We were all excited to set off on our outdoor pursuit to Connemara. I was a little nervous as I pulled up in the car with my mum and my best friend Rose I searched for Charlie's face in the small groups of our year. Rose didn't notice me looking around. I didn't see him at first so we emptied the car of our stuff and my mum had just left when I finally spotted him standing with all the 'hockey lads' we made eye contact for a split second and my stomach exploded. He smiled over at me and my heart beat got faster. I had been wondering for weeks if I still felt anything for him I knew from that moment that there definitely was feelings still there. A lot at that. Rose finally copped on to it and had a huge smirk on her face as if to say 'I told you so' I ignored her and we went to put our stuff on the buses. We purposely followed the hockey lads onto their bus. We sat near the front while they all scrambled for the back seats. I suddenly noticed Charlie looking at his phone. He looked up towards the front and stood up and came forward. My heart skipped a beat. It was his birthday and I had text him promising him a birthday hug. He had gotten the text just there. I promised one for Galway. He seemed to sense I was nervous and he gave me his iPod to keep me distracted. I appreciated it and I couldn't even look at Rose Cause I knew she'd be smirking again. I listened to his iPod for a lot of the journey and kept looking back at Charlie every so often. Every time I did, I caught him looking at me. He has a smile that melts me to the ground. And eyes that brighten my mood almost immediately.
We arrived in Galway and all trekked off the buses to get food. I settled down with Rose for food. We had just finished when we decided to go out and outside afterwards to stretch out legs when almost immediately Charlie tracked me down for that birthday hug. I of course gave it to him and he seemed really really happy. His hug gave me butterflies in my tummy. Rose and I then found out that all the hockey lads had missions so we were determined to find out what. I found Charlie's out and I was pleasantly surprised that it had something to do with me. It gave me the confidence that he still had feelings for me.
When we arrived at the hostel we lost each other for a while. We were all sorting out our bags and rooms. We did meet up again though when my whole year went for a walk in the dark and rain through the forest behind the hostel. I was with Charlie for the whole walk. We set off with our torches. He pushed me into every puddle he could find. We chatted and messed the whole time and it made me forget about the rain coming down which is a difficult job for anyone to do!! I had so much fun I even stole his ridiculous bright green hat to protect the hair. I knew that this week was going to go very well if it was starting like this.
I was so jealous of the fact that TY1 were sleeping out in the forest tonight and Rose got to go out with Charlie. I would have given anything to go out! But it worked well. Rose got her happiness by meeting Gary. The guy she longed for for 4 years. I couldn't have been happier for her. I saw a different side to Rose that week. She was more confident in herself and truly happy and content. She found out a lot for me too. She found out what Charlie thinks of me and the fact that he really liked me still. Though it was a difficult task getting that out of her!
Tuesday was the day it all kicked off. I got a great surprise when they all came back and I found out what Rose had done! I was so happy for her! She then let me know what she found out which got me excited and also got me thinking a lot. We had a very adventurous day and we all fell into the bus at 5 o clock to return back to the hostel. Charlie sat down next to me and we started chatting normally till it starting getting serious and important. He starting telling me his feelings for me and wondering if I had any for him. We had a very honest discussion. And I let him know how I felt and why I was scared to say yes. I told him it was for two reasons. All the mocking from the hockey lads and I didn't wanna ruin our friendship. I asked him how he still likes me after all the shit I put him through and he replied with "I guess in my eyes your worth the wait" I had a lot of thinking to do. He had told me all he wanted to and now he was leaving it up to me. I was nervous. I didn't know what to think or do. I talked to two of my friends. I was disappointed that Rose wasn't there to talk to me but I let it go. I talked to Cathy and Dave instead. They both convinced me that it was a good idea and that Charlie was a great guy. Dave said "the chemistry between you guys is huge that's never going to go this has been going on a year now you know deep down that you've already made the decision" and he was right. I went to find Charlie and say yes to him. His face lit up when I said it and he wrapped his arms around me. It didn't take me long in Connemara to get into a relationship. But as Cathy said it was going to happen anyways at some stage why not now.
It felt weird being in a relationship again. I had explained to Charlie on the bus that I was weird in relationship I just got shy and didn't know what to do. He responded to this by saying "don't change your personality it's one of my favourite things about you" he also added "don't change you because your perfect the way you are". I was never a good one in relationships though. I always let my nerves get the better of me and I didn't like too much public displays of affection.
We had our first kiss under the moon and stars in Connemara I couldn't have asked for a more perfect first kiss. I was a small big dodgy going to sleep that night because I wasn't sure was I completely happy. I just didn't seem to find myself comfortable yet with his arms around me all the time. I guess like everything it takes a lot of getting used to.
When we woke the next morning I went to talk to Dave again. He always knew how to calm me down. He said to me "give it time and give Charlie a chance to get into it. He had a huge smile on his face when he was asleep last night so you must be doing something right" he was right of course I had to relax and take it day by day.
The rest of the days past the same until the last when we had a huge Bon Fire in the front drive. It was an extra special night having Charlie next to me with his arm gently around my waist. We sang songs and watched the blazes burning. It was truly magical. Towards the end we got up with Rose and moved closer to the flames. Charlie rested his arms around me and I rested my head against his shoulder. I knew from that moment on that we were going to be perfectly fine. I got so much butterflies while we stood like that that I knew that things were going to work out for the better.
The final day came and we all said our goodbyes to the hostel. I could tell Rose was finding it harder leaving them anyone else. I sat with her for a small while till I realised it wasn't me she wanted to spent our last few hours parent less with. She swapped with Charlie so she could sit next to Gary. I was happy to be with Charlie and we ended up listening to his iPod again cause we were both so exhausted. It was nice to be able to lean against him and listen to the music together. It seemed like a really short journey before we finally came into the gates of Ashton. We all said our goodbyes to each other as we got off the bus. We retrieved our bags and I gave Charlie one last hug before the weekend. I headed over to my dad and walked away from a week I would never ever forget. It turned out to be the best week I've ever had. And I made some very good decisions up West.
