Chapter 7 - Charlotte

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Chapter Seven

Charlotte

"Charlotte, would you mind finishing this up in the Library?" Mrs. Frantruck stood over my desk at the end of the day. She had an amused smile spread across her face when she glanced up at the clock hanging over the chalk board. "I have nothing against you wanting to get a head start on your assignment but I do need to lock up the classroom right away."

Confused, I followed her gaze up to the clock that read 3:50pm. My eyes widened in shock before I looked around at the empty classroom. The bell that indicates the end of the School day had already went off at 3:20pm. I was so absorbed in my Psychology Case Study assignment that I hadn't even heard it.

"I'm so sorry Mrs. Frantruck!" I gasped. "I hadn't even realized what time it was."

She laughed. "Don't worry about it, Charlotte. I know you tend to get a little engrossed in your work, besides I had those quizzes to mark anyways." She smiled kindly. "But if you wouldn't mind, I would like to lock up now."

"Yes, yes!" I jumped out of my desk and hastily began gathering up my books. I tossed them into my already full backpack and flung it over my shoulder. It was so heavy I nearly lost my balance. Pushing my long, wavy hair out of my face I headed toward the door. "See you tomorrow," I called out.

"Have a good evening Miss. Locke."

I headed outside without bothering to stop at my locker. I had everything I needed in my pack back already, and thankfully I didn't have to bring my Saxophone home with me tonight. I just left it in the Music room.

I decided to go to the public Library rather than the School one. Bridgewalk Public Library was kind of like my personal sanctuary. I spent more time there than I did at home, which was understandable, because I didn't like being at home. Although I loved my parents to death, my home wasn't always the coziest of places.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I headed down the sidewalk. BPL was only about two miles from the school, so it would take me a half hour, but at least I would be able to stay there longer than the School Library.

Walking down the street, thoughts of this morning came back to me...for like the hundredth time. No matter what I did, the image of Karla's hulk of a cousin breaking George's nose would not leave my mind. It was almost like it was on repeat in my brain.

I have seen my fair share of violence, especially having grown up in my house. I guess that it why I am so sensitive to it. I know how quickly one punch can blow way out proportion. Seeing the terrified looks on Jarrod's and George's faces kind of pulled at my heart strings.

Then there was Christian.

Just the thought of him made my heart leap.

As horrible as it sounds, he looked magnificent forging forward like some kind of avenging angel. Jarrod had nudged George and said, "Dude, why are the Steele cousins heading over here?" I remember looking up, and there he was.

His icy blue eyes were staring straight ahead. His refined, muscular jaw was clenched. Determination and vengeance seemed to wrap around his firm body. And all I could think was how incredibly stunning he was. My breath had been trapped in my lungs and I could not take my eyes away from him. He was terrifying, and yet, glorious. I had felt a pinch of jealousy at that moment because I knew that his reaction was caused by his need to protect his sister.

A part of me had pretended, for just the slightest second, it was actually for me.

Well, that was until Kale punched George in the face, completely ignoring Jarrod's presence. My fantasy then died quickly.

I let out a heavy sigh when I finally reached the Library doors.

Seeing Kale nearly kill George via fist pounding was horrifying, but it was almost worth it just to get that glimpse of Christian's dark side I found so intriguing.

"Charlie!" The moment I walked through the large dome shaped doors, I was greeted by Sally, the main Librarian. "I'm so glad to see you." She was juggling a handful of books while trying to motion a customer over to the till. She asked them if they had their Library card before turning back to me. "I know you just got here, but I'm hours behind on everything right now, and I was just wondering-"

I laughed, cutting her off. "Sally, you know I'm always willing to help. Did you want me to put some books away?"

She took the person's card and swiped it. "No, actually there is a guy over in the Anthropology section that needs help finding a book." She looked up at me with desperate eyes. "Would you mind?"

"Not at all!" I beamed. "Here, let me take these." I grabbed the first five books off the top of the pile she was carrying. I recognized them and knew they belonged in the Psychology section which is neighbours to the Anthropology books.

I was walking down the aisle staring at the title of one of the books when I collided into what felt like a brick wall. I stumbled backwards and fell to the ground, books scattering across the floor. I heard his amused chuckle before I saw him.

"We need to stop meeting like this."

I could feel heat rising in my face but I managed to brave looking up at him. My crimson cheeks deepened when I saw the devilish smirk ebbed at the corner of Christian's mouth. A couple seconds passed and I realized he was waiting for me to say something.

Speak Charlie, speak!

"I-I-I" Once again, I was stuttering like some kind of dimwit. My brain could come up with a thousand witty things to say, but my mouth continued to disappoint me each time.

"Retreating back to stuttering I see."

"No!" I exclaimed loud enough to cause a couple people to look over at us with irritation.

Ignoring them, I began to gather up the scattered books. I had to look away from Christian because the smug look on his face was frustrating me, and yet, melting my heart at the same time. It was not fair how someone could be so egotistical and yet, as breathtaking as him.

I only managed to pick up two books and then Christian was handing me the other three. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." He had a look of uncertainty masking his face, but I didn't have the time to ponder it because within the blink of an eye, he was smirking again. "Come on, I'll help you up. The floor can't be that comfy."

Taking his outstretched hand, I got back up to my feet. "What are you doing here?" I blurted. I didn't mean for it to sound so rude, but once again my mouth had failed me.

He raised an eyebrow. "What? Am I not allowed in the Library?"

"No, I didn't mean that." I took a deep breath and tried to get control over myself. I thought very carefully before I spoke again. "I just haven't seen you here before."

Relief washed over me. It felt so good to be able to say something to him without sounding like a complete moron. As long as I didn't look up at him, I could pretend I was talking to someone else. I had been in love with Christian for longer than I cared to admit. He was the only person who could honestly make me speechless. I turned my body slightly and pretended that I was more interested in finding the rightful home for the books I was carrying.

"I guess I can't deny that." He responded. "I don't usually come here but I have an Anthropology essay due next week. If I look at a computer screen for even one more minute my eyes will probably fall out, so I figured I'd try to find some books instead."

"Oh! You're the guy that Sally asked me to help-" my voice trailed off when our eyes locked. I wished I didn't always react this way but I couldn't help it. Just the sight of him took my breath away. I had never been able to talk to Christian, but at least I seemed to be getting slightly better. I felt like I could get lost in the depths of his gaze. It was too easy to get distracted by the emerald specks that shimmered within his bright blue eyes.

He tilted his head. "So you work here?"

I shook myself out of my hypnotized trance. "No, I just kind of volunteer here."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"What does that mean?" I folded my arm defensively.

He leaned up against the bookshelf. "Nothing really. I'm just not all that surprised that you would volunteer at a Library."

I watched him carefully but finally decided he wasn't making fun of me or anything. He was just stating a fact. I put the last of the books away and turned back to look at him. He was watching me with a peculiar look on his face.

"What?" My eyebrows furrowed.

He pushed himself away from the bookshelf. "Nothing," was his brief response. "So, where are these Anthropology books?"

I was a little confused by his sudden abruptness, but I still motioned him to follow me. We were walking side by side, and I swear he kept getting closer and closer. I felt his arm brush against mine, and sparks of electricity seemed to spread throughout my body.

I shivered.

"Are you cold?" He asked casually.

"No."

I realized my mistake right after I answered him. Saying no made me inadvertently admit that I shivered because of him. I snuck a sideways glance at him and sure enough, he was smirking knowingly.

I turned into the Anthropology section. "These books here are actually rather good-"

Standing in front of me, Christian placed both his hands against the bookshelf, each of his arm blocking me in. "You want me, don't you Charlie?"

My heart nearly exploded from my chest. Christian's face was barely five inches away from mine. His sweet lemony breath exhaled against my face, and I felt like I could melt. Our close proximity was causing my body to go haywire. I tried to take a step backwards but there was nowhere to go. My back was already pressed up against the bookshelf.

"Wh-what?" I uttered.

"Don't try to deny it. I see it in your eyes. In the way your body reacts to me." He brought his right hand down and brushed his fingers along my jawline.

I closed my eyes and goose bumps sprouted across my body. "I-I d-don't..." I gulped as his thumb trailed the outline of my lips. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I could feel my lungs contracting. I let out a ragged breath and slowly reopened my eyes.

There was a deep intensity in the way Christian was watching me. His breathing was uneven, and his normally cool, icy eyes seemed to be burning like the blue flames from a fire. "Tell me I'm right, Charlie." His voice was barely a whisper. "Tell me I can kiss you."

"Huh?" I couldn't even think.

"Just say yes."

"Yes." I breathed it out.

He leaned closer.

At first, his lips just barely touched mine. Seconds passed and the gentle kiss gradually became deeper, more passionate. I didn't know what to do, but Christian managed to guide my lips to move in unison with his. It felt like electricity spread from the very ends of my hair all the way to the tips of my toes.

My insides were on fire. My senses were in overdrive. My entire body tingled, and I wanted more.

I felt his arms wrap around my waist and pull me closer. I could feel my breasts being pushed up against his hard chest, and yet, I still wanted to get closer. Apparently he had similar thoughts because his arms seemed to tighten around me, and his kisses became even more urgent, more vigorous.

And then suddenly my heart hammered with the reality that I was making out with Christian Steele...in the Library.

I instantly pulled away from him and stumbled into the bookshelf. A couple books knock down.

We were both breathing heavily. My body seemed to be vibrating from the stimulus experience. And he looked just as overwhelmed. He had a wild, primitive look in his eyes, but when he spoke his voice was soft and uneven. "Why'd you..." He tried to catch his breath. "Pull-"

I stared at him wide-eyed. Shocked and bewildered, I turned around and ran.

"Charlie!" He called after me, but I kept running.

I heard Sally say my name too, but still, I kept running.

Out the library doors, and down the street, I kept running.

I was going to destroy myself with my lack of self-control. I let Christian kiss me. I allowed the one man who could honestly break me to pieces have my first real kiss. He was a player, a womanizer, a complete man whore and I was pretty much begging him to stomp on my heart.

How could I be so completely stupid?!

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