Only Time Can Tell (Charlie Jones)

Chapter 4

Charlie's POV

We ask for a table for 11 in some fancy restaurant I have never been into before. Lauren’s little brother was also joining us

“This place looks seems fancy.” Claire whispers. I nod.

“Lauren I need to use the bathroom.” Lewis (there brother) complains.

“You can’t go by yourself so you can either wait or go into the Ladies one with me.” Lewis looks annoyed as he dances around in his seat.

“I’ll take him.” I offer.

“Oh Charlie you don’t have to.” Lauren assures me causing Lewis to glare at his sister while getting up and yelling.

“PLLLLEEEAAASSSEEE!” I get up and follow the lad nodding towards Lauren to assure her it’s fine.

I wait by the sink as Lewis uses the loo. When he joins me back and washes his hands he looks very thoughtful. He is musterring a pretty serious face for a ten year old.

“You fancy my sister.” He finally says.

“No, no, no. Lauren is much too old for me but she is awfully sweet.”

“No, Claire.” I take a minute to think about this. I do kinda fancy her but I haven’t been around people my own age in  few months.

“Your sisters are both lovely people but I think that I am a bt young to feel that way towards people yet.” I think that was a wise answer.

“Thats a load of butt Charlie.” he says hopping up on the sink. Wait aren’t we gonna leave, I’d rather not stay in the bathroom.

“A load of butt?” I ask.

“Well I am not allowed to cuss and if I did you’d tell Lauren.”

“So you say ‘a load of butt.’” I am questioning him hoping his young mind is easy to distract.

“Yeah, you got a problem with that.” He hops off the counter and advances towards me. He’s a feisty one. Its scary actually what if he holds onto my leg and trips me. Well he wasn't that short I guess he was up to my shoulders. Thats pretty tall for a ten year old.

“Okay little man. I didn’t mean to offend you.” I hold my hands up in defeat. “But we should probably get back if you want food.”

On our way back we see Claire coming our way. Lewis runs up to her and she bends down so he can tell her something. I pass by them just in time to hear him say ‘He doesn’t approve.’ and claire turns a bright shade of pink before looking up at me.

The food arrives and the food is as fancy as the restaurant itself. We all eat rather quickly seeing as we have to prepare for the result show in 2 hours.

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“Is everyone ready?” Mike the backstage announcer asks as the judges are being introduced. There are a series of nods and yeses. I look behind me and see Claire standing with her arms around her little brother. She catches me watching her and smiles before scanning the other contestants. We are finally called to sing a sing with all the other contestants. All the while I am thinking about how we did last night hoping we would make it tonight.

The time came for them to announce who goes on to next week.

There are three contestants left. Barclays arm is draped around me and Reese. I am looking down to the ground praying we make it.

“And the last act certain of a spot in next week's Semi-finals is…” of course he does the whole dramatic thing. “Fleur East!” he announces. Simon gives her a hug as they happily get off the stage leaving us and Lauren behind. I run both my hands through my hair and grip it pulling as hard as I can feeling the tears threatening to fall. We are ushered backstage and everyone wishes us and Lauren luck. I make my way over to Lauren who is hugging Lewis and Lauren tightly. I hate to interrupt their moment… I’d much rather join. I go up to Lauren giving her a hug wishing her luck in the sing off and she wishing me the same.

“Boy! Lauren! Your on in 5…” Mike starts counting down as we make our way to the stage. We wait through Laurens Save Me Song off to the side. All we can do is wait, that is never a first option but things happen. Lauren finishes her song and gets few feedback. She was good. What if we aren’t.

“We can do it.” Jake assures me patting me on the back as we form ourselves on the stage.

We start singing I won’t give up. Louis cheering us on the whole time. It takes everything in me to not cry during this song. Luckily I only chorus in the background most of the song. If I had a solo this time I’d probably fall apart. Once the song is finished I hug the nearest person by me who happens to be Barclay.

Lauren joins us front in center and we embrace her in a massive group hug as well. The Judges give us the yes or no and we end up in a deadlock.

Why can’t we just get thing over with. The tears start forming in my eyes and my breathe is hitched. It all happened in slow motion when he said “The act that will be going home tonight is… Stereo Kicks.” I almost lost it… I actually did lose it. The tears came down uncontrollably and Lauren was crying as well. Why the hell was she crying she made it. She gave each of us a hug saying how sorry she was.When we go backstage I kick my foot on the step as more and more liquid slides down my face. Reese has punched a wall and is cradling his fist right now being the only reason I didn’t try that.

Claire POV

“Lauren!” I exclaim. With my arm around a sobbing Lewis.

“I can’t believe it Claire, it should have been them.”She was crying so hard and sat on the other side of Lewis digging her face into his shoulder. I squeeze her shoulders. I think it would have been fair game to anyone who had one either way. They will bounce back, I am sure of it.”

“Go Claire.” I am completely shocked, What’d I do.

“B-nut why?” I ask completely confused.

“Claire, I know you like Charlie, go support him.” Lewis perks up a lot at this.

“I don’t approve.” He reminds me glaring at me.

“Don’t worry Lewis, you're the only man in my life.” I joke trying to lighten the air a bit… a lot. “But I’ll go support them.” I say walking over to the lads who were hugging the other contestants. I give each of them a hug as I pass them. I see Charlie sitting on a step excluding himself as he lets tears rome his cheeks freely. I sit next to him on the step and wrap my arms around him.

“I thought you did great I whisper.” I feel him jump more than his occasional hiccups when I speak and he looks at me just now acknowledging my presence.

He looks up at me for a little bit before getting up and leaving. He seems quite annoyed when he leaves. Everyones attention is on me as Charlie storms out the room.