✦ ✧ ✩ Curtain Call ✦ ✧ ✩ - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter 12

[E - POV]

We arrived at the karaoke bar and I let the DJ know my request for the song I was about to absolutely destroy with my performance.

"I can't believe you are actually doing this" Maeve said, "I don't want to be mean or anything but you kinda sound like Goofy when you sing" We looked at each other and laughed. Calling me Goofy was a little exaggerated.

"I know, he better at least find it funny" I said, trying to reassure myself on that this was the best idea I could come up with "Or pity me enough to forgive me". Maeve just grabbed my shoulder and nodded in agreement.

Jeremy and Carolynn arrived at the bar and came to meet us at our table, that was hidden in a corner of the room so that it was not the first thing Charlie would see when he came in.

"The guys are coming in in about 5 minutes" he told us, and Maeve's phone rang when he finished saying that.

"It's Owen, I have to take this. He probably wants me to meet him outside" she said, leaving the building to hear him better.

Five minutes later they both entered the room rushing to meet me.

"I don't know how to say this but Charlie didn't want to be a fifth wheel, and we couldn't tell him that all of us were going to be here, so he brought someone" My stomach turned and sunk.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before Eri, I don't know her, he showed up with her just now" Owen continued.

"I can't serenade this man in front of his date what am I going to do?" I replied, letting my head rest in between my hands.

"I think you should do it anyways" Mads said, comforting me "The goal here is to reconcile not conquer, remember?"

"Yes you are right. Show him I care." As I said it, Jeremy nodded in agreement smiling at me, "Ok I'll go hide better and you guys just I don't know sit wherever"

I hid in the bathroom waiting for a sign from Maeve to come out. I was nervously checking my phone and myself in the mirror when a blue-eyed blonde came into the bathroom. She freshened her makeup and turned her head to me.

"Hey, are you ok? You look stressed" she said, granting me a kind smile.

"Yes, thank you, I am tho, really stressed, good catch" I replied, smiling. My hands were sweating like crazy, "I'm about to serenade someone that came here with someone else. He is my friend, we are not in good terms right now. I'm sorry I talk too much when I am nervous"

My phone buzzed. It was time.

"Ok I''m gonna go and do this thing. Wish me luck" I told her and made my way to the mic. As I stood there I heard the first notes for the song I chose and took a deep breath.

Betty, I won't make assumptions

About why, you switched your homeroom

But I think it's 'cause of me

As I sang the first lines I saw Charlie look up at me confused out of his mind. He looked at Owen and Maeve that gave him a sympathetic smile and then turned to me to give me and encouraging one. I just kept singing.

Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard

When I passed your house

It's like I couldn't breathe

You heard the rumors from Inez

You can't believe a word she says

Most times, but this time it was true

The worst thing that I ever did

Was what I did to you

"Betty?" he mouthed to me, with his eyebrow raised. I saw a little smile escape his mouth, but he quickly rubbed it off. I was about to go into the chorus when the blonde girl from the bathroom stood behind Charlie and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, letting her head rest on the top of his. He just looked up and gave her an amorous smile grabbing her hands.

But if I just showed up at your party

Would you have me?

Would you want me?

Would you tell me to go fuck myself

Or lead me to the garden?

I heard my voice crack as I said the last word and Charlie and the girl let out a giggle. She put her mouth in his ear and whispered something, and then laughed some more. He then looked up at me and stared. The music kept playing but I stood there in silence. I felt so embarrassed. I didn't even notice when Owen and Maeve came from behind me and continued the song for me

If I told you it was just a summer thing?

I'm only seventeen

I don't know anything but I know I miss you

They both sang and pointed at Charlie that hollered at them. I saw the opportunity and ran out of the bar. Maddie gave Charlie a nasty look, he just put his hands up in a "I didn't do anything way". She then followed me out.

"You guys stress me out of my mind" she said, sitting next to me

"She's gorgeous" I said, "I shouldn't even be sad. I was clear with my intentions with him. Actually, I should be happy he found someone that actually can be with him."

"You can be happy for him and still feel sad for yourself" Mads said

"I am terrified of you" I told her "How are you only 16?"

I could see that Charlie was still sitting down at the table with the girl. Maeve and Owen finished the song and joined them. She turned around and met my eyes though the window

"Are you ok?" she asked

"I'm fine, please enjoy yourself as much as you can" I mouthed back, smiling at her, putting my thumb up at her. Maddie looked at me and sighed. "So what are we going to do now?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I queried back.

"To cheer you up I mean" she continued, standing up "I think we should go work on the 'Wake up' scene a little more what do you think?"

"Let's go" I said, standing up.