Days passed. I heard nothing from Mike. I knew he was furious with me, but he never picked up when I called, never responded to my texts. I wanted to make things right. I wanted to explain what had happened the other night in the drugstore, but how the hell was I supposed to do that whenever he totally ignored me?
I'd had enough. If he wouldn't reply to me, fine, but he couldn't do it face to face. After over a week, I got in my car and drove to his house.
"Vic! Mike! Someone open the god damn door!" I yelled after ringing the doorbell.
Vic finally answered. "Sorry, I was sleepi- Charley! Hi! What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice an octave higher after he'd come to his senses and realized I was here.
I stared at him skeptically. "As surprising as this may sound, I'm not here for you. Let me in."
"He's not here." Vic said quickly.
"His car is." I raised my eyebrows.
"He went out with Jaime." Vic replied.
"I don't know why you're lying to me, Vic. I thought we were friends." I bit my lip.
"That's why I tried to stop you!" He called as I shoved him aside.
It was quiet inside. I walked up the stairs to Mike's room, feeling eerie. Something was up, that was for damn sure. I had this feeling of dread in my stomach for what seemed to be no reason.
"Are you sure your girlfriend won't mind?" A girl's voice asked. I froze outside the door, listening.
"I don't have a girlfriend, Charlotte." Mike replied. No remorse. No regret in his voice.
I banged the door open. "No, he doesn't. Please continue."
She was nearly naked, he was shirtless. Mike's face turned redder than red when he was me. A million emotions flashed through me simultaneously. Anger, love, hate, jealousy.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded.
"Just curious as to why you've been ignoring me. Clearly you had a good reason." I said, looking at Charlotte pointedly.
He stood up. "Yeah. We were busy. Are you done?"
I glared at him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Maybe you should ask yourself the same question." Mike replied. "Bye, Charley."
He slammed the door in my face without explanation. I fought the tears that wanted more than anything to fall down my face.
"Don't cry, Charley. I couldn't stand it if you cried." Vic said softly, coming up the stairs. "I didn't want you to find out this way."
"I don't know what I did." I whispered, frozen.
"He's been weird ever since that night. Hardly ever comes out of his room, when he does he's grumpy. Charlotte, she's his ex. I guess he called her up. I just heard them a couple days ago- Sorry." He murmured after seeing the look on my face.
I looked at Vic. "I don't know what I did."
"It's going to be okay. I promise you it'll be okay." Vic said, pulling me into a hug.
I let myself cry into Vic. "Yeah," I said softly, "So did he."
**
Nine hours later, I found myself in New York City in search of the only person who had never let me down.
"Austin?" I asked, wiping my swollen eyes as I unlocked the door to his room.
"What the hell?" Someone asked.
I turned around the corner and smiled. "Hi."
"Charley?" Austin asked incredulously. He, Alan, and Phil were in his room. "What are you doing here? What happened to you? You look like hell, but you're still beautiful. No one could do it but you."
I gave him a weak smile, the best I could manage under the circumstances. "Me and Mike. . . we, um-"
"Who was she?" Austin asked softly. I put my head on his chest and sobbed.
"How did you know?" I asked when I could speak again.
"It's Mike." Austin said edgily.
"His ex. Me and Mike got in a fight and he was ignoring me. After a week, I went to his house and Vic didn't want to let me in but I did anyways. I wanted to apologise to Mike but he was with her." I whimpered. "And Austin. . . we were fighting in the first place because of Luke."
"I'll kill both of them." Austin said angrily, but his tone softened when he looked at me. "Charley, what are we going to do with you? Why can't you ever be happy?"
"Fuck if I know. I'm sorry for showing up so unexpectedly. . . I needed you." I said softly.
"I love you. You know that. Wait here, alright? I'm going to make you feel better if it's the last thing I do." He said, quickly walking out.
I looked at Alan and Phil sheepishly. "I'm a mess. Sorry for putting a damper on the festivities."
"You don't have to apologize, Charley. I'll beat him up." Phil said.
I laughed quietly and sat next to Alan. "I missed you boys terribly. Really did."
"It's quiet without you. I don't have anyone to flirt with either." Alan said.
"Okay, Charley. I brought you fuzzy socks, a dinosaur colouring book, this month's Playboy, and a whole gallon of mint-chocolate chip. This is breakup central." Austin returned with a grin on his face.
"Did you really?" I squealed, jumping up. "You really are the best."
"Hold on. Playboy?" Phil asked.
"Charley likes to look at the naked girls. Been doing it since sophomore year." Austin shrugged.
"That is so hot." Alan said.
"Continue doing whatever weird boy shit you were doing before I got here. I'll be alright." I said, hoping that I was right.

Notes

Another picture of Charley :)