Charlie sat on her bed, music pulsating loudly into her headphones as she lazily folded her clothes. It always appeared somewhat too innocent to her, an immaturity that was designed to maintain her as a little girl. She guessed it was her own fault too, since when she was young, she assumed that she would dress with the way of the fads. She had bought what she had assumed was a more mature shirt, a scoop neck that she found on the risque side for her first day of high school a year earlier. To her own disappointment, she was still on conservative side as she stood in the doorway leading her in her school, watching the girls with their navel exposed, skirts not at finger length, halter tops, tank tops, shorts, and even shirts that scooped lower than hers.

It didn't bring on a judgement that so many other students would assume of her as she they passed by her, after all, she was the principal's daughter. But they didn't know, they couldn't have known, not from the shy, always having her hand up with the right answer from Charlie. No, when she looked on to the other girls it wasn't out of a spite, but of envy.

Even as Harper slipped into the building to catch up with friends, she noticed that the way she wore her shirts baggy, her pants tight, it gave her a sense of liberation.

The memory of last year faded as the phone buzzed on her bed, and she didn't even glimpse at the screen as she slipped it between her ear and shoulder, freeing her hands to continue to fold.

"Hello."

"There's a movie I am dying to see," Nya giggles. "That one with that actor we were obsessed with a few months back, what was his name? I just think of him as Sir Crispin."

"In my heart, he will always be Sir Crispin, I doubt I can will myself to remember his name, not if that means breaking the illusion of him."

"Girl, I feel you." Nya sighed, but there was something in the way she let the air escape her lips that brought Charlie to set down the shirt she had in her hands.

"Are you okay? You sound down."

"Yes, but a guess a little or not. My dad and Milo have been fighting a lot lately, and I... I want it to stop. I barely get the time to leave the house, especially now that they can agree on something, and I'm barricaded in my room."

"Want to come over? My dad would be fine with it."

"No, thank you, but I can't at the moment, I'm finishing up my own schoolwork."

"Oh, in that case, let's catch the movie." Charlie pulled the phone from her ear, putting Nya on speaker, and proceeded to the movie app. "There's a showing at 5:30."

"Charlie, you don't have to."

"Nonsense, let's get you out of the house for the night. There's a 6:15, and an 8:10 showing." Nya hesitates as she seemed to do when Charlie offered, giving her a guilt filled cramp. "I mean, if you really don't want to, we can do it another night."

"No, no, it's okay. 8:10. I'm going to go crazy if he takes off his shirt." Both girls make the plans, and within 30 minutes they hung up. Next, Charlie called Harper, who gave her a yeah, sure, before moving on.

The phone rang, Charlie watching out the window as her dad moved around the lawn with his lawnmower. "Hello?"

She straightened up. "Hey, Thea, it's Charlie."

Thea giggled. "Hi, Charlie."

Charlie shook her head; Thea had her number, so of course she knew. Charlie, herself, hated being the first person to call in a new friendship, she feared that she was too awkward. "Uh, Nya wants to go watch a movie tonight, and Harper is going, and I wanted to check if you wanted to join as well."

"Hell yes." It relaxed Charlie, she really did like Thea, she had that free spirit Charlie lacked, the confidence that never came naturally to her, away about her that caught Abe's attention quickly, something that surprised Charlie, he never fell that fast.

She joked about having a crush on Abe for 5 minutes, but as she matured, she questioned why he couldn't perceive her in the same way during the times she genuinely liked him. It took her watching him, really watching him as no one, except Harper, ever did for him. There were parts of him that were dead, parts of him near death, and the rest in agonizing pain.

That what was that stopped her crush, made her want to be more than a friend but be his family.

"What time is the movie?" If there was anyone that could help him, anyone that could save him from his spirals, she was sure Thea was the one.

"8:10, it'll be you, me, and Harper." Charlie grinned slyly. "And Abe, if you want me to call him."

"Oh, why if I want?" Charlie could even perceive the blush from the phone, the embarrassment that their feelings for one another were so evident, so intense that even those who were unfamiliar with them sensed it. Was Charlie jealous? Simply no, she had liked him, yes, but as a child, in fact, she never exposed her crush, not even to Harper. During that time, her fondness for him evolved into love, a love that resembled the bond between siblings, despite her mother's efforts to intervene in their friendship.

"I mean, when I talked to him yesterday, he asked about you." She laid back on her bed.

"He did?" Thea was eager, and a new wave of giggles slipped from her lips.

"I talked to him for, like, 5 minutes. Checking in and what not, but anyway he's like 'Oh by the way, how's the new girl?' So, I'm like 'You mean Thea?' and he's like 'Yeah, Thea.' And I swear you could hear the smile on his face."

"Oh." Now Charlie could detect the hint of joy from that solitary word. "How is he doing?"

"Missing you, as you are clearly missing him."

"Charlie." Thea laughed now, it was light, sweet, the laugh that someone who was heading towards the waterfall that would plunge her into that funny thing called love. "I should have given him my number."

"I can if you want, but expect a phone call every hour."

"Thank you, if you could, that would be nice. So," Thea was attempting to push the embarrassing topic away. "The movies? Who's coming? Harper?"

"Yes." Charlie slowly sat up. "And Nya. Now, I know you are uncomfortable with her, and I'm sorry, but I want you to join us and see how normal she really is. Monday must have been a rough night for her."

"Charlie." Thea's voice came on the phone as she rambled. "Charlie." As she finally stopped talking. "It's okay, I promise, I thought Nya was cool other than... You know what? Forget it, it's in the past. I would gladly watch a movie with you, Harper, and Nya."

"Great! Want to come over? We can walk from here, and plus you're my new official best friend, since that boy is too stinky."

Thea laughed and agreed. It would take her a little less than 15 minutes if she goes through the woods, around 20 if she chose to go around, either way, Charlie had a little time to make that call.

It rung, rung, rung, no end in sight, and after waiting longer than normal for voicemail, a voice comes on stating the phone did not have a voice mail set up. Charlie rolled her eyes and began to type it out.

Hey problem child, we're going to the movies tonight, some horror thing. You should sneak out and join us. Me, Nya, Harper, and... Thea. Whispers through the grapevine says she really hopes you can join us.

Send.

Sent.

Now, she just needed a response.

She finished her folding as Thea knocked, and they agreed the day was too nice to waste it. Her dad promised to pick them up from the movies, and they walked together towards the town. It was a short walk, but they walked slowly, wanting this to last.

"How do you like it here?" Charlie turned to her.

"More than I expected. I miss home, I miss my friends, my old school, but hey," she nudged into Charlie. "But I'm replacing the stinky boy as a best friend already."

They both laugh together as the shops come into sight. Charlie pulled Thea into the first one, an old book shop that smelt of moments from her child she could reach for, but never could catch. They both departed, each with a new book in hand, proceeding to a small ice cream shop. From there, they crossed over to a park, strolling along the footpaths while enjoying their treats.

Charlie told Thea about growing up in the small town, and in return, Thea told her of the hustle and bustle of the California lifestyle. Just as they disposed of their cups, the relaxation of that afternoon abruptly dissipated when Charlie glanced over and noticed a mannequin adorned in a beautiful, provocative ensemble that made her question her ability to ever emulate it.

"We can go in." Charlie turned to where Thea already had the door open waiting for her.

"Oh, no, I... I don't think I would look good at something like this."

Thea's easy smile had a reassuring effect on Charlie whenever she aimed it at her. "I doubt that, but we can just look, and not even need to try anything on."

Charlie nodded, her fingers tugging at the hem of her shirt as she stepped in. Thea walked over to one of the racks, pushing around the clothes, while Charlie, on the other hand, solely observed. She had the sensation of being too thin, lacking curves, unlike Thea, who had the body meant for wearing clothes that hugged her figure tightly.

She held up a pretty dress, and jealously dripped into Charlie's head, that was until Thea was coming up to her.

"You need to try this on, it'll make your eyes pop."

"I don't have the shape for it."

Thea slowed the dress in a genuine confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I... I don't have curves."

Thea laugh. "Sure you do, you're so pretty, don't even try to put doubt on you."

They picked out a few things for each other and giggled as they slipped into the dressing room. Thea stood in front of the mirror as Charlie slipped on the dress, feeling off as she did. It's impossible for her to seem even remotely attractive in that. Thea stepped aside.

She could not believe her eyes, the dress hugged in all the right spots, pushing more of chest out, giving her a thin waist, but pushed her hips out. She looked sexy, she felt sexy, and, through Thea a look as she pulled on her own dress, she had an understanding there.

She really did find her best friend. Leaving the mirror, Thea stepped up and frowned. "See, you have a great figure, but..." She pinched at her hips.

Charlie rested her chin on Thea's shoulder. "You are sexy, you'll knock the socks off Abe."

A bright redness covered Thea's cheeks. "Oh, come on, I think you're over thinking it."

"Eh, maybe." She stood up straight and next to her friend. "But I doubt it. That boy is obsessed with you. Look."

She pulled out her phone, noticing that the messages from earlier had been responded to.

Eh, not tonight. Let me know how the movie is.

She caught Thea as she looked away from the massage, pretending she didn't read it. "Thea, I'm sorry."

She smiled at Charlie; a smile that didn't seem forced. "No need to be sorry."

"Let's make him jealous he isn't coming with."

"Charlie, I only met him that one day."

"Please, it'll be funny, I promise."

A brightness pierced through the gloom she sensed at the message, a simple grin, but even Charlie could see it was so much more. Thea positioned herself beside Charlie, both making a pouting expression, altering their stance, attempting to appear disinterested until their gazes met, resulting in an eruption of joyful laughter. Charlie selected one of those, where her teeth were revealed with a joyfulness, and where Thea had a slight crease in her nose while giggling. Show that boy what he was missing.

They bought a few outfits and ran up two blocks where Harper had been waiting.

"Sorry!" Charlie swung her arm around her cousin. "We were busy looking cute."

"Glad to see it didn't work." She teased. "Come one I'm starved."

Dinner passed by as though all three of them had been friends since birth, Thea never missing a beat, keeping up with Harpers' snarky comments, and Charlie's dream like wonder. To Charlie, it was the closest to perfection she thought she would ever get.

They walked toward the old cinemas, where Nya stood. Charlie broke off from them, crashing right into Nya. She was always surprised by such a small frame; Nya had a strength about her.

"How are you doing?" Charlie pulled back, hold on to her shoulders to see her face, as the other two caught up.

"Eh," she waved her hand. "My dad and brother are always at it."

"That's not good."

"Char." She turned at Harper's voice. "You're an only child, you wouldn't understand."

"Your brother moved out when you were 10."

"And Arlo and Dad fought when he was a teen, I still remember. Ask Thea."

Thea shrugged. "Yeah, but I think it's more me and the twin's fight."

"You're at the age when you probably get in more trouble." Harper laughs.

"Oh, yeah, my dad calls it 'being hormonal.'" The group laughed as they approached the ticket booth, Nya running ahead, and Charlie right at her heels.

"No! I have money!" But Nya, using one hand to push back on Charlie, giggled as she ordered four tickets. Charlie pouted, turning to Thea. "She always does that."

"You need to be quicker." Nya holds out the tickets to each person.

"Okay, but I'm going to get the popcorn." Charlie charged in, but when she was nearing the counter, Nya seemed to skip on by. "Oh, come on."

The other two join, once more laughing. They get their concessions and go into the threat where the talking started, and it didn't end. The theater was empty, so the girls talked and laughed the whole time, even as the credits ran, and when the lights came back on. It wasn't until a worker poked his head in to check when he left.

"My dad said he'd he be here in 5 minutes." Charlie lowered her phone from the message she read to the other, but Nya was looking away.

She clicked her tongue. "Mine is already here."

Sure enough, Mr. Raka's car pulled up. Nya hugged Charlie, then waved to the other two before getting in. Mr. Raka raised his hand before pulling away, and Charlie waved back excitedly.

"I wish it was the weekend, we could have a slumber party."

"Maybe soon." Harper shrugged. "But don't call it that, too babyish."

Thea shook head with a grin on her face. "What would you call it?"

"Sancé,"

"Harper." Charlie sighed. "Stop."

"We're not going to summon demons or ghost or whatever, they're not real."

"Says the girl who thinks vampires are real."

Charlie turned bright red. "I don't." She looked at Thea. "I don't."

"Harper." Thea nudged her gently.

Harper lifted her hands as Charlie's dad pulled up. "Alright, alright. Hey, Uncle Rotter."

The girls slipped in the car, and he drove Thea home first, Charlie got out to walk to her to the door.

"I hope that wasn't too weird."

Thea smiled. "No, don't worry about it. I really do like Nya, I can't wait until Friday to talk more." She turned to her door.

"Thea." She looked back, curious to Charlie. "Thank you."

That same bright grin crossed her lips. "You don't have to thank me. I'll see you tomorrow."

Charlie's dropped off Charlie first, he want to talk to Harper's dad about cars. She ascended to her room and placed her goodies on her bed before opening her phone.

Goddamn, I mean, I need time alone with this photo. But seriously, if I had known that was the dress code, I might have come along. Tell Thea she made my pants a little tighter.

The next text was two minutes after the first.

Charlie, don't say that to her, just tell she looks nice.

A third.

No, beautiful.

And the latest text.

No, just nice. And I hope she's not too bored without me at school.

Charlie was smiling while she shook her head.

Tell her yourself.

And she sent it along with Thea's number.

She set her phone down, pulling something from the bad as she went over to her mirror. The dress was truly gorgeous, and in that moment, a moment of confidence in a name came to her mind. One she tried not to think of, but he had been nice to her, and showed interest.

Despite the mental protest, she picked up her phone again, typing out her simple message, this time being the one to message first.

Hey, Austin. What are you up to?