Love Notes

Chapter 12-Charlie



I never in a million years thought that a guy like Maverick could like a girl like me. Maybe he’s just being nice.

My other two classes pass by in a blur. I’m anxious to see Tori at lunch before Maverick shows up. I want to see if I’m reading too much into it. As soon as I spot her, I hurriedly tell her what happened. Of course the first thing out of her mouth is, “Those bitches!”

I love that my new friend is already so protective and cares that much for me in such a little amount of time. I tell her I’m over them already but she’s not having it. She’s too worked up over the whole pig snorting. As she’s still venting about what she’s going to say to them, in walks Maverick.

I see him glance around as if he is looking for someone and then instantly his eyes find mine and to my surprise he starts to head in our direction. I know he said he would find us, but there was part of me that didn’t think he would. There is just no way this can be real. I know what I see when I look in the mirror and it sure isn’t pretty.

As he heads our way with a smile plastered firmly on his face, he passes the two bitches, sorry, the name has now stuck thanks to Tori and it does seem very fitting. Miranda and Ashley call out to him and to my astonishment he doesn’t acknowledge them, he just keeps walking. He continues on his way until he stops right at our table.

“Can I sit down?” Maverick asks.

Tori kicks me hard under the table to get my attention. Probably because I’m staring at him in complete surprise and awe that he actually did find me.

Apparently, I am too caught up in my thoughts because Tori answers for me since I seem so incapable of speech at the moment.

“Hey Maverick, have a seat,” Tori says.

“Hey Tori, how’s it going?” Tori just smiles at him without responding. He turns back to me and motions to the seat directly next to mine, “Is this seat taken?”

“Nooooo”, I kind of drag out my response. How embarrassing. I’m acting like I’m crazy as a loon.

“Okay, well it is now.” As he sits down his arm brushes mine and I feel tingles race up and down my arm. My head snaps up to see him looking directly at me. I don’t have to wonder if he felt it as well, because by the look on his face, he feels just as surprised.

Tori, sensing that she’s no longer needed, looks at me and announces she has some things to do.

All of a sudden I begin to panic. I am honestly freaking out. She can’t leave. What will we talk about? What if he thinks I’m stupid and an idiot? I blurt out, “You don’t have to go Tori.”

“Nope, got some things to do, have fun”, she says. As she stands, she whispers in my ear, “You will be fine, I promise. Call me tonight.” She then, winks at me as she passes.

My eyeballs are now staring daggers into her back and I hope and pray she can feel every single one.

My attention is brought back to Maverick when he starts to speak, “You know my friend Will, he’s crazy about her, and she won’t give him the time of day.”

Okay, now this is a conversation I can deal with. I have often wondered why Tori doesn’t have a boyfriend. She’s gorgeous. A little taller than me but her fiery red hair is beautiful and eye catching. Not to mention she is the nicest person I’ve met here or ever for that matter.

“Really? Tell me more.” He laughs and starts to speak. My Lord he has a nice voice.

“I’m not sure why she won’t, to be honest. They went out once, and Will never spoke about it. He’s asked her several times after that and the answer is always the same, no.”

I make a mental note to ask Tori about this one day.

Maverick continues, “If there was a girl to ever be friends with, then she is the one. She will defend you in a heartbeat and is loyal as all get out.”

I recall the new name Tori bestowed to Miranda and Ashley and can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips, “Yes, that she is.”

“But, I didn’t come here to talk about Tori.” Maverick says. “I came to talk to you.”

I pick up my apple off of my plate to avoid conversation. “Sorry can’t talk with my mouth full,” I say and then take a rather large and un-lady like bite.

He just looks at me humorously as if knowing exactly what I’m up to and says, “I don’t care, and it wouldn’t bother me if you did talk with your mouth full, but how about I start until that apple is finished. Then it’s your turn.” Not a question, a statement. Crap not getting out of this one.

“My parents are Robert and Carol–I'm an only child. I love my parents and have a close relationship with them, which may deem strange to some. They’ve been married for twenty years and still make out like fiends in front of me. The guy that rudely interrupted us this morning, is my best friend Will. I’m the captain of the football team and he’s my co-captain. There’s a couple of colleges interested in me that are on the table for a full football scholarship. I haven’t made a formal commitment yet, but my hearts with UGA. That’s where my dad went,” he says wistfully.

As he finishes talking, I come to the conclusion he isn’t being cocky about his accomplishments, but rather he’s proud as he should be. I am also amazed at his relationship with his parents. It’s so foreign to me.

“Okay, now you.” Maverick looks patiently at me. Damn, I ate the apple too fast.

My stomach seems to drop to my feet. I have to keep this as generic as possible. I hate talking about myself.

“Okay, well I’ve moved around all of my life. I’ve been in so many schools I’ve lost count. This is my last one obviously, until college, which I can’t wait for. Just the thought of being in the same school for four years without changing, makes me happy. My mom and dad are still married, but I wouldn’t say happily. I would say–just going through the motions.”

Why in the hell did I just tell him that? I can’t help but chastise myself.

Oddly enough, after that mess, conversation comes easy. I like the way his voice sounds and when I talk he gives me his undivided attention. I’ve never had anyone show me that kind of rapt attention. He seems so interested in everything I say.

“How about music?” he asks. “I noticed in choir that you seemed to light up every time Mr. Hall brought up what we were going to be singing this semester.”

“Yeah,” I reply. “I love music.”

“Who’s your favorite singer, band, whatever? Tell me everything.”

I feel taken aback that this guy wants to know so much about me. I look at him and ask the only question that pops in to my head. “Why?”

He looks at me with a sincere look and says, “Why not? There is just something special about you that makes me need to know you.”

I can’t help but think that this is a mistake, or it must be some kind of joke. Am I being punked?

I glance around the cafeteria half expecting a camera crew to jump out at me at any moment. However, as I look at him, he seems sincere, but I’m still doubtful. I pinch my arm just to make sure. I know I’m stupid but I can’t help it. Yeah, the pinch hurt, not dreaming. Surely he’s not talking to me, and he has the wrong girl. Does he need glasses or something?

I can’t take it anymore. It just feels off. There is no way a guy like him would like a girl like me. I need to put a stop to this before I am embarrassed beyond repair. Words that sound so familiar start running through my brain. All I can think about is my dad and what he’s says I am. He’s not afraid to speak the truth about what a fat ass I am or how stupid I am. I have heard this my whole life, which is why this so unreal to me.

I feel the beginning of tears threaten to track their way down my face, and I don’t want to cry but I’m on the edge. My voice starts to crack as I start speaking, “I’m sorry Maverick. You must have blinders on. You’ve got the wrong girl. I’m not anybody special. I don’t have movie star looks and I’m not interesting. I’m just plain Charlie. Charlie, who has parents that named her a boy’s name for an ungodly reason, overweight with mud brown hair, short and plain. If this is a joke, it’s not funny.”

I stop talking. I just don’t have any words left in me and I need to get up and leave. I can’t bear for anyone to see me cry, least of all him. I start to get up and leave, and I feel his arm stop me and gently lock on to my wrist, which feels like perfection despite how miserable I'm feeling. Just a simple touch from him makes me feel things. Things I have never ever felt–on my wrist of all places.

“Please stay.” I turn around and look at him. I mean, I take a really good look at him. I’ve always heard the saying, the eyes are the window into the soul and as I look at him I understand what that means.

He seems visibly upset.

“Why?” I can’t help but ask.

Maverick sighs and starts speaking quietly. “I don’t know how or why you see yourself like this, and I would like to beat the shit out of the person who ever said or did anything to make you believe this, but I can guarantee you that you are the only one in this whole school that sees yourself that way.”

“First, you are anything but plain.” He scoots closer so it’s just between the two of us and in this moment, it's as if no-one else exists. “Second Charlie, I love your name. It’s sexy as hell. Thirdly, you have the prettiest blue eyes I’ve have ever seen. Your hair when it hits the light has a reddish tint to it that make your eyes sparkle. You are anything, but uninteresting. I could listen to you talk for days. Plus, those curves of yours drive me to the brink of insanity.”

I’m beyond speechless, and I honestly don't know what to think of his words. I do know however, that he seems to mean every single one of them.

“Are you crazy,” I demand?

As seriously as possible, he says, “Maybe, but not about that.”

The bell rings, signaling that lunch, as well as our talk is over. I start gathering my things for my next class, and he blurts out something that stops me completely dead in my tracks.

“Go out with me–on a date. Let me prove it to you.”

“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why? One date–just one and if you have a terrible time, we don’t have to do it again.”

“We will see,” I say and turn to leave.

Maverick grabs my hand and pulls me into him. We are so close I can feel his breath on my face. “One date Charlie, just one, give me a shot.” I glance up into his eyes, and I’m completely lost and will agree to almost anything. Being this close to him makes me feel completely incoherent.

“Okay,” is my only response.

He sighs, “Thank you Charlie.” He sweetly kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you in chorus, okay?”

I nod weakly.

He then turns and walks away leaving me standing there, mouth hanging wide open…





13- Maverick



Walking to my next class was not an easy task. In fact, the rest of my classes I can’t pay any attention and I don’t hear a thing the teachers say. All I can think about is Charlie. I have never in my life met a girl who was so self-conscious about her looks–never. I’m baffled and frustrated as to why she is so unaware of how beautiful she is and why she calls herself overweight or any of the other awful things she says about herself. Truth be told, it pisses me off. I can’t help but wonder what has made her feel this way, and I can’t help but vow to do something about it. I didn’t mean to hurt her, in fact, it nearly broke me to see her so upset.

I’m also a little surprised at myself for being as bold with her as I was. I mean, I’m a confident guy, but I have never felt so inclined to catch a girl by her arm to keep her from walking off and roll her back into me. My heart was pounding with an unexplained need. Having her so close was amazing and frightening at the same time. She felt so good in my arms and fit so perfectly. Almost like she was made for me.

Talking and being with her for the forty minutes at lunch was definitely not enough time. I need more. Especially more time to convince her, that I am the guy for her. More than that I need a way to convince her of what I see and others see. She needs to see how amazing she is.

The great thing is I get to see her soon…