We were interrupted by a crashing sound from the closet.

"What's that?" My dad asked, walking towards the closet.

Oh shhiiiiii

He opened the closet door as I closed my eyes, hoping Charlie somehow escaped, even though I knew he didn't.

Once my dad saw him, he turned to me, stone faced.

"Joanna", he said sternly.

I smiled brightly. "You remember Charlie, right dad? You always said he was a nice boy".

He frowned. "Yeah, until he stole you".

"Dad, he didn't steal me. I ran away. And I happened to choose him as company", I said.

Charlie shyly came out of the closet. It was all almost funny. He wasn't scared of anything... except for me getting hurt and my parents.

"Mr. Marcus, I'm sorry for what happened. But you have to understand that it was a long time ago. I was a foolish kid. And also, I never meant any harm to Joanna. I love her, and I'll take care of her", Charlie said, trying to be bold.

"I know you mean well, but as long as Joanna is under my roof, I will not allow her to see you", my father replied.

I shook my head. "Dad, no. This...."

I was interrupted by my mom coming upstairs. "Hey, what's going..."

She stopped when she saw Charlie.

"Joanna, why is he here?" She demanded.

"Mom, Charlie and I are back together", I said.

"What about that nice boy you told us all about? Marshall?" She asked.

Charlie turned to me. "You told them about Marshall, but not me?"

"Charlie, can we save this conversation for some other time?" I pleaded.

His eyes showed obvious hurt.

He turned to my dad. "I understand why you're upset, but Joanna is an adult and can very well make her own decisions. Good day".

He started walking towards the door. "Charlie, no. Please don't go", I begged.

"Not now, Joanna. No", he said angrily and walked out, slamming the door.

My parents turned back to me. "You will not date that boy", my mom announced.

I shook my head. "Mom, you..."

My dad interrupted. "No, Joanna. You have to listen. He will not date my daughter".

"What? What are you talking about? You're treating me like a little kid! I'm an adult!"

"As long as you're under my roof".... My dad started.

"Well, I'm not under you're roof anymore!" I yelled, grabbing my bags and packing.

"Joanna, honey. I know you're stressed and you have strong feelings for this man, but it's not going to work. He's not the man you deserve".

"What if I don't want the man I deserve?", I said, starting to cry.

"Honey...."

I wipe my tears and grabbed my bags.
"I'm so sorry. I love you both so much", I said and ran out the door.

It felt like a dramatic high school film. But I couldn't listen to them. If they didn't want Charlie in my life, then they would just have to look for their perfect daughter somewhere else. He was perfect to me. He was my perfect.

I ran to my car and drove. I drove to Charlie's family's house. I ran and pounded on the door.

Charlie came to the door. Once he saw it was me, he clenched his fists. "Joanna, not right now. I just need a little time."

He started to close the door.

I pushed on it. "No. Please listen to me. Can we talk?"

"What's there to talk about?"

"I'm sorry".

He sighed.

"Is anyone home?" I asked.

"No, but they will be soon", he answered.

"Please, just can we talk?" I pleaded.

He groaned and opened the door. I came in and he turned around so his back was to me.

"Are you going to say something?" I asked.

"What did your parents say?" He asked.

"They said to stay away from you", I answered.

"And are you?"

"I couldn't".

"Why are you here?"

"You're upset.... Because of Marshall", I slowly said.

His fists clenched as the mention of his name.

"Why? How? How could you do that to me? Hide me from them and tell them about him?" He asked.

"I never wanted you to have to deal with them. I was afraid you would let me go", I said.

He turned around. "All I've ever wanted was you and your parents approval..... And he got both of them", he said.

"But he doesn't now. I'm not his anymore. I'm yours", I said.

"Then why? Why do your parents tell me to stay away from the only thing I want?"

"Because... They want what's best for me", I said.

"Do you think I'm what's best for you?" He asked.

I stopped. "Charlie...."

"Do you?" He asked.

"I don't know. But I wouldn't want what's best for me if it wasn't you", I said.

"I want you to be happy. And I know you want your parents. What do I do?" He asked.

"Charlie, I..."

I was interrupted by the front door opening.

"Joanna!" I heard and felt two pairs of arms surround me.

It was Mikaela and his mom.

They smiled and hugged me countless times.

"Oh, honey! It's been so long since we've seen you! We've missed you so much! If only Charlie....", his mom said, slapping him,".... Hadn't been such a douche here."

He rubbed his arm and frowned.

"How is everything? How are your parents? What's your job? Where do you live?" They flocked me with questions.

I turned to Charlie with a raised eyebrow. "They don't know? I thought you were mad at me for keeping you a secret".

He frowned even more. "Not now", he mouthed. He was obviously angry and annoyed with me, but I thought it was adorable.

They invited me to stay for dinner and I accepted. I sat next to Charlie. He was still mad at me. And he even pulled away when I grabbed his hand.

"So how'd you guys meet up again?" Mrs. Puth asked.

"Actually, Charlie and I were neighbors. We ended up right next door. Coincidence, right Charlie?" I asked, bumping him.

He just stared down.

"Charlie! Stop being a grump and get a grip!" His mom scolded.

He looked up, but he still wouldn't even look at me. I think he grew madder with every passing moment.

"So Charlie, sweetie, how come you never told us about Joanna? How you met again?"

I stared at him expectantly. He stood up and shoved his plate forward.

"I think I need some rest. Joanna, you should probably go home", he announced.

He left the room after that. His mom shook her head. "Don't go anywhere. Just give him a few minutes. He'll calm down."

I nodded. I wasn't sure if I'd ever seen him so angry. I knew he hated Marshall with every living cell in his body. I wasn't completely sure why, because I was the one who chose to date him.

After a few minutes, I walked upstairs to his room.

I didn't even knock.

"Joanna. Please, please, please go home", he begged.

I sat down next to him. "You don't really want me to, do you?" I asked him.

He looked at me with so much love. "No, of course not. But I don't want to hurt you."

I grabbed his hand and kissed it. "I know you'd never hurt me."

"Will you leave?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No".

"I hate how much I love you", he groaned," I wish I wanted you to go. I wish I was smart enough to push you out the door. But I want you here, where you are. I hate this feeling".

I kissed his cheek softly as I played with his hair. "Same".

"Run away with me... Again", I said.

His eyes widened. "What?"

"Run away with me", I repeated.

"What about them?" He asked.

"They'll never understand. And I have to accept that."

"I don't know. I want whatever makes you happy. And that hurt you so bad".

"Will you stop thinking about me for once, and listen?" I asked.

"I'm so sorry about what happened. But you can't blame Marshall for everything. You should be mad at me too. Promise you'll let this go, or at least be mad at me", I said.

"I promise. But if Marshall ever comes near you again, I will personally see to his death", he warned.

I huffed. He had serious issues.

He pulled me closer. "Don't be mad about this, Joanna. I just don't want another mans hands on my beautiful girl".

I sighed. "I know".

He laid down and I laid on top of his chest. He gently stroked my cheek.

"Charlie, I know we've broken up countless times within the past year. And every time, it leads us to nowhere but hurt", I said.

He didn't say anything, so I went on. "I don't want it to be that way. I know we fight a lot, because that's just how it goes. But I don't want it to end the same way over and over."

He brought his face to mine and kissed my cheek. "I won't let you leave me", he whispered.

And that was all I needed. We laid back down and fell asleep.

I woke up to Charlie's trembling hands rubbing mine.

"What's wrong?" I asked sleepily.

"Let's run away", he whispered.

My eyes opened wide and I turned to face him in the eyes.

He was wide awake and clearly had been for a while.

It was 2:30 in the morning.

"Wha.... What?" I asked, still processing his words in my slow morning brain.

"Let's go. We'll go back home. Please", he said. Oh great. He still had his morning voice, which was irresistible.

"Can't this wait?" I asked, clutching his arm.

He laid soft kisses all over my face, saying,
"Please", after every one.

I wasn't exactly sure where this was all coming from, especially this early in the morning. I mean, a few hours earlier, I was the one begging him to leave. I wondered what changed his mind.

"Joanna", he whined.

"Does it have to be so early in the morning?" I asked.

"I can't wait another second. Please, baby. Please", he pleaded.

I groaned. "I'm going to regret this........ Again".

He chuckled. "Come on, sleeping beauty".

"You know, there's a reason she's called 'Sleeping Beauty'. Because she's even more beautiful when shes sleeping. Isn't it the same way for me? Don't I look more beautiful when I'm asleep?", I asked.

"Nice try. And besides, I'd be amazed if you could look even more beautiful ever".

"Fine. I'm getting up", I groaned.

I fell out of bed. I noticed I was still dressed. He grabbed his already packed bags. I rolled my eyes. That little devil, he knew I'd say yes.

He grabbed my hand. "Ready, beautiful?"

I yawned and nodded. "Yep".

He chuckled again and kissed my cheek. "Thank you".

Thank you? Why was he so desperate to leave?

"What about your family?", I asked as he lead me down the stairs.

"I've got it covered. Don't worry".

But the thing was I was worried. About him. He obviously was in a hurry, and I didn't know why. Was he scared if he waited too long, things would be different? I'd change my mind?

I didn't know. But I knew that this was the exact same mistake we made four years ago, except this time, things were different. I was scared of the consequences, and he wasn't. And that terrified me.