Our Love
By: Sheena Binkley
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2013 by Sheena Binkley
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and are not intended to refer to specific places or living persons. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Editor: Amber Bungo
Cover Design: Melody Simmons (Ebook Indie Covers)
Ebook Formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com
Published in the United States of America
In Love With My Best Friend Series
A Chance At Love (Tia & Charles) – 2014
Table of Contents
1. Charlie
2. Charlie
3. Michael
4. Charlie
5. Michael
6. Charlie
7. Michael
8. Charlie
9. Michael
10. Charlie
11. Michael
12. Michael
13. Charlie
14. Michael
15. Charlie
16. Michael
17. Charlie
18. Charlie
19. Charlie
20. Charlie
21. Michael
22. Michael
23. Charlie
24. Derrick
25. Charlie
26. Michael
27. Charlie
28. Michael
29. Charlie
30. Michael
31. Michael
32. Charlie
33. Charlie
34. Michael
35. Charlie
36. Michael
37. Charlie
38. Charlie
Additional Novels by Sheena Binkley
Music Playlist
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Dedicated to the memory of my mom, Alice Binkley
You were the first person to believe in my dream. I love you and miss you...
1. Charlie
"I can't believe this is happening!" I said to the principal of Parker High School.
Mr. McCue looked at me with a stony expression on his face. He walked over to his desk and sat down in the chair behind it. I looked at him, and then to my parents who were sitting beside me.
Right now, all I wanted was to disappear from Mr. McCue's office and from the face of the earth. I can't believe I'm in the principal's office, of all places, explaining myself to the most difficult man in the history of Parker High. To be honest, I don't even know why I'm in the principal's office. Theresa started it! Okay, I guess you're wondering what's happening with me and why I'm in the principal's office. Well, let me back track to earlier this morning. In fact, let me go all the way back to seventeen years ago when I was born Charlie Perry.
I was born from two loving people that would give me the world if they could. But from the look on their faces now, it seemed like they wanted to kick my butt for dragging them from work to hear my latest public disturbance at school.
Growing up, I always wanted to be the center of attention; from being in every elementary school program, to being in the marching band. I was always involved in something. So when I went to high school, the drive to be center of attention landed me as one of the most popular girls at school. Not only did I become head cheerleader, but I was also the editor of the school's newspaper, The Eagle Gazette, and an active member of the Honor League. I was also well liked by my peers, or so I thought until today. Hopefully this wouldn't affect my chances of becoming senior prom queen.
Now since I gave you a mini autobiography of myself, let's go back to what happened this morning. I don't know how it started; all I know is that girl Theresa is straight out crazy...
"Hey, everyone," I said to my cheerleading girls. Since homecoming is coming up in a few weeks, we have to practice like crazy to get our routine done for the big day. So I decided to hold a morning practice to get prepared. As I look at my squad, I know something is going to go wrong today. Before I came to school this morning, I overslept thirty minutes, dropped all my cereal on the floor, and couldn't find my favorite sweater to save my life. Now I was in the gym catching my breath because I sped all the way from my house to get here on time. I couldn't be late since I am captain. How would that look?
"Hey, girl. You look like hell," said Eva Coleman, who was my best friend in the whole world. She's my girl and would do anything for me, just like I would do anything for her.
We, along with Ashley Douglas, became instant friends when we first met in our preschool class thirteen years ago. I still remember the time when Eva dared me to eat a mud pie she created one day during recess in second grade. Of course I didn't back out of the challenge, but instantly regretted it when I threw up on my crush, Spencer Donavan. She still never let me forgot that.
"Thanks," I said. "Sorry I had to do this to everyone, but we have to practice like crazy since the homecoming game is coming up. I've scheduled practice in the mornings and afternoons until the game arrives."
"Well Char, if we want something done right, we have to practice. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to go out there and make an ass of myself," Ashley said as she was stretching her legs.
"I second that motion; so let's get started," I said as I went over to my tote bag.
Jessica Willis, another cheerleader, stopped stretching and looked over at me with a grim look on her face.
"We can't practice. We're missing a cheerleader."
I glanced around and noticed she was right. The diva of all divas, Theresa Sherman, has not made her grand entrance yet. That girl is such a nuisance; even the principal can't stand her. Theresa and I always butt heads on anything and everything. It's a wonder we have not had a fist fight yet. Even if we did, I could win that with my eyes closed.
As I looked around at the patient girls in front of me, I was thinking we could start practice. We had four new cheers to learn, but then realized that I couldn't start now and later teach her the cheers. I just didn't have the time.
"I guess we have to wait until she arrives," I said.
Just as soon as I mouthed those words, the diva walked in with a huge grin on her face. She thinks she is all that, but the girl is a mess. And today was no different. She was dressed in an outfit not suitable for practice and had heavily caked makeup on her honey colored face. I swear she looked like she was coming from a slutty night out instead of school.
"Nice for you to show up, Theresa. You knew we had a morning practice today."
"Sorry, okay. I had to take care of something. It not like I'm late anyway. I saw you in the parking lot not too long ago."
"That's not the point; if you saw me we could have walked in together. Anyway, let's get to work. Now I have the new cheers for the game, so we have to get moving. We don't want to look like fools on the field during homecoming."
"Too late for that,"
Theresa said under her breath.
"What you say?" I asked as I went up to my archenemy.
"Nothing, let's practice," she said.
I looked at her and went over to the other girls before me.
After thirty minutes of practicing, it seemed like we were on the right track. We learned two of the four cheers and several of the routines. While we were all doing the new routine to our "Fire Up" cheer, Theresa sat down on the gym floor and looked at us like we were on drugs or something.
I went over to her and looked right in her face.
"Why are you not practicing like the rest of us? We are not taking a break, so you need to get up."
"Sorry sweetie, but I decided to take a break. I'm tired and this cheer is weak."
"Excuse me," Eva said. She was about to go over to Theresa, but Jessica held her back.
"I know she is not saying something about my cheer. I spent over two hours choreographing it."
"Two hours. Seemed like two seconds."
"What is your problem? Why do you have to be so mean to everyone?" I asked.
"I'm not being mean, I'm speaking the truth. Someone has to. Half the cheers we've done this year are crap, and I'm not going to do them," she said as she got up and went to the bench.
"You know what? I'm sick and tired of you and your attitude. You have no respect for anyone. Whatever your problem is, it going to stop right now."
Theresa looked at me and started laughing.
"Oh please, and what are you going to do about it?" she asked.
Ughh, why did she have to go and say that! As I looked at my friends, they knew that Theresa had finally pushed me over the edge. I went over to the bench and got in her face.
"You want to know what I'm going to do. Get up and I'll show you."
"Whatever, heifer."
"Oh I know she didn't," I said as I balled my hands into two fists.
I looked at her and gave her a swift punch across her jaw. The impact was so quick; I didn't even know I hit her. Theresa looked at me with a shocked look on her face, while my friends looked at me with an 'I'm- glad- she- did-that' look.
Theresa got up and shoved me, causing me to lose my balance. I quickly regained my posture and shoved her toward the blenchers. We looked at each other and we knew it was on. Minutes later, we were on the gym floor grabbing each other's hair and hitting each other so hard I felt like I was fighting in a wrestling match.
Eva looked at us with a panicky expression.
"You two need to stop! Mrs. Williams might walk in!" she yelled.
But we kept fighting. I suddenly noticed Theresa stopped hitting me. I thought she gave up because I was kicking her butt. As soon as I threw her against the wall, I noticed the cheerleading sponsor, Mrs. Williams, run into the gym.
"Stop it you two! What's going on?" she asked while pulling Theresa away from me. Eva grabbed a hold of me and held my arms behind my back.
"She started it! She practically just manhandled me like some animal!" Theresa yelled.
I looked at Theresa as if she had lost her mind.
"Is that true, Charlie?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"No. She started it with her attitude! She called me a heifer."
"I did not. You heard wrong," Theresa said.
Then to make matters worse, she clutched her arm and started wailing in pain.
"Oh God! I think my arm is broken."
"I do not believe this," Eva said silently.
"She broke my arm!" Theresa yelled.
"Okay, calm down Theresa. I'll send you to the nurse. As for you Charlie, I suggest you get your act together. You're supposed to set an example for the rest of the cheerleaders, and going around hitting people is not one of them."
"But Mrs. Williams, it was not my fault." Why all of a sudden was Theresa claiming her arm is injured?
"I want to press charges," Theresa said in tears.
I know she didn't say what I thought she said. She couldn't press charges! What have I done for her to press charges?
"Oh come on, Theresa. You cannot do that!" Eva yelled.
"She broke my arm. That's assault."
"Okay everybody, calm down. Now think about this, Theresa. You sure you want to press charges?" Mrs. Williams asked.
"I do not have to think about it. Charlie Perry should be placed in juvie for her reckless behavior. She always has been a menace ever since she's been at Parker. Someone needs to put an end to it."
I looked at Theresa and rolled my eyes. She's such a drama queen.
"If that's what you want, but I think you need to think about it."
"I don't have to. Besides, if I don't, my parents definitely will."
I sighed and turned my head to Eva.
"You can let me go now. I'm not going to do anything."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
Eva looked at me and then took her hands away.
I looked at Theresa with a mean look on my face and started to walk out of the gym.
At that point, I did not care if Theresa filed charges on me. She deserved to get her butt kicked, and I would do it again if I had the opportunity...
So that was the entire incident. That is why I'm in Mr. McCue's office, and why my parents are sitting beside me, ready to kill me.
The girls all tried to give convincing statements to Mr. McCue on what happened, but of course, Mr. McCue did not buy it. He wants to, but he has to believe everything Theresa says. There have been rumors around school that her parents give the school thousands of dollars to keep the campus afloat. So why would he get rid of the school's trust fund?
And after the school police came into the office and talked to Mr. McCue, I found out that Theresa was still going to file charges on me.
"This is ridiculous! Why would you believe anything she says? There were six witnesses in the gym that saw Theresa start it; so why am I on trial?"
"Because Miss Sherman has a broken arm while you barely have scratches."
"It's not my problem she can't fight," I said under my breath.
My mom heard what I mumbled, so she nudged my arm with hers.
"Charlie, all year you've been causing trouble; from back talking to your teachers, to this incident with Theresa. This is all making me wonder about you."
"What is that supposed to mean, Mr. McCue?" my dad asked while getting into Mr. McCue's face. From the looks of it, there was going to be another fight.
"Calm down, Mr. Perry. Now I see where Charlie gets her rage from."
"Okay Mr. McCue, you're getting out of hand now. Tell me why you have concerns over Charlie?" my dad asked angrily.
"The reason I said that is because Charlie is a great girl. She's an excellent student. Since she's achieving such great progress academically, she's able to maintain her extra-curricular activities. But her recent incidents with Theresa only make me think that maybe this time other discipline should be taken."
"So you'd rather let a girl, who is excellent in school, have a criminal record? As I recall, charges cannot be filed on a teenager for a physical altercation," said my mom.
I started to smile at how my parents were acting towards the principal from hell. Someone had to tell Mr. McCue off, so I was glad it was my parents.
"Will you calm down Mrs. Perry? As far as the charges go, I have nothing to do with that. Theresa and her parents have made it clear that they want to file charges. Besides, Miss Sherman was physically attacked; therefore, the charges stick."
"Is there any way we can talk to Theresa and her parents about this? Charlie is only seventeen," my dad said.
"You can try, but they refused to be in the same room with you or Charlie. Their minds are made up. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to call the police so they can come," Mr. McCue said. As he picked up his desk phone, my father went to Mr. McCue's desk and disconnected the phone line.
What are you doing, Mr. Perry?"
"Before you make that call, please hear me out."
Mr
. McCue sat down in his leather desk chair and gave my dad an annoyed look.
"I'm listening."
"I think what I'm about to say would help everyone involved. I believe instead of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman pressing charges on Charlie, maybe Charlie should transfer schools. That way Charlie won't have a criminal record, and she and Theresa would not be around each other."
I completely froze when my dad said that I should change schools. I can't believe he would suggest I transfer during the middle of my senior year! What about my friends? And homecoming? And prom?
"I'm not transferring, Dad. I rather have charges filed against me than go to another school."
"I understand you don't want to transfer, but I think it would be a good idea," my dad said.
"Mom, please tell me you don't agree to this? This is my senior year. I can't leave Parker during my senior year!"
My mom looked at me with a sad expression on her face. From the look she was giving me, I already knew her answer.
"No Mom. Do not agree to this."
"I'm sorry, baby, but I think this is a good idea too."
Mr. McCue looked at me, and then my parents.
"What you say Mr. McCue?" asked my dad.
"I think that could be arranged. If Charlie did have charges pressed against her, she could have been expelled from Parker. So this could work out for everyone."
"Figured you would say that. You'd rather me go, instead of the Bank of Sherman. If you disciplined Theresa, all the funds for the school would be cut off."
"Charlie!" my mom said in a surprised tone.
"Well, is it true?"
"That's not true Charlie and you know it," Mr. McCue said.
I looked at Mr. McCue and then my parents with a disgusted look.
As the three were discussing transfer procedures for me to go to the nearest school in the area, I slumped in my seat even lower.
Life as I knew it, is over.
2. Charlie
After Today's Events, all I wanted to do was crawl into my bed and never come out. I could not believe my parents would do something so foul to me. I'm not being spoiled, or throwing a temper tantrum; I understand they were looking out for me, but this is my senior year! This is supposed to be the happiest time in my high school life and now I have to spend it with strangers. After thirty minutes of discussing the transfer and informing the Sherman's of the new plan, they agreed to drop the charges. While Theresa gets the good end of the stick, I get stuck with the crap end. As I was on my way home, I called Eva to tell her that her best friend is no longer a student at Parker.
Our Love Page 1