✦ ✧ ✩ Curtain Call ✦ ✧ ✩ - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter 33

[Eri's POV]

I've arrived to the airport and met Matthew at the gate, not voluntarily, he was just sitting there reading a book. When I saw the cover I rolled my eyes.

"Really?" I said, sitting in the seat next to him. It was not as if I could avoid him for the days I was in Paris. "Possessions?" I continued "I never got you to read that before, or anything I liked for that matter"

"I brought with me to Vancouver, I'm finishing it right now" he said, turning the page and scrolling it with his eyes. I just looked at him and shook my head.

"What?" He said turning to me and furrowing his eyebrows.

"I just find it funny that out of all the books I wanted so desperately to make you read this was the one you decided to use to impress me"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"Of course you don't" I replied and decided I was not trying to explain something that he should've caught himself.

I then proceeded to grab my notebook from my backpack, but it was nowhere to be seen. I was visibly anxious so Matthew turned to me and put his hand on my thigh trying to call my attention. I went stone-cold and gave him a nasty look, to which he responded by taking his hand out.

"I'm sorry, it was a reflex" he said, and let out a chuckle "It was not all bad you know, we still had moments like this one"

"Yeah where I was stressed out of my mind and you did the bare minimum to try and calm me down" I couldn't help to let out a little laugh that turned into a full on roar after he hesitantly joined in.

"Remember that one time we went to that big Hollywood party were I introduced you to Allison Schroeder. That night was great" He said, still giggling.

I couldn't help but keep laughing "Yes It was great when we got home" I said, and tried to go back to being serious "But you seriously couldn't have forgotten you called me 'this little one' in front of her and her husband"

"Yeah" he said, cackling "She was pissed, she scolded me when you left to the bathroom. But when came after was pretty great"

"Stop" I said, as I found myself getting too comfortable "I'm not doing this whole friendship fun thing. I'm sorry to say this so coldly but you ruined too much for me, and there's too much resentment I can't simply get over of."

"I can't believe I lost my place to that kid" he said, letting out a last giggle.

"You really need to stop calling him a kid" I said, still checking every pocket of my backpack a hundred times "We're all colleagues you have to stop being so annoying and condescending"

"Where was this attitude when you and I were together?" He said, looking puzzled.

"Ha!" I let out scoffing "I guess being with someone who's favorite hobby was to belittle me was not the right path for me." I could feel my blood starting to boil but I've learned over the past weeks that I'm not the best decision maker in that state.

"Ok" he simply muttered, "I can admit I was not the best person to be with but you can't seriously say that the ki- I mean, Charlie, it's a better choice"

"He is not only better than you, he is better than me" I replied, unconsciously "Better than anyone I had ever met" I finished my sentence as I gave up on looking for my notebook.

"So I'm guessing that's going well. Besides the fact that I haven't seen you two talk in days and, wasn't he parading a girl through set all days of the last two weeks Eri?" I felt my stomach sink as he finished his question and looked up at him, that looked at me with a tint of compassion. I didn't know what hurt me more, the question or the fact that he was the one bringing it up.

"Yes." I replied coldly "He has a girlfriend. And that's why we are distant right now. It doesn't mean anything that I said is not true. He is in fact too good, for anyone."

I could see from the corner of my eye that he was containing a smile.

"Spit it out" I said, my muscled tensed as I waited for his response.

"Was he the one to ask for space or was it you?" He asked, and finally let out a sarcastic smile.

"It was me" I replied, and bit the inside of my cheeks refraining myself from snapping at him. These were going to be the longest 5 days of my life "I just need some space away from him"

"Of course it was, and of course you do. Because that's just your style." He said, and opened the book again to keep reading.

"What?" I said loudly, snatching the book out his hands. He really knew how to get to me.

"I'm not trying to be your friend Eri, but let me give you some friendly advice. This is not the first time you let yourself to believe you are not good enough. This is the same story just a nicer guy"

"I won't deal with your remarks about everything about me right now Matthew." I said and grabbed one of my purse books.

"I'm just saying I know you better than anyone else" He replied.

I felt the urge to tell him that he knew me but I couldn't help but think that it was kind of true. He might not know the good, but he knew the ugly. He was a master at finding the things that made me apprehensive.

I just sat there silently but his breath turned louder and louder.

"I'm just going to sit over there. I'm turning my phone off" And, so I did.

"You still have that crazy superstition?"

"Yes" I replied, my cheeks were burning up "Just go get me when we are called to board if you notice that I zoned out"

"Oh we are not flying together" He said, and let out a chuckle "I came here just to see you."

"Creep" I said, but I couldn't hide my happiness about the news I was just given "How are you not flying with me"

"I guess you have a guardian angel" he said, laughing sarcastically "And because of some form of miracle there're two planes flying from here to Paris, forty-five minutes away from each other."

"I guess I'm a full on believer now" I said, watching him as he stood up and started walking away from me after he shook his head at me.

He took a few steps back and turned around again.

"See you there Eri. And, I do get what you were trying to say you know, about the book." He said and walked to the opposite side of the airport. 

"Great I'm glad." I said, and smiled lightly "Not the most interesting thing about the book tho."

15 hours later I got off the plane and saw a man holding a sign with my name on it. I took my phone out of my bag and tried to check my messages to remember I hadn't bought my international plan.

"I'll check it when I get to the hotel I guess" I said, and made my way to the man with the sign, "I'm Eri" I said, greeting him. He took my bags and led me to a big luxurious black car.

"Mamma I made it" I exclaimed as I got in.