Chapter 48: Augustus and Charlie

Charlie

"Michelle?"

"Check."

"Prince?"

"Check."

"Amber?"

"Check."

"The FBI?"

"Checked."

Augustus raised his eyebrow. "Why the FBI?"

I threw the jacket in my backpack. "FBI's been after McCrae for a while now. He's been on the run ever since,"

Augustus sighed as he folded the paper. "No wonder you said he would be the worst ruler,"

I shrugged. "Yeah, and also the worst human being,"

He chuckled at my dry sense of humour. "You know, when I showed up, I didn't realize that there was much more than what met the eye,"

I smiled at him. "Now you do,"

Augustus and I had been talking a lot since that night at the lake. We'd been getting to know each other since we both decided we got off on the wrong foot. I realized, more than ever, that we did have a lot of things in common. He loved reading books just like I did. His favourite colours were black and white, and he loved riding his horse in his spare time.

I had never pegged Augustus to be a fun-loving guy too. He enjoyed long and deep conversations and was always up for an adventure. I was surprised to know that the oh-so-serious Commander/Crowned Prince of Scotland had a fun side too.

During his visit to the States, he had been living in my apartment. Although he said he'd rather stay at a hotel, I insisted he stay here. What kind of a friend would I be if I let him stay at a hotel when I had a perfect apartment!

Augustus plopped down on the couch, stretching his arms over his head. "Right...hey, Charlie?"

"Hmm?"

I didn't need to look at him to know he was staring at me.

"What do you say we go out for a cup of coffee since it's the last day before the big day?"

I was still busy packing when the 'weird sensations' came back. What was wrong with me these days?

We were friends.

That's it!

Even if he was smoking hot and irresistible at times.

Charlie, don't!

Don't go down that path!

There's a bigger fish to fry at the moment.

Alright, alright!

No more distracting thoughts!

I mentally face-palmed myself. What would've happened if I allowed myself to fall for this guy? He'll never like a girl like me! I'm a tomboy. In other words, I was one of the guys. They wouldn't want their girl to play video games or do the things guys usually do.

Moreover, he was the Crowned Prince.

Whilst I was just an ordinary girl.

We were from two different worlds.

We couldn't be together even if we wanted to. It'll cause a lot of pain, sufferings, and heartbreaks. I didn't wish to walk down that path.

And I hoped to dear God that he didn't too.

"Earth to Charlie...?" I didn't realize Augustus was expecting an answer from me.

"Sorry, I zoned out...what were you saying again?"

"Coffee before the big day?"

I smiled. "Cool. Gimme a few minutes to pack this up and then we can leave,"

He grinned. "Great, I shall wait for you here then."

Also...if something like that were to happen...

Was I really worth it?

---

"We should be working rather than being in a coffee shop, you know?"

He laughed, "Loosen up, Charlie. Enjoy every second of your day like it's your last,"

I gasped.

"Who are you and what have you done to the Prince?! You must be an impostor for the Prince would never talk like that!"

He laughed heartily, clutching his chest this time.

"I'm not the Prince now. Nobody here knows about me as long as I keep up with my disguise. Moreover, you are in no place accusing me to be an impostor!"

"Hey!"

Both of us broke into laughter. It was strange how it didn't take much to laugh out loud and forget the setting we were in. From the corner of my eye, I could see the other customers looking at us lovingly - as if they enjoyed that we were having fun. Some ladies might've pointed at us and accused their boyfriends of not being like us.

You get the picture, I'm sure.

After we were done with our coffee, we head outside and took a stroll to the lake. It was snowing as it was December already. In a week or two, Christmas would arrive bringing happiness in all our lives again. The stores were already decked up with Christmas lights.

A smile crept on my face seeing the lighting in the street. It was a wonderful sight. Families were hanging out, buying gifts for Christmas. Some were buying new clothes and decorations for the Christmas trees.

"Mommy, I want that!"

"Sweetie, we already have those at home."

"But this is prettier!" The girl whined as she stomped her foot on the ground. Her mother was trying her best to convince her but failed miserably.

Augustus chuckled watching the two argue at a nearby shop.

"What's so funny?" I asked him.

He smiled. "Every year on Christmas, my sister would beg me to buy her those Christmas lights. Let's just say, the mother-daughter duo reminded me of us,"

"You have a sister?!"

He looked at me, unamused. "What is so shocking about that?"

"You never mentioned a sister before," I answered honestly.

He shrugged. "Well, now you know,"

I was intrigued to know more about this "unknown" sister of his.

"Tell me more about her," I said as we passed by the shop, leaving the mother and daughter to deal with the argument themselves.

"Let's say, she's similar to how you are," He vaguely replied.

I raised my eyebrow, smirking. "Like a tomboy?"

"Exactly like a tomboy,"

When I first told him that I was a tomboy, he was surprisingly casual about it. Now I realised why he was okay with that fact - his own sister happened to be a tomboy! Not one guy I knew in my whole life was so casual about this fact! They would at times tease me for being too boyish for their stupid tastes. One reason why I never had a boyfriend - not that I wanted to have one.

Please, I was happy with my single life.

Until a few days ago...

"I know how hard it is to accept the fact that you're a tomboy and live with it your whole life. I know how difficult the journey can be," He admitted quietly.

I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks for understanding then. Highly appreciated,"

"My pleasure,"

---

I stopped in my tracks.

My eyes widened.

My heart froze for a second.

I didn't realise my feet would unknowingly pull me towards this place when Xavier and I decided to enjoy the snow.

I hadn't been here since the funeral.

Augustus sensed the shift in mood and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay, Annie?" He inquired.

I shook my head and pushed all those haunting thoughts at the back of my mind.

"I'm completely alright, Augustus. Don't worry,"

He looked into my eyes and tried to search for the truth in my words. Honestly, no matter how much I tried to lie, the panic in my eyes was a dead giveaway.

"You don't look fine," Augustus stated.

"Leave it, Xavier," I whispered looking at the ground. I didn't wanna talk about it. Just take a hint!

Luckily, he did take the hint and stepped away. "My apologies, Charlie."

I took a deep breath before looking at his eyes with a sad smile. "Don't worry about it,"

Ever since the funeral, I never came back here let alone, visit the cemetery! Now that I was here, I felt a pull towards the cemetery. Should I pay a visit?

I stared at the distance, weighing my options. Should I visit him? He'd like it, wouldn't he? But then again, I didn't wanna talk about it.

"Charlie?" Augustus's thick British voice brought me out of my reverie. "I believe talking about whatever's bothering you might help. Besides, we're friends, right?"

He sure as hell was right about the 'friend' part. Also, it wasn't like he didn't know about it. He did. He was there to comfort me when dad died.

When he looked in the direction I was staring at, previously, realisation dawned upon him.

"It's about your father, is it not?" He finally put two and two together.

I nodded quietly.

"Ah, I see. If you wish you can visit him," He suggested.

I shook my head. "I don't think I'm ready to see him yet,"

He carefully placed a hand on my shoulder. "It is alright, Charlie. We can come back here once you're ready to face it. Let's go home,"

I nodded.

---

We were walking in awkward silence until he decided to speak up.

"Remember the time I told you about my mother's death?" I nodded, remembering that day like it was just yesterday! Strange how fast time flies, huh?

He continued. "I didn't realise how much it hurt as I was just three. However, as I grew up, I used to see kids my age talk about their mothers fondly. I always wished I had that. Hazel doesn't remember mum at all, but she always wondered what it would be like to have her in our lives. I know it's not relevant, but I thought you should know. Father didn't care about us, anyway. He was too involved in his duties that he barely treated us as his own children. I was always seen as the Crowned Prince/Commander of the army while my sister, as a tomboy brat who needed to be disciplined,"

He laughed.

"Why are you telling me this right now?" I asked him, looking at him after a while. He stopped in his tracks, staring at the distance, unaware that I was staring at him. He smiled, fondly.

"I don't know that myself. I just thought, maybe as the mood's already so grim...I'd add my sad life story too,"

I shook my head in disbelief. "People lighten up the mood, Xavier, not do the exact opposite,"

He chuckled. "As I said, I thought you should know,"

He finally looked at me. His classic icy blue eyes were a warm blue colour now. His lips curled up in a smile and he gazed at me like I was the only person who mattered in this world. The 'weird sensations' more like butterflies now, returned and were creating a ruckus inside my belly. My mind froze, my limbs paralyzed. I was drowning in that sea of soft, blue eyes of his. This...thing between us...I was sure he felt it too. It was undeniable!

But...

"We should get going. We shall freeze to death if we don't hurry," He broke the contact awkwardly and stepped back before resuming walking.

"Yeah, yeah. Of course,"

---

"What is wrong with me?" I asked no one in particular as I watched the snowfall from my window. I wouldn't say my life was perfect - but I had everything I wanted.

Or so I thought.

Being a tomboy I always thought, I wouldn't be the one falling in love or rather - no one would fall in love with me. Love stories were cheesy and ridiculous at times - scratch that- all the time. I always knew I didn't have it in me to feel these emotions (as the TV series and movies showed). There were a lot of things going on currently and now I had to navigate through this new 'emotion' I recently discovered.

Oh, what a pain!

I wish I had someone to talk to about this. Calling the others was already out of the list - they were asleep by now. Augustus...definitely not! He was out of the question! Who else could I call...?

Oh well, I didn't have anyone to talk to!

I just wished dad was around - he'd know exactly what to say!

Realising I didn't have anything else to do about it, I decided to sleep. However, even after tossing and turning - I was wide awake. All I could think of were the moments I spent with Augustus - from the day we met till today.

That was when I remembered my last conversation with dad.

"So...moral of the story?"

"Everyone has their other half somewhere on the planet. Some find them really quickly, like Marshall and Lily, some take a really long time but don't end up forever, like Barney and Robin and finally, there is the kind of people who have been there with you for as long as you remember. All we have to do is recognize them and keep them forever in our hearts."

"So, you're saying the whole 'the one' crap is pre-destined?"

He gasped. "Charlotte Robinson, this whole thing is not 'crap'! This is true. Everyone has their own other halves, you have yours too."

"I don't believe you."

"That doesn't change the fact." He retorted.

"Then why haven't I found mine, yet? I am a tomboy, dad. Guys don't love tomboys. They love girls who have cleavage to flash, wear layers of lipsticks and makeup and do all those typical girly stuff."

"Answer this: Have you met all the guys on this planet?"

"No."

A smile played on his lips. "Exactly, you haven't. Hence, you do not have the right to judge all the guys on this planet."

"But-"

"Not all guys are jerks and assholes, Charlie. Your mother used to be a tomboy, too but I still loved her, didn't I?"

"But-"

"No buts, I am not pushing you to believe something you don't because of circumstances I don't know of, but I will say you one thing: Your perception will change someday."

"That someday shall never come, dad."

That someday was already here.

And I wasn't ready for it.

Yet.