On My Way To Mr. Right

Chapter 3

Thinking back to my moments with Rossalyn, growing up with her was unique. Every playdate day was a new adventure. I have known her since we were in kindergarten. I knew all the people she had dated. Her quirks and pet peeves. And she knew mine. We had always been so close.

However, when we were in fifth grade, I started to find her weird because she preferred hanging out with girls over boys. It was perfectly normal until she claimed she didn't have a crush on any boy. It's just different, you know? When I was slightly older, I found this word, bisexual. I looked it up and I thought the description and Ross' behavior were a perfect match. She had dated boys before, and she constantly praised different guys’ appearances. Although, I admit I have no real experience with anything outside of my traditions.

But she claims she isn't bisexual. And that was the end of it. I respected what she wanted because that's a part of how friendship works. I guess I have always preferred it when she dated girls and I don't know why, but I don't feel comfortable with Ross crushing on Lennon.

It's not that big of a deal, but it concerns me. For some unknown reason, I don't want her to fall for him. I think it's because she doesn't know him and I don't want Ross getting hurt because of some smart-aleck jock from out of town.

I made my way to the picnic tables at the front of the school and settled down. The heat of the sun is getting to my head. I feel as though I should've grilled Ross more about Lennon. But I knew better. It was just my jealousy talking. I knew that if I had, we might've got into a fight.

I know I’m a pretty jealous friend. My friends knew that. I was a stubborn girl from Berkeley, California.

I was not in the mood to argue and prove my point to Ross. Because it is useless.

I admit I am jealous. Ross is becoming more occupied with Lennon than with us, his friends. She says it’s for her newspaper job, but I doubt that. And if it's getting in the way of our friendship, I don't approve of it.

This is ridiculous. I'm being ridiculous. Instead of thinking more about what could've happened, I took out my sketchpad and pencils. Drawing takes my mind off things.

I started sketching how I saw myself right now. Confused. Alone. Outcasted.

This is something I do at certain times when I feel a surge of emotion so great and I can't do anything about it. Just like right now. I feel so irked and bothered but I can't do anything about it, because if I do, it will do more bad than good and I can't have that between me and Ross.

I was almost finished with my sketch when someone called my name.

"Charlotte!"

I looked around and saw a group of boys coming over. I didn't recognize them at first. Again, I have bad eyesight. But once they got closer, I recognized the men coming. And it didn't bring me relief. It was Adrian and his group of friends.

I think I need to mention in this part that Adrian and I used to date. He was my first love, I guess. We were neighbors before he moved away. We had become friends and I lost him, so that was a downgrade. But he transferred back to freshman year, and it was almost as if no time left us. He courted me and we dated. Although we were pretty ignorant teenagers, adamant about spending time together. Almost a year ago, I was the happiest girl with him. But then, s**t went down and I wasn't his princess anymore. Couldn't be happier to end that charade though.

"Hey, Lottie." He called out so sweetly, it was sickening. He sat at the table and the others did the same.

"Adie, what are you doing here?" I asked, impatiently. Since we broke up, we haven't been the best of friends. I don't think it works that way, anyway.

"We were just walking down the field, then I saw you here all alone." He chuckled, tracing circles on the table.

God, he has such a cute smile.

I laughed mentally after thinking of that. I still find him attractive, just not, since he's a scumbag who made a lie on half of our relationship.

I'm too bitter for my good. I can't seem to just forget. Stupid brain.

"I was just wondering," His voice was gentle and I know that he always uses that when he's expecting something to happen. "Are you free this weekend?" He asked and I felt like I almost choked on my saliva.

"Why? Do you want to take me out again? Haven’t we been down this road, Adrian?" I snickered. The irony was baffling.

"No, no. I mean, that would be nice—"

"Shut up, I was kidding. What do you want, Adrian?" I cut him off before it got awkward. His friends laughed, which caused him to blush and rub the back of his neck. He always does that when he gets embarrassed or when he's nervous. Right now, I think he's both.

Yep, I know him very well. Too well.

"Charlotte, 'cos the lover boy here, is too nervous, I'll tell you." Matthew, one of his close friends said, leaning into my ear.

This is useless. If they're not planning on telling me anything, I don't plan on wasting my time on them. I stood up and packed my things, ready to leave.

"He's having a party this Saturday. He wants you to come." Matthew finished, smirking.

"Don't expect me," I said, annoyed that they even thought I'd come to their stupid party. That is not happening. I rolled my eyes and started walking away, but what Adrian said next made me stop in my tracks.

"Hailey's expecting you," he said, and I hated him for saying it, "I already told her that you're coming and she would love the idea of seeing you again." He finished and I sighed.

Hailey is his twin sister who goes to school in the next town over. She's my age and she was the main reason Adrian and I dated in the first place. Or even become friends, at all. She had become my best friend long before I spent time with Adrian and I cried the day they moved away. But ever since Adie and I started dating, we have gotten to reconnect. The only problem was that she studied over at JFK Highschool and it was almost impossible to catch her. She gives the best advice for any situation, and I owe her a lot for getting me through the breakup with my stupid brother.

I could never turn her down like that. I haven't seen her since school started and that was a long time ago.

Seeing her would be nice, I thought to myself. But is it worth it being with sweaty drunk teenagers the whole night? Yes, it is. It might be.

I reconsider his offer and get up to leave.

“You won’t regret it,” he says with his face full of glee.

I got home later that night to see my friends in my own home. I had stayed late at the library, looking something up for a school project, and so they went home without me.

“Well, this is a shocking surprise,” I tell them, laughing and moving past the different snacks they had prepared. “I never thought my birthday was near.”

I grab some popcorn from Charles’ bowl and a smoothie from James’ station on the counter. It was strawberry.

“Your mom called me up. She couldn’t reach you but she wished to tell you they had no chance of getting home tonight because of the um,” She pauses, looking around.

“Because of what?”

“Of the big thing, I think. I don’t know, I forgot. That and, if possible, could I come over to accompany you because your brothers weren’t around, as well, anyway.”

“Aww,” I gush over their presence at my home. “That’s so sweet, you guys.”

“We just came for the snacks,” James adds. I rolled my eyes and headed straight to my room to change clothes.

“Get down soon. We’re having a movie marathon for dinner.” Beatrice shouts after me.

It was always exciting to have them over. B’s parents were strict, so she didn’t always have the time to spend with us after school. James has basketball practice and dance rehearsals most days, as well. Honestly, I don’t even remember the last time we spent time in my house like this.

My parents were hardworking people. Mom was a nurse who worked in a hospital facility, while dad worked as an accountant in a company where he so often got called on for seminars and conferences and had to go to nearby towns. Mom always accompanied him on his trips. She fretted often about Dad’s well-being and could never rest her mind knowing he was safe and sound nearby.

Hence, I was alone most nights.

I change out of my uniform into some PJs and get back down in a rush.

“What are we watching?” I asked as I grabbed a plate placed by the counter. It had mashed potatoes, chicken, and gravy. James and Ross were excellent cooks. I wouldn’t wonder who prepared this. Especially since all Beatrice can cook with excellence is eggs. Charles, on the other hand, fails spectacularly in the kitchen. Although, he is very good when it comes to the clean-up process. He has his system.

“Grey’s anatomy, last season,” James answers, not even turning around to me. He was too focused on the movie series.

“Boo, that is such a low-budget series. They couldn’t even bother to research proper procedures.” I retort, feeling disgusted with their movie choice.

“We’re watching Sophie’s Choice after this episode. James just had to finish this here,” Beatrice replied, knowingly rolling her eyes at James, who had his back to us.

“Hey, did you guys hear about the party Harper is throwing?” I casually mentioned.

B and Ross’ heads immediately turn at the mention of Harper, but the boys remained seated and focused on the TV show.

“What about it, Charlotte?”

“Well, um, nothing,” I scratched the back of my head, nervous. “I was thinking of going.”

“Oh, no, not this again.” Charles was the first to react. He puts his plate of food on the table in front and crosses his arms at me.

I do have to hand it to James for being so consistent in watching the show.

“I don’t think you should,” Beatrice said.

“I don’t think you can tell me what to do or not to do, B,” My stubborn nature immediately rears its head after hearing how I wasn’t ‘allowed’ to do something.

“I don’t support your foolish behavior, Charlotte,” Charles muttered, before reaching for his plate again and returning to eating in peace.

“I-“ I was left speechless about how to defend myself since he wasn’t exactly targeting my behavior, and I knew it was foolish.

“Just so you know, Adrian is dating someone else. Clara, her name was? She might be in your class. So just, keep your eyes peeled, okay?” Ross says to warn me, and everyone returns to how they were before I brought the party up.

Honestly, their response and reactions were just a tad bit underwhelming.

Before the episode even finished, I was done with my food. I stand up and grab the cleaned-off plates from the table to rinse them off and put them in the dishwasher. They cooked and prepared the food, so it's only fair for me to clean up despite Ross' many protests.

"So, what are your plans for the night?" I asked cheerfully as I loaded up the last dish.

She stands up from her chair to stretch. I look away before I embarrass myself.

"Well, your mom did say to accompany you for the night. But James and Ross have school stuff to do. Maybe Charles and I could stay?" She trails off and looks away awkwardly.

"They can’t do their work here?” I asked.

Rossalyn isn't the least bit self-conscious and agrees immediately, citing her work tends to keep her parents up anyway. James, on the other hand, was usually the picture of poise and control, so what could have caused him to squirm so badly?

"Well, I was planning on seeing someone else after dinner."

"Seriously, do you ever have any other time to laugh at her?" Charles said in a vulgar manner and we laughed boisterously at his remark. He was the complete opposite of James. James has slight jerkish tendencies, which is why he was almost always the brunt of our humor.

I'm not sure why he found it so difficult to tell us that. It’s not like he has kept it a secret from us since freshman year.

The next day, I had gathered my school work to submit. Beatrice had gone home last night after her father got too worried about her and came to fetch her. James returned later that night and nobody would dare to sit or sleep next to him, knowing where he had just gotten back from. We slept half an hour past 12. Rossalyn did her editorial work while James rehearsed. Charles and I talked our asses off.

It’s also not a secret that today I was a bit lightheaded. I was not well-rested at all.