Uneasy Love

From Charlie's Point of View

I sneak my bag from target into my backpack. I don't want to explain to pops and dad why I'm getting makeup.

Pops looks at me, "all set then buddy?"

I nod, "yeah."

Once we get to school, I scan the halls.

I'm looking for Shelby.

I smile when I see her.

I gently link arms with her, pulling her into a bathroom. I check the stalls.

I open my bag and dig around for the makeup, "I don't know much about make up so I just got you some stuff I thought would be nice."

She smiles and gently squeezes my hand, "that's okay Char."

I give her the bag softly, staring into her gorgeous brown eyes, "I just want you to feel like you."

She wraps an arm around me, "thank you Charlie."

I give her a soft hug, "it's not a problem."

She steps back out into the hall. I stand there for a second before I follow her.

I stare at her. If she only knew I absolutely love her.

She looks back at me.

I get my books and head to class.

She sits beside me.

The teacher calls attendance and I wince when, "Sheldon" rolls off her lips.

Shelby raises her hand, "present."

I rub my eyebrow, a little stressed out by the situation. She's out but not aggressive about her identity.

I keep my eyes down, "it's bullshit."

The teacher looks at me, "watch your language."

Shelby pokes my arm very softly, "Charlie don't do that okay?"

I slowly draw her a picture, giving her the long hair, she desires. And the eyebrow piercing. I slip it over onto her desk.

She smiles at me.

I gather my things when home room let's out.

Shelby and I are friends but not partners.

The day passes slowly like school days usually do.

I'm standing outside waiting for dad. That's how our schedule usually goes. Pops drops us off and dad picks us up.

Shelby meets me outside, "hey."

I look at her, "hey."

She looks at me for a minute and then down at her feet, "can I bum a ride?"

I nod, "dad won't mind."

We stand there for a minute in silence.

I look at her, "how was your day?"

She sighs, "long and tiring. What about yours?"

I sigh too, "boring."

She motions, "I sure it is on the off season."

I stare into her eyes, trying to build up my courage to tell her. To tell her that I love her.

Dad pulls up and I shake my head to clear the idea.

I open the door. Adora comes running with Jake.

I wait for them.

Jake looks at me, "hey it's my job to open the door for my princess."

I shrug, "I opened it for Shelby."

Jake looks in, "hey Shelby."

We all get in and I decide to sit up front.

Adora kisses Jake's cheek when we drop him off, "see ya later sweetheart."

Jake kisses her cheek, "let me know when you get home safely baby."

I look at the road.

Dad looks over at me, "are you okay buddy?"

I shrug, "doesn't matter."

Dad drives in quiet.

When we pull up to Shelby's house, she comes around and I roll down my window.

She looks at me, "I'll see you tomorrow at school, Charlie."

I nod a little, "yeah. I'll see you tomorrow Shelbs."

Shelby's dad comes out and yells, "Sheldon, get your fucking ass in the house right now."

I huff as Shelby hurries to the door, "that guy is a fucking dick head."

Dad clears his throat, "language."

I scowl at him, "I cuss sometimes Zachary."

The car falls silent and I kind of regret calling him Zachary. I know it hurts his feelings when I do that.

When we get home, I storm off to my room and slam the door. I discard my book bag by the door and climb in bed with my phone and ear buds.

I lay back and put on some music, letting it drag me out of my thoughts.

I lay there for a while until my phone rings.

I check it before I answer.

I swipe to answer, "hey Shelby..."

Her voice is soft, "can I come over?"

I bite my lip softly, "let me ask dad."

I slip from my bedroom and into the kitchen where he is, "hey dad... can Shelby come over?"

He gives me a look, "after the way you disrespected me earlier, you still have the audacity to ask?"

He looks back to the dinner he's working on, "yes. I'll have Clark grab her on the way home."

I talk into the phone, "pops is going to pick you up Shelbs. I'll see you when you get here."

Once I've hung up, I come up beside dad.

He is dialing pops.

I hear a little bit of what he says when he answers.

Dad smiles, "hey baby, can you stop by and grab Shelby? She's coming over for a bit."

There's some sound on the other end of the line, obviously pops answering his question.

Dad smiles, "okay handsome, I love you. I'll see you when you get home."

The call ends and he continues with dinner.

He doesn't look at me, "what is it buddy?"

I stare at my hands, "how do you get someone to like you?"

He sets his stirring spoon to the side and turns to face me, "you be yourself. But little gifts is sometimes nice too."

I rub the back of my neck, "how do you know if someone likes you back?"

He smiles, "sometimes it's obvious and sometimes it's subtle. There's not an exact way to know."

He is quiet for a few seconds and the his tone changes a little, "I know you're grown up and you're 18. I know feelings can be overwhelming but I don't like when you call me Zachary just because you're mad."

I look at him, before gently giving him a hug, "I'm sorry dad. I know it hurts your feelings."

He hugs me tight and rubs my back, "it's Shelby isn't it?"

I pull from the hug, "what is?"

He gives me a little knowing smile, "that you like?"

I look around for a second, "it is."

He rests a hand on my shoulder, "I support you in the pursuit of her but from what I've gathered from her being around, she's not interested in dating anyone right now."

I nod a little, "but I'd wait for her."

The door opens after a bit and pops comes in after Shelby.

Shelby has her bag over her shoulder, "hello Mr. Adler. Hey Charlie."

Dad smiles at her, "hey Shelby, and again Zachary is fine."

I nod towards the doorway, "we'll be in my room dad, pops. I know the rules, girls over and the door has to be cracked."

Pops stares at us for a second, "good."