Chapter 8
I can't help but hop up and down when I finally spot her walking into the restaurant. Charlie’s dark green eyes focus on me, and her face breaks into a stop-you-in-your-tracks smile, sputtering heart and all. Her reaction speaks volumes to me because I know how sad she is. Charlotte feels like she is worthless, and I know how that feels. I return her smile. It's a genuine smile for me, a rarity.
We embrace quickly. The French perfume Charlotte always wears momentarily intoxicates me, deliciously fogging my brain as I bury my face in her long, thick hair. My chocolate forest sanctuary.
I can’t resist touching her, barely grazing the skin on her arms, complimenting her. “As usual, you look amazing, Charlotte.”
She tilts her head, smiling at me. Her perfect, straight teeth gleamed white. The evening beams of sunlight are now slicing into the restaurant's floor as the sun reluctantly gives up its daily battle with the moon. The night quickly approaches. A stray beam dances in rebellion across her face, enhancing the golden specks in her eyes. As usual, her face is mostly bare. Charlie has more confidence than most girls our age, not caring to primp or preen.
Charlie is happy with the life she has. She rarely wears makeup, and it is hardly noticeable when she does. I take my time admiring her face, soaking up the few minutes I have left with her. Her cheeks have the slightest shimmer, and she wears a smokey eye look with only a bit of dark shadow. Thick, dark lashes frame the most vibrant green eyes I’ve ever seen in person. Those pink lips draw me in, and I inadvertently suckle my lip anytime she bites her lower lip.
Charlotte touches her hair, covertly seeking defects. She is so shy and insecure. “I could look better but thank you. You’re always so nice to me. I don’t deserve you. Especially when I haven’t spent much time with you lately.”
We gradually make our way back through the busy section of the restaurant back to the bar, seeking quiet refuge from prying eyes.
“How are you?” I ask her. “Really? I know you've had a shitty few days. I didn't know if you would show up for your shift because of what happened with Bradley. So I wouldn’t blame you if you skipped tonight.”
Charlotte shakes her head, and her loose curls swing a few inches above her waist with the motion. Curly tendrils haphazardly frame her face falling from their Dutch braided headband; they likely got loose when she ran from her car to the restaurant.
“I’m doing a little better. But, mostly, I feel like an idiot. I've wasted so much of my time on Bradley. I wish I could get it all back,” she says, her shoulders drooping.
“At least you didn't marry him,” I mentioned.
I regret saying it as soon as it's out of my mouth because her face looks like I've run over her nonexistent kitten.
“I thought we would get married after we graduated this year. I thought many things,” Charlie continues to put her things away by the bar, her hands visibly shaking as she does.
“What about you?” She asks, her voice barely audible. I’d be angry for their sympathy if anyone else asked me because it wouldn't be genuine. Not Charlotte, though. She is always honest.
“I know you don't like to talk about it. I want you to know I'm here if you need me.”
“Thanks. I don't know what I would do without you, Charlie. Maybe this weekend after work we could have a girl’s night. I could come over and stay the night like I used to. We could talk. I have some stuff I can probably get off my chest,” I tell her. My breath catches in my chest, strangling me.
Her thick eyebrows raise, “Bad stuff or good stuff?”
“Good stuff. I hope. I got the best offer I've had all week.”
She gives me her biggest smile, and I melt just a little. I don’t have to fake anything around her.
“A little bird told me you get to work The Nest,” she squeals.
I’m immediately bouncing up and down. It feels so good to talk about it with someone who understands how badly I need the money without the judgment.
“I do!”
“That is such great news! The best! I’m so happy for you, Ella!”
“This could be a whole new beginning for me,” I’m word vomiting against my will.
“I know you needed this.” she nods.
It's only then that it dawns on me that I didn't tell her that I got the luck of the draw. No one could have told her because I've had my eyes on her since she walked through the door. I'm the only one she's talked to so far. So how did she know? I couldn't help the ear-splitting smile that took over my face because it was her. She gave up her spot in the nest for me.
I want to scream, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
Instead, I throw my arms around her neck and kiss her cheek. If I could get away with it, I would take her on the bar right behind us and lick between her thighs like she's the best ice cream sundae I've ever had.
She did this for a reason, and she didn't want me to know, making it the cherry on top. I've never had anyone be this kind to me. I keep to myself that she's made my life so much easier with this small gesture. I’m going to be able to pay my rent and my classes. I'm going to be able to get more food. I've been hungry lately. But more than anything else, I can take care of Mom. It will be possible for me to pay back my older sister for my mom's funeral expenses. Charlotte only knows about the funeral expenses stretching my funds, not the rest, although I’m sure she suspects I’m more financially destitute than I let on in general.