Crazy things when you're in love

[Raerae]

"Oh, no. Honey, don't eat cereal, we've got bacon and all that," She told him, came into the kitchen and swiped the bowl away, simultaneously kissing his jawline. "Can't I make you blue berry pancakes or something? I swear I won't burn the apartment down."


She seemed to be evading something, though anyone who knew Rae was aware she'd cave in a matter of seconds. She washed the pan she'd used to make Ethan's lunch this morning, scrubbing it harder than she needed to and pretty much destroying the sponge. "He didn't ask me anything other than how the weather was and if we needed anything from the store," She finally indulged, setting the pan on the stove and lightly coating it with coconut oil. "I know I promised I'd tell him exactly what happened, I'm not regretful, I just... I was full of anxiety, and just choked on my words, I just didn't want to fight after such a perfect night..."


She poured the batter in an attempt to shape Mickey pancakes, but they looked kind of mangled. She suddenly slammed the spatula down out of irritation, turned around and clenched her jaw. "Before he left, he kissed me like he hasn't ignored me for sixth months, like the hallmark movies you and I watch just to bash. And then, I was just... Mad, like really mad after he left. Like, what the hell is he doing? And after last night... I don't want to be mean, or fight, or hurt anyone, but I realized my mistakes even with the alcohol haze, and I just... I'd rather... Be with you, someone I never, ever have to stress over. Everything we do is so relaxed and genuine, I forgot about that until yesterday." She started over on the pancake as the words flowed out and she started to feel relieved. "These are mangled mouse pancakes now. Roadkill."


---


If there was one word that described Gary, it was loyal. Today, he wasn't entirely happy with being meddlesome in Ethan's love life, he never thought he'd have to be honestly. He actually found this to be troublesome and an interference in his Star Trek marathon. But Ethan was making a huge mistake, and he was going to end up hurting and losing both girls over a little internal crisis, and a miscommunication. Charlotte didn't need to be dragged into this, but more importantly to Gary, he couldn't watch Rae be tossed aside like this, she was a near perfect indiviual in his book, and Ethan was going to give up his future wife over a pretty face next door?


He walked briskly against the tile flooring, swerving in and out of the crowded malls interior and heading directing towards Stingray. Sushi wasn't his favorite food, but the dining area was classy and would give them a quiet place to talk. He'd thought their conversation out like a chess match but couldn't predict how she'd react, all he could do was hope she'd be understanding.


"Morning Charlotte," With a side step into her line of sight, as to not startle her, he greeted her with that little half smile of his, but refrained from hand shaking as that seemed a little too formal. He gestured towards the entrance and stepped inside with her, "Thanks for joining me, I thought it'd be cool to hang out and get to know each other, since you'll be around a lot more," and that, he honestly meant. She'd be a lovely addition to their circle, so long as she didn't break up his favorite couple or let Ethan screw everyone over with his hormones.


"If you don't mind, I've been raised to pay the bill, so order anything you'd like." It was rather comical watching him cover his nose with his sleeve as the fishy aromas started to waft in. He hated that smell! "Booth or table?" He beat the waiter to the punch line, and awaited her decision.

 

[PrincessKaty]

"But it's the only thing I know how to make," Carter debated with a little laugh as she took the bowl from him,"I can't deny blueberry pancakes though." He kissed her cheek then moved out of her way and sat down at the table across from the counter. He raised an eyebrow, watching as Rae viciously scrubbing the dishes which she seemed to do more times than not when she was pissed off. He looked down at his palms. He'd kind of wished that she'd told Ethan last night what had happened but he understood. It couldn't have been easy for her.


He looked up, hearing a slam. "Maybe he... Feels bad?" He said and then shook his head and stood up from the table. He stood behind Rae and put one hand on the countertop and the other on the handle of the oven. "Just forget about him for now," He mumbled in her ear. He looked over her shoulder at the pan and laughed a little bit. "I think they're cute," He told her. He kissed her cheek then her neck, then moved away from her and leaned against the counter next to her and leaned his head back.


"I just..." He began to say and looked over at her,"Are you sure this is what you want? I know you guys have been together for a while and-" He gestured to the promise ring, "-Rae, if you want to stay with him and work it out, I can just forget about last night. Seriously. Just want you to be happy." He felt like he was just punching himself in the face for saying it but he was being serious. He didn't want Rae to pretend like she wanted to be with him when she just really wanted to be with Ethan but without the guilt. If they were going to make it work though, that meant he'd probably be moving out. They would be moving out. Or he guess that they could kick Ethan to curb. That was just mean though. They couldn't sneak around and then kick him out. That was just cruel.


~


Charlotte smiled, seeing Gary come strolling up all cute and put together and with his glasses. He was adorable in her eyes. Not totally her type but hey, a super nice guy. "Hey Gary," She said sweetly,"Thanks for the invite. I'm pretty excited. I've never had sushi to be honest. Well, like. Real sushi. I've had supermarket sushi." She let out a deep breath, knowing that she'd been rambling pretty quickly. It was just the anxiety. She'd come down from it though.


She stepped into the restaurant with him and grinned a little bit. "A booth would be nice," She answered, looking between Gary and the host. The host took them to a booth off towards the right and against the wall. She slid into the booth and grinned when the host handed them menus. She looked it down in front of her and looked over at Gary. "This place is really cool," She remarked, looking away from him and around the restaurant. It was modern but had some of the typical sushi place things like an aquarium and sea-life decorations. The usual.


"What do you recommend?" She asked him curiously, looking back down to the menu. Reading over the words, she honestly didn't know what half of any of it was so she'd definitely need his help in ordering. She wasn't too picky though so that would probably make it easier.

 

[Raerae]

"I didn't even ask if you wanted to be in a relationship, I'm sorry. We don't have to date if you don't want the obligation, I totally don't blame you." She sighed, misunderstanding his words. "But I'm not just an angry girlfriend now and I wasn't an angry drunk girlfriend last night. I meant and remember everything that happened yesterday."


"Honestly I think it's some psychological trigger, my dad got my mom pregnant and left, everything Ethan's doing is the same shit he did before he suggested abortion and skipped states permanently, back to his other families," She moved the fluffy yet mutilated pancakes onto a plate, and then sighed heavily as she obviously forgot the berries. After a few moments of searching and chopping, she presented him with an absolutely beautiful plate, fluffy white pieces doused in golden syrup, a swirl of whipped cream and chopped berries all around.


"Why can't I go back to bring six and obsessed with catching every Pokemon? Those were the days," She hopped up on the counter, sighing dramatically and remembering when all that mattered to her were the exact color of Pikachu's cheeks. "When he gets home I'll really talk to him. Just a heads up in case you want to ditch, I would," She laughed lightly.


---


"California roll's my favorite, it's got imitation crab, seaweed and avocado. But there's the Dragonrolls, just a crunchy version of that. Sashimi, fishy red stuff. Terikayi kabobs, squid tastes like rubber chicken, the soups are really thin, not very filling." If you ask Gary for a reccomendation, it's never just an easy answer.


"Remember to use just a little soy sauce, way too much sodium for the heart. And I'd stay away from anything too foreign, might get food poisoning. Their tropical drinks and sake tastes great though, and everything comes with a fortune cookie. Inaccurate but funny. If you need help using chop sticks, I'm your guy."


He already knew what he wanted, and waved the waiter over for drinks to start off with. "Raspberry iced tea, thank you. And what do you want to drink?"


Gary was always a gentlemen and patient, he'd like this to be a genuine, casual get together and he'd gradually bring in what he wanted to say, cordially of course. She was very, very sweet, not his type if he even had one, but he understood the attraction.

 

[PrincessKaty]

"Hey, hey. That's not what I meant at all, missy. I've been in love with you for eight years. You really think after one night I'd be through? In your dreams, sweetheart. I'm not even close to being done," He told her teasingly and then shook his head,"Definitely not. I want a relationship." He wasn't usually one for relationships but he'd do it for Rae any day. Last time he had a girlfriend was his senior year of high school. A Jamie Groves. Sweetheart but he was into the rougher types. Like Rae. She was independent and feisty and he loved it.


He nodded a little bit, listening to her. "Well, not every guy is like that. I'll knock you up just to prove it," He told her with a smirk and a wink. Ha, wasn't that a thought. Rae pregnant. She hated kids. Couldn't blame her. He grinned when she handed over a plate of pancakes. "Thanks, sweetheart," He told her. He walked over to the table and set down the plate as he sat down.


He nodded a little bit, knowing that it would probably be better if he wasn't around. That way Ethan couldn't choke him out and so that Rae could be completely honest without having to worry about hurting his feelings or something. He didn't want to be there to influence her in anyway. He reached out his hand and pulled her over to him then down onto his lap. "We should just run away to the woods and you can catch all the Pokemon you want," He suggested playfully, reaching past her to start cutting up his pancakes with the fork she'd given him.


~


Charlotte ended up ordering a Coke and a few Dragonrolls, thinking it sounded the best. The next thirty minutes consisted of the usual small talk when you were getting to know people. Where you came from, for Charlotte, a small town about 500 miles away with a wowing population of about 2,000. She spent her childhood pretty much gliding through school and reading a lot of books. She worked at a cupcake shop all through high school and when she graduated, she started working as a waitress to rack in the tips so she could get more money to move and now, here she was. It wasn't a very interesting story, sadly for him. He was probably punching him in the head listening to it all drag on.


"But anyways. How did you come to meet Ethan?" She asked him curiously with a smile. She said it because she was honestly curious but also because she was kind of just fishing around for more information. She was dying to know more about Ethan. God, it was so lame and pathetic. She felt like she was a little middle schooler again trying to get information by asking all of her friends to ask about the new childhood crush.

 

[Raerae]

She laughed lightly, sitting there for a while and just letting the silence engulf them. There wasn't a lot to say, she had his answers, and knew what her heart had decided, now all she could do was tell Ethan the truth and deal with the consequences. One night was all it took to wake her up, and if she made the right guy wait any longer she may just lose him. When she weighed out Ethan and Carter, the winner was blatantly obvious, and seemed to really be enjoying the pancakes which made her smile.


"I'm gunna go do some laundry. He gets home at five, just a heads up," She pressed a little kiss to his face and then slid away, into their little hallway where she reluctantly started to separate colors and all that. Ugh.


---


Unbeknownst to Charlotte, he'd taken a genuine interest. Gary had always been a person who paid close attention to detail, he'd been polite and listened to everything she said, contributing a respectful comment or a way to relate to her whilst she elaborated on herself. But then it slowly shifted back over to him, well, to Ethan, actually.


"Since elementary, sixth grade to be specific. We were partnered up for a science project, Ethan's terrible with anything related to the matter. The teacher thought I'd be able to help him bring his grade up, but all we actually did was fist fight every time I hid his baseball, or he mocked my fantasy novellas."


For a moment he was laughing, with the cutest little side grin before he gradually became pensive again. "Eventually though, they were teaching baseball for physical ed. His swings were off and it actually made him cry for about a week straight, so I spent the weekend calculating projectory with my father. Monday morning I crossed the black top, and told him the exact degree he needed to swing the back, and the approximate timing the ball would be projected without it being a fowl, with specific pitchers and their unique throwing styles taken into account. I gained his respect, and with that most of the communities little league team as friends. Including Joss and Frankie."


"Ethan's lived just a few roads down from me all his life. Your complex now is about a half hour away, but still, close by and near the field, which most important." And this is where he strung in his reasoning for coming here. "Joss and Frank were members of the little league team, but we all happened to attend the same school and moved onwards at the same districts. Highschool came and we all joined the team, though I'm usually off the field scrutinizing, mostly because I hate running bases. I play some Friday's, though." Though he certainly was toned enough to do so, physical activities weren't really his forte.


"I actually introduced Ethan to Rae, we shared an English class and Psych, she's incredibly intelligent, I've had a few of my best of conversations with her. Just don't ask her about math, she's hopeless. I also taught her how to play chess," He added proudly. "I invited her to go out with us to a game one night, Ethan was so into his game I had to drag him over to the cages to meet her. But after that, they hit it off, and they've been together officially for about two years, on and off before hand for about five. Even when she dropped out because of personal reasons, they stayed together."


"Charlotte... I know for a fact Ethan has a thing for you. I'm not one to talk about other people's lives, but this is an exception. He's thinking about breaking up with Rachel, and I know what was merely a thought has turned into a possibility now that you're around. I'm not saying leave. The group, including myself all agree you're absolutely welcome. But I'm really, truly begging you not to put ideas in his head, and not to encourage him to go through with this. There's fifty single guys his age coming to the ball game Friday if you're looking for a boyfriend. Rae has given him everything and he shouldn't toss her aside like he has because of a pretty face." He reached across the table, taking her hand in both of his soft, warm ones and holding it lightly. "And I don't want you to get hurt because he's too afraid to tell either of you how he feels. Ethan is a wonderful guy, genuinely, but he's literally screwing up what he's worked for, and if I know Rae she'll leave before he realizes he's screwing up."

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter ate his pancakes and thought over the situation at hand. He grinned a little bit and nodded. "Alright. Thanks for the food," He told her with a smile and a chuckle before she got up and left him. He looked over at the clock to see how much time he had before he had to put it up with the boyfriend and then back down to his food.


This was what was suppose to happen right? He wasn't forcing Rae out of something that was good for her?... He didn't know. He'd never be as stable or level-headed as Ethan and he didn't have a super cool job and he wasn't great at anything. He supposed that Rae wasn't super stable either. Hell, the two of them had left on a whim on a road trip just the previous night. He just thought Ethan was too... Normal for her. Too planned and scheduled. Maybe it was what she needed to level herself out? Ugh, he didn't know anymore. He just loved her. That's all he knew.


~


Charlotte smiled, listening to Gary begin to explain how Ethan came along to be in his life. She found it charming how fondly and detailed Gary spoke about him, and anything really. It was easy to tell just by the way he spoke that he was extremely intelligent and she almost felt like a total ditz anytime she wanted to open her mouth. Not that it was his fault. Compared to him, or anyone in their little group, she felt like she was extremely out of place. They were all outgoing and successful and have gone through college and she'd done nothing except move.


She found it darling that they'd met at such a young age and even then, Gary was already into some crazy math stuff while Ethan struggled with his baseball skills. It was nice to hear that he hadn't totally been blessed though and then he'd worked his way to where he was now, with his scholarship and all. She thought it was really cool that he'd progressed and pushed through. "That's probably the most adorable thing I've ever heard," She told him honestly with a little giggle. It was quite the way to meet but it definitely suited their friendship.


She was surprised to hear that he played baseball though. She just didn't strike him as an athlete type although now that she thought about it, she was pretty sure Ethan had mentioned something about him being on the team. At the mention of Joss and Frankie, it made her think of the following night and how she'd witnessed their extreme make out session. She wondered how that ended. She felt like it wasn't totally appropriate to ask though so she kept it to herself.


It wasn't until Gary mentioned Rae that it was like reality slapped her right in the face. It was silly though, right? They'd just meant the night before. It wasn't she had real feelings for him or anything like that... She was attracted to him and his personality, sure. But he had a girlfriend. A steady girlfriend for a long time. She felt taken back when Gary blatantly said that Ethan had a thing for her and basically to back off before Ethan broke it off with Rae. She felt her cheeks head up because she knew that last night she'd put more than enough ideas in his head for him to break it off with her.


She grinned when he took her hand and she smiled. She knew that it was all crazy and that Gary was right. "I won't," She told him, knowing it was a bit of a lie,"He was talking about her the other night and I know that he really loves her. I didn't mean to get in the way or anything. He was just being friendly anyways. Nothing was happening... You're a really great friend for looking out for him though. I was really just looking for a friend and Ethan happened to be there and asked to show me around. It all just friendly. I'm sure I'll find a bunch of different people to hang out and annoy at the game though."


In all honesty, she was considering not going to the game. That sounded really really lame and stupid but now that it was brought to her attention, she really didn't want to get in the way of the couple and she definitely didn't want his friends to see her as a homewrecker or anything.

 

[Raerae]

Quite a few hours had passed, and Rae had gotten an impressive amount of work done for a procrastinatior. She'd stopped watching the clock and had instead moved to the living room, lying lazily on the couch whilst she texted her mom about her most recent dilemma. As always, she was incredibly supportive, and told her to do what felt right. Ugh, that didn't help but it did.


"My mom says hi and she likes your tattoo!" She snorted.


Four came around and she heard the lock start to jiggle, followed by Ethan's early and unexpected arrival. He was dressed in his usual work suit, looking incredibly suave and handsome, but she could see the disarray in his eyes, and sat up immediately whilst he dropped his bag by the front door, and combed his fingers through his hair- nervous habit.


"We need to talk," He told her, but he didn't say what she expected. "Why were you gone last night? You didn't leave a note or anything."


"I spent the night at the beach with Carter." She answered softly, "And I kissed him, and then we fell asleep together. Just, asleep."


For a moment he just stared at her like he was waiting for the punch line. "Seriously? What'd he do, slip something in your drink?"


"That's an incredibly stupid accusation," She rose up just to plop down on the arm of the couch, her long legs hardly able to swing as her toes touched the carpet already. "No, he didn't. I just realized that someone in this apartment loves me, but it wasn't who I thought it was."


"One night of bad one liners and suddenly he loves you more than I do?"


"No, eight years of subtle hints and dedication. Where as you can't even stick around for two," She wiped her eyes with agitation as the tears started to fall already.


"I can't fucking believe this," She flinched as he neared her, lightly grabbed her hand and held up to her face, his fingers on the ring. "What the hell does this look like to you? A cereal box prize?"


"You're the one that won't acknowledge me anymore!" She sobbed once but it was mostly out of anxiety.


---


"Aw, Charlotte come on, I never said you annoyed anyone. Please don't take that as a negative implication," He seemed genuinely concerned and drew his hands back, staring at her with the utmost softness.


"Everyone wants you around, I just meant there are single guys at the game if you're interested. I don't know enough about romance to word it right around women so I don't offend, I just know I had to come and talk to you about this today so no one gets hurt, you included."


"If he really decides to end it with her, then I won't stand in the way. But I just don't understand why he would, and I'd hate to learn it's just out of boredom, or because someone new and beautiful comes along, in this case, you. He's been ditching Rae for months and I'm just... Trying to hold what I can together before it inevitably falls apart.


He sighed heavily like this was all weighing on him and folded his hands in his lap, "...Do you want any desert? ...The pies here are really good for a Japanese restaurant."

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter, after his enjoying his delicious meal, had retreated back into his room but this time to his desk and to his laptop. His manager had sent him some coding that he wanted him to take a look at because this one game option kept bugging out. It was technically his day off but he didn't really mind taking another look. He didn't have anything else to do anyways. He chuckled and smiled to himself when he heard Rae in the living room.


"Tell her thank you and that I love you more than you!" He called back and then chuckled, shaking his head.


Going through all the coding didn't take as long as he thought it would so when he was done, he sat down on the edge of his bed and went back to playing his xBox. This time he started playing Fallout. He'd beat the game about five times but he thought the story line and open world was awesome so he always ended up going back for more. He wasn't sure at what point Ethan had come back home but it wasn't until he heard Rae's voice echo through the house about being acknowledged that he realized it. He paused the game and leaned forward on his knees, trying to hear what they were talking about. His door was open, so it was pretty easy. He would've closed it had he been watching the clock.


At any other given time, he would've just shut the door and let the two duke it out while he drown them out with his video games but he knew that this was all different today. She was talking to him about what had happened between himself and her the previous night. He wasn't one to run away from a fight. He sighed when he heard Rae's uncontrollably breaths as she began to cry and ran a hand through his hair. He stood up from his bed and walked over to his door, where he then leaned on his doorway and looked at the couple as if it was the most casual thing ever. He wasn't really sure what he wanted to say or if he should say anything at all, so he just crossed his arms and waited for them to either continue or for Ethan to come after him for ruining their relationship. Ah, he could see it now. If only you hadn't moved in! Maybe if you had a real job, like I do, and you're not always hanging around her! She just feels bad and she was drinking! The list went on and on, really.


~


Charlotte smiled and laughed a little bit. "Oh, no. I know. I didn't mean it like that it. I know you're being honest and everyone in your group is really nice," She assured him. She put her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand and listened as he continued. She nodded a little bit, knowing that he was only looking out for Gary and really, he shouldn't have to spare her feelings because her feelings shouldn't have been hurt. She was probably just making all of it up. She probably just took a special liking to Ethan because he'd been the first guy she'd met around here... And the first one in general to actually show her a fun time just for the hell of it and not because they wanted to get laid. Granted that could've been because of his girlfriend but still. It had just been really nice.


She smiled at his suggested and nodded a little bit. "Yeah, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try," She agreed to the offer. She didn't want things to be awkward between them because he'd decided to say something. She totally saw where he was coming from. She could find someone else. The city was swarming with other successful, attractive, funny, driven, blue-eyed gods, right?

 

[Raerae]

"What the fuck are you just standing there for? Happy with your progress?" He scoffed Carter's way, and then glowered at her. "You know he'd ditch you in a heartbeat, right? Is that who you want? Someone that can't even come back here 'cause he's passed out on someone's floor?"


"Ethan stop it," She beckoned, and wiped her eyes again. "Don't talk shit on him!"


"Why not? 'Cause I'm sure he's talking shit about me twenty four seven. I work my ass off every day, I'm clean, I'm sober, I'm"


"-Always gone, and he sets everything aside so we can just be together." She finished for him, and hugged her sides. "Don't you know I'd rather live in a box and see you everyday, than live in a swanky complex and miss you?"


"Oh drop the Twilight lines, he's losing work hours over you're inability to keep any! It's my career! I can't just give up what I'm working towards, to come here and binge watch Netflix with you or go on some four mile hike in the middle of no where. I can't just cancel a game to escape to the beach, because you're bored, or can't stand the same city."


He combed his fingers through his hair again, having half a mind to take a swing at Carter and another to hit the rewind button and order pizza. "If that scholarship for the big league comes through and I have to dedicate all of my time to the field, what're you gunna do then? At least Charlotte's enrolled in the fucking community college!"


"...Who?" She looked up, covering her ears from his relatively loud voice, though now, he'd really caught her attention.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter laughed bitterly and rolled his eyes, listening to Ethan. "Standing here because you're yelling at Rae and making her cry," He corrected him simply. He rolled his eyes again as he went on, trying to build up his little ego to seem like he was such a better guy than himself. Yeah, right... He was literally telling her that he couldn't do anything that she wanted and somehow he thought that he was winning this battle.


"You do realize a ring and a name on a jersey isn't going to keep her happy, right?" He spoke up,"Because if you don't, you damn sure don't know Rachel. You can't even blame her for anything. You're just a materialistic jock who wants a housewife."


He stood up straight when another girl's name left Ethan's mouth. One that either of them recognized. He scoffed. "Aw, man. This is gold," He chimed, shaking his head and walking leisurely in the direction of the two,"At least you know me and you know that we hang out..." He took in air between his teeth and crossed his arms,"But ditching work for a girl she doesn't know? That's a little much, don't you think? You won't even miss a practice for Rae."


A smirk came over his lips and he raised his eyebrows, knowing that he'd made a great point right there at the end. "I be a drunk but at least I know how to put someone else's feelings before my own," He remarked finally, lowly. He just didn't see how Ethan thought things were going to work out with Rae. As if their interests, or lack there of, wasn't enough, he'd been leaving for work whenever she wasn't around to avoid whatever awkward shit happened between the two of them. Who were any of them kidding anymore?


He leaned his hip on the back of the couch, right behind Rae and waited for something. Either one of them to yell at him for butting in or for Ethan to come swinging. He was ready for either. Quite frankly, he was enjoying letting Ethan know what he really thought about him and what he'd thought about him for the past few years.

 

[Raerae]

"She's just the neighbor-"


"You mean she lives next door? Are you serious?"


"I took her out for breakfast yesterday, and then we went to Gary's-" Carter kept proving his points and basically turning the situation around on him. "Would you shut up?"


With the adrenaline pumping which overlapped the ache in his own heart he couldn't come to terms with, Ethan had indeed decided to take a swing at Carter, what triggered his anger above all was watching the creep stand behind his girlfriend like they were some sort of team.


What he didn't anticipate was Rae instinctively jumping up when his right hook came flying, out of anxiety and foolishly attempting to prevent Carter from being hit. Ethan managed to knock her right off her feet as his fist connected with her jaw, and she fell into Carter with that one, already bleeding from the mouth.


What he'd done sent a jolt through him and he literally waited for himself to wake up, but he didn't, all he heard was Rae hyperventilating and felt the fact that she'd barely touched his fist, yet he'd hit her so hard. Well, hard for her, it likely wouldn't have hurt Carter as badly. "...Oh my God, nononono," He exhaled heavily once, and drew his fist back, wiping her blood from his knuckles. "Why the fuck did you just in front of him? Are you crazy Rachel?"

 

[PrincessKaty]

Oh, shit. The neighbor? Sneaking around the girl next door?... He really didn't pin Ethan as the cheater type but damn. He was just proving himself to be even worse than he'd initially thought left and right.


Carter watched as Ethan began to raise his fist, and with a smirk on his face Carter straightened up and braced to either duck or take it. But it never came. No, instead, Rae tumbled into him, breathing heavily. "Shit," He cursed sharply, putting his arms around her to steady her. His eyes shifted to Ethan in a glare. "Are you fucking kidding me?" He hissed,"God, you really don't understand do you?.." Of course she'd jump in front of him because he'd do the same for her. It was just how they were.


He looked back down at Rae and titled her head up to examine the damage. She was sure as hell bleeding and she'd bruise pretty bad but it wasn't the worse thing that couldn't happen. He wiped a few tears with his thumb and nodded slightly before looking back to Ethan. He let go of Rae and moved in front of her and throwing a punch right back at Ethan in once swift motion. "That's for hitting her," Carter justified before using his left hand to nail him in the stomach,"And that's just for being a prick." As if he was just going to let him get off the hook. Yeah, right. He knew that Rae could hold on like two more minutes while he kicked Ethan's ass. He deserved it and he was now finding himself to be thanking all the people who had beat him up in bars and at parties because it'd forced him to learn to fight. Well, would you look at that. Being a drunk was paying off!

 

[Raerae]

"Carter, don't..." She beckoned, but was trembling far too much to do anything. Considering Ethan was planning to hit anyone kept her from feeling a lot of sympathy, he'd showed such an ugly and confusing side of him that she had a hard time believing was real.


"Fuck you, both of you! I can't believe I wasted two years on you, for this." Ethan had taken the hits, wiped the blood from his lips, ad shoved Carter off of him. "Wanna act like I'm the bad guy? Fine, I hope you both fucking die with each other. We're done."


He swiped his bag and yanked the door open, fuming, humiliated and utterly confused. He started to say something else, perhaps an apology for hitting Rae or how it pained him to see someone else tending to her, but embarrassingly enough he was in tears, and slammed the door behind him loud like an aftershock. He'd be back to get his things- No, he'd kick them out, he paid most of the rent anyways. He couldn't put her on the streets... God, what was going on? Had he really been a ghost for six months? ...Where would he go tonight?


You can always crash at my place, came a sweet little voice, matched with that soft and kind hearted young woman he'd come to know as Charlotte. After all of this it really did look bad to spend the night there. What the hell did he care? He wiped his eyes and headed to the next door down, pausing outside of it and sliding down the wall, knees bent, head hung low and he just let himself feel everything, including the onslaught of tears that streaked his face.


Life sucked really bad right now. And Rae had always been there during his worst moments, so being alone just felt painful. ...That's probably how she's felt this whole time, eh?


-


She whined like a child and rubbed her already swelling jaw, practically begging for Carter's attention with every tear dotted bat of her lashes. "Is it broken? I think it's broken. I think my whole jaws going to fall off. And I'm bleeding a lot," Her teeth had sliced the inside of her cheek, so yeah, she was sporting crimson. Ethan had definitely hurt her emotionally, more so, but with Carter there she just didn't feel it like she would have had she been alone. Besides, what was two years compared to his eight?

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter rolled his eyes, listening to Ethan's dramatic exit and refrained from saying anything more because he knew that Rae needed his attention more than he did.


Once the door slammed, he whirled around and walked over to Rae to examine her jaw and mouth as she babbled on. "No. No, it's not broken," He assured her with a little nod,"Come on." Seeing that it was bleeding from the inside, he took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom where he lifted her up onto the counter easily. He got out the first aid kit, then grabbed a wash cloth from the drawer and tried to clean up some of the blood off her face. "Hold this," He told her. Once she did, he took a quick trip to the kitchen and grabbed a cup, then walked back to the bathroom and filled it up with mostly water then from the first aid kid he added in a little bit of hydrogen peroxide which would help disinfect it. "Rinse with this. Don't swallow it though," He told Rae, holding it in her direction.


He sighed a little bit as he watched her. He hated seeing in pain. The last time he remembered her being hurt was in high school, when she'd ate shit falling off of a skateboard while he was trying to teach her. She scrapped up her arms and knees pretty good. He wondered which one hurt more because both seemed pretty shitty.


"You didn't have to jump in front of me, Rae," He told her softly,"It means a lot though. So thank you." He felt like he couldn't be mad at her for doing it because he got that she probably just did it out of first reaction. Ethan could be the one to live with the fact he hit his now ex-girlfriend.


~


Charlotte had gotten back home about an hour about after Gary and her's lunch. After the awkward bump in the road about her staying clear of Ethan in the hopes of keeping his relationship with Rae still going, he'd asked if he could show her around the city. Charlotte felt like she could never pass up the opportunity so she of course agreed. He made sure to point out all of the historic buildings, which he knew quite a lot about not to her surprise, and showed her where the museum was which was apparently totally worth going to. She took a mental note of that if she ever needed something to do.


Now, she was sitting on the couch, watching some Lifetime movie about a girl who gets kidnapped but then gets up falling in love with the guy that kidnapped her. Does this stuff actually happen because damn, that's messed up. She readjusted the blanket on her lap and yawned. It wasn't even late but all the walking she'd been doing lately was wearing her out. Ugh, she sounded so old and she hadn't even hit 25 yet. Lame..

 

[Raerae]

"I'd rather my jaw be broken than you have taken the punch. I don't know why he had to go that far, it could have ended better." She rinsed her mouth out twice, but the burning was so unbearable she set the cup down and declared no more. Her gaze fell as she sat on the counter, replaying the scenario over and over again, proud she'd told the truth but she didn't hate Ethan in any way, and doubted their friendship could be just left like this. Whether or not he'd talk to her, or just move in with the chick next door was another question.


"The girl next door, I thought I'd sat him through enough sitcoms to know better," Rae shook her head, grabbing the hand towel and wiping underneath her eyes where mascara had run lightly. "At least she goes to community college- Hah! Fuck the system, that's what I've been saying for more than the years, and it ain't gonna change for no man. I don't need academics to be one hell of a girlfriend."


Now was the time for ego recovery, and I anyone could talk up a storm and lead the revolution, it was Rae. She swung her legs again for a moment before boldly pulling him in for a light kiss, unable to further that due to her jaw. "Ow... Oh, um, so... Speaking of girlfriends. Can I be yours now?"


Claaaassy.


---


Knock. Knock. Knock.





"Lottie?" He called out, wondering if she was even home, listening to him bawl like a little shit outside her door or if seeven existed.


The whole damn day felt ethereal in a bad kind of way, and he'd spent far too much time with his eyes trained on his apartments door. Anger had surged through him at least an hour before the real hurt settled in, yet he wasn't an idiot, Carter made accurate counter arguments to everything he said, and further more, he was right. Looking out for Rae for better than he had been, and Ethan honestly couldn't say he was willing to change to fix the fact she was such an attention lover. If Carter wanted to throw his potential away (if he had any) for some lovesick, unsupportive double crosser than that was his problem, and if Rae let her morals die and was accepting drunk suitors, good luck.


They were both at fault and he knew she knew that, it wasn't like he honestly didt know her. He'd been her first time for many, many important moments, but unike Carter he hasn't catered to her weaknesses, he pushed her to do better, and always secretly hoped she'd get her priorities straight, leave the fantasy in the books and head back to school for, at the very least, a vocational. But no, she'd stay wrapped up in the world of simulation while he's out in the big leagues, acclaimed, accomplished and completely moved on.


"Lottie, are you home?" He asked again, a little more quietly. The right sleeveof his blazer was damp from his little episode, though he'd managed to wipe a majority if blood off of his face. He started thinking about where he could go, Frankie was always home, Joss would tell him to grow a pair and move on, Gary would welcome him in--- Just for a long lecture of the mathematics of romance and why he'd screwed up.


...What would Lottie say?

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter couldn't help but smile as he listened to Rae. She was literally perfect. Not so much of a girly girl and would stand up for him. She wasn't convential and he loved that about her. "I mean, I can't say I blame him though. I probably would've done the same thing..." He told her. They'd kind of just ganged up on him and told him that he basically sucked at being a boyfriend. It wasn't a lie but it suppose it would suck to hear coming from your girlfriend.


"I didn't even know that we had a girl next door..." He thought outloud. To the extend of his knowledge, a guy with a beer gut and who apparently didn't own deodorant lived across the hall with a poodle and a single mother with three out of control kids lived a few doors down. Other than that, it was just a bunch of single people who minded their businesses. You'd think he's notice a new pretty girl. "You don't need college. You're way smarter than that prick anyways. I like 'em dumb anyways," He joked with a wink and a laugh.


He moved over to Rae when she pulled him over and kissed her carefully, not wanting to make her hurt anymore. He chuckled a little bit at her question and shook his head with a grin while he smoothed back her hair. "Technically, yes. Officially, no. I know you don't like to do things by the rules but I'd like to ask you out somewhat romantically because I've been dreaming about this for eight years," He pointed out to her. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead with his hand resting on her neck. "Guess we can run away and go catch Pokemon now," He pointed out playfully.


~


Charlotte laughed at the stupidity of the movie. As if this shit really happened. The movie followed the story of a poor, young girl who got kidnapped and taken to a beautiful city and showered with gifts because apparently the kidnapper just wanted someone to hang out with. Someone pretty. Yeah right. Shit like that doesn't happen although she wished it did. It was better than the actual things that happened when people were kidnapped.


She got up from the couch and headed to her kitchen to find something to snack on while she indulged herself with the movie. She had just put her hand on the door of her fridge when she heard a knock and then a voice. Lottie. Well, that could only be one person. Ethan? But why? He just lived a few doors down...


She turned and headed back to the door. She pulled it open and gazed up at Ethan. "Oh, E," She said softly,"What happened?..." She took her wrist and pulled him inside then closed the door behind him. It was obvious that he'd been crying because of his stained cheeks and red eyes.


She didn't even really think before she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. It was just who she was. She was an extremely caring person and had a huge heart. She always had. She loved hard, hurt hard, and cared for too much about everyone and everything. It probably didn't help her anxiety when things got bad but she couldn't control it.


"Are you okay?" She asked him quietly, pulling away from the hug to get a good look at him. She didn't even really know him and her heart ached for him to be happy.

 

[Raerae]

"Po-ke-mon!"


She hummed the anime's theme song whilst gently massaging her jaw, although it ached as did her heart, Rae was immensely proud of her confessions and ultimate decision. Ethan wasn't being truthful with her, and she was certain that was bound to get worse. It all started with dishonesty, at least she'd told him the very next evening, he'd been avoiding her for months. "Mmm, I haven't been on a real date in about a year. What'd you have in mind? Or is that a surprise?"


As she leaned against him and let the anxiety calm, she was reminded of her obligations. "I've got eight hours at the wildlife reserve outside of the city, each day the rest of this week. Eleven to eight, you know, gotta get that paycheck," She snorted. "Other than that, I'm free--"


Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she jumped a little as her mother's frantic voice bellowed from being the speaker. "Mom? Mom! I'm okay, Carter go the first aid kit. No, no, you don't have to kill him... I'm not guilt free either. ...He said technically but not officially yet, 'cause he's lame and wants a date," She flashed him a grin.


---


"We broke up, but not exactly how I would've liked to. I can't even say the intensities hit me yet," He couldn't really say more, at risk of looking even more pathetic than he did now. But he did hug her tightly, and took a moment to admire that she had a different scent, feel and way of fitting against him than Rae, and he liked that.


Damn. He should march over there and recover his pride, then remind Rae of all he'd done for her, what they had and how this shouldn't go down this way. "I'd planned to end it today, and then I wondered if that was the right thing to do..."


"Do you mind?" He asked and gesured to his bag and blazer, which he sat on her counter as they were both rather pricey. "Anyways, she told me that she and Carter-" he said his name with disgust. "-had all but hooked up last night. And then she blamed me for not being around enough to care, and I got mad... Because she's right. I'm never there. But they kept acting like a team, I lost it and swung, and she jumped in front of him like a fucking idiot and I nailed her instead."


"I've never, ever, hit a woman in my life. I looked like a monster, and I don't even know how it got to that point." He combed his fingers through her hair and waited for her approval before he sat on the edge of her couch. "You're the only person who might give me a chance to explain, and some here to crash, minus a lecture. I just... Needed a night, if it's not putting you out or anything. I swear I'm not the bad guy. I'm just... Not okay right now."

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter hummed along with Rae out of habit mostly. He'd heard that damn thing so many times because it seemed like any time of the two of them were hanging out, that was playing from somewhere. Whenever Ethan wasn't around of course. He didn't seem to be too fond of "cartoons".


He chuckled and smiled. "A secret," He answered simply. He'd thought of a million different ways to take Rae out and woo her. It wasn't necessary, he knew. She'd already been wooed enough by his great looks and shitty sense of humor but he still wanted to make it special. He thought about taking the typical beach route, with a candle light dinner thing on the sand but it seemed too cheesy for her. He wanted to think more out of the box for her. Maybe a road trip thing would work well. He'd figure it out.


He made a face when she mentioned that she had work all week but nodded. "Me too. Nine to six. Don't ya love the real world?" He asked with a little smirk, running his fingers through the ends of her hair.


He looked down when he phone buzzed and smirked, listening to her mother on the other line. He winked at her then swooped the phone from her and put it to his year. "Hi Kimberly," He addressed her mom with a smile,"Just wanted to let you know that Rae is in great hands, although I'm sure you already knew that, and that you don't have to kill him because I'm already on it. Also, I just wanted to make sure I have your approval for your daughters hand." He chuckled at her answer, which was an of course duh, and then handed it back to Rae with a wink.


~


Charlotte frowned, listening to the announcement that Rae and him had broken up. Instantly, she felt guilt strike through her because Gary's words were ringing in her mind. Just don't put any ideas in his head. This wasn't because she'd encouraged him, right? No, he'd already made up his mind when he vented to her last night in the jacuzzi.


She shook her head and gestured outwardly. "Make yourself at home," She told him honestly before crossing her arms over her chest. She was kind of chilly. Her eyes widened as he explained that she'd told him that she'd hooked up with someone else, the roommate dude, and then he punched her in the face on accident. Well, wow. That sounded like quite the break up. She smiled at him though and walked over to the couch where she sat down beside him.


"Hey, it's okay," She told him softly, putting her hand on his bicep, which was pretty damn toned, "Shit happens and people slip up," She assured him,"You can stay here for as long as you need. I'm really sorry all of that happened... If it makes you feel any better, she's not doing so hot either. I mean, she hooked up with someone while you two were dating..." She could see how him not being around would cause problems but she was assuming that Rae wasn't much of a saint either.


She reached over and moved a piece of his hair off of his forehead and then grinned. "I'm going to get you some water and pillows and blankets," She informed him before standing up and heading towards the kitchen,"It's all the same layout as your place, so I'm sure you know where everything is. You can use whatever you need."

 

[Raerae]

Rae's mom had always preferred Carter to Ethan, and didn't hesitate to express her bias regarding the situation. She indulged, agreed, permitted their togetherness with her blessing and then made sure to throw in they needed to come visit her downtown, preferably with a ring involved.


"Alright, alright, love you too," She switched the phone off, and hopped down from the counter, her mind already working ahead of time at the change of plans. "So we should look into a place to move to, maybe on the other side of town. I wanna get a husky, since a certain someone hated the idea of animals in the house."


She rambled on and into the hallway quirking a brow as she received another text and stated a dramatic 'uh-oh' when she saw the contact name.


Gare-bear: Hey Rae, how're you and Ethan doing? Haven't heard from him today, hopefully he's taken you out by now?


"Shit! I forgot to tell Gary. Oh, he's going to take this worse than I did," She sighed, and started up a lengthy, detailed explanation. "Hey, Carter? You wanna watch a movie or something?"


---


"Oh, God no, I'm not a mooch," He sighed, head in his hands as he thought about how the day had gone, not at all to his liking. "But thanks... At least for tonight and then I'll talk to her about the rooming ordeal. Even after all that went down, neither of us are kicking each other out, I know that."


"Nooo, no, not a hook up, or... That's what she says. Rachel's not a liar, at least never before this. God, never mind, I just... Can't even think about it right now. I hate stuff like this, it's for the sitcoms, not me."


"Aw, no, Lottie, let me," He walked after her, a little weary but he didn't want her to go out of her way for him. And from the looks of it she was enjoying a movie, he didn't want to step in on that. "What if I order pizza, yeah? Contribute to something. ...What movie is that?" He grabbed the blankets and pillows from her, "I swear I won't move in on the couch, one night, two tops and I'll probably have my own place by then. I hate imposing."

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter nearly swooned at the idea of moving in with Rae and getting a husky. He loved animals just as much as she did but his mom had been allergic to basically everything so pets had been out of the picture for him. This would be a perfect opportunity. "For sure. I can start looking for something tomorrow," He agreed with a nod as he tagged along behind her out of the bathroom,"Would you rather live in an apartment building or like, an apartment complex?" He wanted to narrow down his options.


He raised an eyebrow when Rae looked down at her phone and sighed a little bit himself. He hoped that them being together didn't mean that she was going to lose all of her friends because that wasn't what he wanted. He just wanted to be with her but not at the sake of her happiness. He wasn't going to question her now though.


"Yes," He answered,"But we should watch it in my room so we can lay in bed." He grabbed Rae by the wrist and pulled her along to his room while she texted away and he closed the door behind them just in case Ethan decided to drop by. Not probable but neither impossible. He walked over to his xBox and turned it on, then walked over to his bed and grabbed the controller. He selected Netflix, then looked over at Rae. "Any suggestions?" He asked her curiously. If she said no, he'd honestly probably just end up putting something random on and talking to her the whole time.


~


Charlotte rolled her eyes and laugh. "I'm not saying you are and I know you aren't. I'm serious. It's not like you're a bother. For as long as you want," She assured him with a smile. She'd been the one to offer up her place and she for sure wasn't going to turn him away.


She made a face as she frowned, feeling terrible for Ethan. This definitely hadn't been his day. She waltzed over to the hall closet and pulled out two blankets and a pillow then turned to walk back towards Ethan but he was already there in front of him. She giggled and shook her head. "Stop trying to be so polite. That's my thing. I like being a good host," She told him, glaring playfully.


"The couch is all yours," She said, gesturing towards it as she started towards the kitchen,"It can get kind of uncomfortable though so, if it gets really bad just tell me. You can sleep in my bed. And it's some Lifetime kidnapping movie thing... I have no idea. Nothings on TV." While talking, she filled up a glass of ice cold water for Ethan and then walked back over to him on the couch and held it out in his direction with a smile.

 

[Raerae]

"Honestly? I don't see us breaking up, so we should look at town houses for something we can decorate... Like those really pretty brownstones up near the hills, we can afford them if we both contribute. We need a yard for our puppy... I hate, hate, hate living on a busy street with all the weirdos and blaring horns, it'd be nice to reign from above and smirk at all the little people," She laughed royally and settled down beside him, able to hold the conversation whilst she awaited Garrett's reply- it never came. "Buuuut if we have to start smaller, a rather secluded complex would be nice. Trees and an in unit washer and dryer are a must. Oh, and pets, dogs specifically."


"Uuum, Pirates of the Carribean!" Honestly, she just watched the same three movies on there all the time: Pirates, Dirty Dancing, and inevitably, Pokemon. "Oh, oh, wait, snacks. I'll go make some nachos real quick."


That had taken her about five minutes with the microwave, she brought a huge bowl back 'cause she and Carter could clear a buffet, with avocado, melted variations of cheese and a little hot sauce on top. Fresh rapsberry iced tea, too.


---


Even though he felt bad, Ethan genuinely appreciated Charlotte's attitude. Of course his friends would have offered the same, but he just didn't want to be around them right now- Lottie was relaxed, chill, and absolutely adorable. There was just an uplifting aura about her, like she truely didn't mind him being here, and honestly he'd wanted to come here anyway, now he could just do it without checking with anyone else.


"Okay, okay, I'll stop," He offered his first smile of the day and patted the cushion right beside him, unaware that she was cold, though he had a naturally warm temperature that'd fix that in no time. "Thanks, Lottie," His throat was rather parched, and afterwards he set in on the nightstand beside her couch, gazing around and noting it was a little bare, but a generally cozy apartment that definitely reminded him of her.


"I don't really watch television to be honest. Ball games and that's about it," he rested his arm along the head of the couch, feeling the tension between his shoulders finally start to ease a little. Everything emanated her especially aroma wise, sweet and light, but with an alluring undertone- at least, he thought so.


"...So, do you have visitors often, or am I the privileged first?" He inquired lamely, and finished off his glass with ease. "I'm sure the gang would love to throw you a little party as a welcome if you're into that." He laughed, knowing he and his friends find any reason to justify a beer and bright lights.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Carter tried to hide his smirk of satisfaction with Rae mentioned them not breaking up. It was good to hear that she had some faith in them. In his eyes, she was the one for him. She said that she wanted to get married and he could see spending the rest of his life with her. It seemed pretty extreme for someone who had just technically started dating someone but with their past, it was just different.


"I think we could do a townhouse. I'd like it way better to be honest," He agreed. The yard would be an added plus and since town houses were two stories, they wouldn't have to worry about noisy neighbors below or above them. It'd be perfect.


"Should've known," He remarked with the shake of his head as he scrolled through all the options of movies until he found Pirates, which was actually in his "Continue Watching" section because he was pretty sure they'd passed out watching it a few ago on the couch.


"Foooood!" He growled happily when Rae returned and he snagged a nacho from the bowl,"You do realize that without you I'd be living off of McDonald's and Hotpockets, right? Ugh. You're great."


He pressed play on the movie, then set the controller aside and scooted back on his bed so that they could lean in the pillow and enjoy the movie that both of them could probably quote by heart. "You know. This movie makes pirates look kind of cool. Shit isn't like this in real life..." He pointed out.


~


Charlotte smiled at Ethan, glad to hear him agree. She honestly did mind him being over it. It was really nice actually. She hadn't had real company over and a while and it was great just to have another body around. It got kind of quiet being all alone. She was so use to living with her family that being by herself felt so foreign. She'd never had to deal with actual silence. Usually she just left her TV on to make pretend like she wasn't alone. Dead silence bugged her.


She laughed a little bit. "Do you do anything else that doesn't have to do with baseball?" She asked him curiously before quickly adding on,"Not that it's a bad thing I was just.. Wondering..." She felt like his whole life revolved around it. His whole group of friends, being on a team, watching TV, the practices. She wondered if he did anything else. She felt like that would get boring but hey, what did she know?


She grinned a little sheepishly and shook her head. "You're the first, actually. First person I've met here, unless you want to count cashiers at grocery stores and the manager of this building," She admitted lamely and laughed,"A party, huh? I've never been much of a party girl but I suppose that a little get together wouldn't kill me. As long as there's no hookers or cocaine. That's where the line gets drawn." She smiled at Ethan and pulled her legs up onto the couch to sit crisscross, then crossed her arms with her hands on the outside of her arms in an attempt to provide her own body heat or something. It'd be smart of her to go turn off the thermostat or put a jacket on but that seemed like a hell of a lot of effort right now.

 

[Raerae]

"Now I can cook for you all the time," She set her phone beside his on the nightstand, and adjusted herself better beside him. Although the housewife life was definitely not for her, she loved catering to Ethan, and knew she'd love doing the same for Carter.


"I know, everything's boring in real life. You know why? No one likes adventure, they have to have plans, and schedules, and tests, and answers- nothing can just be, it always has to be-cause. People are so wrapped up in their shit, there's just no fun," She continued her philosophical rambling and laid back against him, prone to cuddling. She gradually hushed as the movie continued though, sighing contently and tugging his comforter up over herself.


"Yooo-ho, yoooo-ho, a pirates life for meeee," She sang along, trailing her fingers along his jawline affectionately. It was an easy transition, really; she just wanted to be safe and have someone to adorn, and all the cliche, nauseating fluff.


--


"Ummm..." He furrowed his brows, leaning back and contemplating on what else he did other than ball relevant hobbies. Was it so wrong that he loved it? "I... Not really, I mean... The sport, the rush, the team mates, the smell of a freshly mowed field at two AM on a Saturday night mixed with a popping bud light, and then the sudden crackling of a bat meeting the ball and sending it soaring into the air, out of sight. Knowing I did that? It's crazy, I love it. I tried to help Frank Garden, Joss has shown me enough to fix my own car, and Gary tries to enlighten me on chess and cooking. I know little bits but I'm... Pretty much a straight athlete. I work a really lame office job, I'm trying to just save up, then I'll woo the scouts in a few weeks..."


"No hookers, no drugs, we don't do that. Honestly Gary was against the beers we served last time, but we're all kind of health nuts for the sake of track, ball and swim so it was a nice break." He knew she was cold and seemed to stutter a little, getting caught up in his thoughts about whether or not he should be bold.


So naturally, he was.


With a gentle reach he placed his hand on her farther shoulder and tugged on her, offering a chance to lean in whilst he tugged the faux throws she'd grabbed for him over the couch, and on her lap. "I'm not a statue, you can't sit with me, if you want. Like, next to me."


He wondered if she was scared because of what he'd admitted, about hitting Rae accidentally. He sure hoped not. "I've been told him cuddly, but I don't want to brag or anything," He sent a half smile her way, suddenly a lot more timid realizing he was free to flirt, and therefore had no one to fall back on, and could lose her with a lame line.

 

[PrincessKaty]

"Livin' the life," Carter announced with a little smirk,"And I can... What can I do?" He wasn't super great at anything other than video games because that literally was his life. And getting super shitfaced but he was pretty sure that Rae wouldn't be up for that. She'd seen how wrecked he came home. "I'm good in bed," He answered finally and then laughed.


He grinned a little bit when she began to talk about how everyone else sucked. She was so anti-everyone. It was great. He loved it. "Well of course they are. Why have fun when you can be accepted by society?" He pointed out. It was true. Everyone was either an attention seeker or a kiss ass nowadays and he felt that was especially true now that they were older.


He looked down at Rae when she moved hand along his jaw and grinned. He really wished that she hadn't taken the hit for him because he'd love to kiss her right now. That was selfish though. So, he settled for being romantically verbally instead. "I really love you, Rae. There probably could've been a better way for all of this to go down but honestly, I'm just really happy that we got to this point now. I really thought I'd lost you to him," He told her.


In all honesty, he'd moved in for about to reasons. One, when his lease was up in his old apartment he was at a place where he couldn't really afford to move and Rae had offered but more importantly; two, he wanted the chance to live with her, ignoring the fact that Ethan lived there too, so that they could be around each other more. When she started dating Ethan it was obvious that he became her first priority. Not a terrible thing because that was just what happened when you dated but he'd obviously been jealous.


~


Charlotte grinned as Ethan talked about his love for baseball. It was obvious that he adored it and she actually really liked that he was dedicated to something like he was. "Are you nervous?" She asked him curiously,"For the scouts?" She would be. If her whole career was based on how well he preformed for one day. Yikes. She kept that thought to herself though, not wanting to sike him out even more. He probably knew that already anyways. She was almost glad that she'd never been involved in something that she got really nervous for. Never tried out for any teams or did any auditions. Damn, she was lame.


She nodded a little bit. "Make sense," She agreed,"Then in that case, I'll make sure to supply hard liquor so you guys can get super drunk before a game." She was obviously just messing around. Hungover and playing a game outside in the sun? No thanks. She didn't even leave her bed when she was hungover.


Charlotte felt her cheeks burn up a little bit when he reached his arm around her to grab the blanket. That was all. Just grabbing the blanket. Well, she thought until he suggested that he was great cuddler and sitting next to him and all. She looked up at him and smiled probably like an idiot, with her red cheeks and all. She bit down on her lower lip and leaned into Ethan's side, taking the offer. She wasn't sure if it was crossing a line because he'd just broken up with his girlfriend but hell, she cheated on him.


"We don't have to watch this. I just couldn't find anything else," She told him, looking towards the TV now to the dramatic movie that seemed to be coming to the last thirty minutes.

 

[Raerae]

Carter's response had initiated a major redness that spread like wildfire across Rae's face; it's not that she didn't believe him, but that definitely unlocked a few places in her mind she thought she'd never go, with hormones as her guide. Curiosity would absolutely get the better of her with him. "Don't make me blush, sly."


"Bleh, society. I hope all their morals burn," She offered a sweet little smile afterwards, realizing that may have been a little dark, but hey, that's how their humor tended to be, mixed with morbid. "Loved by many, but still lonely."


She pondered on his words, she hadn't heard an I love you from anyone other than her mom in, possibly, a full year. Her doe eyes caught his and she just gazed at him, still running her soft fingers along his jawline. "I think my I love you will sound more genuinely girlfriendy once we're official. But I know I do, 'last night just made it way too obvious." She leaned upwards and kissed him a few times, lightly for obvious reasons, "You won't have to worry about that again. I swear I'm set now. Everything's how it's supposed to be now."


---


"Hella nervous. But Gary and I have been working on my swing since the sixth grade, and my whole team knows what I'm up against, so we're planning on non stop practices for a couple weeks, and then a few days rest before the trip to the University. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes."


"Some guy's get plastered before a game. I don't understand it."


"Mmm, I like thrillers myself, do you have Netflix? ...Is that a stupid question, the look you're giving me says yes," He laughed lightly and squeezed her just a little in a playful manner, his fingers gentle against her skin which would eventually warm up. Of course, he could really warm her up, and the way she bit her lip actually managed to conjur butterflies in his stomach. Lame, right? But damn, that was a cute habit of hers. As was basically everything else. "Movies like Inception or Magic Mike are pretty awesome, even though I really can't stand most of Hollywood. Hate that life. Are you a tabloid person, a gossip girl?" He doubted it.