now or never - charlie gillespie

chapter eight

I could barely sleep all night. My mind couldn't stop thinking about different scenarios. I checked my phone. 7 Am. Good enough. Since Ava wouldn't be driving me, it would be a long walk to the hotel.

I got up, brushed my teeth and poked Ava in the arm. She grumbled and grabbed a pillow covering her head with it. I laughed and whispered 'bye' before leaving the room. I grabbed some coffee and a banana on my way out of the house.

When I got to the hotel I checked my phone. 7:45. I didn't realize how fast I must have been walking. It was a bit chilly outside so I made my way into the hotel thinking I'll wait for Charlie inside.

To my surprise, Charlie was already in the lobby sitting down scrolling through his phone. I smiled thinking it was adorable that he was early. As I walked towards him I took in what he was wearing. He had on dark grey sweatpants with a navy blue hoodie. He had a black hat on. I loved it when he wore hats. He suddenly looked up from his phone and stood up when he saw me.

"Hey Lake," he said putting his phone into his back pocket. I looked up at him suddenly feeling self conscious about what I was wearing: black leggings and the same hoodie from yesterday.

"Hey," I said looking down at the feet. "How are you?" I asked thinking it was best to push my nerves to the wide. He was leaving in an hour. I didn't want to waste time blushing at the ground like an idiot.

"Honestly.." he said rubbing the back of his neck. "Confused. And a little tired," he laughed. I took a quick second to realize how much taller he was than me. It made my stomach drop, snapping me out of my daydream.

"Listen can we go for a walk? Let me explain everything," I asked. I honestly couldn't be seen talking to him right now. I was already in deep waters with my dad, I couldn't afford being in deep waters with Mrs. Roberts either.

"Are you sure you won't run off on me again?" He teased.

I winced. Ouch. That hurt. I already felt bad enough. "Low blow, but don't worry. My phone is fully charged and there will definitely be no running off. I promise." I said holding out my pinky. He just stared at my pinky.

"A pinky promise? Really?" He asked laughing at how ridiculous it might have seemed, but I kept a straight face.

"Yes really. We take pinky promises seriously around here you know," I said placing my free hand on my hip.

"Alright alright," he said lacing his pinky with mine, giving me a wink. "Let's go," he nodded his head in the direction of the door.

"Okay so basically" I started as we started walking down the road. "I ran off yesterday because my dad had called my phone several times and I hadn't answered. It might not seem that bad, but if you knew my dad you'd understand. He's a bit..." I paused trying to find the perfect words to describe my father. "Protective. Conservative. Overbearing. He didn't know I was out with you yesterday. He wouldn't have let me."

Charlie shoved his hands in his hoodie pocket, listening to me explain everything. I told him all about my dad and how he was a priest. I explained how he was just very protective over me and that he didn't like when I was out of his sight sometimes. Charlie kept nodding his head the entire time just listening. We had reached the Lake we were at yesterday when I finished. He was quiet for a couple of seconds and then he turned and faced me. "Okay then why didn't you just say that yesterday?" He asked looking a bit hurt.

He was right. I didn't have to just run off without an explanation.  "You're right. I'm sorry, I was just freaking out. I'm not usually like this you know," I said turning away from him.

"Like what?" He said playing around with a rock on the ground with his foot.

"I'm usually on top of everything. I have a plan and I like to stick to that plan. I always never like getting on my dads nerves. It just makes everything easier that way. But for the last couple of days I have been completely all over the place, keeping things from him. It was all new to me, sneaking around."

"But I'm sure if you just talked to him he'd listen. You don't have to live like that," Charlie said comforting. I shook my head.

"It's not that easy. I've tried. He just doesn't listen. It doesn't matter. I'll have enough saved up soon and then I can get the hell away from him," I said picking up a rock and throwing it in the Lake.  "Should we get back to the hotel?" I asked turning to face him. He looked at the ground and nodded. "I wish you were staying just one more day.." I whispered.

"One more day still wouldn't be enough," he said looking at me. He gave me a half smile and pointed his head towards the road. "Let's head back before the boys leave me behind."

When we got back Owen and Jeremy were at the front of the hotel, loading up a car with bags. "Hey guys," Jeremy called out, waving. We waved back. "Everyone else left on the bus," he said throwing in the last bag, closing up the trunk and tapping it a couple of times.

"Ready when you are," Owen said to Charlie nodding at the car.

"You guys are driving?" I asked.

"Yeah, just to the airport. We figured it would be fun if the three of us carpooled there," Charlie said smiling down at me.

"It was nice to meet you Lake," Jeremy said to me, coming in for a hug.

"Yeah, hopefully next time we get to finish that movie," Owen said as he pushed Jeremy to the side and gave me a hug. I laughed and said my goodbyes.

"Have a safe trip then," I said to Charlie once Owen and Jeremy were in the car.

"Yeah thanks. I had a really great time these last two days. It's really easy talking to you," he said bending dow to give me a hug. "You're a great listening," he teased. I tucked my hair behind my ear and laughed. But it was hard trying to keep a happy face on. I was really sad right now. He leaned down to give me a hug goodbye. When we pulled away my hand accidentally knocked his hat off. He adjusted it quickly.

"I like when you wear hats. You look really cute. I mean, the hat, it's cute," I said instantly regretting even opening my mouth in the first place. Did I really just say that out loud? I was half mortified and half proud of myself for actually saying it. He just smiled really big at me and my heart started to hurt a little.

"You look cute too, Baker" he said laughing at how nervous I was being. "I'll see you around," he said starting to walk back towards the car. I gave him one last wave, but just before he got in he said "You know, we should keep in touch," He ran up towards me and grabbed my phone out of my hands. "Just in case we're ever back in town. Or in case I need talk. You might not be big on talking, but man, are you a great listener," he added. I pretended to act hurt, shoving him.  He really needed to get over this joke. So what if I was a little nervous around him? It was his fault! I watched as he tapped the phone screen his tongue was sticking out slightly at the corner of his mouth, like he was really concentrating. "There," he said handing me back my phone. "I sent myself a text. I'll be sure to hit you up if we're ever back in town. Keep in touch Lake Baker." He said giving me one last quick hug before jogging back to the car and getting in.

"Byeeeee Lake!" All three of them said in unison waving at me as they drove off. I just stood in the drive way, watching them drive off wondering when I'd ever see them again.