It was sort of strange for Charlie to wake up without her virginity. When she imagined having sex, she usually expected herseld to feel different. However, now, lying in her huge bed next to Scott, she didn't feel more mature, neither did she feel like something was missing. It was the plain old same, with the exception for the linen that was dirty and crumpled.

Her first thought was to get up and put it in the washing machine before Elle arrives. However, having taken a glance on the clock, she understood it's morning already, and Elle must be home, too.

Scott was dreaming peacefully when Charlie disturbed his sleep by trying to make up her side of the bed. He quickly sat up and rubbed his eyes.

- G' morning, Chuckie! Had a good night's sleep?

Charlie didn't know why she blushed so hard she was nearly crimson.

- Hi Scott...Yeah, kinda...

- By the way, Chuck, tell me, it wasn't just my fantasy? - he asked in his morning voice with a devilish smirk, winking at her, - about yesterday's evening?

- Um...No.

- So I popped your cherry? - he didn't bother to hide a snicker of excitement, - good Good, that's so fucking weird!

Suddenly Charlie had a sharp sting of annoyance. Why is he making fun of her?

- There is nothing so fucking weird about that, - she retorted, folding her arms, - and I don't know why I seem so hilarious, frankly.

- But how are you...Chuck the Ripper! A virgin! - he buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

- Fuck off, Scott, I honestly didn't hope you would behave like a grown-up even that time! -Charlie exclaimed, pulling the blanket off him and exposing his half-naked body. - Get your ass up, I need to clean that!

- You know what you were like? "Oh my God, it hurts! Ouch, it's painful!" - he was still laughing. It made Charlie go up the wall, and she couldn't help hitting him in the face with a pillow.

- Shut up, your bloody idiot!

She didn't expect herself to get so angry, but now she was ready to scratch and bruise up his face. Scott was quicker as he succeeded in jumping up and grabbing her wrists. He pulled Charlie to him and gave her a long, tender kiss.

Now, when she was with him, he couldn't get enough of her. Charlie wasn't the same as she was long ago. She was not a tomboy, one of the guys any more. She was so kissable, tangible, touchable it made Scott dizzy. She was the best that was in this world, and she smelled like summer rain and bliss.

- Chuckie...Don't be pissed at me. I just wanted to say you're so fucking hot!

Charlie's never really been told she was hot before, so she didn't know what she was supposed to do. Make a reverence? Giggle? Give him a sexy smirk?

Eventually, she made a complicated gesture that she later undestood seemed awkward and pulled on a smile that looked more like a grimace of pain. Scott didn't mind that though as he only hugged her tighter and kissed her forehead.

- You kiss very good for a virgin, Chuck, - he whispered, tickling her cheek with his index finger. - Seriously, you kept me up all night!

Scott's lips touched hers. He was thinking about the things he's going to do to her. Charlie was thinking of the way Duff closed his eyes when he kissed.

***

All morning Charlotte couldn't fight of the feeling of regret for what she's done. Today Scott looked even sexier than yesterday, but Charlie was terribly unsure. She realized she couldn't replay that. Maybe it would have been better if she waited...Waited for Duff? No, she is not so stupid.

Scott gave her a passionate goodbye kiss, and the fact that he could be her boyfriend creeped Charlie out. Nevertheless, she put her stuff together and wished him a nice day.

There was some noise in Elle's room, and she went there.

When she opened the door, she could hardly make out the silhouettos of furniture pieces. The room was full of smoke, and it was so thick it made it hard to see. Also, there was an awfully strong smell of hay in the air. After standing in the doorway for a few minutes, Charlie understood Elle was lying in the bed with a joint in her hand.

- Who is 'dat, hun? - an unfamiliar unpleasant voice asked from the bed. Charlie squinted and saw a scruffy, grungy looking young man next to Elle. He seemed to be around twenty-seven or more, but he may actually be younger, just not looking his age.

- That's my flatmate, - Elle hissed slowly, turning on her stomach and covering herself with the blanket. Her lush hair was greasy and dishevelled, and her face looked greenish.

- What the heck are you doing? - Charlie was so taken aback she didn't think of going out and just stood goggling at them.

- Get the fuck outta here, you! - the guy made a turning-out gesture and frowned, - leave us alone!

- Hey John, don't be a dick to Charlie! - Elle started softly, putting her joint aside, but he harshly interrupted her by slapping her butt hard.

- Fuck off, little bitch, don't get in the way! You get the fuck out, now, don't get me started!

- Yes, m-m, Charlotte, could you please go out for a couple of minutes, we need to...how is that? Discuss something...

Elle seemed unusually tongue-tied and slow-reacting, and it kinda made Charlie prick up her ears. They haven't been seeing each other much lately, so Charlotte started to worry about her, but, as for now, there was no other way than to go to the living room and wait there.

Just after Charlie has closed the door behind herself, John turned Elle over so she was lying on her side and pulled her to him by grabbing her hair.

- Johnny, don't! I've been a good girl! - she shrieked, trying to pull away, bu he was much stronger, so he thrusted into her that very moment. It caused so much pain she wanted to scream, but he closed her mouth with his dirty hand.

- Now that's much better, - he concluded with a satisfied grin, pushing her away. Elle didn't say anything but was still, her spine covered with beads of sweat, her body trembling with rage. She wanted to cry of shame, but she couldn't.

- Okay, time to give the presents I promised you. I always keep my word, - he got up and rummaged in the pocket of his jacket, getting out a little plastic bag. He threw it to Elle, and she caught it so quickly as if her life depended on that. When she looked at what she got there, her face brightened up, and a childish happy beam appeared on her face.

- Thank you, Johnny! Thank you so much! I love you, Johhny.

She was sitting on the bed cross-legged, her eyes glowing. She was like a child unpacking his Christmas gifts.

- No need in that, you little motherfucking liar. Just call your Johnny if you need stuff or anything.

Charlie was switching TV channels in the living room, taking short glances at the door time by time. Apparently, Elle and that nasty guy were having very loud sex, and she didn't like that. She really wanted to talk to her, but they kicked her out.

Fortunately, after some time, the guy finally left, slamming the door. In a couple of minutes, Elle walked in the room in her night gown and a knitted jacket she only wore when she was ill.

- Hi again, Charle! - she greeted apologetically, her eyes dropping, - sorry it went like that with John...

- Yeah, it wasn't particularly nice, to be honest. Also, did you smoke crack in my room? It stinks like hell.

Charlie knew Elle smoked weed from time to time, but it didn't bother her as every second person was doing that in LA. Luckily for Elle, she hasn't been paying much attention ti the scars and track marks on the crooks of her elbows, or to the amount of time she'd spend in the bathroom.

- Ugh, sorry. I will open the window.

- Who is that flake? He looks like a total creep, - Charlie arched a brow, watching her friend take a seat. Elle tried to make a friendly, carefree expression.

- Ah, nobody. He just told me he knows Tarantino, and he could introduce me to him one day if I show I'm worthy.

- Worthy there? In bed? And is he like, his pot dealer? He smells like vomit, Ellie. I'd threw up at him.

- Oh, never mind. He doesn't really get on my nerves, he's fine. Better guess, who did I meet today?

- Who?

- Mr Axl Rose himself! I was hanging around at the Roxy, and he approached me! Mumbling something about how sorry he was...

- And you?

- I told him to fuck off! - Elle announced joyfully, - just went and said: "Fuck off, Axl Rose, you make me sick"! Turned on my heels and walked out!

- Stupid! How don't you understand he's the one you need?!

- Of course I understand, silly. I just know it turns him on!

Elle went on talking about how she met Cher in the ladies' bathroom, obviously making things up. She was happy. Charlie was hardly listening to her, wondering whether her refusal also turned Duff on.

__________________________

♪ White Stripes - Ball And Biscuit

Author's note: so she's still thinking about him! And do you think Elle has any chance to make it with Axl? Read, comment, vote!

By the way, does anybody also love White Stripes? Seriously, if you haven't heard of them, go listen. They were fantastic!