Chasing Charli

by Quinn, Aneta

  I quickly pull out my phone and peek at the screen.

  Jax: He’s laying it on a little thick isn’t he?

  I glare at the screen momentarily before quickly replying, regretting it as soon as I hit the send button because I sound like a total bitch.

  Me: Why would you suddenly care Jax?

  “Who was that?” Drew asks and for whatever reason, that seems to bug me.

  “No-one important” I say kind of hoping that Jax hears that, wherever he may be hiding.

  “Sorry, you just don’t look too happy at whatever you saw” Drew says shrugging and the group continues their conversation.

  I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket again but this time I ignore it.

  After a half hour or so the conversation dies down and a few people leave to get ready for the party.

  “I guess I should go too” I finally say to Drew and smile up at him, but before I can walk away he grabs my hand and pulls me a little closer to him. He really is laying it on thick and I can’t help but laugh.

  “Drew…” I start to say.

  “Let me guess, you already like someone else?” he asks and quirks his eyebrow, but I can hear the teasing tone in his voice.

  “Well no…yes”

  He simply smiles back at me as he brushes some hair behind my ear.

  I can feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket and know someone’s calling me. I could only guess who that someone would be. Well at least he's decided to give me more than a few words at a time.

  “Look Drew. I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am, but I don’t want to lead you on, or give you the wrong impression.”

  He sighs and drops his hold on my waist, “I get it. No harm done Charli” he says before grinning a little and nudging my arm.

  “So I’ll see you tonight then?” I ask, a little unsure whether I’m still invited.

  “Of course” he says, gives me a quick hug, and then waves as I turn and walk away.

  Once I’m a short distance away I look at my phone as I’m walking back to the apartment. I open up Jax’s latest message, ignoring his missed call.

  Jax: I've always cared. Don't get distracted with him yeah?

  He always cared? Maybe, but not in the way I hoped he would. I know he’s referring to me getting distracted around him the other day when he almost kissed me and it kind of pisses me off. I only got so distracted because it was Jax that was about to kiss me. He's the only one that seems to do that. Wait, is he saying I’m easy?

  Before I realise though since I’m too busy scowling at my phone, I walk into someone. I look up, about to apologise and see Jax standing there, holding my arm so I don’t fall back.

  I forget the apology and my eyes narrow to a glare before I step around him and continue walking home, trying my hardest to ignore him.

  He jogs a little to catch up to me and then keeps up with my steady pace since one of his steps easily matches two of mine.

  “What did I do now?” he asks.

  I shoot him another quick look before finally sighing and answering – “Nothing", I can’t stay mad at him.

  “So…you’ve got a party to go to tonight?” he asks, not like he doesn’t know the answer already.

  “Yes, do I need permission for that?”

  “No, of course not Charli. Just…be careful okay?”

  “I’m always careful Jax. I learn from the best” I say and nudge him, trying to seem like I wasn't fazed by his two word vocabulary for the past few days.

  “There’s my girl” he says with a smirk and wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me in to his side as we walk the rest of the way home.

  “I missed your attitude” he finally says, “You’ve been too well behaved lately. Messaging me when you’re supposed to an all that.”

  “I was just trying to make your job easier” I say, enunciating the word job for extra effect. Maybe as a reminder that that was exactly what I was to him.

  “Shut up Charli” he jokes and pulls me a little closer, “You know you’re more than a job to me. Is that why you’ve been avoiding me like I’m some kind of leper?” he says, eyeing me suspiciously.

  “I guess” I answer, not knowing what else to say and shrug.

  We walk for a few more minutes in silence, not the awkward kind though which is good. He still has his arm wrapped nice and securely around me which has me grinning like an idiot on the inside; on the outside I have my best poker face on.

  “Can you not follow me around tonight?” I ask quickly, hoping he won’t put up a fuss about it either.

  He looks more confused than angry and I’m a little relieved.

  “Why?” he asks.

  “I just want a tiny sense of normalcy. I don’t want to get hundreds of messages from you laughing at me or the people I’m with” I finish with a sigh.

  Okay that all sounds stupid. Honestly I just don’t want him following me. If he was there, I’d rather he actually come hang out with me there, have a drink and unwind, but for some reason I already know what his answer would be if I offered that option.

  He shrugs and then nods slightly. We say no more the rest of the way and I practically bite my lip off, wondering what’s going on inside that gorgeous head of his.

  Jackson

  I pace my apartment living room, nudging the punching bag every time I pass it. I know that right now one floor below me Charli’s getting ready, which means she’s doing her hair and her makeup and probably dressing in something far too sexy for her own good. I can’t even begin to imagine what she might wear to a party that doesn’t consist of champagne and her mums uptight company.

  I know I said I wouldn’t follow her tonight, give her a sense of privacy, but I can’t just sit around here driving myself nuts, wondering whose eyes are following her and whose hands try to touch her. Fuck why didn’t I just kiss her the other night? It’s been driving me crazy this whole week and I’ve been non-stop calling myself stupid.

  At first I thought it was a good thing that she’d distanced herself from me, but the longer she kept it up, the more it fucking drove me nuts. Seeing that guy Drew wrap his arms around her today, I pretty much gave away my position and jumped out to get her like a caveman. Even messaging her was stupid, but when I saw her eyebrows scrunch together and the little scowl appear on her face I couldn’t help but smirk.

  I know I’m getting to her, and she thinks that the only reason I stopped myself was because I don’t want her like that; God if she only knew.

  I keep an eye out through the window on to the street and keep telling myself that if I see her get into a cab, I’d let her go on her own since it would be too hard to follow, but if she decided to walk, I had to go, it was my duty to make sure she got there fine; or so I keep telling myself anyway.

  What she didn’t know was that I had a tracker in her phone, that I could locate her with a simple app. Okay I know I sound like the biggest stalker right now, but it wasn’t my idea to put it there, it was her mums. She made it clear to me that I had to keep an eye on Charli every second of every day, even if she begged and persuaded me not to follow her. Maybe she knew how stubborn Charli really was deep down. At first I thought she was completely going over board, but it kind of came in handy when Charli tried to out run me. Her mum made sure I put one in her new phone too.

  I look out the window for the hundredth time and finally see her make her way out. I groan when I see how perfect she looks. Her hair is down all wavy and she’s wearing a tight dress that hugs her absolutely everywhere. It’s a deep blue colour from what I can see and isn’t too revealing since it’s long sleeved and not too low cut; it’s still pretty fucking incredible on her though.

  Fuck this. I quickly grab my keys and make my way out onto the street, keeping my distance once I’m finally out there.

  I look at the tracker app on my phone to make sure I’m heading in the right direction and notice its flashing back in her apartment; she’s left her phone at home. What the fuck is
she thinking, what if she needed to get a hold of me? Was I over thinking this? Jesus I was sounding worse than her mum. What’s the worst that could happen right?

  I pick up my pace to make sure I don’t lose her and watch her the entire way to Drew’s place; my eyes roaming down her legs on more than one occasion. I finally sigh in relief when I see her walk up the steps of Drew’s place. It’s a two storey solid brick house that looks more like a mini mansion than a home; with steps that lead to the front porch with giant pillars on the sides. I find a quiet spot across the street in a park; hopefully since the place isn’t too well lit no-one will see me camping out here like the creepy pervert that I was starting to become.

  The longer I sit here the crazier the party was getting, the typical loud music blaring through the windows and open front door, and a few drunks hanging out on the front patio and steps smoking.

  I sigh and sit down on the cold ground, watching, waiting, and hoping to god no-one touches a single hair on her pretty little head.

  5. Should I stay or should I go?

  Charli

  After a few shots of tequila I was on the verge of being drunk, this led to me somehow ending up outside dancing with a whole group of people for a good hour or so. There were so many people that it was pretty much bodies pressed against one another, wriggling around to the music.

  I realise that this is the first time I’ve been to a party and had more than one drink since the whole crazy murder mess and it was such a relief to be out of the house.

  I know in the back of my mind that even though I asked him not to follow me, I know Jax is out there waiting, keeping an eye on things. I feel bad since I have no idea how long I’ll be out but it’s his own fault. I asked him not to follow me, so if he thinks it’s necessary than he can sit out there and suffer since he can’t take my request seriously.

  Okay I automatically feel guilty for even thinking that and even guiltier for him being out there on his own. I realise he actually has the worst job in the world, having no life of his own since he has to constantly watch over me. I’m going to have to sort something out, like give him a night off babysitting me, even if I take him out drinking somewhere so he can relax a little. If I don’t give him a break he’ll end up shooting me himself just to get away from having to watch over me all the time.

  I wriggle my way through the crowd and take a look around at all the drunken faces. There’s people dancing outside and drinking by a table set up to resemble the bar, some people grinding up against each other on some seats, and then I notice a guy leaning casually against a tree with a beer in his hand. Has he been staring at me this whole time? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but he seems vaguely familiar. He’s still looking right at me as he sips his beer and I realise I’m standing frozen to the spot amongst the dancing bodies. Suddenly this party is the last place I want to be. I head inside and make my way through the kitchen, unfortunately Drew spots me from the stairs and heads over.

  “You came Charli!” he says and picks me up in his usual bear hug. I can smell the whiskey on him and I shiver. The polo douchebag that cheated on me that night used to always smell like whiskey and I hated it; whiskey and cigarettes. Surprising that his darling mummy didn’t mind, or maybe he just doused himself in shitty aftershave before he went home after a night out.

  I pull away a little and then frown “actually I’m gonna head off” I say and shrug.

  “But you only just got here” he sulks like a little kid, how unattractive; maybe I’m just comparing him to Jax.

  “Actually I’ve been here like 2 hours already” I practically yell so he can hear me over the music.

  “Alright then, well at least let me walk you out. I’d say I’ll walk you home but I can’t really leave my own party” he shrugs as though that’s a perfect enough reason; what a charmer. Let the lone girl walk home alone at night. I guess I feel safe because I know Jax is out there, but then again maybe he did actually listen to me and stayed home; good one Charli you idiot. I pat my pockets quickly and realise I didn’t bring my phone to call Jax either. Jesus sometimes I wonder at how I haven’t fallen into such a stupid situation sooner because I sure can be one stupid reckless idiot.

  We take the steps slowly down the front porch and I realise his arm around me is probably more to keep himself stable, not because he wants to hold me and I laugh at having to hold him up.

  “You’re so sexy when you laugh, you know that Charli?” he slurs slightly which makes me laugh even harder.

  Before I know it though his lips are on mine and I’m frozen in place, his arm still around me tightly.

  I push away feebly but then give up since he seems to be done anyway so I step back a little and shake my head.

  “I’ll forgive you only because you’re absolutely smashed Drew” I say, pointing my finger at him. I can’t help but laugh again though at how stupid I look telling him off. He grins at me when I laugh so I shove his arm.

  “Go up and enjoy your party stupid” I say and push him again, back towards the house.

  He grins at me and then waves before stumbling his way back up the steps.

  I look around into the dark street squinting, trying to see if he’s out there. I can’t see him so I risk looking stupid and say “Jax, you out there?”

  I don’t know whether that’s a bad idea, giving him away but my instincts have been throwing big red flags up ever since I saw that guy against the tree, or maybe I was just too drunk and coming off paranoid.

  I get no reply and he doesn’t come out of hiding, if he’s even out here, so I start walking home. I pick up the pace and keep my eyes scanning the streets the whole way home just in case. Maybe he was annoyed that Drew kissed me - highly unlikely.

  Once I’m at the apartment blocks I sigh with relief, and I rush into the elevators. It pings once it reaches level 6 and I step out. I’m heading towards my apartment when I hear someone clear their throat behind me and I know before I even turn around to face the stairwell that it’s Jax.

  “Interesting evening?”

  “You know spying is frowned upon Jax” I tease but am remotely relieved knowing he was out there while I walked home.

  “I wasn’t spying Miss Valentine; I was just keeping an eye out for you to make sure you got back okay, since you decided to leave your phone behind. What if there was an emergency?” he says sounding semi-professional and annoyed, running a hand through his scruffy hair.

  I can’t help but smile. “Miss Valentine? Why are you being so formal with me Jax?”

  “This isn’t funny Charli. Do I need to start following you around everywhere?”

  “Knowing you, you probably already do. I thought you said I was safe here. Why are you freaking out now?” I say but since I drank an obscene amount of alcohol I start to grin and laugh a little.

  “Nothing…I just…you need to be more careful. Just remember to take your phone with you okay?”

  I realise now that he’s probably in this shitty mood because he saw Drew kiss me. I don’t even get why he would be pissed at that; a) I didn’t kiss Drew back and b) why would he care anyway? He had every opportunity to kiss me and he didn’t, so he shouldn’t give a shit.

  “Okay I’m sorry. I’ll make sure I have my phone on me at all times in case of emergencies” I say and roll my eyes.

  I feel like a naughty child, even though he’s barely 4 years older than me, it feels like he’s my dad telling me off for something stupid.

  “Good night Charli” he finally says with a sigh and makes his way back up the stairs to his apartment.

  I sigh again and then walk towards my apartment door, letting my head drop and hit the door. I have my palms pressed flat against it and I breath in deeply, trying to calm myself and steady my drunk wobbly legs.

  I pull away from the door and pat the pockets in my dress, realising that not only had I not taken my phone, but I didn’t take my keys with me either.

  “Shit.”

  I sigh so dee
ply I swear I almost pass out from lack of oxygen, because I know the only thing I can do now is go up to Mr angry pants’ apartment and apologise some more.

  I wobble my way up to his floor trying to keep my balance in my high shoes, and try my hardest not to fall down the stairs.

  I take a deep breath before I reach his door and just stand there staring at it for what feels like an eternity.

  I reach out and knock lightly then wobble a little again, so I reach out and put my hands against his door. I can’t hear anything so I press my ear up against it to listen as well. I knock again a little harder this time, and keep my ear to the door. I can hear muffled footsteps and then almost fall through the door when he yanks it open.

  I stumble a little and then practically jump back, knocking my head against the door when I see him standing there in nothing but a towel. Well that’s just fucking fantastic, I interrupted his shower, and to top it off now I’m picturing him naked.

  My eyes are practically glued to his chest and then slide down to his hand, bunching the towel up and holding it tight so it doesn’t fall down. Oh dear lord, Jax half-naked and glistening from the water is doing strange things with my libido. My hand itches to reach out and yank that towel away.

  Instead I rub the side of my head from where I hit it against the door and realise my mouth is wide open; he just looks amused.

  He’s dripping wet from the shower and his hair, believe it or not is messier than usual; bits sticking up here and there as if he was trying to pull his hair out, I can’t help but laugh at that.

  “Did you come up here just to laugh at me while my hot water wastes away?” he smirks at me.

  “I…uh…I locked myself…out…out of my apartment that is” I manage to get out and mentally slap myself. Could I sound any stupider? I snap my mouth shut and look up at his face.

  Don’t look down, don’t look down, whatever you do don’t look down I repeat in my head.

  My gaze slowly drifts down his chest but then I quickly force my eyes back up to his face. I can tell he’s trying hard not to laugh.

  “You want my spare keys, or you want to stay here?”