✦ ✧ ✩ Curtain Call ✦ ✧ ✩ - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter 11

[Eris POV]

We made their way into the studio's building. Owen entered through the doors as if it was just another day but I stood in front of them for a few seconds, my eyes round as plates.

"Yes this place does that to you" Owen said, walking back to me "Now come on, they are impatiently waiting for us" he said, and pointed at Maeve that was euphorically waving her arms from across the building.

Owen texted Kenny to tell him we were outside the actual studio door, and he came to greet us.

"I'm sorry for not letting you know earlier, but we had to book this really last minute. It's magical Eri you won't believe it when you hear Mads sing it" he said to me when he walked out the booth, "Come in take a seat"

I went in followed by Maeve and Owen. I saw Madison looked me, nodded, waved enthusiastically at Maeve and Owen, and then went back to reading her paper. I was crushed, it was like fighting with my little sister.

"Ok Mads lets do that again now" Max, the vocal coach, said "Sing it back to me"

Mads took a deep breath and sang the bridge and followed with the chorus. I couldn't help but tear up. Not only was Maddie's voice incredibly powerful and beautiful, but she was singing my song, my feelings. The fact that she started with the part Charlie and I wrote didn't help the waterworks either.

I looked at Kenny and asked if I could step out. Maeve followed me, she was containing the tears as well.

"I hate you for writing that stupid song" she said, sniffling and wiping her tears away.

"You'll hate me even more because is heavily inspired by you" I said, and I let it all out. We just hugged for a minute and looked at each other.

"Are we about to kiss right now?" Maeve said

"God you are such a goon" I replied, letting her hold me a little more.

Owen stepped out and smiled at us lovingly "Aw ladies! I'm sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment but Kenny wants me to tell you that they have a little taste of what the song would sound like once they are all finished" Maeve followed him in but I stood outside.

"I'm gonna pass, I really want to hear the final product once we film" I replied, blowing my very runny nose. As I sat down in a bench in the corridor, I heard the doors open and Maddie came out. She aggressively walked past me two times and by the third time I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up and got in her way, grabbed her by the shoulders and just looked at her. I sat down and crossed my legs, and she sat next to me and did the same thing.

"I don't want to be mad at you" she said, really looking at me for the first time "But I love Charlie, he is like my brother, and he earned my loyalty. Seeing him like that last night, I just really hated that. And then you said nothing about it and I felt mad"

The way Maddie talked about him made me feel even worse. I can't believe I hurt him that badly.

"I never wanted to hurt him Maddie" I replied, "Matthew he-, he just kissed me and it shook me, I didn't know how to act at the moment but I swear all I could think about after was Charlie."

"Yes I figured and I should've known that." she said, grabbing my hand, "I just really love the two of you. And your whole situation stresses me out"

"I do too. All of you. A lot." squeezing it back "He really is the best guy ever right?"

"Yes, he is indeed" Maddie replied, "So now that I like you again can we talk about how magical it was inside there?"

I looked at her and gave her the biggest smile. After leaving the studio we headed home, and we talked about the song for hours brainstorming ideas about how could we show Julie singing it in the show. Sav came home and found us both laying on the floor.

"Great! I'm so glad we are not mad at you anymore, you are the only one that can work that freaking pot" she said, laying down with us

"Ok I know why I'm not mad but what about you?" Maddie asked her

"Owen and Maeve of course" she replied. "They were at the guy's apartment right now, so I had lunch with them"

"I like how they come as a combo now" I thought to myself as I stood up to make her some coffee. "So did you...?"

"See Charlie?" Sav finished my sentence "Yes I did and it's not looking pretty. Maeve tried to talk to him too but there was no use. He'll come around don't worry." She continued trying to make me feel better but all of our faces showed that was not the case.

"I just wished there was a way I could make this right" I said as I took the milk out of the fridge for Sav's coffee, "The fact that we are friends but not really friends complicates things"

"Finally" Sav and Maddie said. I just rolled my eyes at them. 

"You know what we need? Adult advice from real adults. I say we go see Jeremy and Carolynn" Sav suggested.

We arrived at the couples Airbnb, and they received us with weird looks on their faces

"It's an emergency" Mads told Jeremy, pushing him aside to hug Carolynn.

Jeremy looked at me, "Are you the emergency?" he asked "Yes, yes I am." I replied. "Oh boy" he muttered back "Come in"

We sat down around the table. Jeremy made us all some coffee and as he was passing the cups to us, I couldn't help but ask him "How are you not mad at me too?" Jer looked at me and shook his head "It was obviously not your fault. Matt kissed you. I left because Charlie needed me, not because I got mad at you" he looked over at Carolynn and smiled.

"He is well-trained" she said, and smiled at me, "So I'm guessing you are here because you want to get Charlie to forgive you"

"Desperately" I confessed

"Well I already told Charlie this about you and I guess it's time for you to hear it but you are going to have to let him be mad at you but show him that you care. It sounds easier than it actually is"

"So much wisdom Jer" Sav simpered.

"You guys are my favorite grown people" Mads chimed letting her head rest on Carolynn's shoulder.

"I still think I need to do something, I don't know what tho"

"I kinda have an idea" Maddie said, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously. 

After hanging with Jer and Carolynn for a couple of hours we headed back to the apartment and started getting ready for Maddie's plan. We just threw on some comfortable clothes and every day natural makeup. Maeve entered the room to find us all lounging on the couch.

"Well if it's not my favorite lazy goddesses" she said, towering over us "Are the rumors true? Are we actually conning Charlie into going to a karaoke bar?"

"The rumors as in the text I sent you? Yes it's true. I just really need a way to make him go, and that implies him not finding out I'm coming, do you think you can pull it off?" 

"Yes of course I can I'm insulted you even thought to ask that" she replied, taking her phone out her bag and quickly typing something, 15 seconds later it buzzed "Owen's in! He won't say a word, don't worry"

"Ok, so we are doing this" I stated, rubbing my legs and arms trying to fight the nerves.