Charlotte had to cough to get her mouth finally open. She felt like her tongue was glued to the roof of her mouth, and it made it incredibly hard to breath. Moreover, there was such an awful taste in her mouth that she started feeling sick when she's just opened her eyes.

Normally, when she was unwell like that, she would go and pour herself some water to drink and bring herself back to good senses. However, when she woke up today, she didn't see the old crack on the ceiling first thing. The room she was in looked unfamiliar and messy, but it wasn't what worried Charlie the most. Lying on the convertible sofa between two guys was her main concern.

Luckily for her, Charlie could remember what happened last night, even though everything was a tad hazy. She vaguely recalled driving off from work with Duff, having a weird brief conversation in the car and getting to his house but what happened soon after that? Charlie had no other way than to decide that she, Duff and Steven just got plain old tight on something prosy like vodka. She hasn't really drunk much alcohol before that night, usually just a beer or two, so she attributed the unpleasant feelings to a hungover. 

And also, another thing bothered her. The room was untidy to say the least, but she was lying fully dressed, and both guys had clothes on. So...that wasn't anything like an orgy, right?

Steven let out a sigh, and Charlie sat up to take a look at him. She had to remove Duff's hand from her thigh to do that, but he didn't seem to mind, partly because he was barely conscious.

Steven was smiling like a Cheshire cat in his sleep, and while he looked adorable with his puffy hair and little wrinkles around his eyes, something about his appearance didn't look quite right to Charlie. She fixed her eyes on him, and suddenly it clicked: there was a thin needle sticking out of the bend of his arm. 

- Shit, - she gasped in utter astonishment. To be perfectly honest, Charlie herself wasn't a stranger to illegal kinds of fun - especially now, having lived in LA for a few months - but the way Steven was fixing himself was terrifying. Terrifying  not because she's never seen people inject, but mostly since he made it look so casual. Just lying in the warm bed in the morning, squinting at the sunlight and getting doped up. Like it was everyday's business.

- He-eck, whatcha doing? - Steven uttered, lifting his eyelids. Charlie pretended to ignore him and gently pulled the needle out of his vein.

- Nothing.

- Don't take my rig! - Steven got up and reached out for the needle, - it's clean!

- Stupid, I'm not going to take anything. Maybe except for some water and aspirin, - she added after thinking for a moment. - Do you have a medicine chest or something like that?..

Steven only opened his mouth, but she already knew the answer.

- Jeez, what?

- I just mean, my head is splitting. Also, good morning, - Charlie couldn't help a giggle even though it caused buzzing in her ears, - sleep well?

- M-m, tried my best to. Sorry, have ya' seen my bennys?

- Pardon? 

- Candy we took tonight, - he explained, looking around. - Have you used 'em up?

Charlie liked how he behaved like that night wasn't even slightly out of order. If he told her with that face they've been watching Thunderbirds the whole evening, she'd probably believe him.

- I haven't touched anything, I've just woken up, can't you see? - she told him, licking her lips, - and can I finally get a glass of water, please?

- Well...

- Not from the toilet.

- Okay, come on, I'll try to find some, - Steven agreed, snickering. - Wanna get him up? - he nodded at Duff who was still sleeping peacefully. 

- How? We don't seem to bother him, actually.

- Kick him in the balls, - Steven advised, running his hand through his blonde locks, - it works when you need him quickly.

- Wha-at?

- Hi, - Duff suddenly sat up, making Charlotte spring back. He rubbed his eyes and gazed at her, - morning, Lottie. Was that dude persuading you to dust me up?

- Man, we were worrying you OD'd, that's it.

- Sweet of you, - Duff mumbled, - I bet you'd be the one searching my pockets for stash if I did, - he continued with a sly smile, - hey tiny, whatcha looking for, your purity ring?

Charlie, who was carefully inspecting the sideboard, turned around.

- I must have taken it off by accident when undressing, - she retorted, frowning, - oh, can't believe my eyes...

She finally found a misted bottle of Evian and took a sip. The water was warm but still nice to drink, and it definitely cleaned her head a little.

- Stop kidding me, you can't be that bad. It was easy, right, Popcorn?

- As light as a feather, - Steven confirmed. Charlie chuckled uncontrollably when she peered at him. He looked adorably weird, only wearing pajama pants and a LA Lakers cap. 

Somehow, talking to the guys wasn't as difficult as she expected. She usually got along with boys with ease, and the two now didn't seemed much different from her school pals. Definitely not so horribly egocentric, selfish and bitchy like the dudes Elle usually had it going with.

- Don't you wanna, like, thank us for the lovely evening we had? - Duff suggested out of blue, dangling his long legs.

Charlie's jaw dropped and she was about to say something in response, but Steven outstripped her.

- Excuse me? -he exclaimed, choking on his drink, - personally, I  didn't have anything with you, sir! Just didn't have enough courage to walk upstairs by myself, you know. Maybe I shouldn't have watched Aliens on the weekend...

- Mean, had it not been for me, you'd sat at your burger station till dawn, tiny - Duff corrected himself. Charlie noticed scarlet spots on his cheeks, and she wasn't sure whether they were signs of blushing or excessive drinking.

- M-m, that was nice, - she shrugged. Suddenly she wished she was wearing not her stupid uniform white shirt but something more fancy. 

- How do you feel? - Steven asked with an innocent smirk.

- Uh...Honored? You are trying to say that you could have picked any girl in the hood, but you've chosen me? Thank you very much, Mr McKagan!

- I need...to use the bathroom, - Steven lied tactfully and had it away. Charlie just hoped he wasn't listening to them at the other side of the door. She somehow didn't quite know where to put herself.

Fortunately, Duff spoke first, blowing rings of smoke.

- Look, Charlie, - he ground his teeth as if he was in pain, - I know I probably wasn't my best yesterday...

- No, you where fine, - she blurted abrubtly, but Duff disagreed by shaking his head.

- It's my bad. I think I should have asked you if you wanted to see me at least.

- What if I did?

- I...Fuck, but that's just...I kinda noticed you're not like the others...

- But that's what you say to every other girl, isn't it?

- No.

- Oh, okay...

Charlie started realizing where he was getting at, and it felt really awkward. She didn't knew if she should encourage him to continue, or stand up and go, or pretend nothing happened, or maybe take a sit next to him on that goddamned sofa?

- Every other girl would jump at me when I have just said hello. Would try to get my number and call me up the very moment you get home. Would say she's been a fan for years for a fuck.

- Does it wound your pride to meet somebody who doesn't put out for you first thing? Is that the matter? - Charlie arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips slightly. 

- Why are you always screwing things up? I didn't say so! Oh, you can go on, talk about how all guys are misogynistic pigs who are willing to rape you, - he spat out and drew on his cigarette.

- Sorry...- Charlotte shifted uncomfortably and undid a button on her collar which she suspected of making it hard to breathe. After some hesitation, she took a couple of shy steps in his direction. Duff patted the sofa beside him and she sat down. 

She fidgeted, rolling her shoulder. Duff stubbed out his cigarette and put his hand around her. His lips were close to her, his breath was almost tangible but she didn't move.

- I guess it's not the time I asked for a lighter?

Charlie heard the door being opened and turned her head. It was ajar, and she could make out Slash standing in the darkness of the corridor and Steven peeking over his shoulder.

She searched her pockets and pulled a lighter out, then handed it to Slash.

- You can leave it to yourself, - she added, smiling. Slash snorted but thanked her, and before he closed the door, they could see Steven drawing a heart in the air with his fingers. 

__________________________

♪ Nirvana - Love Buzz

Author's note: Sorry it took me so long to update! How do you like Charlie with Duff? Read, vote and comment!