ONE

Charlotte's POV.

   Bad day. Just a  bad day for me. How can i walk in the city of California,  without looking like a  wreck. I should have just taken the bus home but i couldn't miss the chance of walking through the busy streets and taking in a  breath of pleasant air since the previous one I've had and i've always been having for more than ten years now has been unpleasant.

You can't lie to yourself anymore Char and you know it. I was more worried about my present condition and i guess this were one of those days when i do something without thinking. It was more of the reasons why Lacey and i aren't buds. It was like she was the clock herself, knowing when to move,  and when not to. I scowled  as i walked down the streets and i sighed not even knowing where i was.

It took me a minute to fully understand,  that i was lost. And i meant,  totally lost in the streets. It would have been better if i didn't have mud on my simple dress shirt and my high heeled boots weren't helping either.

I groaned in frustration,  why would i leave my bag at work and walk thoughtlessly into the streets. I wanted to savour the moments i had here and head back,  but everything started becoming familiar,  and i guess i hit the wrong road. I scratched my hair and a glint of hope shined as i saw a restaurant. I wasn't hungry,  hell i wasn't. But i needed help and I'm sure i could at least meet a  fan who can spare her phone. Excited,  i walked in and i scanned the whole place. It wasn't crowded,  none other than two couples,  a teenager and......,  A TEENAGER!! I smiled up.

God,  i knew you were always there for me.

I wasn't really the religious type,  hell no. But,  i knew someone made that awesome sky i see everyday,  and the trees,  and food. Gosh,  if there was any part of creation i loved. Was the making of food.

I slipped into the seat opposite her,  and her eyes widen as she saw me. Her blue eyes glittered,  and her lips were hung open.

"C-c-c-c-charlo--.....,  oh my God!!" She screamed. I smiled.

"I'm sorry but can you lower your voice?" I asked in my most polite manner. It was a wonder she knew me. She looked like a  typical nerd. With the huge glasses. Big sweater and all,  but that made me more comfortable.

"Yes...,  i will!!" She muttered still not able to believe i was with her. Talking to her. Sitting with her.

"Uhmm,  what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Well,  I'm American by birth and i think i have a  right to walk freely!!" I said. And she lowered her  head.

"I'm sorry!!" She whispered.

"It's okay. So i need your help!!" I told her. She looked at me,  her eye brows brought together.

"I'm sorry....,  i didn't get that." She said. So maybe not as comfortable.

"I need your help. Your phone actually!!" I told her. She looked round and bit her lip.

"It won't take a  second,  well maybe more than a second....."

"I don't have a phone!!" She said,  so low i barely heard.

"Wait....,  what?" I asked her.

"I'm sorry." She replied.

"Or were you grounded?" I asked her. She bent low,  and i think she didn't want to talk about it.

"My friend would be here soon! He has a phone!!" She said quietly.

"You know,  it won't change anything if you talk louder!!" I told her. She sighed and it was then i noticed how Haggard she looked.

"Sorry i was late Daisy!!" I heard a husky voice. When she said,  her friend,  i thought she meant someone like her,  but hell the guy was a hot one. Okay,  I'm not a  pedophile,  in fact,  I've dated more sexy men in the past but i won't  lie when it comes to descriptions.

"Hi,  .....,  your face looks so familiar!!" He said smiling. I smiled back.

"Oh it is. Uhmm,  can i borrow your phone?" I asked him.

"You could've borrowed hers!!" He said pointing to Daisy,  i guess. The girl gave him a  look that showed both mixture of affection and explanation. They both communicated with their eyes and i totally felt like a  third wheel.

"Uhmm,  please can i use your phone?" I asked again,  rather sharp and he gave me his phone.

"Have you ate breakfast?" He silently asked her but i heard,  of course,  i was curious. She looked at me and then him.

"Later!!" She replied. I called Cilla.

"Hey bitch. Wanna swing by ......" I looked at them.

"And this place is....."

"Tally's!!" The boy replied.

"K...."

"Where are you?  Your phone has been ringing since like,  God knows when!!" I heard Cilla rant through the phone.

"Sorry madame the bosse,  while you were out having coffee,  I'm lost in LA,  can you just come  to Tally's restaurant please?" I begged.

"Tally? I'll search it up. Should i bring your bag?" She asked.

"Of course dummy,  I'm going home after this." I said

"Hold on,  I'll be there,  i think Lan knows the place!!"

"Aiit." I said. I hung up an deleted the number and gave the boy.

"Thanks!!" I told him.

"Sure!!" He said and after ten minutes of the three of us looking at each other  made Daisy sigh and looked at her  friend. Duh. This was so boring.

"I skipped school!!" She told him. Great,  now she knows i wasn't going anywhere. That made me smirk.

"I know." He said,  she tensed under his scrutinizing look. This two really had a long story between them. Just like the books I've read. The hot guys fall for the nerd.

"It wasn't my fault!!" She said.

"I don't care Daisy. I just want you to be okay!!" He said and signalled a waiter,  i looked away.

"I'll want a tuna melt sandwich,  french fries and.....,  what do you wanna eat?" He asked,  i feel he was directing the question to me. I sighed and looked up.

"Uhmm,  how 'bout only a juice. Its on me!!" I said. The waiter gasped when she saw me.

"Oh my God. Can i have a  selfie with you?" She squealed. I smiled.

"Yeah sure!!" I said. We took dozens of pictures later and she left. I saw babbling to her colleague and pointing to me. The other  one also squealed and i sighed in horror. This won't be a quiet lunch.

"Are you like popular or something?" The guy asked. Hello???

"Dummy,  its Charlotte Gallager. Your sister worships her everyday!!" Daisy told me. He looked at me confused until his eyes widened.

"No one told me i was  sitting with a  celebrity!!" He whined.

"Its okay....,  i...." I heard clicks and i wanted to groan.

"So,  we're gonna go now....,  right Alvin?" She asked him.

"What about our its on me lunch?" The guy,  Alvin asked. Suddenly,  a clothe was on me.

"C'mon girl!!" I heard Cilla say.  I dropped a  100 bucks from my purse and smiled.

"Get a  new phone Daisy. And i ship you Alsy!!" I said,  that made Daisy blush as i left the restaurant.

The road adventure was boring but at least i made friends.

-*-

"What happened?" She asked  me and i sat on my giant bird after changing clothes.

"Nothing. It was boring if you ask me. But i did set foot on freedom!!" I breathed out.

"You've always been free Char!" She said.

"Wheres my husband?" I asked her changing the topic.

"Oh,  he left immediately after dropping us off!!" She replied.

"Is he that busy?" I asked her. She sighed and i scoff.

"At this rate,  he won't be available for movie nights!!" I said.

"He ditched to see his girlfriend." She spat.

"And how many times have  i told you not to complain about Dylan's relationship to me? You had your chance but you blew it." I said.

"Its not my fault. I didn't know he'll still be with Jessie after five years Char. FIVE YEARS!!" She cried.

"Well, i also didn't know you'll still be head over heels for him for five years Cilla,  FIVE YEARS!!" I also cried. She rolled her eyes and smirked.

"At least,  i know i like someone!!" She said. I gave her a 'does it look like i care' look and grinned.

"I can die single for all i care!!" I said.

"That would be a waste,  do you know how many cute names I've come up with over the years?" She asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Even if i am gonna give birth,  which am not,  you're hell not naming her!!" I said and she pouted playfully.

"What are you? Five?" I asked her. And she rolled her eyes.

"Whatever. I'm gonna cook. What do you wanna do?" She asked me.

"Uhmm,  watch movies and maybe eat some chicken!!" I replied and she nod.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll order pizza!!" She said and walked away. I sighed and laid on my bed,  it has been really hectic for me these days,   and i just wanted to relax.

-"-

"Do you have anything to say about the video Courtney Myers posted on her Instagram?"

"Is it true that you and  Joshua Lamba are dating?"

"What are you going to say about the rumour behind the sudden appearance of Courtney Myers?"

"Is it true that you and  Courtney Myers are enemies?"

"Do you...."

The TV was switched  off and i rolled my eyes. I looked at Courtney who gave me a  dirty stare.

"What was  that about Courtney?" Joshua asked her.

"Truth!!" She replied.

"What fucking truth?" I asked her.

"Chill Char!!"

"That's what I'm talking about!!" She said. I wanted to pull her hair and kill her. But i was keeping my cool.

"What?" I snapped.

"You always bullied me and I'm fed up!!" She cried. Pretender!!

"Bully? I'm a bully? Why don't i show you what being a bully really is?"  I asked her. She whimpered and ran behind Joshua,  but behind giving me a smirk.

"You girls really need to talk things out!!" Joshua said.

"Talk what out? Its so easy she wants to paint me black and be  the angel!!" I told him.

"I don't know anything for sure Char. But i know,  you two are going to the park on Saturday and smile at each other to stop the rumours!!" He said.

"They aren't actually rumours!! I hate her!!" I said and he sighed frustrated.

"I would do it Joshua. If that's what it takes to rebuild Char's broken image!!" Courtney said. I scoff.

"My image  is already broken. Its your broken self we need to fix!!" I snapped.

"I'm just trying to help. Why do you hate me?" Courtney asked. God knows I'm going to kill this girl one day!!

"Just drop it!!" Joshua said.

"You are both doing it no matter what. Final!!" Joshua said in a  firm tone. I wished  i could hate him.

"No problem Joshua." She said. Picked her bag,  and left. I stood up.

"Joshua...."

"No!!"

"Please. Help me,  i can't spend a moment or two with that girl. I will die. Pity me Joshua!!" I begged.

"No,  it will be  good for the both of you!!" He said.

"And you know i don't pretend right?" I asked him.

"I don't want to know if its real or not Char. And I'm begging you....,  show up!!" He said.

"It depends Joshua!!" I told him and took my bag.

"It depends if its something I'll do or not!!" I added and smiled.

"Have a nice day!!" I said,  wore my sunshades and walked out of his office,  i saw different,  somehow familiar employees,  that greeted me and waved. I smiled back and i took the elevator,  unfortunately,  someones sillettos  stopped the door and my eyes rolled in disgust. She entered the elevator and the door closed. I just pray i don't get arrested today,  that,  if she respects her self.

"Its very sad!!" She said and i sighed. I took out my phone and just continued scrolling.

"Have you ever wondered why you weren't the model for Sally's?" She asked. I looked at her.

"Have you ever  wondered why you were born?" I asked her. She giggled.

"Yes. To be a top model. I mean,  a true one!!" She replied. I rolled my eyes and continued with my phone. I wasn't pressing anything in particular but it kept me busy and has my focus. And i needed that right now!!

"Oh,  and can you please help me and tell Joshua that i might be busy before the shoot?" She asked. Shoot? Shoot!! My eyes widened.

"Are....,  Joshua made you the....."

"Yes. And I'm so honoured i was  picked  i mean,  i felt bad for you but maybe that's how its supposed to be!!"  She said. I sighed.

"I'm sure its not just meant for me. I have something higher." I said.

"Oh yeah, like Cort which I'm also modelling for?" She asked.

"And why are you telling me? I'm actually happy cause i can relax and maybe have a vacation!! Unlike you,  i don't have to worry about trying to beat someone,  have more followers,  tarnish peoples image and trying to make people angry. I'm actually more mature and way past that level. So if you don't mind....., " and the elevator opened.

"I have somewhere  important to go to!!"

-*-

"Why would she model for Cort? That's uncalled for!!" I said.

"She needs it!!" Joshua said.

"Needs what? Is she a  better model?" I asked him.

"She's less troubling!!" He replied. I hit him and he giggled.

"You are  good Char,  there's no doubt about that. But sometimes,  you have  to let others have their way!!" He said.

"Whatever. I wanna drink some wine. You?" I asked as i went to the kitchen.

"Nothing really. I wanted to ask if you're coming on Saturday!! I know you and i know i didn't convince you enough!!" He asked.

"Why should i?" I asked him. He sighed as i poured the liquid in the cup.

"Char.,  please......,"

"Why are we  talking about work when we can just have a nice night?" I asked him and gave him a glass with wine.

"What do you mean by nice night?" He asked me.

"I don't know,  maybe,  go crazy?" I asked him. He chuckled.

"Not today Char!!" He replied and i nod.

"Why?" I asked. He sipped his wine and bit his lip. An habit he does when he has something serious to say.

"I,  we shouldn't. I mean,  don't you think it would be bad when people know we are a thing?" He asked me.

"We aren't a thing Joshua. We're just good friends who likes having sex with each other!!" I replied him.

"Right. People might think its because of that you are  who you are Char and i don't think its healthy for the both of us!!" He said

"Gosh Josh,  you're such a girl!!" I said.

"Since when I've i care about what people say?" I asked.

"I do. And i don't want to....," He replied. I nod.

"Alright." I said and moved closer to him.

"But you won't mind if i kissed you right?" I asked him as i used my index finger to put my hands in his shirt,  and caressed it. He wanted to push my hand away but i kissed him. And that ladies and gentleman is Joshua Lamba's weakness. He pulled me closer as my left hand found its way to his hair. And my right unbuttoning his shirt. He carried me on his lap and he deepened the kiss,  moving to my neck and he trailed kisses,  down right to my jaw,  and my throat as i let out a  soft moan. Our lips collided again and i smiled then pull slightly away.

"We shouldn't..." I breathed out. His hands went under my top and i kissed him.

"We really shouldn't!!" I said mocking him.

"Yeah...,  buh,  maybe this last one!!" He said as he continued kissing me. Overtaking my control and i giggled.

"Uhmm...,  I'm up for that!!" I said but the ringing of the bell spoilt everything. Arghhh!! Joshua released his grip from me and i sighed.

"I wonder who that is!!" I said. He bit his lip and i put my index on his lips.

"I'll be back!!" I whispered to his ear and gave him a kiss before walking. I groaned when i saw my moms face. Urgh!! At least Claud is here. And Aunt. Carter,  whats the occasion? I buzzed them in and went to Joshua.

"Its my mom!!" I said.

"What?" His eyes widened.

"Uhmm,  I'm gonna go to the bathroom maybe fix myself up. i look bad right? Won't you fix your hair?" He asked. I shrug as i took my wine glass and i heard footsteps.

"Charlotte Fayanna Gallager!!" My mom said. Trust my mom to always call me like that anytime i was in trouble,  or....,  when she was  just in her fucked up mood like today!

"Lacey Kylie Gallager!!" I called too.

"Charlotte dear!!" Aunt Carter said as i hugged her.

"Char!!" Claud said as he  hugged  me.

"Sup kiddo?" I said and we both giggled. Gosh,  I've missed him.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked them,  looking directly at Aunt Carter. My favourite aunt. Claud is my younger brother. And my Dad is probably on a yacht travelling around the world.

"What were you doing? Look at you? Is  that a love bite?" She asked.

"I think its called a hickey....." I said and she rolled her eyes.

"I didn't expect you to still be  like this when you knew we were coming." She said.

"Oh sorry,  i should have fixed my hair,  and wear a sweater? For the love  of pete,  I'm 25!!" I told her.

"And so what?" She asked me.

"I think I'm mature and old enough to do whatever i know pleases me!!" I replied. She let out a  soft grunt and sat on my couch checking again if there was any stain.

"Don't worry...,  i don't do it on the couch!!" I said and she shaked her head frustration.

"Sit down Aunt. What can i get for  you?" I asked.

"Oh,  I'm starving!!" Claud said. I smiled.

"As usual." I said and we both laughed.

"A cup of coffee would be okay!!" My mom said.

"Looking good Lacey!!" I said as i looked  at her for  a while before going to the kitchen.

"Thanks!" She said. I smiled.

"Hows business?" I asked.

"Good!!" She replied. I took two glasses and poured juice in them.

"Claud,  i need you!!" I said. He came in seconds later.

"What's up Claud?" I asked him.

"I'm good!!" He replied.

"Hows your girlfriend?" I asked him as  i brewed coffee.

"We broke up!!" He replied.

"Awwn,  baby. What happened?" I asked him.

"She cheated. I don't wanna talk about it!!" He said. I gave him a back hug.

"Sorry hun. But don't worry,  a  girl is out there  meant for you....,  now tell me,  are you a popular or a sucker?" I asked him as i poured coffee in the mug and brought out my phone to order pizza. Other from Toasts and pancakes,  i can't cook to save my life.

"Well,  I'm kinda in the middle." He replied.

"Uhmm. You play basket ball right?" I asked him.

"Yeah!!" He replied.

"Tell me all about everything!!"

-*-

"....,  but it ended  into a  complete disaster!!" Aunt Carter said and we all laugher except my mom,  Of course. Aunt Carter was talking about her little daughter,  Camryn. She's a darling and mischievous child. And i don't know how many hours Joshua is gonna stay in.

"Yeah,  she's so...."

"With that aside,  I'll love  to talk about why i came here  in the first place!!" Mom said and i sighed and laid on Clauds lap.

"I'm all ears!!" I said and it took a  minute before she said.

"You're getting married!!"

I jumped up.

"Whaat????!?!?!"

****************************************

First chapter lovelies. 💃💃💃💃. I know its a  little bit boring,  but I'm telling you the next chapter would be hella interesting because things just started to get......,  INTERESTING.

Thanks for reading. Please vote ⭐ and comment📝. Thanks so much. I really appreciate.

Stay safe😷.

With 💕...,

Peejay✌💖.