Chapter 10

"You know, it's your fault, Charlie. You couldn't keep your man," Regina said after she applied lipstick. She chuckled and flipped her black hair, and while turning to Charlie, Regina added, "Really? You have been together for two years, yet you haven't done it?"

"Charlie, he is a man! You practically starved Luke!" Regina declared.

Yes, it was true. Luke and Charlie never made love, primarily because she was terrified that her dad would find out! Besides, Luke had never pressured her about sex.

"Oh, so you had sex with Luke, and you're proud of that?" Charlie reacted. "Well, congratulations. I hope it lasts longer than how it started."

"Of course it will!" Regina claimed. "Luke is just not with me for sex."

"I mean, look at you." Regina skimmed Charlie repeatedly, saying, "You are wearing a loose-sleeved blouse, jeans, and boots."

Regina made a face and suggested, "Sometimes, you have to show some skin!"

"No thanks, it's raining," Charlie said. "I'd rather stay warm."

Regina let out an annoyed laugh. She revealed, "Whatever. In any case, My father is an old friend of Luke's dad. That's actually how I met Luke. Let's just say our families hit it off!"

"I heard you are just a some girl from another town. Haven't you always wondered why Luke only brought you to his house once? That's what I heard," Regina added. "Let me tell you."

Regina crossed her arms and said, "Luke's father disapproves of you. I, on the other hand, have been to Luke's house five times in the two weeks we have been together."

"So, I hope you don't take your breakup to heart. Either way, it would never have worked between you and Luke." Regina patted Charlie on the shoulder and said, "You can just instead thank me that I saved you from a bigger heartbreak later on."

Regina's revelations truly hurt Charlie. However, she refused to give Regina the satisfaction of being affected, knowing she was purposely provoking her. So, Charlie smiled and calmly said, "You are right. I do have to thank you for sparing me from a spineless man like Luke."

"I will definitely end up with someone better," Charlie claimed.

At first, Regina frowned, but eventually, she laughed. Her friends laughed with her. Regina asked, "Who could be better than Luke?"

"I'm not going to tell you. Given your habit of stealing someone who is already committed," Charlie said. "And thanks for the info. What you told me was indeed enlightening."

Turning to Dawn, Charlie said, "Let's go, Dawn."

"Yeah," Dawn said, following behind Charlie.

In the hallway, Charlie saw Luke waiting for Regina. Like the last, she ignored him and took another exit.

Charlie and Dawn decided to have a quick snack at the canteen. It was there that they saw Taylor West. Dawn asked, "Oh, my god. Taylor West is looking at us. Or you?"

Taylor was with his friends when he looked at Charlie. Panic coursed through her body. First, Charlie was confused about why he was even acknowledging her.

"No, it's not us." She pointed elsewhere and said, "He was saying hi to his friend over there."

Dawn turned and looked for the said person, but she could not identify who Charlie was referring to. "Who?"

"The guy is gone. I saw him, and they were nodding at each other." With her hands making silly gestures, Charlie said, "Just so we are clear, Taylor West did not look at me or you."

"You are right." Dawn nodded. "We are technically rivals due to the basketball team, but he is so hot!"

Dawn laughed and suggested, "If you dated Taylor West, Luke would go mad! Everyone knows Luke hates Taylor."

"Could you imagine?" Dawn asked. "That would be really fun."

"Ah." Charlie glanced at Taylor for a second. They locked eyes, and he was clearly about to wave his hand at her, but she looked away without giving Taylor any regard. She said, "No, that is not a good idea."

***

"Hi, Taylor! I'm having a party this weekend. Do you want to come?"

"Hi, Taylor!"

"Oh, my god, it's Taylor!"

At the College of Engineering, girls giggled along the hallways, stealing glances at Taylor, but he was in deep thought. He said, 'All these girls are throwing themselves at me, but Charlie Blondie just ignored me? Who does she think she is?'