He turns music on his phone while I settle down onto the blanket. Glancing over at what’s displayed on the screen, I grin at the title... Charlie’s Playlist. I notice a notebook and pen sitting on top of his backpack, too. He's accepting of the fact that I don’t talk and has never once made me feel like less of a person for it.
“I wanted to ask you something, Charlie.” His voice sounds shaky with nerves. I'm confused why he'd be so nervous around me. He scoots over until he's in front of me and grabs my hand.
“I know that I told the twins and Callie you were my girlfriend,” he says, giving me a grin before continuing, “but I wanted to ask you officially if you would be my girlfriend?” The look on his face is hopeful, but the familiar twinge of guilt builds inside of me. "Now, before you say no, I also talked to the others because we have an idea how you feel, so I’m not just asking for me. Abby and Adam and I all want to date you... if you'll have us?"
Despite his nerves, he looks determined. I, however, am confused. I know that I like them, but how could they date me if I can’t communicate with them? I grab the notebook.
‘Are you sure you want me? I’m a mess, and I don’t speak. I haven't even gotten the courage to tell you what happened to me. Could you really be happy with me?’ The look he gives me after he reads it is incredulous, like he can’t imagine why I’d ever have that thought.
“Charlie, I have never been as happy as I am when I’m with you. I know that we don’t know everything about each other, and I hope one day you can lean on me enough to tell me about your past. But you are smart, you are beautiful, and you may not speak but we communicate just fine. Even if you never speak another word for the rest of your life, I would still want you,” he vows. I'm floored, and I bite my tongue so I won’t start crying at his words. I can feel the truth in what he said, so I go with my guy. My nod has his serious expression giving way to a heart-stopping grin.
He leans forward and wraps his hand around the back of my neck so he can pull my lips to his. The kiss isn’t as sweet as it was the first time, but it's every bit as amazing. By the time he pulls away, we're both breathless.
“I’ve wanted to properly kiss you for a while now,” he admits. My answer is to kiss him again.
I was right, this is a good day, I think as I drag him back to look at the view one more time.
Wednesday
Morning
Charlie
It’s been a few weeks since fall break and we’ve all fallen into a new routine. Trent started dating a girl in his history class and seems happy with it. He's not around as much, but still hangs out with us when he can. Abby, Adam, Cole and I have grown even closer, though the kids at school haven't caught on that we've decided to try this dating thing.
I'm still crazy paranoid that the man who tried to abduct me will come after me again, but my friends never leave me alone outside. They're really overprotective as we walk, and Cole always makes us leave the library before it gets dark outside since I refuse to study at home.
We only have two more weeks until Christmas break now and it seems crazy to me that it’s already close to Christmas, I feel like I’ve just gotten here and been here forever at the same time.
"What's got you so distracted today?" Cole asks, sliding a notebook my way. His other hand grazes my shoulder, slipping behind me to play with my hair. We're in the library again after school, working on homework as usual.
'Remember when Sophia mentioned that case at the sleepover? Well, they keep hitting dead ends with my dad's old company, and it's freaking me out,' I write back with a frown.
"What's the company?" he asks, pulling out his phone. I write the name down and slide it back before attempting to focus again.
“I can’t find anything out about them.” Cole continues scrolling through the websites on his phone screen. I set aside my homework for a second and start searching with him.
“What kind of company is it?” he asks, confused. I pull over my notebook and answer.
‘Medical research.’ He gives me a guarded glance. I have a feeling he is tired of feeling in the dark. I’m ready to talk, but honestly when is the right time to sit everyone down and drop a bomb that size? The answer is never.
“Have you searched for any ads for medical research in the area? Maybe they used a different name?” he points out, not even looking up from his phone. I type the new search into my phone and try again.
“Look at this. This company advertised needing patients, but never listed their actual name. The ad is ridiculously vague too, outside of the high pay, it screams red flags. They offer five hundred to two thousand dollars for completion of the trial. They have a phone number to call, and that’s it. Who would actually call them?” he asks, looking at me with his eyebrows raised.
I give him a look that conveys how much I trust the human race to be smart and not fall for this obvious scam.
“Touché, Charlie.”
‘Send me the link, please,’ I write, and he immediately texts it to me.
Copying the link, I paste it in a text to Detective Flynn, explaining what I looked into, including a bit of information about the shady link. I know that he doesn’t want me getting involved in this, but how can I not? The police department already let me down once, I'm not going to let them do it again.
Flynn: I really want to tell you to stop looking into this, and I do want you to. But this is an angle I actually hadn’t thought to try. I’ll let you know what happens, kid.
Me: Thanks, old man.
I smile to myself. Calling me kid is something he’s done since I met him. I assume it’s because he’s terrible at names. Either way it used to get to me, but I’m in a much different place now.