Casters

Chapter 9

"Oh my gosh, today is the day!" Sheena exclaimed.

"What is with all the excitement early in the morning?" Aunt Annalise asked, entering the room, "Thought I needed to wake you, ladies, up, but it seems like this event woke you up earlier."

"Sheena and Charlotte will be going on a date with their boyfriends," Matilda smiled. Bridget entered the room, bringing some sandwiches and milk for the girls.

"I don't have a boyfriend, Matilda," Charlotte glared. "It's okay, dear. You don't have to deny it. We shall keep that a secret from your Aunt Grace," Annalise giggled.

"Sheena has one, though," Charlotte smiled, pointing at Sheena. "Hey! I have none!" She defended. The ladies laughed and ate their breakfast. Aunt Annalise left the room.

"Say, who are you meeting today, girls?" Bridget asked.

"I would be meeting Fred at Café de la Poste," she replied. "Oh, so Steven would be there, too?" Bridget asked.

Charlotte choked on her sandwich upon hearing his name. "What's the matter, Cee?" Matilda smirked. Charlotte shook her head and smiled, "sometimes, things are better off unnoticed, Mat."

"Well, long story short, Charlotte here was the lady Steven has been telling Fred and me," Sheena said, holding out her milk.

"My my, did you know that Steven got multiple women craving for them to be noticed by him? Most women from our school would love to capture that man's heart," Bridget shared, "I would know because I am a year older than Sheena. Even my friends would turn red just by passing him along the corridors. I'm currently in my college years, though."

"Now, Bridget, don't threaten Charlotte like that," Sheena laughed, nudging Charlotte. "Stop it, you guys. I'm starting to feel like meeting Steven would be a terrible idea."

The ladies laughed, "Now you both get ready while Matilda and I clean the room."

---

When they were about to leave, Grace walked towards them and let out a heart-warming smile. "Please do take care, ladies. Sheena, make sure you guide Charlotte well, okay?" Aunt Grace said, "she's still trying to get used to the town."

Sheena nodded and said, "we'll be okay, Aunt Grace. We'll see you later!" They hopped on their bicycles and left.

As they were on the road to the café, Charlotte felt butterflies in her stomach out of nervousness. "Honestly, Sheena, I feel like I'm going to embarrass myself," Charlotte said.

"What are you talking about? Steven has been looking for you since the day you met. He gave you his number, but you haven't even contacted him. You will be fine, I promise," Sheena reassured. 

She did remember Steven giving her his number. She just forgot to add it to her contacts. "Okay. I forgot where the place is located, are we almost there?"

"We're almost there. Are you excited?" Sheena asked.

"Why are you asking me? You are the one who is going on a date and have a boyfriend afterward," Charlotte joked. Sheena's eyes widened. "Hush, I'm trying to divert my attention."

"Well, you are ready, aren't you?" Charlotte asked.

"I have never had a boyfriend, remember? So, I am nervous. I hope things go well," Sheena sighed, "we're here."

Charlotte's stomach was filled with butterflies. I am not ready for this.

"Are you ready?" Charlotte asked Sheena. Sheena bit her bottom lip and nodded. "Let's go."

The ladies entered the café and found Fred and Steven sitting at the corner.

"Well, the game is in two months, and- Steven..." Fred said, losing track of his words.

Steven turned around and choked on his coffee. "Ch- Charlotte?"

"Actually, Fred and I would need to take a walk in town. Would you mind if you wait for us here, Charlotte?" Sheena winked.

Charlotte was shaking but couldn't say a word, "We'll see you later." Sheena said, pulling Fred out of the cafe.

"Uhm, hi!" Steven said awkwardly.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry. I just thought we would have a cup of coffee with Sheena and Fred." Charlotte said, placing her hair behind her ear. She was fidgeting but tried to maintain her composure.

"I thought I'd never see you again, Charlotte. I never knew you were acquainted with Sheena," Steven smiled.

"Well, her aunt is my uncle's wife," she replied. "Really? Sheena and Fred decided to set me up with you today than telling me about your relationship," he laughed.

"I really apologize if it felt uncomfortable," she said, face turning red.

"No, no. It isn't. I just wish they told me. I could have bought some flowers and looked decent enough for you," he said, slumping on the table.

"You look fine for a cafe date," she smiled, then slapped her mouth as soon as she realized what she said. What the heck is wrong with you!

"I'm terribly sorry, Steven," she apologized. Steven laughed at her nervousness. "Glad to think I'm not the only nervous one around here."

"Would you like to eat? There's a restaurant down the street," Steven asked.

"Oh, I would love to! Didn't Sheena say we should meet her here?" Charlotte asked. Steven picked up his phone and said, "I shall give her a quick call. If they're on a date, then so shall we."

Charlotte's face turned red. "I supposed so."

They gathered their things and went for a walk. "Could you wait for a minute?" Steven asked. Charlotte nodded, and he went on his way.

Seconds later, he came back with a bouquet of flowers in his hand, "for you, since I couldn't look decent today," he said, handing out the flowers as he scratches his head.

"That's very sweet of you, Steven. Thank you," Charlotte said as she smelled the flowers. "They look beautiful. I am dazzled."

"Shall we?" Steven asked. Charlotte smiled and nodded as she inserted her arm around his.

---

"Would you like to go on my birthday?" Charlotte asked after Steven ordered their lunch. Steven was surprised by this.

"It's your birthday soon? If only I would've known, I could've prepared a gift or something," he said, "are you turning eighteen, too?

"Sheena's birthday is also this week." he continued.

"No need for the gifts, Steven. I'm just planning a simple birthday, after all. A picnic with my family," she said, "perhaps that is why Sheena is staying at our place. To celebrate our birthdays together."

"I guess we'll have to meet each other's family first before your birthday, right?"

"Aren't we going too fast for this?" Charlotte joked. Steven choked on his drink and laughed. "Are we going on that stage, already?"

"Since you are new around town, I figured that it would be respectful to introduce myself to your family," Steven pointed out, "they couldn't just think I'm some random stranger befriending their niece."

"Well, technically speaking, you are befriending a stranger," she said.

"and will be dating one, that is correct," Steven continued.

Charlotte's jaw dropped and laughed, "you couldn't be blunt like that!" she exclaimed.

"I know, but I prefer to," he winked.

"There you are!" Sheena said. Fred was following her with a huge grin.

"Now, where have you two been? You didn't tell me that this date of yours was a setup!" Steven said, crossing his arms.

"Well, we had to leave. Otherwise, we could not start a proper conversation," Fred said, winking at Sheena.

Charlotte's eyes widened, "are you going to tell me right here, right now? Or you'll be spilling the beans on our next life?" she asked Sheena.

"Hush, not here. Let's talk about it later!" Sheena giggled.

"Well, now that you are all here, let's have some lunch!" Steven invited.

---

"I guess we shall see you guys the day after tomorrow?" Sheena asked.

"Really? We will?" Charlotte asked. "Of course. Aunt Annalise knew of Fred and Steven since our junior years. We've been friends for quite some time. They would love to have the boys around," Sheena explained.

"Oh, I see," Charlotte nodded. "Well, see you!"

Charlotte and Steven gave each other hugs. As they let go, their necklaces intertwined.

"That's a pretty necklace, Charlotte," Steven commented, smiling.

"and your grandfather's amethyst necklace, Steven," she giggled.

The lads bid their goodbye, and the ladies went off to return home.

"Are you and Fred officially dating?" Charlotte asked, smiling.

"Well, I finally said yes!" Sheena exclaimed. Charlotte screeched out of excitement. "Sheena Evergreen, finally dating!"

"Well, what about you? Don't pretend I couldn't notice those flowers," Sheena smirked.

"You really did this on purpose," Charlotte smiled, shaking her head.

"You're the one who said surprising him would be better than telling him the good news!" Sheena laughed.

"Well, you should have opposed to it!" Charlotte replied. "The embarrassment I felt was excruciating!"

"Enjoy those butterflies while it lasts," Sheena laughed.

"Genuine question, where have you been, though?" Charlotte asked. "We went to another café to have a proper conversation and looked around book stores. We actually ate before looking for you both,

"It was simple, yet memorable. Fred has always been the type to treat a lady the traditional way," Sheena continued. "By the way, he also bought me this book."

Charlotte smiled, "I'm glad you enjoyed your day."

"I could say the same with you, Charlotte. I'm glad you decided to stay with us here in Roussillon," Sheena said.

"I agree. Don't get me wrong, I really miss Gatlin. I thought I could never admire France after leaving South Carolina," Charlotte said, "who knew France would create a whole new meaning for my life."

"Have you talked to Van? It's been a while since you last spoke to her," Sheena said. Charlotte shook her head. "She has been busy, too. I'll try calling her soon, though. She wouldn't miss my birthday for the world."

---

"We are home!" Charlotte announced. "Sheena and I had a great time!"

"Oh really? You met up with Steven without telling me?" Blake asked, crossing his arms.

"That's why I never invited you, Blake. You are scaring that poor man," Sheena said. Bridget laughed at this comment. "I have to!" Blake exclaimed. "The first time I met him was when Charlotte and I bumped into him!"

"How did it go, ladies?" Aunt Annalise asked, welcoming them home, "Are they coming over soon?"

"Well, first, we are extremely tired. Might as well talk about this some other time?" Charlotte suggested. The family nodded and proceeded to eat their dinner.

Your necklace, where is it? Charlotte heard. "Yes, Matilda?" Charlotte asked. Matilda looked at her with visible confusion, "did you call me?"

"Oh, it wasn't you? I'm sorry. I thought you were talking to me," Charlotte said, feeling her head hurt.

Your necklace, look for it. 

Charlotte began to panic when she realized she was not wearing her necklace. "Excuse me for a moment. I need to look for something."

Charlotte went upstairs and looked in the bathroom, the necklace was not there. She proceeded to her dresser and cabinet, it wasn't there either. She went outside and saw Uncle Raven taking a cup of tea in the garden. "Uncle, have you seen a necklace with a sunflower pendant? Matilda gave it to me as a present, and I couldn't find it."

Gave it to you? I thought she buried it like Grace said, "No, I haven't seen that necklace. Why don't you ask your aunts if they have seen it?" He suggested.

Charlotte went to the living room and began searching for it. How could I possibly lose the necklace?

She went back to the dining room, decided to finish her dinner and find it in the morning. "Aunt Grace, if you find a necklace with a sun pendant and black tourmaline all over it, could you tell me?" She asked. "Matilda gave it to me as a gift, I couldn't afford to lose it."

"Oh, of course, dear. When did you last wear it?" Aunt Grace asked suspiciously.

"That's the thing, Aunt Grace. I couldn't even remember when," she replied, sighing.

"Alright, we'll find it first thing in the morning. While you three clean up the room and prepare for bedtime, may I request Matilda to stay behind?" Aunt Grace asked.

The ladies nodded and left for the room.

"What is it, Aunt Grace?" Matilda asked.

"I thought I told you to bury that necklace back in Gatlin?" she asked.

"I did. I was with you, remember? I was surprised to see her wearing the necklace as well," Matilda replied, "surprised enough to tell her that I bought it for her and accidentally lost it back in Gatlin."

"Oh dear, that necklace shouldn't be in the wrong hands," Annalise whispered, "let's find it tomorrow morning."

Grace sighed, "we have to."