FOURTEENTH
CHARLIE
The morning sun barely filters through my curtains when I wake up, a mix of dread and determination settling in my stomach. Today is the day I face Jack. My thoughts are a tangled mess, but I know I need to see him, to hear his explanations in person. I need closure, one way or another.
I dress quickly, choosing a simple sweater and jeans. Practical and comfortable, nothing that stands out too much. I can’t afford to feel any more self-conscious than I already do. As I walk to the coffee shop, my mind races with a thousand possibilities of how this meeting could go. None of them seem to end well.
The coffee shop is buzzing with activity when I arrive. The familiar smell of coffee beans and baked goods fills the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I scan the room, my eyes landing on Jack. He’s sitting at a corner table, looking every bit as handsome as I remember. His dark hair is slightly tousled, and he’s wearing a navy sweater that brings out the intensity of his eyes.
As I approach, the door chime rings and the opening chords of Sabrina Carpenter’s "Please Please Please" begin to play softly in the background. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, everything else fades away. The song’s melody seems to underscore the tension between us, the unspoken words and emotions hanging heavy in the air.
“Charlie,” he says, standing up as I reach the table. His voice is a mixture of relief and apprehension.
“Jack,” I reply, testing the name on my tongue. It feels strange, unfamiliar.
“Please, sit,” he gestures to the chair opposite him. I take a seat, my heart pounding in my chest.
We sit in silence for a moment, the song playing softly in the background, wrapping us in its melancholy tune. Finally, he speaks.
“I know you’re angry, and you have every right to be,” he starts, his eyes searching mine. “I never meant for things to get this far without telling you the truth. I was afraid of losing you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me the first time you recognized me?” I ask, my voice surprisingly steady. “You had so many chances.”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I mean... every time I talk to you, it's obvious that you hate me.”
“Oh, yeah. You’re not wrong,” I snap, the frustration and hurt bubbling up. “You lied to me, Jack. You pretended to be someone else. How can I trust anything you say now?”
His expression softens, and he leans forward slightly. “Charlie, I never wanted to deceive you. I just... I didn’t know how to approach you as myself. And once we started talking, I couldn’t bear the thought of you finding out the truth and hating me even more.”
“So you thought lying was the better option?” I ask, incredulous. “You thought pretending to be someone else would make this easier? I mean, I am pretending to be Jessica because it is my job. What I don't understand, is why didn't you tell me?”
“No,” he says quickly. “I knew it was wrong. I just didn’t know how to fix it without losing you completely.”
The sincerity in his eyes catches me off guard. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my swirling emotions. “So what now? How do we move forward from this?”
“I want to earn your trust back,” he says earnestly. “I know it won’t be easy, and it might take a long time. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Just give me a chance to make things right.”
I look down at the table, the words swirling in my mind. “But you still lied,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.
“I did,” he admits. “And I’ll regret that for the rest of my life. But please, believe me when I say I never meant to hurt you. Everything I told you as WarmNights was true. The feelings were real.”
I look up at him, my anger slowly giving way to a glimmer of understanding. “No more lies,” I say firmly. “No more secrets. If we’re going to move forward, I need complete honesty from you.”
He nods, his expression serious. “I promise. No more lies, no more secrets.”
A small, teasing smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You know, you’re even more intimidating in person when you’re angry.”
I raise an eyebrow, not quite ready to let go of my frustration. “And you’re even more frustrating in person when you’re being charming.”
He chuckles, a sound that’s both familiar and strangely comforting. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I take another deep breath, feeling a tentative sense of hope. This isn’t going to be easy, but maybe it’s a start.
“Okay,” I say, meeting his eyes. “Let’s see where this goes.”
A small, hopeful smile spreads across his face. “Thank you, Charlie. You won’t regret this.”
As we sit there, the song in the background fades, replaced by the chatter of the coffee shop and the clinking of cups. I lean back. "So, why the sudden change? Why tell me now?"
He gives me a soft, shy smile. "I want to court you."
I snap. "Shut up, your brother just told you that you are a womanizer. Don't mess with me, Jack-ass."
His face falls slightly, but he quickly recovers, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Eddie has a big mouth,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “Look, I know I have a past, but I want to move forward. With you.”
I narrow my eyes, studying his face for any sign of deceit. “Why should I believe you? Why should I trust you now?”
“Because I’m here, sitting in front of you, ready to take whatever you throw at me,” he says earnestly. “I’m not running away, and I’m not hiding anymore. I’m here, Charlie, and I’m ready to prove myself to you.”
His words hang in the air between us, heavy with meaning. I can see the sincerity in his eyes. “You’ve got a long way to go, Jack,” I say quietly. “This isn’t something that can be fixed overnight.”
“I know,” he says, nodding. “And I’m prepared for that. I just need a chance to show you that I’m serious.”
I sit back, crossing my arms. “No. It’s not enough.”
His face pales. “Charlie, please—”
“I need time,” I interrupt, standing up. “I need space to think. Alone.”
Without another word, I turn and walk out of the coffee shop, my heart heavy. The cool morning air hits my face, a stark contrast to the warmth inside. I hear the door chime behind me and Jack’s footsteps following closely. “Charlie, wait!” he calls after me.
I quicken my pace, not wanting to face him right now. “Just leave me alone, Jack,” I say over my shoulder.
He doesn’t give up. “Please, just let me explain—”
“There’s nothing more to explain,” I cut him off, my voice firm. “You lied to me. I don’t know if I can ever trust you again.”
“Give me a chance to make it right,” he pleads, his voice breaking.
I stop and turn to face him, my eyes blazing. “Jack, I can’t deal with this right now. I need time. Please respect that.”
He looks at me, pain etched in his features, but he nods. “I’ll give you time, Charlie. But I won’t give up.”
I don’t respond. I just turn and walk away, leaving him standing there, a lost puppy in the middle of the sidewalk. The next few days are a blur. Jack texts me, calls me, even shows up outside my classes, but I ignore him. I need space to think, to process everything.
But he doesn’t make it easy. He’s persistent, always there, always trying to get my attention. Every time I turn around, there he is, with that same hopeful look in his eyes. It’s infuriating, but also strangely endearing.
"Who's that guy outside our room?" Rod asked me one time. "You know him?"
I stared outside the window beside me. "Nah, just a lost puppy looking for his mom."
"And you're the mom?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Sort-of."
*****