Julies POV:
"Hey cuz," I hear Charlie say. I turn to look and see Victor standing outside the door.
"Hey," Victor says. Charlie lets him in, and Victor and I lock eyes.
"Juliet," he says, "I didn't know you'd be here."
"Uh yeah," I respond. I stand up, my eyes wander to the microwave in the open kitchen where the time shines bright white. 1:43 A.M.
I didn't realize how late it has gotten. The good thing is that mom and John think I'm spending the night with Sofia so they're not up waiting for me to come home. My attention goes back to the two boys standing in front of me, an awkward tension building up. Maybe I should go home.
"It's getting late," I say.
"Oh, I can dro-"
"I'll drop her off," Victor interrupts Charlie. "I mean you're already home. I can drop her off on my way home, so it wouldn't be big bother for you."
Charlie gives him a look. "No, its fine, I can-"
"Victor can just take me," I say, not letting him complete his sentence, "besides right. You're already home, no point in going out."
"Are you sure?" Charlie questions.
"Of course," I respond, "can I just use bathroom really quick before we head out?"
"Yeah, it's down that hall," Charlie says pointing behind me. I nod and walk toward the restroom.
Looking at my reflection in the mirror I can't help but feel a bit embarrassed. My hair has become frizzy, and my liner has smeared at the corners. I wonder if Charlie noticed. Once I'm done freshening up, I begin to head out of the bathroom.
"Of course, I don't like her like that," I hear Charlie say. I stop my tracks. Are they talking about me?
"It sure doesn't seem that way. I mean why did you even bring her here? You never bring anyone here. And why did you go to the party? Especially knowing that it was Winston's party. Do you know how many times I had to apologize on your behalf just to cool him down. Jesus Charlie."
They are talking about me. Shit.
"Apologize? Why the fuck would you apologize on my behalf? I'm not sorry for anything. Also lower your voice. What if she hears us?"
With my hand still on the doorknob I close the door loud enough, so they hear me. I don't want them to know that I heard them. This seems like a sensitive topic, one I'm not sure I should even get in between. They stop talking and had I not just heard everything they just said I would've felt even more awkward once getting a visible glimpse of them. Very obviously arguing, and very terrible at hiding it.
"I'm ready," I say.
"Great, let's go." Victor says. I nod and walk behind him toward the door. I stop, before passing Charlie and say, "Thanks for tonight."
Charlie gives me a half smile, obviously not in the mood after arguing with Victor. "Anytime," he says.
Victor and I head to the parking garage. Once we are at his car, he opens the door for me before going to the driver's side. I thank him and get inside the car.
The drive is quiet, and when we arrive to my house I almost leave before Victor suddenly speaks up.
"Juliet," he says.
I look at him. It's dark so I can't see him that well, but the tone of his voice tells me he is serious.
"Yeah?"
"Listen, about tonight. I am so sorry about Charlie. I don't know what's going on with him lately. He's become so irritable if you know what I mean. Like not just at school and stuff but with his parents too, he can be very unpleasant. What I'm trying to say is to be careful, maybe not hang around him as much. I don't know what exactly he tells you but-"
"Victor," I interrupt.
"Yeah," he says.
"I think I'll decide who I can and can't hang around."
"Right. No of course, that's not how I meant to come across it's just with Charlie things can get complicated and I wanted you to be careful."
"I already am. Thanks for your concern, and for the ride." With that said I walk out of his car and quietly enter my house.
That night, I can't help but feel so upset towards Victor. I know that I barely know him, and the fleeting crush that I had was superficially caused by him being attractive. But hearing him talk about Charlie in that way, left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't know. Maybe I overthink everything, just like Will would always say. But if that's what Charlie's cousin thinks of him, I can't imagine what other people from school think of him. It must be really lonely for him.
~~~
The following week people are still buzzing about the fight between Charlie and Winston at the party. In the hallway you can hear people gossip, mainly siding with Winston and wondering why the hell Charlie would go to his party in the first place. I can't say I know the exact reason as to why he went but why does it matter so much to these people anyways? I hope Charlie doesn't hear them, although knowing him he'd probably act like he doesn't care.
It is Thursday. I haven't seen or heard much about Charlie. He hasn't sat with us during lunch, nor has he messaged me about going stargazing. I've been meaning to work up the courage to message him or find him at school but when I think of the last time we saw each other we left in such an awkward moment. Besides with homework and my volunteering shifts at the Science Center I feel like I barely have time for anything. I thought I would at least see Charlie at the Science Center but he's been pretty much MIA all week.
Heading toward lunch I bump into Victor. It's been weird with him too. I think by now he's realized I've been avoiding him all week, though he doesn't bring it up.
"Hey, wanna walk together?" he asks.
I force a smile. "Sure," I respond.
As we're walking Victor says, "So I was thinking what if you and I hang out today after school? I mean if you're free. It could be kinda like a date. What do you think?"
A date?!
"Oh," I say, "I'm actually scheduled to volunteer today at the Science Center."
"Oh." I can sense Victor's disappointment.
He's about to say more when suddenly Sofia comes right behind us, interrupting him. I mentally thank her.
After school I drive directly toward the Science Center. Today I am helping at the gift shop which I don't mind. Anything beats guiding people around and not knowing exactly how to answer their questions.
I have an hour left in my shift when another volunteer, Hailey, comes up to me.
"Hey someone is looking for you at the front."
"Me? Are you sure?"
"Yeah," she says.
"Do you know who?"
She shrugs then says, "Some guy." I simply nod and head over to the front of the building but stop when I see exactly who is waiting for me.
"Fuck," I say under my breath. He turns toward my direction, and I duck down, hiding behind one of the artifacts. I poke my head out, ever so slightly, and let out a sigh of relief when I realize he hasn't noticed me yet.
"What are you doing?"
I let out a startled gasp.
"Oh my god, you seriously scared me. Now get down before he sees you."
Charlie gets down. "Who are you hiding from?" He questions then looks toward the direction that I'm looking at.
"My dad," I say.
"Well, he's coming toward us," Charlie says.
"What? Shit. Can you please distract him while I go hide in the back room?"
"Seriously?"
"Please, Charlie."
"Fine. Hurry and go. I'll meet you when I'm done."
I nod and watch as he stands up and heads toward my dad and starts talking to him. I don't get to hear their conversation as I start making my way to the backroom, hoping my dad didn't see me as I ran off.
Minutes pass as I wait until finally Charlie enters the backroom.
"Well, that wasn't easy," he says.
"What happened?"
"He asked me where he could find you and I basically told him you went home because you weren't feeling good. I don't know if he believed me though, he looked at me all suspiciously."
"That's my dad for you. So did he leave?"
"Yeah, he walked out to the parking lot."
"Good," I say, feeling relieved.
"Would it be that bad to see him?" he suddenly asks.
I'm quiet for a moment. "I'm just not ready to see him yet."
"Oh, I get it."
I nod. Then look at him. "By the way," I say, "Where have you been all week? I feel like I haven't seen you at all. You haven't even texted me to continue the astronomy lessons that you promised."
"About that," he says, "I think it's best if we stop."
"What?"
"I just really don't want to involve myself with you anymore. It's for the better."