Playing with Balloons & Roses

After an hour and fifteen minutes stacked with derisions, mockery and plenty of shenanigans, the basement is finally organized to the young fella's liking. The two high school students, who are now coated under sheen layers of sweat, head upstairs with the amicable golden retriever on their heels. Ethan fills up Maxwell's bowl and offers Charlie a chilled water bottle from the refrigerator.

Without reluctance, she accepts. Her head falls back, and in roughly thirty seconds, she empties the entire thing. A little bit of the liquid dribbles down the side of her mouth and then slithers along the veins on her neck.

Sounds like one of those overplayed, seductive scenes in the movies, doesn't it? How freaking cliché, yet extremely effective. Tearing off a napkin from the roll on the counter, Ethan holds out the sheet for her to take. His eyes are averted and focused on the microwave instead. Charlie glances at it, and wipes the water with the back of her hand.

"When's Layna supposed to get back? It's getting late, isn't it?"

"It's only twenty past nine. It's not that late." He disagrees, lowering his arm when he realizes that she isn't going to take the napkin. "Besides, it's not like any of them are driving. They'll be fine." While they lived in Stowe, the number of citizens over fifty wasn't high. This meant that his grandmother didn't have too many friends her age there that she could spend her time with.

In South Burlington, however, the supply of companions for Layna to bond with seems endless. Ethan is grateful that the woman can get to live life a little more vividly now, especially with people in her age group, people who can understand her. It hasn't been that long since they moved here, but he could see how much happier she is. She means the world to him, and he is determined to make sure her life will be easy from here on out.

God knows the two of them have been through hell and back.

"Just wanted to make sure," says Charlie as she disposes the plastic container into the recycling bin. "If that's it, I should probably get home to my impending doom." An army of shivers marches up her spine at the mere thought of the dreadful work she has to complete before the sun awakens tomorrow. She makes her way towards the front door and Ethan trails her from behind.

"You aren't hungry or anything?" He queries. They did use up a shit-ton of energy moving everything. He would be cool with ordering pizza for them or something. It's the least he could do.

"Nah, I'm good. I had dinner before I came over." She narrates, grabbing the knob and twisting it. The door opens and the cool night air welcomes her with open arms.

"Oh, okay." Ethan stops at the threshold and leans up against the frame.

Charlie swivels around on her heels with a coy simper dangling on her lips. "You sound sad," she comments impishly. "Are you going to miss me when I'm gone?" She's only joking with him. Ethan is aware of that fact, yet he is still baffled and can't prevent his cheeks from tinting pink. Is this how the girls he flirts with feel? Talk about a taste of his own medicine.

Quickly, he regains his composure and manages to scoff. "As if. Look who's got the big head now."

"That would still be you, Moron-dozo." Charlie cackles before she skips down the stairs. Without glancing back, she sends him a lazy wave. "Catch you in the morning," she hollers.

Collapsing onto the couch with a tiny smile, Ethan's phone randomly goes off and detaches him from his train of thoughts. He isn't expecting a call. The colors in his face drain completely. He is as pale as Casper the Friendly Ghost upon identifying who is trying to get into contact with him.

It's Olivia.

His insides get twisted up and a lump forms in his throat.

What should he do?

He recalls Charlie's deep, sentimental and woefully inspiring words. She's right. Everyone does have both good and bad bestowed in them, even him. He has made mistakes (still does), who hasn't? It's part of being human. He shouldn't run away from this anymore. It wouldn't benefit anybody.

Maybe... maybe it's time for him to face reality. He could only go so far before his legs give out and fail on him.

His thumb hovers over the green call button, but at the last possible second, Ethan decides to defy and go against his conscience. The devil in him has always managed to overshadow its angelic counterpart. He silences the device, places it on the coffee table and closes his eyes.

And just like that, the problems that have been sitting idly in the back of his mind up until now force their way to the forefront.

* * *

In the morning, Charlie and Ethan are strolling side by side in the school's parking lot. They're in the middle of actively discussing the Star Wars Battlefront Beta that's been released. The boy isn't an adamant fan, like she is, but even he has to admit that the computer graphics from the game are sweet.

Fully indulged in the conversation, they do not take notice of the rowdy crowd nestled at the main entrance of the facility.

The spectators grow silent when they spot Charlie. All of their gazes are glued to her. It's like the rest of the students don't exist, while she carries on communicating with Ethan. He is the first one to become alert of the cluttered environment. The attention certainly stupefies him. Soon, he is consumed by quietness upon registering what he's stumbled into.

His disengagement causes the girl to furrow her brows.

Her eyes separate from his face and she looks straight to see what Ethan's so intrigued with. Immediately, Charlie discovers what has gotten his tongue tied. A huge banner is strung up above the doors with the words: 'Will You Go to Homecoming with Me?' painted on it. That's not the worst part either.

A ginormous, bold arrow is also present; it's pointing down and voila, standing beneath it is Hayden fucking Knight. In his possession are heart-shaped balloons and a bouquet of white roses.

Cheesy and unoriginal doesn't even cut it.

Hell, the guy probably copied the banal idea from the damn internet!

Charlie isn't suffering from Alzheimer's disease. She only has three concussions on her medical record (all being minor) as well. Therefore, she can easily recollect saying she wouldn't go to homecoming with him. But what does he go and do? He goes and prepares this recycled, public proposal in front of the entire student body!

Is he trying to give her a premature death? 'Cause she's ten seconds away from having a stroke induced by rage!

How many times does he plan on going behind her back like this? Hayden's inconsiderate behavior is starting to piss Charlie the off! The world, as they know it, will be no more because of him and his idiotic actions. She is on the brink of obliterating and annihilating anything (and anyone) located within a hundred yard radius of her and it will be his fault!

The first victim, who will obviously fall prey to her deadly wrath, would be her supposedly perfect boyfriend, of course!

Being disregarded repeatedly is something she hates. This is the second strike against Hayden. Another one and he's out. With slow steps, Charlie walks up to him. He is sporting an uneasy expression, which tells the girl he is well aware of the consequences that will ensue when they are alone. Everyone has their phones out, capturing the moment. They might find this scene romantic and swoon-worthy, but she doesn't.

Despite wanting to punch Hayden in the throat, Charlie restrains herself. Why is she putting up with this bullshit again?

Right, her fucking conscience.

"Charlie," Hayden swallows. Yeah, it's unforgivably terrible of him to ambush her like this. He's not going to lie. However, the girl is as stubborn as a boulder! He has no other alternatives except for this.

She can wring his neck later. As long as she doesn't reject him now, Hayden is positive he'll be alright. Charlie may be a lot of things, but a killer she is not. The two of them might have been distant for a prolonged period, but at one point in time, they had been the best of friends. He is confident that she won't refuse his invitation, especially with all of these people watching them like a hawk stalking its next meal.

Add in the fact that she's supposed to be his girlfriend and it's basically a sealed deal. It's the one advantage he has over her.

"I wanted to know if you'd allow me to have the honor of escorting you to this year's homecoming. It'd mean the world to me." A handsome smile graces his lips and the girls openly squeal. Charlie clenches her jaw, and mentally talks herself out of murdering Hayden right on the spot. There are simply too many witnesses around. She'd be a bumbling imbecile if she destroys the rest of her life over this.

She promised to play the role and she's going to do just that.

A month is all she needs. The earlier she convinces everyone that they're dating, the quicker this game of house (from the fiery depths of hell) will end. Besides, it wouldn't look good if she says no. Even she knows that.

This is her chance to test if that performing arts class she took last year will actually pay off or not. How would one of those girls in the chick-flicks Jillian is obsessed with react? A hand flies up and covers Charlie's mouth as she feigns something in between shock and delight. "You shouldn't have," she states. Everyone else assumes she doesn't mean those words, but she does. "Of course I'd go with you." Her confirmation has the crowd erupting in cheers.

Charlie really wants to pop the stupid balloons she is currently holding. Then, she wishes to incinerate the flowers that are stuffed in her locker. She isn't even a rose kind of gal! The balloons couldn't fit in the small space, which is why she has to bring them around with her to each and every one of her classes. Photos and videos of Hayden's lame homecoming proposal from this morning have been posted online and throughout the entire day, people would giggle when they cross paths with her.

It's safe to say that she hasn't been in the mood to talk to anybody.

When lunchtime arrives, she decides to avoid the cafeteria and sneaks off to the auditorium. This will be the only time she gets to spend apart from Hayden because let's be realistic here, that boy isn't going to abandon her side until school is officially out of session. How could Charlie forget how annoyingly persistent he could be?

He wants to protect Cecilia. She understands that, but at the same time, she feels like he's going overboard. Charlie may have agreed to help him. Her generosity doesn't give him the right to do whatever the hell he wants though. This is a team effort. They have to work together. From what Charlie has experienced so far, it seems that Hayden views this faux relationship as more of a dictatorship, where he's the tyrannical ruler calling all of the shots.

That's not how Charlie rolls. She's going to have to talk some sense into him. If she can't, she can always punch it back into him, too.

Whatever works.

She unwraps the Twinkie she bought from the vending machine outside and takes a bite, nearly swallowing the sponge cake in one go. She is seated in the corner of the room, all the way in the back where the lighting is severely dim. As she is busy chomping away on the snack, she hears voices. Charlie scans the auditorium for any sign of life.

On the stage, she catches sight of two people, a boy and a girl. Where did they come from?

Squinting her eyes and hunching forward, Charlie tries to decipher their identities. She doesn't succeed and shrugs it off. Next, she ransacks her backpack and fishes out her headphones. Charlie has never been fond of eavesdropping, but she isn't going to leave. She claimed the place first. They probably think that they're alone.

Hopefully, they won't do anything rated or else she'd have to gouge her eyes out. And frankly speaking, Charlie prefers keeping her peepers. She needs them.

Ethan doesn't know what he's doing. He's been out of the loop since this morning. "Are you going to homecoming?" Willow, a redhead from his physics class, asks. They stop at the center of the stage and he sighs.

Why did he follow her here again? "I don't know. It's not my scene," he answers candidly. Isn't he just punny?

"You should definitely come." The girl takes a daring step closer to him. "It'll be a blast. If you don't have a date, I have a girl in mind who would love to be your armcandy." Her hand runs up against his bicep and Ethan peers down at the place of contact. Unlike Mariana, Willow has a pretty face he finds attractive and a toned body.

There's no reason for him to turn her down...

Is there?

- - -

Author's Thoughts: You people are the best! It looks like everyone is shipping Elie! I don't blame you. Just look at Hayden! I can't believe he would stoop so low! How do you think Charlie would like to be asked? Because she obviously doesn't like Hayden's presentation. What do you think Ethan will say to Willow? Yes or no? He doesn't have any reason to object...

Also, who is this mysterious Olivia who called our boy? Any wild guesses? I'd love to listen! Bet nobody will get it right *insert Charlie's spellbinding, signature smirk here* I'm so excited for the homecoming chapter fdihfpiahgijadgjigjiajgpa.

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Kendalldonovan, and itfeelslikejello. I hope everyone enjoyed this update. Keep the comments coming, pretty please? Vote if you want to.