Finding Charley (Full Circle) (3 page)

As I’m falling into a deep sleep, I hear the sound I hate the most. That damn alarm clock.   Groggy, that is exactly what I am.  I feel like I’m in a fog and can’t see with my eyes or head.  I know I have to roll out of these warm covers and face the reality of last night.  What the hell was I thinking going outside?  What if I see Joe today?  What if Dylan texts again?   I shake my head and throw back the covers, just as there is a knock at the door.  Georgia.  I grab my bag, and we make o
ur way to the pool.

The pool.
  Water therapy is exactly what I need.  I remove my Cash Money necklace and lock it inside my locker.  I grab my cap and goggles and just about sprint to the pool.  If I can’t be at the club or in a tree, then this is the next best thing.

Coach’s eyes meet mine, and she begins to say something, but blows the whistle for warm-ups to begin instead.  We stretch and then begin the 500-meter choice.  I scoop my cap into the water
before placing it on my head and then position my goggles and dive into the cool, refreshing water.

As my body hits the water, it’s as if my mind begins to turn, and I begin to relive every event from last night.  Before I know what’s going on, Coach is standing above my lane, splashing in the water and blowing her whistle.

“Charley, damn, honey, are you all right?   I mean, I don’t usually let words slip like that, but you’ve been on fire since you went into the water.  I was afraid you were gonna have a heart attack out there.”

As I get out of the pool to grab a drink of water, I reply, “I’ll be aight, Coach.  It was just a rough night, and not like
you’re thinkin’ either.  Study Day turned into a nightmare that I’ve been trying to escape for over a year.  No matter what, it keeps rearing its ugly head right in my face.”

“Well, obviously you didn’t have a normal Study Day, or you would have puked by now.  Seriously, if you need to talk, I’m here.  I don’t judge either,” she responds as
she wraps her arms around me.

“Thanks, Coach.”

We pull apart, and she calls the next set.  This set is a killer, but I’m ready.  It’s time to work out this rollercoaster of emotions in a place I know as home.

After practice, we all shower in the locker room and make our way to the café for breakfast before exams begin.  Now that I’m out of the water, my nerves are starting to get the best of me.  It must be written all over my face, because as we get ready to enter the café
doors, Georgia looks at me and smiles.  I nod, put on my big girl panties, and hold my head high.

We enter the café, and I scan the lacrosse table for Joe.  I’m not sure how this will play out, especially after our late night meeting.  I notice he’s not there, and I shrug it off.  I guess he’s feeling the aftermath of
all that Jack.

I grab my plate and make my way through the line.  I feel the need for bacon, and I mean a lot of it.  As I’m fixin’ my plate, Tori pipes in.

“Damn, Charley, did they kill one hog just for you?”

“You know me.
I lovvvvveee bacon.  I swear I’d wear it as perfume if they had it!”

“That’s gross!  But then again, I bet it would call in the male species!”  She laughs.  “Speaking of which, look what the bacon dragged in.”

Joe.  That’s what the bacon dragged in.  His eyes meet mine, and I quickly turn away.  I make my way over to our table and pull out my chair.  Before I can sit, Joe is standing in front of me.

“We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t.  Now move, asshole!”

Joe takes a step
back as people begin to stare.

“We will talk, Squirrel.” 
Tori begins to stand and has that ‘open a can of whoop ass’ look written all over her face.  “You can slow your roll, Tori, because I’m not pushing her, but we will talk eventually.”

He looks at me, turns, and walks away.  As I watch him leave, I feel a piece of my heart break.  Not because I’m in love with Jackalope Joe, but because I’ve lost a friend. 
One that not only knows my darkest secrets, but Dylan’s as well.

Chapter 3

After breakfast, I rush back to my room.   It’s time for a last minute cram session before biology.  I send Cash a text to let him know I survived the night and will call him right after the exam.

Other than my blast with fresh air and Joe last night, I’ve not been alone.  Needless to say, I have a gang of Kluft girls that go everywhere with me.  If people didn’t know better, they would probably think we are up to no good.

I enter the biology lecture hall with Dr. Deal right behind me.  He takes the stack of exams and passes them out.  I inhale a deep breath of fresh air, say a prayer, and let the knowledge I have flow from my fingertips.   After finishing the exam, I take a brief moment to review my answers, because isn’t that what all good students do?  I quietly turn in my paper and march out of the room.

As I exit the building, I can’t help but frown when I look at the spot where Joe would wait for me.  Today he’s not here, and if I had to do it all again, I don’t know if I would change it.

As I walk back to my room alone, I call Cash.

“Hey, Char-coal, how are you this morning?”

“I’m hanging in there.  I didn’t sleep much last night, but I kicked ass at practice this morning.”

“That’s good and all, but what aren’t you tellin’ me?  Remember, I can read your mind, or at least know when you aren’t tellin’ me everything. And, are you alone?”

“Yes, but I just finished my exam. That’s why I called you on the way, so settle down.  There’s something I need to tell you, but first let me get to my room.  Who knows who’s listening around here?”  I laugh, but
it’s cut short by Cash.

“What the hell, Char?  This shit is serious!  Do you know that I haven’t slept at all?  I’ve been worried sick.  You want to do this alone, and I’m letting you.  It might kill me in the process, so don’t joke, okay?  I love you too much to let something happen to you, and right now I’m worried to death.”

“I’m sorry.  I just have to laugh, because if I don’t, I’ll cry.  I didn’t sleep much either.  Hold on a sec. I’m almost to my room.”

I rummage for my key out of my backpack and open the door.  I throw my
bag onto the bed and sit down.

“Okay, so here’s what you need to know.  I had a nightmare last night.  I woke up upset, but then I was more pissed than scared.  Before I knew what I was doing, I was outside alone.  I kinda realized it was a bad idea when the cold air woke me up, but by then it was too late, because Joe was out there.  He wanted to talk, but I pretty much told him to grow a pair first and then we’d talk.  Later, as I was almost asleep, I got a text from Dylan.”

“Char, I think I need to come down there.  If anyone’s going to jail, it’s going to be me and not you.”

“No, you’re not.  See, I wanted to march my ass over to Irvin and punch the shit out of Joe, but then I realized what good would that do?  He’s hiding something.  As much as I don’t like it, I think Dylan is holding something against him, and I’m going to figure it out. 
And… I’m gonna put a stop to Dylan, but we’re gonna have to have a bullet-proof plan.”

I take a breath, and Cash takes a minute to respond.

“Char-coal, are you sure you want to go up against the devil?”

“You bet your fine ass I do!  I pulled a card on him last night in those texts.  I told him I had practice this morning.  He didn’t text anything back after that.  He knows that I’m stronger than he gives me credit.  I wanna take him down, Cash Money, but I need your help.  Are you with me?”

“If this is what you want, then damn right I’m with ya.  Haven’t I always been?”

“Thanks, Cash Money.”  It’s moments like these that I wish I were safe in the arms of Cash Money in the club in Grassy Pond.

“Char, have you talked to Piper?  ‘Cause I think we might have a problem.”

As soon as he says those words, I don’t need an explanation.  Joe.  That’s the problem.  Piper is head over heels for Jackalope Joe, and how in the hell am I gonna tell her that he’s full of shit?

“I’ll worry about that when I get home.  I finish my exams tomorrow, but they are having a Christmas Party on our hall Friday night.  I’m going to stay and try to have a good time.  Then, I’ll be home Saturday morning.”

“You want me to come and be your date?”

I squish my lips together and move them from side to side as I contemplate my answer.

“As much as I want to say yes, I’m gonna say no.  Let me try this independent thing a little while longer.”

“Aight, well, let me know if you change your mind.”

“I will.
I better get ready for my next exam.  Love you, Cash Money.”

“Love you, Char-coal.”

I press
End
and sit on the edge of the bed.  My next exam… freshman seminar. I drop my face into my hands as I rest my elbows on my knees.  Oh shit.  I totally forgot about the collaboration session for our exam.  Fifteen minutes until I have to face Jackalope Joe and have an actual conversation in front of Dr. Cope.  I. Sit. And. Pray.

Chapter 4

I wait until the last minute to walk across campus… alone. Stupid, yes, I know.  Everything seems to stand still as I tread across the train tracks and glance at the front lawn where this nightmare all began.  When I look at the front lawn, I can’t help but relive the first day on campus.  Memories from the moment I saw those make-you-wanna-melt eyes to how I couldn’t wait to press my sweet lips to his come to mind.  Little did I know those lips would be full of deceit and cause so much pain.

I pull myself from my thoughts and make my way into Dr. Cope’s classroom, instantly locking eyes with Jackalope Joe.  I quickly look the opposite way to find a seat, but the only available one is my usual chair right beside a guy I love to hate. Although for some reason, I want to have faith in him.

Dr. Cope begins class, and several students finish their projects.  It’s doomsday when she drags me from the thoughts running within my head as I hear her call our names. 
WTH?!

“Joe and Charley, you seemed to have created a strong bond and learned a lot about each other this semester.  Honestly, I haven’t seen a pair with your type of connection, ever.  Can you tell the class what caused it?”

Joe and I sit in our seats, unsure of who needs to speak first.  I decide I’ll be the one to grow a pair, as usual.

I stand and walk to the front of the room. Looking directly into the eyes of someone I thought I could trust, I speak the truth.

“Dr. Cope, Joe and I had a connection long before we met at Southern.  Little did I know that was the cause until recently.  Joe and I worked well because we had trust.  It’s almost as if we had been long-lost friends.  My advice is to make sure you truly know the people who claim to support you, because in the end, all you have are true friends.”

I don’t break eye contact with Jackalope Joe as I make my way back to my seat.  I wait for him to make a comment, but he doesn’t.  Just like I thought, he’s not a true friend; he’s a complete lie.

Dr. Cope concludes class and gives each of us a hug on the way out the door.  I try to make a beeline across campus, but it’s no use.  Joe catches me.

“Look, Squirrel. I’m sorry.  I really am.”  He continues to talk as I increase my speed while I walk back to Kluft.  “Stop and listen for just a minute, please!”

I stop abruptly and face him.  “What?!”

“I need you to hear me out.  It’s not like you think.  Well, it is, but it isn’t.”  I look at him puzzled.  “Yes, originally, it was just a big payoff from Dylan, but then I met you.  I knew the moment you opened your mouth with the Cougar Charley comment that it was going to be different.”

“Whatever, Joe.”  He grabs my arm as I turn to walk away.  “Let go of me!”  I grit through my teeth.

“No, Squirrel, please listen.”

I stop. “I’m listening.”  I pull my arm from his grip, cross my arms, and wait.

“This might take a while.
Can we go somewhere?”

“Sure, but I will not be alone with you.  Let me text Georgia.”

Me: Joe wants to talk.  Can you come outside?

GA: U got it!

Joe and I stand in silence as we wait for Georgia.  I see her short self coming out the door and toward us.  She might be short, but she looks like she’s six feet tall and ready to beat some ass.  She’s on a mission, that’s for sure.  Gah, I love her!

Georgia quickly approaches us.  “Joe, what do you have to say?”

As we make our way to the picnic table that has so many memories of Joe and me, Georgia laughs as if she can’t believe it.

“Don’t you think for one minute that going to sit at a ratty, old picnic table is gonna fix this!  I don’t care if this
is
where it all started!” she says as if she were spitting fire.

“Georgia, I just need to talk, that’s all.  Yeah, Squirrel and I had a lot of great moments here, but at least it’s quiet.  Hopefully, everyone won’t be in our business,” Joe
replies, staring at Georgia.

She takes a step toward him, crosses her a
rms, and dares him to test her.