"Perfect, Charley, perfect!" The director called. "Okay, lift that arm up just a little, and then mouth just a tiny bit open. Gorgeous. Okay, now smile!"
"Stop!" I yelled. Everyone looked at me expectantly. "Um, I just can't do this pop music. Can you put on some La Dispute?"
The shoot manager sighed. "Sure, Charley. We're almost done."
"Okay, I'm ready." I smiled apologetically.
"Last shot, alright? Let's go!" The producer yelled.
I finished the photoshoot forSelf magazine and went into my dressing room, catching a facetime call from Austin just in time.
"Charley Brown. Dun dun dun. Charley Brown." He sang. "Hi, Charley!"
"You're talking to Charley?" Alan's voice asked. All I could see was Austin's face.
"Hiii, Alan." I called.
"Charley!" He shoved Austin to the side and grabbed his phone. "Hey! You look hot!"
"I just got out of a shoot. How's New York?" I asked.
Austin punched Alan and took his phone back. While they wrestled, I sat down and noticed the flowers waiting for me on the counter.
"What are those?" Austin demanded.
"Someone sent me flowers." I smiled, searching for the card.
Charley-
You are such a cool girl,
and when you drink a lot, you don't even hurl.
Every time I see you I absolutely swoon,
your beauty is comparable to the moon.
(I am told the moon is sexy).
Have fun at today's photoshoot,
p.s: you are SO cute.
-Mike.
P.P.S: Vic helped with the poem. Hope you like the flowers.
"I have to go." I said abruptly.
"Who are they from?" Alan asked.
"Mike." I replied. "I have to go see him."
"Charley and Mike sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage!" Alan sang. Austin and I both glared at him.
"Call you back in a little while love you both have fun in NYC bye!" I said in a rush, ending the call. I got in my car and drove to Vic and Mike's house, ringing the doorbell.
"Hi, Vic." I grinned slyly. "Where's your brother?"
"Who is it?" Jaime's voice yelled.
"Charley!" Vic called. "Mike! You have a guest. I'll leave you two alone." Vic smirked at me.
"Hi." Mike smiled, coming to the door. I leaned forward and kissed him straight on the lips without hesitation. "I should send you flowers more often."
"They were pretty." I smiled, still in his arms.
"Just like you." He said. "You want to come in?"
"Sure, sure. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" I asked.
"We're playing poker. You can be on my team." Mike said. I followed him to the table, where he pulled me onto his lap and put both arms around me. "Okay babe, what are we doing? Call or fold?"
I studied his cards. "Call."
"You have Inspector Gadget over here helping you. Not fair." Tony complained.
"Maybe you should get a girlfriend." Mike suggested. I felt my face flush. Girlfriend?
"I'm pretty much an ace at poker. You guys are going to get smoked." I laughed.
"Cheaters." Jaime said. "I'm going to fold."
"Fold." Tony sighed.
"Call." Vic grinned. "I'm taking the dream team down."
"Lay your cards down then." Jaime said. Mike's cards clearly beat Vic's and we took all their money.
"You're my good luck charm." Mike said, putting his head in my neck. "Remind me to bring you around next time we play poker."
"I have very good luck. Clearly." I smiled, looking at Mike.
"Gross! Gross. Gross." Jaime repeated.
"Come on, Charley. We don't need to hang out with these losers." Mike said. I followed him into the living room. "Let's watch a movie."
"No. Star Trek: The Animated Series." I replied, sticking my chin out defiantly.
"Star Trek?" He asked skeptically.
I rolled my eyes, turning on the cartoon. "Mister Spock, I am losing control of the Klingon ship." I quoted along with the TV.
"Star Trek?!" Tony demanded."No! Star Wars!"
"Star Wars is nowhere near as cool as Star Trek." I said.
"You have to go home." He said.
"If you talk while Spock is talking again, I'll kick your ass." I replied without taking my eyes from the screen.
"That is so hot." Mike said.
"I love Star Trek. You have no idea." I shrugged.
"You are adorable." He shook his head, pulling me into his arms. "Tomorrow night?"
"Tomorrow night what?" I asked.
He just laughed. "Tomorrow night, we're going on a date."