Charley's P.O.V.

I stood in shock as I saw Jocelyn before me. Her eyes teared up before she walked up to me and hugged me. “You weren't answering your phone. I thought something horrible happened to you.”

Who gave her 

my address?

I was fine with the loan sharks somewhat knowing but not her. I made sure she didn't know this time but somehow she found out. “Hey, I made us dinner. We can eat it inside.”

She's not questioning my clothing. Why isn't she questioning it? “It's smothered chicken with brown rice and string beans just like you like it. I also made a side of banana pudding, your favorite.” If I were to deny her words, I know she would know something is up.

“Okay,” I said before leading her to my condo. I unlocked my door.

Sang-ook's P.O.V.

The Next Night

I stared at the text message from Cher as a pit made its way into my stomach. Charley hasn't texted me at all nor called me today, and seeing Cher's message is making me think the worst.

“Charley isn't answering her phone. Janie and I tried calling her, but she just texts generic few-word responses. If you can, can you call her?”

Did something happen to Charley? I called her phone number. I didn't get an answer, but I did get a text message in response. I read it.

“Hey, I'm currently busy at the moment. Can you call back later?”

Something feels off, and I am going to find out what happened.

“Sure, but what time do you want me to pick up the list for the materials? I know we mentioned yesterday at nine pm after you got off work, but I think I am not going to be able to do it that late.”  I texted to confuse her or whoever may have been texting. I didn't get a response. 

My foot began to tap in nervousness. What should I do? My phone began to ring. My eyes widened when I saw Charley's phone number. I answered it. “Charley?”

“Are you busy?” She asked.

Twenty Minutes Later

I drove to the park that Charley told me to wait at and parked my car. The moment I saw her walking nearby, I got out of the car and ran to her. “Charley-” Her upper lip is busted, and there is a scratch above her right eyebrow. She chuckled as she saw my expression.

“You should see the other person,” She said. I arched my brow. “Not funny?”

“What happened?” I asked.

“Jocelyn came over.” She said before walking towards a bench. I followed her and sat beside her.

“Jocelyn did this?” Charley nodded.

“She did, but I sent her home after.”

“Charley, she assaulted you.”

“Yup, but it's not much.”

“Not much? She sends you threatening texts and then assaults you. What kind of person is this, Jocelyn?”

“My spoiled, kind, and yet heartless little cousin.”

“Cousin or not, you don't deserve this.”

“After everything I put her through-”

“What could you have done to be tormented by her like this?”

“High school was something I was always excited for, and once I reached it, it felt like it exceeded my expectations.”

Flashback

Normal P.O.V.

Sandy Oak High School, Sixteen Years Ago, The End of the School Day

Charley walked down the crowded school hallways between Janie and Jocelyn in excitement. “Why is she so excited?” Jocelyn asked Janie.

“Because she got an order for a prom dress today,” Janie responded.

“That's the third order for a prom dress she has received this month. How is she going to get them done by prom?”

“When you have someone doing your homework for you, of course, you will have all the free time in the world.” Jocelyn looked at Janie in confusion.

“Who is doing her homework?”

“Brayden, in return, wants her to create a dress for free for his older sisters.”

“Lucky”

“I know, right? I would kill for that right now. Mr. Bateman is having us write a four-page paper on DNA evolution, and the idea of writing anything on that feels like ass.”

“Damn, that sucks.” 

“I know, right?” The three walked out of the school building and towards the student parking lot.

“How about we go to Kennedie's, on me,” Charley asked.

“You're that excited to get a milkshake made in someone's home?” Janie questioned.

“It's future chef Kennedie who makes everything perfect. Plus, I have been craving one of her chocolate mousse milkshakes.” Charley said.

“Yeah, now that you mention it, that would be delicious,” Jocelyn said. The three stopped in the parking spaces between their cars.

“As much as I would love a great sugar rush, I am going to have to skip out. Mr. Bateman's paper is due tomorrow, and I need to get it done tonight.” Janie said before unlocking her car door.

“Okay then, see you tomorrow,”  Charley said.

“See you.” She said before getting in the car. Charley looked at Jocelyn.

“So Kennedie's then where?” Charley asked.

“We can go to my house- wait, my parents are having their friends come over for a game night.”

“So the park, right?” Charley asked.

“Yup,” Jocelyn agreed.

“You can call from my house later and ask if you can spend the night.” 

“You think Auntie Monica will allow that on a weekday?” Jocelyn asked.

“Why not?”

Thirty Minutes Later, The Park

Jocelyn and Charley sat on the hood of Charley's car as they Jocelyn drank her milkshake from her straw and Charley used a spoon to eat hers. “So, how have things been with Aman? Did you ask him out yet?” Charley asked Jocelyn.

“I did, but he rejected me. He said he had an interest in someone else.” Aman Cooke was a handsome guy who many had feelings for but could never get his attention. Well, except for Charley. It was no secret the two had feelings for each other, but no one ever gathered up the courage to talk to ask one another out. It wasn't until Jocelyn told Charley that she had a crush on Aman that Charley let the idea of her and Aman being together die. Though her heart remained on Aman, her mind couldn't think of anything but the sadness on Jocelyn's face. “I'm over Aman, though. Now I'm into Justin.” Jocelyn finished.

Class, A Week Later

Charley stared at the almond-brown skin guy with an average build, deep brunette twisted hair, and deep brown eyes. He was about two seats ahead on the left of her and adorned the name Aman. A lonesome feeling grew in Charley's heart. She couldn't talk to him without her heart racing. Now he is sitting two seats ahead of her because of a new seating assignment. Now he is closer to her than before.

The bell rang. The class began to pack up their things. Janie walked up to Charley. “You know, your feelings for Aman would be less obvious if you were not staring at him all the time,” She said. Charley's cheeks reddened.

“Was it really that obvious?” She asked.

“So obvious.” Her shoulders sank. “You know, Anthony is always another choice.”

“Anthony, the dude who pretty much sleeps with any girl he can.”

“Damn,” Charley grabbed her things and put them in her book bag.

“Then Cam?”

“Not interested,” Charley said as she zipped up her bag.

“Then Aaron?” Charley put her bookbag on her back.

“He asked me out, but he gave me a weird vibe. You know how I feel when I get that feeling.”

“Yeah, I know,” Janie said before putting her bookbag on her back.

“Then how about- Aman?” Charley shook her head.

“I thought we ruled Aman out already.”

“Ruled me out?” Said an almost soft yet masculine voice. Charley's eyes widened. She turned around to see Aman. She could feel her heart drop.

“Aman,” She said. Janie smirked at the two.

“Jocylen and I will meet you in the parking lot.”

“Janie-” Charley started.

“See you soon,” Janie said before leaving.

“So what am I ruled out for?” Aman asked Charley with a conflicted expression.

“Oh well, I needed a model for a suit design I had in mind and didn't want to be a bother.” Why did that lie come so quickly? Is she a liar now? SHE IS!

“If it's a model you need, I am willing to be one for you.” Her cheeks reddened.

“Aman, I am pretty sure you are busy with club activities and stuff like that-”

“I always have time for you.” Her blush spread to her ears.

“Same,” Escaped her lips. As she realized what she said, her eyes widened. “Wait, I mean-”. A small smile came to his lips, causing her to stop talking.

“Then do you want to go to Kennedie's and order some food or something?”

“Sure”

An Hour Later, The Skate Park

Charley and Aman sat outside the skatepark as they ate their food. Ever since they got there, no one has said anything to one another. Despite that, they found comfort in each other's company. As happy as Charley should have been, though, she felt her guilt eating her up inside. Jocelyn told her that she liked Aman. That means she is not supposed to be here, sitting with him. “To tell you the truth, I have liked you since freshman year.” Her eyes widened before she looked at him. Aman let out a breath of relief. “Wow, that feels so much better than letting it sit.” He started to eat again.

Charley felt her guilt rise to her head. The person she has always cared about and wanted to be with confessed to her, and she has no choice but to reject him, but it's hard. She waited for what felt like forever for him to ask her out. Then, when Jocelyn told her she had feelings for him, she felt all hope in him drop. Yet for some reason, no matter what she tried to do, her feelings for him remained. “I know that there is a chance that you may not feel the same, and I hope telling you I like you didn't make things weird, but I had to tell you. Honestly, it's been eating me up inside.”

“Aman, I do like you, it's just that with life and everything, I am not sure how things will work.” What was she saying? Making up excuses to let him down instead of just denying him? When has she ever done this?! Even yesterday she denied someone, so why-

“I understand. Then is it okay if we still work together? I always peek at your design book in English and thought it would be nice to see the outcome.” She nodded.

“Sure,” As neutral as things should have been, Charley and Aman found that it had been hard to contain their feelings for each other. Despite wanting to keep things neutral,  the two started dating. It wasn't long before people in the school, and then Jocelyn found out.