you introduced me to her, but annika stopped you. she explained me and beck's whole relationship story, and what not. my head was aching. but i didn't see beck at this party. then, a familiar face popped up.

guinevere beck. my ex-girlfriend. the person who i thought was 'the one.' i turned to her.
"hey stranger.." she said. i chuckled, and you engaged me in a conversation. it looked like you missed me, beck. i missed yo-

no. i dont miss you. i cant. i already have a precious girl, whos name is charlie, whom i love. i tried to think these thoughts over and over, but you were like a seductress. you unbuttoned your shirt, playing it off as fiddling with it. you dropped your ring on the ground, picking it up. you were evil, beck. i did miss yo-

i turned, hearing a faint clacking sound leave. it was you, charlie. were you mad? of course you were mad. i left beck, and followed you up the stairs to the balcony. you leaned against the metal railing, wiping your face. had you been crying? oh man. you were crying because of me. you were nothing like beck, who would yell at me, flirting with others.

you wanted to me to be yours. and only yours. my heart pattered in my chest, as i walked up to you. i leaned against the railing beside you. you looked up to me, quickly turning away.
"what're you doing here?" you said, sniffling.
"i wanted to be with you. your the reason im here."
we stood there, in silence, as you rested your head upon my shoulder. it was pure, peaceful. i turned my body to face you. you looked up at me with your big brown eyes.

then, you kissed me. with those lovely soft lips. i kissed back, obviously. the kiss was like drugs, it was addicting. i wanted more and more, but we had to stop for breath. you turned away, embarrassed. i turned your head back to me, holding you in my hands. i brushed away a hair on your face, kissing you again. the night was pure, innocent. sweet.