faking it [h.s. short story]

faking it | part two

I'm chilling at my parents' big ass couch, watching Netflix with a tank top and pajama shorts when Charlie calls.

It's been two weeks since I've left London. I spent this two weeks in NYC, catching up with my college friends. We dined in Lola's apartment, saw a Broadway show with Brianna, visited an exhibition at MoMA with Reggie, went to a basketball game (The Brooklyn Nets vs The New York Kicks, crazy) with Cameron and strolled through Central Park by myself. The whole time I was there I felt like I was still in college, and it was so refreshing to me. I even ended up visiting the bar that I've met Sarah. After a well-spent two weeks, which was definitely necessary for my mental health, I finally went to Albany, my parents' house.

Harry never called.

He didn't even text me, he constantly ignored the messages in the groupchats and I have no idea why. He could've just texted me and said something like "Oh hey Layla, I'm sorry about that night it was completely meaningless and won't happen again" and that would be still very much appreciated by me. I knew it was meaningless. Celebrities like him have sex with different people every day and never see them again - and that's okay. If I was a celebrity I'd be having sex with all the hot guys and girls in the planet too. I'm not judging him, not at all. But we were friends. How am I supposed to look at him in the eye now when we come across again? Are we going to pretend like nothing's happened? He's probably busy with touring whole U.S. right now, so there's no way we can see each other for at least two months. After his U.S. tour, he's going to take a rest in London before his Europe foot of tour, but I'm planning to stay here in Albany for a while so I won't be back in London until like, summer. Until then we'll probably forget about that night, and it's going to be a joke between us later. At least this is what I hope.

I look at my phone screen with a groaning, then I stop Gilmore Girls and answer the phone.

"Hi Layla. How have you been? You never called me." His familiar, deep voice that I've loved strikes a spark in my stomach.

"Hi Charlie. Was busy spending time with my college friends, sorry."

"Oh, I'm happy to hear that. You've been working your ass of while you were in London, you deserved a break."

"Yeah, I guess." I say, smiling.

"So, um... Sorry for jumping right into the topic but... We never talked about that night. And I know that you're with Harry now, he's a great guy - but... Layla, I can't stop thinking about you."

I almost drop my phone. I am shocked. I hold my phone tighter and answer after a couple seconds of hesitation.

"What- Charlie, what do you mean?"

"I had no idea you liked me. I think I was literally blind, because I've never seen anyone as beautiful, talented, smart and kind as you and not to realize that you were into me? I'm stupid as fuck. I knew it was too late when I saw you and Harry like that. He looked at you with adoration in his eyes the whole time we were there. He's perfect, even I was kinda into him when we first met years ago, so I'd understand if you've fallen for him. But I just needed to get somethings off my chest, Layla. I couldn't stop thinking about you after that night and eventually... I broke up with Jen."

Okay, what? This is too much. I start sweating through my tank top and feel the urge to get rid of it. I'd do that if I was in my own apartment but I just don't prefer to be butt ass naked in my parents' house.

"Charlie, I-" He cuts me off impatiently.

"Layla, before you say anything, just know that I didn't break up with her to be with you. If you're happy with Harry, I'd completely understand that. I know I'm late. I should've noticed you way earlier. But after that night, I realized that I wasn't happy with Jen. I couldn't get rid of the thought of you and I felt like I was disrespecting her. That's why I ended our relationship. I don't know if Harry and you're still together - because I literally never hear from both of you - so I don't want to push anything. I'm sorry if I've confused you with my sudden and belated confession."