Gabriel smirks, lifting my cello and putting it back between my legs as the door opens and our orchestra teacher comes in.
“How’s it goin’ in here? We understand the music? Need any help?” he asks, obliviously.
“I think we’re killin’ it in here, right Charlotte?” Gabriel says, mischievously.
“I...yes. We...got it. It’s good, we’re good, it’s...it was good,” I stutter, stumbling over my words.
“Good,” he responds, walking back out to the hallway.
“It was that good, huh?” Gabriel smirks.
I wag my finger at him and shake my head.
“I’m gonna get you back for that, just wait and see.”
____
I run towards Gabriel, jumping into his arms as he stumbles back against his truck, catching me.
“I got a tryout at LSU this weekend!” I yell, grabbing his cheeks and kissing him senseless.
“No you don’t! Baby cakes, you serious right now?” he yells, spinning me around.
“Scouts were at my game the other day! They saw my homer and double play catch for the win! Gabriel! This is so excitin’!”
“I’m so proud of you, Charlotte. You’re gonna rock it. I’ll talk to coach about skippin’ practice this weekend. I wanna come with you.”
Right there in that moment I knew, he was my everything. My friend, my lover, my cheerleader. I was so head over heels for Gabriel Gavinwood.
“No,” I whisper cupping his cheek. “You gotta prepare for the scouts too, I’m goin’ with my daddy, it’ll be fine. I’ll be more nervous if you come,” I laugh. “But thank you for sayin’ that, it means the world to me that you would have come.”
“Of course I would have. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
He puts me back down on my feet and grabs my hand, pulling me to the other side of the truck.
“Hop in, let’s go watch the sunset.”
I nod and get into the front seat of his truck as he drives to the lake. We park and hop in the back of his truck, as he lays out a blanket. We lay there, side by side, watching the sky as it changes from a beautiful shade of orange and pink to black.
I gasp and point at the sky.
“Shootin’ star, what’s your wish?” I whisper.
“Absolutely nothin’. I got everything I need right here in this truck,” he whispers back.
I smirk and grab his hand, linking our fingers together.
“Good answer big shot, good answer.”
9
Gabriel
I watch Charlotte fidgeting out of the corner of my eyes as we ride in the limo to senior prom. Everyone is laughing, having a great time but something is bothering her.
“What’s the matter, baby cakes?” I ask, grabbing her hand.
“N-nothin’,” she stutters, “I’m fine, really.”
Her face is pale and she looks like she’s gonna puke. I cup her cheek and she closes her eyes giving me a sad smile.
“No you ain’t. What’s goin’ on? Talk to me.”
“Not now, just...wait until we get to the dance, okay?’
I nod and bring her face to me, kissing her lips and I feel the hesitancy. Shit. She’s breaking up with me. I did something to fuck this up. She realized everyone in this town is right and she’s leaving me.
I wrap her in a hug, trying to give her all my love, making her know how much she means to me.
The limo comes to a stop and we all get out, piling into the hotel ballroom. The music pounds and soon we’re on the dance floor, Charlotte’s mood lifting as we sway to the music. We dance until we’re sweaty and I undo my tie as Principal Garner comes on the microphone.
“We have your prom king and queen right here in this envelope if we can get everyone’s attention,” he says.
The crowd quiets down as I reach for Charlotte’s hand, kissing her knuckles. We already got cutest couple in the yearbook and I’d be shocked if we didn’t win prom king and queen too.
“This year's prom king is Mr. Gabriel Gavinwood!”
Everyone cheers as I smile, getting to my feet and moving towards the stage.
“Where would he be without his queen, Ms. Charlotte Daniels!”
I cheer loud pumping my fist as Principal Garner puts my crown on and Charlotte comes to the stage. I grab the crown, putting it on her and kiss her softly on the cheek.
“Let’s grab a partner and share the king and queen dance with these two,” Principal Garner says as “One Boy, One Girl” by Collin Raye starts playing.
I twirl Charlotte around as she smiles, our hands linked together, my other on her hip.
“So, Mr. Prom King I have somethin’ to tell you,” she says, kissing my lips softly, as we sway to the music.
“What is that, Miss Prom Queen?” I say smiling, fixing her crown, so it’s straight on her head.
“I...I don’t know how you’re gonna take it,” she says nervously.
“Charlie, whatever it is, you can tell me. I love you, you know, nothin’ can change that,” I say, pushing a stray hair away from her face.
What she tells me knocks me on my ass. Everybody in town was right. She should have stayed away from me. The women at church, her daddy, Samuel; everyone’s words are twirling in my head as she talks but I don’t hear her. I see her lips moving but all I hear are the doubts of everyone in town. The one person in this world I would do anything for, and I ruined her life.
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THE END
What happens when a teenage love that was supposed to withstand anything is torn to shreds? Read what happens next for Charlotte and Gabriel in Book 1 of the Double Play Series, Curveball!
Nicole Rodrigues write sexy romances with sassy heroines and swoony heroes. Visit her website to keep up with all her new releases, giveaways and news!
WORLDS APART
ASHLEE SHADES
Copyright © 2016 Ashlee Shades
Kindle Edition
Published by: Ashlee Shades
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