Imperfect Harmony: JATP ~Charlie Gillespie~

~Seven~

I climb off my kitchen stool and answer the knock at the door to see Owen with a nervous smile. "Please tell me we don't have to go into work today." I say, leaning against the door. 

Owen laughs, "No, I was actually wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with me?" 

I look over at the clock, 4:29. "Sure, you can just hang out while I get dressed." I hurry to my room and change into a white tennis skirt with a pink pull over. 

While I pin my hair up I think about how glad I am everything between Owen and I is back to normal after just a day. Charlie hasn't talked to me ever since I pushed him out of the studio last night and to be honest, I don't care. That's a lie. 

I slide on my nike air forces and Owen holds the door open for me. "Where are we going?" I ask when we step outside. Owen grabs my hand and swings it back and forth as we walk down the street. 

"It's a surprise." Owen says as we spot in front of our favorite restaurant. He finds us a table outside and we order our regular meal. 

I slip my drink, "So, what is the reason for today's dinner?" 

Owen smiles nervously, "Um, I just wanted to talk about what happened yesterday."

I raise my eyebrows, "So that wasn't apart of the script."

He smiles, "No, it very much wasn't. I just wanted to let you know that I do have feelings for you."

That was very upfront. "Owen, I can't give you the answer you want." His smile slowly falls and I continue with a heavy heart, "I'm sorry, I really am and if I'm being honest I can't say that I don't feel the same way. But, we wouldn't work like that. It would be a disaster, and it would ruin our friendship. And our friendship is just too amazing for us to mess up."

Owen nods slowly, "I feel like Laurie and Jo."

I smile, "It makes me so happy that you just made a Little Women reference. Are we good?" Owen nods and pays for our dinner. 

That night I lie in bed, wondering if Owen and I will be okay. Also wondering if Charlie is still mad at me even though I didn't do anything. 

Before I know it, I am in the studio bright and early. I stretch my legs in front of the mirror, singing along to the country song under my breath. Charlie walks in and waits for me to instruct him. 

"Do you plan on talking to me today?" I ask, already annoyed with him. 

Charlie looks up at me, "Are you ready to start?"

I nod, and turn away to hide my anger. Why is he doing this to me?

We spend the morning working on the dance. Charlie struggles to get the spin I added so at noon I let him leave for lunch so I can change it up. Owen walks in on me about to break the mirror. "Um, what is going on? Do I need to call someone?"

I sigh, "Charlie is pissed at me and is making this whole dance so difficult. I don't know what I did, but he won't talk to me."

Owen winces, "I think that might have to do with the fact that he walked in on our too in depth acting yesterday. He asked me this morning if we had something going on. So of course I told in the truth, we got married last night in Vegas."

I laugh, "Wow, I feel so much better now that we aren't carrying around that secret. Why would Charlie care if we almost kissed?"

Before Owen can say anything, Charlie walks in. Once he sees us, his body language changes and he furrows his brows. I look back at Owen, "Do you see what I am dealing with?"

Owen makes a face at me before leaving and I turn to Charlie, "I over this little attitude problem you have. Owen thinks its because you saw something going on between us, but there isn't. I don't even know why you would care, but whatever." 

Charlie sighs, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. Are you ready to start again?"

We spend the afternoon working together better. Charlie even brings out his usual happy puppy smile. 

"See you tomorrow, boss." Charlie says, smiling at me. I nod and walk out the door. We seem somewhat back to normal. 

The next day I show up to the studio early to finish the dance. By the time Charlie shows up, I have everything figured out. I teach him the first half of the dance and run through it with him until he has to down. 

Charlie pouts, "Can we please have a lunch break now?"

I roll my eyes at him, "One more time, then you can go eat."

Charlie lights up and quickly runs through the dance one more time and then sprints out so he can go eat. I laugh as I follow him to craft services. I sit down next to Madison and watch Charlie make some weird sandwich. 

"I feel so bad for your next girlfriend, Charlie. What if you try to cook for her one date? She would end up in the hospital." Madison says with a disgusted look on her face. 

Charlie frowns at her and I laugh, "Charlie isn't going to get a girlfriend because as soon as they see what you are eating, any sane girl will run."

"You haven't ran." He says to me. Um, what?

Madison's eyes go wide, "Charlie, stop with the simping. It's embarrassing."

I clear my throat, "I'm going to get back to the studio." Charlie follows me back in and we spend the rest of the afternoon perfecting the first half of the dance. Kenny comes in right before we are about to take off, asking to see what we have. 

I turn on the music and watch Charlie walk towards me. When we touch hands, I struggle to breath as I stare into his eyes. I've been dancing with Charlie all day, but this time is different. I can feel the tension and electricity between us as we never break eye contact. 

Kenny's clapping breaks me away from the bubble. "Wonderful! It is a dance that is made to make the audience feel the chemistry." 

I smile, ignoring the warm feeling in my cheeks. "Thank you." Kenny gives us a couple of comments before leaving. 

"Good job. You really committed to the role." I say to Charlie as I lean against the railing. 

He smiles and leaves in close to me, "It isn't hard to act in love with someone like you." Breath, Kaya, BREATHE.

"Goodnight, Charlie." I whisper. 

He looks at my lips then back up into my eyes, "Goodnight, Makayla." Charlie lingers for a second before backing away from me and leaving the studio. I stay in my spot for a minute, stunned at our interaction. What was that? It isn't hard to act in love with someone like you? 

I shake away the possibility of Charlie even slightly liking me and head out to my car. I pull up my favorite playlist and look into my review mirror to make sure no one is about to get ran over. 

I watch Tori stand on her tip toes and kiss Charlie on the cheek after they hug. He watches her walk to her car before heading off to his. My breath hitches. I knew it.  

Author's Note: I feel like things are picking up and I'm so excited! Thank you so much to everyone who is reading and interacting! Let me know if you want to see anything!