-- night on the town [open]

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

She watched for James’s reaction when she showed him her cleavage, she wanted to see the face he made when he realised the kind of girl he was dealing with. Charlie wasn’t shy, not by a long shot, but James seemed to bring something out in her. Or at least she thought it was James, but really it could have been a combination of James and the alcohol in her system. ‘Speaking of alcohol’ Charlie thought to herself, the idea of ordering another drink was starting to seem extremely appealing right about now. Turning her attention back to James and he unleashed his sass on her, Charlie couldn’t help but laugh, “Cocky, are we?” Charlie was just teasing, she didn’t mind his cockiness at all, in fact it probably what was making her more attracted to him tonight.

Charlie watched as James began discussing how not many other law students looked like him, she couldn’t help but smile. She understood what he was talking about, most people in law weren’t usually the party type of people, they had a lot to study for. There were a few who could do both, like James. But he was beginning to seem like an exception to the rules. “And here I thought law would be a lecture hall filled to the brim with hot James's” Charlie could help but laugh, picturing a lecture hall filled with multiple James, it almost sounded like the plot to a terribly cheesy horror movie that she grew up on as a kid. It took her a second before she could see the change on his face again. She couldn’t tell there was something there, something heavy weighing on his mind. She wasn’t sure what to say or do about what he was thinking, so she decided to run her hand up and down on his arm to show empathy.

Charlie watched as James walked over to the fence as he seemed to be in his own little world. She was about to ask him what was going on when he asked her a question. Bringing her back to that moment she looked over at James, “What?” She paused for a moment actually thinking about what he had said. “Ohhh, dare” Charlie replied, she hadn’t played truth or dare in a long time but tonight it could be extremely fun. With the alcohol warming her system Charlie waited for her dare, fully prepared for whatever the task may need her to do.

Charlie patiently waited for James’s response to her school major, most people didn’t believe she was in psychology. Most people didn’t think Charlie was genuinely smart enough to pull of the grades required to stay in the program but those people were wrong. Charlie loved proving people wrong. “Who says I haven’t already?” Charlie said with a wink. She wasn’t fully reading him, she didn’t want to. She had noticed a couple traits and his facial expression changes. She knew there was more going on with him but she wasn’t going to pry, it wasn’t her place. “I do know that there is something bothering you tonight, but I’m not going to push or pry you” Charlie was being completely genuine. This was a side not many people got to see, it wasn’t that she wanted to fix his problems. She just wanted James to know if he needed someone to talk to Charlie would be there to listen.

Charlie couldn’t help but smile when James mentioned tonight being the perfect start to a new year, she felt the same way. She was all about enjoying her last year in school, this was going to be her year. “ I have a few ideas” Charlie replied honestly. “But, you’re going to have to wait and see. Just like everybody else” Charlie said with a wink, she wasn’t about to let the fact that she was drinking take away from her surprises for the Delta Pi house.

“Good, I like my boy toys to know their place” Charlie said with a wink. He made her feel like royalty. Charlie felt like she was the queen on the Delta Pi house but it was nice to have someone else think of her the way she thought about herself. Charlie really was enjoying her time with James but she knew she wouldn’t date him. Charlie didn’t date often and when she did she often was extremely picky. She was getting a similar vibe from James which made her blurt out the boy toy comment. She was hoping that perhaps they could be friends who occasionally hooked up during the school year. That sounded like the beginning to a beautiful friendship.

[JAMES CROFT]

   

“You like my cockiness.” He said with a laugh. He knew that he had been usually cocky tonight, but she seemed to be enjoying his confidence. Beside she didn’t have any room to speak, she had just been as confident and cocky as he had been tonight. He liked that she didn’t play shy and unsure like a lot of girls at the university, trying to mold themselves into whatever they thought he wanted. He liked that she was herself and didn’t care if anyone didn’t like it. “Besides Miss Cleavage, you aren’t one to talk about cockiness.”

He kind of wished that there were other people like him in his program, and he was sure that there must be. This school was too large for everyone in his class to be so stuck up and pretentious but yet it seemed to be true. “A room full of James' eh?” He said with a laugh as he took another drag of his cigarette. "Is that one of your newly realized fantasies?” He tried to ignore the fact that she had called him hot, but it went straight to his brain, even though he knew she wouldn’t have hooked up with him if she hadn’t thought so, but her saying it out loud, unprovoked was something he hadn’t been expecting. It made him feel good, or maybe it was just the alcohol in his system. He was finding it harder and harder to tell the difference between if it was Charlie making him feel good, or the three vodka tonics, and two tequila shots. Part of him wanted another drink. He just wasn’t sure if he was ready to go back into the stuffy overcrowded loud club just yet.

He tried to force a smile onto his face as she rubbed his arm sympathetically. He hated that he was ruining her night, but the alcohol kept him from being able to completely control his emotions. He hated his own brain. He had just hooked up with one of the hottest girls in the entire school, if not all of British Columbia, and instead of thinking about being able to brag to Danielle about it he was thinking about his terrible home life, and all the shit his little sister must have gone through after he left her. He knew how hard the lawsuits had been on him, and he hadn’t been in the same town as his father. He just hoped that Josie had been able to handle things better than he had.

‘Of course she’d pick dare.’ He thought fondly. James hadn’t expected anything else from her. He was also happy for the distraction it would hopefully keep his drunken brain from dwelling on past mistakes, and keep him living in the present the way that he liked. It took him a moment to rack his brain trying to come up with the perfect dare for someone as outgoing as Charlie, but he finally had it. “Alright.” He said with a smirk, amusement evident on his face. “I dare you to grab the next person you see, that’s not me, and get them to do the YMCA with you.” He was more looking for something fun to get their juices going again before the moved onto the more hardcore, provocative dares. For now he would settle with sillier side of the game. Beside he wanted to see if Queen Charlie Thompson of Delta Pi would actually go along with something so ridiculous.

James hated that he had been so preoccupied in his own depressing thoughts that Charlie had been able to pick up that something was wrong. ‘She’s a psych major of course she’d know.’ It did little to actually make him feel better though. This was supposed to be a fun night and here he was ruining it with his stupid regrets. He thought back to Charlie’s earlier words and he realized they were exactly what he needed. “I’m fine.” He told her, “No regrets right?” It was time for him to stop focusing on what he’d done wrong, and start focusing on what he’d done right. He had somehow convinced this beautiful girl to give him the time of day, or night as the case may be. He should just enjoy it.

“Not even a sneak peek for your newest plaything.” He asked giving her his best puppy dog eyes. He wasn’t super interested he knew that he would probably end up going to most of the Delta Pi socials no matter what they were, but if she was going to have an extravagant party or do something more fun that just a party between Delta Pi and Alpha Phi that he would at least like to be able to get a heads up. It would allow him to arrive ready for whatever happened, so that he wouldn’t be thrown off his game. Delta Pi parties were always the best for picking up girls, and he wanted to be on his A game whenever he was at one.

“Well if there is one thing I’m good at,“He began with a laugh, “It’s knowing my place.” He reached his arm around her shoulders as he blew smoke out, having just taken another drag from his smoke. He was surprised by how similar they were. He didn’t expect much to come of whatever it was they were doing, but she would at least make a good story for Danielle, whenever he got to see her next. “You almost ready to head back in?” He asked jerking his head in the direction of the door. He was almost done his second smoke, and he knew he would probably end up having another one if they stayed out her. Besides they could continue their game of truth and dare inside. Where there would be more people to experience their humiliation.

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word count:  979 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

“Oh shit, busted!” Charlie giggled as she put her hands up in the air like she was surrendering. Charlie did enjoy his cockiness, it made him relatable to her. Charlie was known herself for being quite cocky at times, it was refreshing to find another person who was intimidated by her. “Double busted” Charlie was really laughing now. Not only had he called her out on enjoying his cockiness but he also called her out on her own cockiness. Charlie was really glad she had come out tonight, she really was enjoying herself.

Charlie couldn’t help but giggle when he asked her if it was one of her newest fantasies. She knew she was giggling a lot, she couldn’t help it, tequila made her giggly. She just hoped James wasn’t starting to get the wrong idea about Charlie. She didn’t want to come off as some stupid bimbo, although that was certainly how the alcohol was beginning to make her act. “I mean, I wouldn’t complain if everyone in your program looked like you, maybe I’d even start to enjoy law” Charlie thought she was hilarious, law really wasn’t her thing. Regardless to how attract the people in the program could be. She thought about what it would be like in a room full of James. The idea right now did seem a little heavenly, thinking of all the mischief they could get into.

Charlie patiently waited for James to inform her of her dare. She was hoping it would be something too illegal. When she finally heard her dare was to get someone to do the YMCA with her. Charlie laughed because she loved her dare, she thought it was extremely fun. “Done, watch and learn” Charlie looked around the patio and saw a group of friends having a smoke just down the patio. Determined to complete her challenge she acted more drunk than she was and stumbled her way over to that group. “Ohhh, my god.. Do you guys hear that? I think they are playing the YMCA inside, we should dance!” Charlie slurred before she began singing the YMCA loudly and dancing hoping the others would join her. After a moment of dancing by herself the group ended up joining her and they sang the entire chorus of the YMCA and danced along. After finishing her song Charlie talked and thanked the group for participating before heading back to James. She decided to be a tease as she gently kissed his lips before saying “Your turn, truth or dare?” Charlie asked with a devilish grin on her face.

Charlie felt concerned again as she watched James seem to be trapped in his own inner thoughts. She really didn’t want to pry, she didn’t feel it was her place. She also didn’t want him to feel like he was alone either. “As long as you’re fine but if you ever need to talk, call me” Charlie said lightly while she held her hand up to her ear and mouth like a phone. It’s not that she was trying to make a mockery of James, she just wanted to bring him back to the level of happiness and positivity they were at beforehand.

“Especially not for my newest plaything” Charlie said with a wink. “How do I know I can trust you?” Charlie was only half joking this time, it wasn’t that she didn’t like James that part had already been established but he was still part of an opposing frat and lots of people would be dying to hear what plans Charlie had for Delta Pi this year. She wasn’t ready to let that happen. She decided to keep her plans for Delta Pi underwraps.

Charlie watched as James continued to drag on his cigarette. “ I find that extremely attractive” Charlie said as she touched his arm again. Getting close enough that she could steal another puff of his cigarette, Charlie watched as he finished it off. Hearing him ask if she was ready to go inside was refreshing. As thankful as she was for the crisp, cool air. She was starting to get a bit cold. “I’d love to, I need another drink” Charlie said as she took his hand and lead him inside towards to the bar. Once they grabbed a set of stools by the bar, Charlie waited for the bartender to take their order, “Two more shots please, and make them doubles. We have a game to play” Charlie said as she winked at James before paying the bartender.

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Work Count: 771| Tagged: JAMES CROFT

[JAMES CROFT]

   

James laughed as Charlie giggled about being busted. It must have been the alcohol because he didn’t think he was that funny. He had many talents, but humour had never been one of his stronger ones, flirting though that was one of his better ones. He was surprised by how cute Charlie’s giggle was. He didn’t normally pay too much attention to other people’s laughs, but Charlie’s was light and cute just like her.

“Well they could look they me, but they could never be me.” He told her with a smirk. It was true not matter how many attractive guys attended Martin University, it was his unique personality combined with looks that made him a force to be reckoned with. “Besides, I’m not sure anything could make Law enjoyable. I barely even like it.” The law program here wasn’t one of the better known ones, but it was just as intensive as many other programs, and more renowned universities.

He was surprised when she actually went along with the dare. He hadn’t been sure that she would actually do it. It was silly and he wasn’t sure if Charlie had been the type of girl that would allow herself to not be seen as this perfectly poised queen. It seemed like he had underestimated her. “Well done.” He said with a laugh, “I wish I had recorded that. It was pretty priceless.” He had briefly thought about taking his phone out and recording her doing the dare, but he didn’t think that she would have appreciated it.

James was thankful for the option that Charlie gave him of opening up, but now didn’t feel like the right time to do so. Especially if they were doing to go back inside and start drinking, besides Charlie wasn’t likely to be the person that he would talk about these things with. She was someone he would call to go out and have fun, not someone to call at two am when he could sleep because he was being haunted by regrets. Of course he couldn’t tell her any of this. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”

“What do I need to do to earn your trust?” He asked with a laugh. “Because I think I’m pretty trust worthy.” It wasn’t like they were talk about confidential information, it was just the social plan of a sorority for the next year. He guessed that the importance the Delta’s put on their social life, and their need to be top sorority would be the reason that she was so protective of her plans.

James allowed himself to be pulled back inside of the Twilight Zone, being blasted with noises as he readjusted to the volume level of the club. The techno music was still playing as he was pulled back to the bar. He laughed as she ordered another two tequila shots, but accepted his without complaint. “You really like your tequila, eh?” He asked as she down his drink, before licking the salt of his hand and putting the sucking on the lime. He was surprised by how warm the drink made he feel. It must have been colder outside than he had realized. 

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word count:  533 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie smirked as James made the comment about how they could look like him but they could never be him. There was the cocky personality that she was finding so enjoyable tonight. “That’s true, I’ve met plenty of attractive men but nearly none are as fun as you” She didn’t want to say that he was one of the most interesting because she knew it would go straight to his head. Plus it was the kind of thing you say to someone you are seriously interested in, not someone you sleep with for fun, purely. “What don’t you like about law?” Charlie asked curiously. She was wondering why he would be in a program he didn’t enjoy, then she started considering if he had family pressing him into the program...and if perhaps that was partly what was distressing him. Charlie figured she was just drunk psychoanalysing, not that she would ever tell James any of this.



Charlie held her head up proudly as James said he wished he would have recorded that. Perhaps someone else may have been embarrassed by completely a dare like that but Charlie thought it was rather hilarious. “Ohhh no law boy, no recordings” Charlie said with a wink, she wasn’t really worried that he would have recorded her, she didn’t think he would be the type of person who would be out to hurt Charlie. But she had been wrong before, she just hoped she was putting her faith in someone who could become a friend rather than an enemy.



Charlie was more than relieved when James told her he was okay. She didn’t want to pry, and she figured he didn’t trust her that way. Which was a fair statement considering it’s their first night hanging out and Charlie had not only slept with him, she also had psychoanalysed him on assuming and didn’t trust him enough to record her dare. How could she think that he would genuinely want to open up to her. She wasn’t bummed about it though, she would prefer if their relationship stayed fun and light, that was how Charlie wanted her senior year to go.



Charlie felt better when James made the joke about earning her trust. She really did like James but the alcohol was making her overthink to much tonight. She just needed to go with the flow and trust that their friendship would endure past tonight. “Hmmmm…” Charlie paused for dramatic effect, “Tell me a secret, or something personal” Charlie threw out their to test for bait. She wasn’t sure what James would say in return but Charlie was ready either way.



Charlie couldn’t help but smile when James mentioned her enjoying tequila, “It’s fun to share” Charlie smiled before licking some salt off her hand, before letting the liquid hit her lips and warm down her throat. Sucking on the lime was a refreshing taste after the sting on the alcohol. She looked at James with a smile on her face as her body readjusted to the temperature in the club. It was a lot warmer than she had remembered it being, but perhaps part of that was due to the amount of tequila she had ingested this evening."Why, what do you like to drink?"  

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Work Count: 542 | Tagged: JAMES CROFT

[JAMES CROFT]

   

James laughed as she called him fun. He knew that he was fun, lots of girls had told him how much fun he was. He was the guy that they had fun with, not the guy you took home to your parents, and he was fine with that. He had seen his father get married and divorced enough times to realize that love was just a fleeting emotion. Something to enjoy while it lasted, but it never lasted long. This thing he had with Charlie it was just something to have fun with for now. Not something that could ever become more. 

He was pulled from his thoughts as he heard Charlie ask him another question. He thought about it for a moment, and realized he couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason. He just didn’t like the feeling of law the stuffiness, and money driven economy it created. Where people were more than willing to sell their soul for money. Working to get murder and rapists free. But the money was also the same reason he had chosen it as his major. He wanted a career where money wouldn’t be a problem, and law had seemed like the solution. He guessed it made him just as bad as everyone else willing to sell their soul for money. “Let’s just say, it’s not as fun as I am.”

“No evidence that the all mighty Charlie Thompson is a mere mortal just like the rest of us.” He teased. Even if he had recorded her he would have deleted it if she had shown any objections to it. He wasn’t the type of guy that would have realized even a seemingly innocent video of a girl without her permission. He even that he was one of the few guys on campus that felt that way. He wasn’t trying to put himself above them as some sort of perfect vision of a good guy. He knew he could never been that, he had broken his fair share of hearts, and done thing he isn’t proud of. But we would never betray someone’s trust like that. He knew if anyone did something like that to his little sister he would kill them.

“A secret, eh?” He said with a laugh. He hadn’t been expecting that to be her the condition that would earn her trust, but he figured it made sense. He had given her a silly dare to be able to see behind the perfect mask of Charlie Thompson, the least he could do was give her one of his secrets. It didn’t have to be anything serious, but she figured that if he provided something deeper than his double jointed fingers that she would be able to give him more trust. “I have a little sister.” He was surprised to find that he was able to actually tell her that. He had only told a handful of people about her since moving to Brighton during his junior year of high school. "You trust me now?” He asked with a wink.

“Well you sure like sharing.” He couldn’t believe that she had already bought them three tequila shots. “Not that I’m complaining.” The tequila shots had helped him to relax greatly this evening. Something he wasn’t sure he would have been able to do without them. The question of what type of drink he preferred was a complicated one. “It depends on the night.” It was true whatever he was going to drink depended on the type of night it was. If he was just chilling at the frat house then he would just have a couple beers. “A night like this I usually stick to vodka.” Which was what he had been drinking in between tequila shots all night.

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word count: 626 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie watched as he faded into his own world while she asked him what he didn’t enjoy about law. It was almost like he couldn't tell that it was obvious to Charlie that he was thinking about something. She just couldn’t figure out what... just yet. Hearing him give a very generic answer she noticed how he was trying to keep the mood going but he was clearly faking it. Charlie didn’t mind him avoiding his problems but how dare he think he could pull one over on Charlie Thompson, psychology major. She had to play this delicately, she didn’t want to let him know that she was on to him just yet. “Now that’s something I can believe!” Charlie said with a laugh.

Charlie couldn’t help but laugh when James made the comment about Charlie being a mere mortal. “Finally! Someone who finally understand me!” Charlie said extravagantly. Raising her hands, making a thank you face as she continued to be dramatic. She loved that he was teasing her. It played right into her personality, she loved to be known as a tease. She decided to place her arm on his as she brought it down from her thank you. Charlie was getting parched again so she waved her hand at the bartender before returning her attention back to James.

As the bartender brought over a rum and coke for Charlie and a vodka tonic for James, she slowly brought the drink up to mouth and sipped from the glass. This drink was nice as it didn’t burn her throat like the tequila had been. Licking her lips she looked back at James who was about to reveal a secret to her. This was something she was going to want to pay attention to. Hearing him say he had a sister took her by surprise, she wasn’t really sure he would tell her a secret but he had. It was refreshing to find his honesty. “How old is your sister?” Charlie blurted out before she could fully realise what she had said. Now that the mention was out there she hoped he would feel comfortable telling her more about it.

“I’m starting to think I should” Charlie was being completely honest now. She wasn’t sure if it was the drinks in her system or if James was just someone she clicked with. Charlie wasn’t sure if she should tell him that she hadn’t made any big plans for the house yet. For the first time Charlie was just going to flow, at least for now. She was planning a party but it was distant ways away. “Look, if I’m being completely honest…” Charlie paused looking around to make sure there wasn’t anyone too close who may overhear what she was about to say. “It sounds really lame, but all I have planned so far is a party” Charlie said out loud for the first time. It was only after she said it did she realise how lame it sounded. It sounded like every other leader who may have run Delta Pi before her. She needed something to make her stand out.

Charlie couldn’t help but smile when he made his comment about her liking to share, she did enjoy sharing. It meant she wasn’t partying alone, not that she often did because there were many people who wanted the opportunity to get to know Charlie. “What can I say, when the company is good, you don’t mind sharing” Charlie said as she raised her rum and coke to cheers. She was happy to be out tonight, she was excited for this year, and she was excited for this friendship.

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Work Count: 610 | Tagged: JAMES CROFT

[JAMES CROFT]

   

“I’d be offended if you didn’t believe it.” He told her with a laugh. “There are few things in this world as much fun as I am.” He needed to stop talking about his major it was just school. It didn’t mean anything to him. ‘And that’s the problem’ He thought to himself but tried to shake the thought away. ‘Her. Talk to her about her.’ He knew that if he wanted to change the subject the easiest way to do so would be to focus on her. “What do you like about Psych?” He asked, “Besides being able to psychoanalyze chumps like me.”

James fake bowed as Charlie raised her arms in the air. She was much sillier and funner than he originally thought she would be. He had meet plenty of pretty girls with terrible personalities. He guessed that this was probably one of the many reasons that she had been able to claw herself to the top of Delta Pi. “Yeah.” He said with a smile, “I get you.” It was probably because she was so similar to himself, or at least the parts of himself that he actually like. The fun parts, and not the stupid nagging parts of his brain that caused him to lose sleep over stupid things. The part of himself that he tried his hardest to ignore.

“No no.” He told her as he took a gulp from his glass. “You only asked for one secret. If you want another you are going to have to pay.” He winked at her as he said it. He wasn’t ready to tell her much more about his sister, besides it was her turn to offer up something about herself. A secret from the great Charlie Thompson. He knew plenty of girls that would kill to be able to find out her secrets. He doubted she would give him much more than she had given him. They weren’t to the drunken ranting yet. He still had enough control of his mental facilities to be able to keep from saying something he would regret.

James was surprised that Charlie trusted him enough now to open herself up to him. “That’s not too bad.” James wasn’t sure what else to say. He knew that most Sorority and Frat leaders usually had most of their social schedule planned within the first few weeks of school, or at least an outline of one. “I’m sure your wings can help you. Besides you have a few more weeks before the socials actually start.” He hoped that she would find that encouraging, but he wasn’t sure. James was terrible at comforting people, and now with the music and alcohol his mind was going even more blank than usual.

He raised his glass to cheers with her before taking another large sip out of it. He was beginning to feel more sentimental and he knew that that could be blamed entirely on the alcohol. Had he been sober he would never say what he was about to. “I’m really glad I meet you tonight.” He hated how mushy it came out, but it was the truth. He had be planning on a boring night, and she had completely turned it around for him. He was surprised at how much he enjoyed her company tonight. He hoped that they would be able to stay friends in the future. That was if he didn’t screw it up like he usually did.

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word count: 577 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie raised her lips in a smirk as James made a comment that there was little in this world that was as much fun as thing. That was a pretty large assumption but as they had been over this evening, his ego was wide enough to carry the title. She didn’t even mind when he passed the discussion over to talking about her. “I love the human brain, it’s the center that houses our personalities and allows us to function” Charlie could feel herself getting carried away, no one cared that much, they wanted a generic answer, which she usually gave. Something about Jame was throwing her off her game, she felt she could be honest with him in more ways than one. “I mean, I love the science behind the mind” Charlie coughed out, almost as if it was an answer she had prepared before and she choked getting it out.

Charlie made a disappointed face when James denied her question about his sister. She wasn’t fully surprised, he had replied with something so deeply personal. She had just hoped he would be drunk rambling by now. She loves listening to others spill their secrets at bars. As fun as Charlie was being, she was not the type of girl to cross. She knew gossip about most people, and if the time needed it she wouldn’t be afraid to disclose that information. Not that she was planning to do that here, with James she felt something real. A connection that was more than just your typical frat socializing, they were friends.

“Damn, well you can’t blame a girl for trying” Charlie smirked as she began thinking of a secret worthy of gaining more information from James. She still needed to be careful though, she wanted to make sure she didn’t overshare either. “I have an older brother” Charlie decided to share, she thought it was an equal trade. She didn’t mind her older brother Max, but at times he could be over protective. She was just thankful he wasn’t here tonight, sometimes he showed up at the wrong times and when his temper flared, it could get ugly. Not that she was worried about that tonight.

Charlie felt a bit better, she did have an outline of what she would like to do. It was so rough that she didn’t feel like sharing, and after tonight she wanted to stew over some new ideas when her judgement wasn’t so impaired. “I’ll be alright, I love a challenge” Charlie sounded strong while saying that, and the truth was she was. If she was going to be defeated by the first challenge that came up what kind of leader would she be? “Between the girls and myself we will come up with some of the best ideas this year, I’m sure of it” Charlie said confidently, it was her turn to be cocky now.

“I’m really glad I meet you tonight to” Charlie smirked, she really did enjoy his company, she knew the sentimental part was in regards to social cues and the alcohol. She continued sipping on her rum and coke in between speaking. She loved the refreshing taste, she knew it was about time that she ordered a water, but what would be the fun in that?

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Work Count: 555 | Tagged: JAMES CROFT

[JAMES CROFT]

   

“I didn’t peg you as a science nerd.” He told her. It was true looking at Charlie she didn’t look like someone who would be interested in school or science. To be honest the few times they had seen each other at parties, James had just assumed that she had been in college strictly for the party lifestyle and she later get herself a rich husband and settle down. Now he was realizing just how wrong he was. Not just about that part of her but about almost all of his previous assumptions about her. “I didn’t peg you as a lot of things.”

“A brother, eh?” He said with a laugh, “Good thing he isn’t here tonight.” He told her with a laugh. He was picturing this big burly dude coming at him for hooking up with his younger sister. Not that he had been anything but polite tonight, okay maybe he was a little cocky but it didn’t hurt anyone. Although if his little sister had been out with someone like him, he wouldn’t be the happiest either. It wasn’t that he hated himself. He just knew how the other boys in his frat acted around girls, and how he was one of them. He didn’t want his sister anywhere near that lifestyle. If he had it his way she would never date anyone ever, but he was sure it was too late for that. She was almost eighteen now. She had probably had lots of different boys all over her, or maybe girls. He couldn’t know. ‘You could if you actually visited her.’ He shook that thought away as he reminded himself to call her at a better time. “Did your brother go here?” He asked wondering if he had ever meet her brother.

“Well I have faith in you.” He told her honestly, “Anyone you can get random strangers to dance the YMCA with them can plan a dance.” He still couldn’t believe that she had done that. Out of all of the surprising thing she had done tonight that was the one that stood out to him the most. “I never got a turn in truth or dare.” He suddenly remembered the game that they had been playing. “And that’s not fair.” It was true. If he had made her do that than the least he could do was return the favour.

“Alright.” He said gulping down the rest of his vodka tonic before slamming the glass down on the bar. “Now that we got that touchy feely crap out of the way. Let’s have some fun.” He turned back towards the bartender and ordered another round of tequila shots for the two of them. “I think it's my turn to share.” He said as he handed her her shot. 

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word count: 454 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie did her best sexy smirk when James mentioned not pegging her as a science nerd. Not many people did, that’s what she loved about her program. Not only was she beautiful but actually smart. “Not many people do” Charlie admitted, she was proud to be the way she was. Hearing him continue his comment about not pegging her as a lot of things she couldn’t help but smile, “Really? What else didn’t you peg me as?” Charlie asked with her best flirtatious smile, she wanted to make sure he could say no to her. She wanted to hear his inner thoughts, she believed she earned that.

Charlie couldn't help but smile when he asked her if she really had an older brother, it sounded like something you’d see in a movie. An attractive guy who sleeps with the unsuspecting damsel in distress who happens to have a heroic older brother there to protect her honour. “It’s definitely a good thing, he may not have appreciated our show that we put on earlier” Charlie said with a flirtatious smile, she did miss dancing with him. Maybe later tonight they could make their way back out on the dance floor. “My brother did go here, he graduated two years ago” Charlie replied happily. Since her brother was gone she only had to deal with his over protectiveness during family holidays. It wasn’t that her brother was too overprotective, Charlie just enjoyed being able to do what she wanted, when she wanted. Her brother sometimes got in the way of that.

Charlie felt pride run through her veins when he told her he believed if anyone could do it, it would be her. She believed in herself as well, “Why thank you, I appreciate your vote of confidence,” Charlie responded her well rehearsed phrase. She began laughing uncontrollably as she realised she seemed like she was faking her responses, but at this point in the night the drinks were doing most of the talking. “Well, truth or dare” Charlie asked exaggeratedly. Not in a mocking way, more in a playful way. The night was going so well Charlie hoped she wasn’t getting too drunk and could ruin it. She hoped that James would have an idea that she was better than that by now, but you never know, she had been wrong before.

Watching James pound down the rest of his drink made Charlie smile, she didn’t have much left in her own cup. Deciding to follow his lead she began pouring the rest of her drink into her mouth and down the back of her throat. She was thankful she wasn’t drinking tequila at the moment, she didn’t know if she could handle the burning down her throat. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better” Charlie replied as she took her shot from James and began waiting to cheers him. It was true, she was glad to see him coming out of whatever funk he seemed to be in.

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Work Count: 496 | Tagged: JAMES CROFT

[JAMES CROFT]

   

“Do you really want the truth?” He asked her. James wasn’t sure if Charlie was ready to hear exactly what his first impression of her had been and they were having too much fun for him to just outright ruin it by explaining that he had thought she would be a stuck up beauty queen that seemed to be allergic to fun. At least he could now admit that he was wrong. She was anything but a stuck up beauty queen, sure she was pretty but she was also fun, and funny. James definitely hadn’t been expecting her to be fun. “I’m not sure you can handle the truth.” He told her with a laugh.

James couldn’t help but let out as sigh as she explained that her brother graduated two years ago. “I guess I live to flirt another day.” He wasn’t sure if her brother was the kind that would kill any man who flirted with his little sister, but he wasn’t going to take the chance, besides he had done more than just flirt with Charlie. He was also glad that Charlie hadn’t information blocked him like he had done to her. He just wasn’t ready to talk about Josie before he called her and figured out where they stood. “Well I’m glad I don’t have to worry about looking over my shoulder every three seconds to see if a burly muscular man has come to pummel me into dust."  He wasn’t even sure if that’s what Charlie’s brother looked like but that was the mental picture he got whenever he thought of him. The exact opposite of Charlie, your stereotypical manly man.

James thought over the two options for a brief moment. Each had their pros and cons. If he picked truth he could possibly look like his way taking the easy way out, even though for him truth was the more daunting of the two options. And if he picked dare well there was no telling what kind of dare he could end up with. “I pick,” He said dragging out his choice in an attempt to be over dramatic and funny, “Truth.” He hoped that she would understand that this was his way of letting her get to know him better. He was a very closed off person, so having to open up to someone was more terrifying than any dare would ever be. He just hoped that her psych background would allow her to see that.

“Yeah. Sorry about that.” He told her as he pushed the empty shot glass back across to the bartender for him to dispose of. “I’m not sure what came over me, but it’s gone now.” James flashed her his million watt smile in hopes that it would further prove that he was fine once again. He knew that he had lied to her, he knew exactly had come over him, but this wasn’t the time or place to discuss such things. Besides as much as he liked Charlie he wasn’t sure that she actually wanted to know what was wrong. Most people just wanted him to continue to smile and be happy, even if it was fake. So that’s what his was going to do, drink until he didn’t have to pretend anymore. Beside with Charlie as a distraction there was no way he was going to be thinking about anything else for to much longer.

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word count: 568 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie hesitated when James asked if she really wanted to know the truth, she knew she did, but that insecure part of her deep, deep, down was going to worry about what he was going to say. Deciding not to let that part have any effect on her, Charlie looked up at James with a smirk on her face. “I really want to know, I am interested to see what you believed about me” Charlie was sure he was going to say she was a stuck up, that she was rude, and ran over whoever she needed to get what she wanted. She was just hoping he was starting to his her in a new light, because she was more of herself today than she had been in a long time.

Charlie couldn’t help but let out a full laugh when James mentioned he was able to live to flirt another day, “You’re hilarious” Charlie continued to laugh as she put her arm back on his. Just because they had already had some of the good stuff didn’t mean they couldn’t spend the rest of the night flirting. “Just remember, I have my brother’s number if I need it” Charlie said with a giggle as she pretended to be tough. She would never actually call her brother in order to beat up some guy, but most guys didn’t know that. This was a prime example, Charlie wants to let James know that if he ever got out of line all she would have to do is call her brother and he would ‘fix’ the problem. She decided to end with a wink, she didn’t want him to take her too seriously. She still wanted to be friends with James after tonight.

Charlie patiently awaited James’s truth or dare decision, either way she knew she had won. If he picked truth, Charlie could ask him more questions about himself in order to get to know him, it was important that she get to know her new friend. If he picked dare, she could dare him to so something humiliating, like he had done with her. Waiting at the edge of her seat as she heard him begin to speak, she couldn’t wait to hear the answer. Finally hearing James say truth, Charlie was a little relieved. As much fun as it would be to have him do something humiliating, she would rather get to know him better . Seeing as his sister was a topic that had already come up tonight, she decided to keep with that theme. “I want you to tell me about your sister” Charlie said with a innocent smile on her face, she wasn’t trying to be malicious, she was genuinely curious.

Charlie watched as James pushed the empty shot glasses back across the bar. When he apologised she couldn’t help but feel bad. “Don’t be sorry, I know it happens” Charlie was being completely genuine. She did understand from her own experiences that sometimes you can’t keep your mind off of a person, or memory. Clinically, she understood as well, as most people tend to think about things that upset them when they have been drinking. “I’m glad it’s gone, let’s have some fun!” Charlie laughed as she put her hand up and sat forward in her chair.

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Work Count: 551 | Tagged: JAMES CROFT

[JAMES CROFT]

   

James briefly wondered if he should actually tell Charlie the truth of what his first impression had been, or if he should lie and tell her that something less rude. ‘Screw it,’ He thought, ‘She deserves the truth.’ Even if he hadn’t been completely honest with her about everything this was something that he could be honest about. “I just was expecting someone more reserved.” He said trying to put it nicely. “Someone more snotty and was less fun. “ James hoped that Charlie would understand that he wasn’t trying to be nasty, and that he was putting it in the nicest way he could think of, but she had asked for the truth and he was going to give it.

“I know.” He said with a laugh. His sense of humor was one of the things that had helped him to get through all the crap with his dad, and his sudden transfer to Brighton to live with his mom. Besides he had used his humor to get the attention of plenty of pretty girls over the years. He laughed as she mentioned having her brother’s number. “I’ve never been threatened by a pretty girl before. I think I might like it.” He said as he brought his face close to her as she winked at him. He let his lips brush over hers. “But I don’t think you’ll need to call him tonight.”

“I walked right into that one didn’t I?” He told her, before turning to order another set of shots for them. If he was going to do this he would need the alcohol. “My sister,” He began as he waited to the bartender to return. “I’m not even sure where to start. What do you want to know?” He figured that if she had something it mind than it would keep him from over sharing and letting her indirectly know what a human pile of garbage he was to have left his sister alone during on of the hardest times of their lives. Finally the bartender returned with their shots, and he took his immediately not bothering with the salt or lime. He was definitely feeling the alcohol now and hoped that he would be able to control how much he shared with Charlie. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust her, but it was something deeply personal to her.

James was glad that Charlie understood, and he hoped that she wouldn’t push the topic anymore. He wanted to have fun tonight, and enjoy the small amount of time they had left before the semester and school work picked up. Not that schoolwork would keep him from going out, he would still do it just with more guilt. “Well with you around it shouldn't be hard to have fun.” He told her with a wink as he thought back to their earlier tryst in the bathroom. “You’re quite the woman.”

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word count: 487 | tagged: CHARLIE THOMPSON

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie eagerly awaited James’s reply, she was hoping he was going to be honest. Charlie thought James was going to say that she was a stereotypical college girl. She couldn’t wait, she loved proving people wrong. Hearing his actual answer, Charlie couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Someone more reserved, someone less fun’ she joked to herself. “I love it, you’re hilarious” Charlie smiled. She thought his opinion was valid, if they had met under a different setting perhaps his impression of her would be different. Outside of the club Charlie was a different person, she still liked to have fun, she just understood that there was a time and a place.

Charlie couldn’t help but smirk when James mentioned liking the idea of being threatened by pretty girl such as herself. His sense of humour was so refreshing. Charlie was glad they had connected tonight, she began thinking of how unlikely there meeting was in the first place due to different laws and scenarios. She began pulling herself back into the conversation, “From the looks of it I don’t think I need to call him tonight” Charlie smirked as she reached across and touched his hand. She longed to be back on the dance floor again. She just wanted to be near him. The alcohol was in full control now.

Charlie couldn’t help but smile as she took a sip of water as James realised he had just walked into her trap. “I’m surprised you didn’t see that coming” Charlie laughed, her guess was that he underestimated her. She didn’t mind, they were still getting to know each other after all and Charlie always likes having the upper hand. “Just give me a general run down. How old is she? How close are you two? Do she live with your parents?” Charlie stopped there, she had realised she had asked more questions than he was probably willing to answer. Something in her thought he might just answer though, but she had been wrong about people before.

“I’m glad I left quite the impression on you” Charlie couldn’t help but smile. It was true, they had a fun night, with some great moments...Charlie had to refrain herself from thinking about their bathroom rendezvous. Taking a piece of paper and a pen from her purse she began writing her number down on the paper before handing it over to James. “I think you should call me sometime, so we can do this again” Charlie did her best to keep up her flirtatious appearance. She wanted to be friends with James, she was just hoping he was looking for the same kind of relationship. Pushing the thoughts from her mind, Charlie brought herself back into the moment, where she was glad to be.

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Work Count: 460 | Tagged: JAMES CROFT