Playing a Game of Chance

Today, Charlie is scheduled to work at the cage. It's a brisk Saturday afternoon and the crowd inside is small. A majority of their customers is composed of high school and university students. Therefore, the chances of them still being curled up in their nice and cozy beds are pretty high. Although she is physically present, mentally speaking, Charlie isn't entirely there. She doesn't understand why, but Hayden and his tantrum episode from the other day keep barging into her mind without her consent.

Usually, she doesn't dwell too long on matters that do not concern her. However, this—thing with Hayden is proving to be a different case.

His aggravated expression.

His reckless actions.

His callous words.

His impertinent tone.

On that particular autumn afternoon, in the shabby parking lot just outside of Highland High School, Charlie had encountered the unimaginable. She had witnessed a completely new and disparate side of Hayden Knight. A side she has never seen before in the seventeen years she's been alive. For as long as she's known the guy, Charlie (and everyone else in the South Burlington area) has always viewed him as a ball of energy (a trait he most definitely received from his mother).

There's never been a day where he isn't smiling. Remember when she had accidentally listened in on his private and very intimate conversation with Cecilia? Charlie sure does. Yet, despite the heavy and gloomy atmosphere around them, Hayden still managed to pull off a smile.

Her curiosity has unconsciously gotten the best of her. Dazed and immersed in the various possibilities, which could offer up a plausible explanation, Charlie does not notice her cousin entering the building, with a deep frown etched into his face. The older male is clad in a dark gray business suit while his hair is combed back, revealing his ruggedly handsome features.

Jack tugs on his navy blue tie, loosening it so that he could breathe properly. His mother had arranged a blind date for him earlier, and being the filial son he is, Jack couldn't refuse. After he met the girl, he had wished he had been less compliant. It was, in three simple words, a fucking catastrophe! He doesn't even want to think about it anymore. He would only get angry.

Truthfully, Jack can't fully comprehend why the woman is persistently insistent about him finding a romantic partner at the prime of his youth. It's not like he's some forty year old virgin, who doesn't have a clue about the female anatomy. He's young. He's got plenty of time to worry about marriage and all of that other jazz later on.

His mood is quickly lifted once he spots his best friend at the counter. A wide grin slithers onto his face as he shrugs his coat off and creeps up behind her. On the count of three, Jack cloaks Charlie with the article of clothing, ultimately obstructing her vision. The sudden darkness brings Charlie back to reality as she yanks whatever is covering her head off. She spins around and bares her teeth at the boy. "What'd you do that for?"

"Don't know. Needed some cheering up, I guess. What's with you? You didn't even see me coming in." Jack comments as he unfastens the cufflinks and rolls his sleeves up to his elbows.

"I was busy," she answers.

He arches an eyebrow. "With what?"

"Nothing." Charlie pretends to yawn. "I'm just tired. I stayed up late."

"Yeah, because that doesn't sound strange at all." He drawls sarcastically.

Then, the girl takes in his appearance. Her expression transforms into one filled with confusion. "Why are you all dressed up?" Her inquiry, thankfully, succeeds in making Jack alter the topic.

He lets out a disgruntled moan. "I don't even want to talk about it. I had a date from hell. I'm a hundred and twenty percent sure that the girl was the devil incarnate." His blood starts bubbling. Jack takes deep and long breaths in order to tame the hot fury stirring inside of him.

"Your mom put you up to it?" Charlie laughs. This is nothing out of the ordinary. Her Aunt Sharon obviously wants to have grandchildren and she's only forty-five. Since Paul is more rebellious and lives in his own apartment, the woman is aware he would never yield to her demands unlike her youngest son who would do almost anything to appease her.

Jack scowls. "Who else would it be?"

"Why don't you just find a girl you like and take her home? I'm sure she'll stop introducing you to other people." She suggests brilliantly. As long as Sharon believes Jack is dating somebody, she wouldn't hound him so much. It makes logical sense, right?

"That's the thing, Charlie. I don't have a girl I like. I'm not interested in dating right now. I just want to have fun before I get deployed again. Relationships aren't for me. At least, not at the moment. I'm not looking to start a family, or commit to anyone. It's too much work. I've already got a lot on my plate." Her cousin explains.

"Tell her that," the girl replies.

He scoffs and shakes his head. "You think she'll listen to me? As if. Also, I am extremely disappointed with you." He announces, folding his arms against his chest.

Charlie blinks profusely. "What? Why? What did I do?" She sputters.

"You,"—he points a finger at her—"didn't tell me you were dating that goody-two-shoes! I can't believe you were holding out on me the entire time!" he exclaims exasperatedly. Jack had to find out about Charlie's relationship status through Ian! He still can't believe that she hasn't mentioned something as crucial as this to him!

"You never asked," she defends indifferently. Inside, Charlie's heart wrenches. She hates lying to Jack just as much as she hates lying to her old man. Jack's going to be so pissed if he discovers the truth. But because they're family, she knows that she will be forgiven.

One month is all she needs.

One month and all of the lies concerning her and Hayden will come to an end.

Nobody will ever realize this has been a ruse as long as she is able to convince everyone that the two of them are genuinely smitten with each other. Then bam! Once they take the bait, the two of them can break up due to the incompatibility in their personalities or something.

"I didn't think I needed to." Jack huffs.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry for not telling you I was dating Knight." Charlie sighs. "Are you happy now?"

"Nope." He wags his finger and grins at her. "I want to hear how it happened." He proclaims. Jack has been acquainted with Hayden for the same amount of time Charlie's known him. He has observed the two of them together on numerous occasions as well. They're literally the definition of polar opposites! Anyone with a pair of functioning eyes can see that Charlie and Hayden are as different as night and day!

So of course he wants to hear how they winded up falling head over heels for each other. It must be an interesting story.

Panic consumes the girl. She's never been good at making up detailed and fictional stories! Hello, she barely managed to get a C in her Composition 101 class! She can't afford to mess this up though. The tale of how she and Hayden became a couple has to be consistent and realistic. It has to be credible, or else it won't work out. Luckily, Jack's phone starts ringing and Charlie silently thanks the heavens. He takes the device out and runs a palm over his face.

It's his mother. He's going to get an earful now.

The office door closes and Charlie releases a breath of relief. Ryder, another employee at the cage, walks in and greets her with a nod. Could this get any more perfect? She clocks out and before she leaves, Charlie writes a note addressed to Jack. She says that she's in a rush because she has errands to run, but she promises to text him later.

Next, she calls Jillian and informs her that she's coming over. Charlie isn't specific about why she is paying the Winters' household a visit, but the urgency in her voice is evident. She arrives to the raised-ranch and parks the truck on the street. The door is always unlocked. "Jill?"

"I'm downstairs!" her friend shouts. Charlie kicks off her sneakers and leaps down the steps. "What's wrong?" Jillian asks as she continues to paint her toes.

"Jack asked me how Knight and I started dating, and I didn't know what to say." She summarizes, sounding winded.

"What?" Jillian gawks as she looks up. "You guys never talked about your cover story? Are you kidding me? That's, like, the first thing you should do if you're in a fake relationship! Oh my god! What were you two doing this whole time? You're supposed to be prepared for situations like this! You don't know when somebody will try to pry!"

"How was I supposed to know? It's not like I fucking jump into fake relationships every chance I get!" Charlie argues. She begins to pace back and forth. Why is she getting so upset over this?

"Just relax, Charlie." Jillian soothes. "I'll help you come up with something. Did you forget about the colorful imagination I have? We'll run it by Hayden later to make sure you two are on the same page. There's no need to freak out."

"I'm not freaking out!" she shouts. Jillian stares at the brunette with a do-you-want-me-to-bring-a-mirror look and Charlie exhales. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into me. My mind's been everywhere."

Jillian stands up and embraces her best friend. "You're under a lot of pressure and stress. It's normal." She pats her back in order to encourage her. "We'll figure this out one step at a time. I'm here for you."

The hug, along with the comforting words, lulls Charlie and she pulls back. "Something's wrong with Knight," she begins hesitantly.

"What do you mean?"

"The other day at school. He didn't seem like himself," she reports vaguely.

"I don't get it," Jillian remarks.

"I don't either. Can we just go upstairs and watch some Law and Order?" Charlie requests.

"Only because I can tell you're about to lose it." They make their way to the living room upstairs and Charlie immediately throws herself onto the leather couch. Jillian snatches the remote from the counter and turns the television on. She changes the input and then connects her phone to the Google Chrome device. The dramatic theme song begins and she occupies the seat besides Charlie.

"Ian told me you've been hanging out with Ethan a lot." She nudges the her side but Charlie doesn't spare her a second glance.

"We're friends. What's weird about that?" she answers dismissively.

"Are you sure you're just friends?" Jillian presses. "You have to be careful, Charlie." She advises.

"What are you talking about now?"

"I'm talking about how dangerous it is for a girl, who already has a boyfriend, to be spending her time with her gorgeous neighbor." She clarifies. "The kids at school will go crazy if they find out you're going over to his house at night and staying there for hours. You don't want them to label you as a cheater, do you?"

"I was there for two hours, at most. Is it a crime for me to help him rearrange stuff?" Charlie quips.

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with that." Jillian retorts. "But this is more complex than you think. I know that you and Hayden aren't actually dating, but the rest of the school doesn't. It could become a big problem if you're not careful enough. All I'm suggesting is that, maybe, you shouldn't hang around him too much."

"I'll take my chances. And like I said, we're friends. There's nothing going on between us. Plus, he knows I have a boyfriend, too. I don't think he'd be ballsy enough to flirt with me." She pauses and scratches the shell of her ear. "Okay, I take the last part back."

"Charlie," Jillian says in a warning tone. She does have a point.

"Don't worry about me. If Moron-dozo steps over the line, I'll personally put him back in his place." Charlie assures.

Her phone then reverberates, and a spark flickers behind her olive green eyes when she sees who the message is from.

Ethan Moron-dozo: Aye, do you want to come over tonight? We could binge-watch all of the Marvel movies and order some takeout.

The girl is ready to answer, but stops upon recalling Jillian's words.

Should she say no?

Or should she take her chances?

- - -

Author's Thoughts: Thank you all so much for your support. I'm so happy you're enjoying this like I am. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to chaoticsins and girlsnightmylife. Thank you for voting and commenting!

What do you think Charlie is going to do?