CHARLIE

The rest of the week from Monday was eventful, to say the least. I started going to a writing club in the afternoons on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and that worked out great because Eren and Anne were both in drama club and it had the same schedule. I get out of my club a bit earlier than they do so I usually sit in the far rows in the back of the auditorium while their club finishes up whatever activities they're doing. Eren tells me that I can participate and join in on the games they have but I don’t think I’d be very good at any type of acting games.

Now the weekend has finally rolled around and I was sitting in my living room, writing. As usual, work calls and my mom is gone again for the day. My dad’s here but he’s working on the garden  all day and I don’t feel like gardening today so I’m not really sure how to entertain myself. I get bored watching television all day and writing doesn’t go well when I’m not motivated. I could play with Ollie but he’s asleep and honestly, if I wake him up, I’ll be left exhausted in half an hour. I sigh a bit and get up to get a snack. Maybe if I eat something, I’ll get the motivation to do something else. I take a bit more time to think before I get a buzzing from my phone. I take it out of my pocket and it’s the group chat, spamming my name.

“Charlie” Eren texts.

“Charlie!” Anne and Theo text.

“Char-Char!!!!” Jenn texts, a cute nickname.

I blink and text back, I smile a bit at the Char-Char nickname from Jenn.

“What’s up, everyone?”

“Charlie, you wanna hang with us today?” Eren texts.

“Yeah, we’re gonna go down to the plaza in about 15, you wanna join us?” Theo texts.

I don’t have much else going on today, and I’d love to go out with them. I walk out into the back and look around for dad. Dad loves this house because it has a small greenhouse so he can plant more. Back when we lived in the city, it was hard for dad to find the room or the right environment for plants but we have a backyard so it’s nice to see him enjoying himself. I walk into the greenhouse and he turns his head.

“Hey, Char.” He’d sign before taking off his gloves and whipping his hands. “Finally, decided to join me in the dirt?”

“No, sorry, dad, the dirt is all yours today.” I’d sign, giving a small smile. “I wanted to ask if I could go to the plaza with Eren and the others?”

“Oh, yeah, those nice kids you met?” He’d sign, thinking. “Sure, sprout, you need a ride?”

I’d nod and then text the others that I could make it. Dad took off his apron and walked inside, I followed him in. I checked on Ollie one last time before we headed out the door, he was still knocked out cold. We made our way down the road and towards the plaza.

Once we arrive, I meet up with the others at the front. The plaza is really big, and it looks so pretty. There's a waterfall type fountain near the stairs to another bit of the plaza and kids are running around, jumping on the rocks, trying not to fall in. 

Anne runs over along with Theo and they squeeze me in a hug. I’ve come to learn that these two are the most physically affectionate. Jenn and Eren walk over after the two stop squeezing me till I can’t breath. 

“Glad you made it!” Eren signed, it took him a bit to clearly get the sentence across but I’m happy he’s doing his best. He went in for a hug for a moment I think but stopped and shook my hand. We both laugh a bit and just stand there for a bit, awkwardly, before Jenn pushes Eren out of the way and takes a hold on my arm.

“That was painful.” She’d say to me. I’d snicker a bit and then I’d be dragged into the mall, everyone else following. What I didn’t know is that the real reason we came is to see a new movie. We stopped around a few stores, went to the food court for a snack or two and then I was suddenly in a cinema with them. 

“Are we watching something? I didn’t bring a lot of money…” I’d text Eren in the group chat

“It’s okay, Jenn and Theo are covering for you. They wanted you to come no matter what.” He’d text back.

“Oh, but, I really should pay for it on my own-” 

“Charlie, it’s okay, you can next time, we don’t mind!” Theo texted.

I’d look up and her and Theo smiled at me. Theo ruffled my hair. 

“Just focus on having a good time, we’re gonna pick a movie!” Jenn signed.

We took some time to look at the movies playing and decided on a new adventure movie since the only other movie anybody in the group was interested in was a romance and Jenn thought she’d hurl.

There were still about thirty minutes left before the movie started, so when we walked in the place was pretty dark and they hadn’t set up yet. The place is really dark and Anne goes up the stairs, having the time of her life. Jenn suddenly pops up behind her, scaring her silly. We all goof around a bit before someone walks in, trying to figure out what’s going on so we quickly leave. I haven’t had this much fun in a long while.

A while later, we’re all getting ready for the film. Before we headed in, I remembered that I wouldn’t really be able to understand the movie. I hadn’t gone to theaters in a long time because the movie either had people speaking too fast for me to read or they weren’t always on screen. Eren let me know that the theater accommodates. I was a bit confused but once we sat down and started the trailers, the captions popped in. I didn’t even know theaters had the option to caption, I always thought it wasn’t something they could have until the movie was released on DVD. I keep feeling better and better every time I learn something about this town.

The movie is actually a lot better than we thought it would be. We all thought the idea was good but expected it to be a standard adventure film, not too memorable. But it managed to do more by having great animation, something I didn’t even know could look this good. The way things looked in the movie, the characters, the colors, the backgrounds, it was all so pretty. It made me appreciate films a lot more. It made me want to see other animated films. 

We walked out of the theater, and back towards the plaza. By then, it was getting dark out, the sun setting. Anne and Jenn decided to walk home, waving us goodbye. Theo drove so he made his way back to his car, he offered to take us home. I wanted to hang out a bit longer but I guess everyone was tired.

Eren looked over at me and signed. “Ready to go home?”

I’d shrug, holding my hands in my jacket. I’d take out my phone and text him. 

“I could stay out a bit longer.” 

He’d look up from his phone and smile. He looked at Theo letting him know he could go on without us, then he’d text me. 

“Yeah, me too. Wanna grab some food?"