Love Notes

by Heather Gunter

  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…

  Chapter 14-Charlie

  As I walk to choir class, I’m still recalling the moment of Maverick reeling me back in and the sweet, chaste kiss he gave my forehead. Just thinking about him causes shivers to race down my body and causes goose bumps to rise up all over my arms. I have no idea why I feel like this or what it is. I just know that I like how he makes me feel.

  My thoughts drift to being asked out on a date and what the hell my dad is going to have to say about it. It scares the living shit out of me, truth be told. I’m not sure of his reaction and what he may say or do to torture me. Because that’s what it is–torture. I also know for a fact that he will not let me go out with anyone, until he meets them first, which will probably mean dinner at the house. The thought makes me physically ill. I think I may be sick. I’m scared as hell about what he could or will say. That whatever my dad says, will be something that Maverick may actually believe. He might see all of the horrible things that I am and go running for the hills.

  I reach the door, but instead of opening it, I lean against the wall and bang my head. I need to calm myself prior to stepping foot into class. Lord, he’s gonna think I’m an idiot or worse a reject, which is what I feel like most of the time. The sound of the bell ringing again, signals that I’m about to be late. I take a deep breath, straighten myself and walk into class.

  As soon as I pass the threshold I spot Tori, but she’s not alone. To my amazement and surprise, sitting beside her is none other than Maverick. I slowly walk over, even though I’m dying to race over and sit next to him. He smiles and at that moment I think damn the consequences with my dad.

  I ease down next to him, leaning over, I whisper, “I have one condition about our date.” He looks at me and says, “Anything.”

  His nearness is killing me and my heart is beating so fast that it takes effort to even speak.

  “You have to come to my house for dinner first; My dad will expect to meet you before he'll let me go out with you….” Shifting in my seat, I add, “I know that it may seem weird to even have to do that but…”

  “Yes,” he quickly responds. I’m a little surprised that he agrees so readily. I honestly thought I might have scared him off.

  “Are you kidding Charlie? Any way I can spend time with you I will, even if there are parents involved.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” I ask.

  He turns and stares me directly in the eye with a serious expression on his face. “I don’t kid Charlie, not when it comes to you.”

  I see that for some reason in such a short amount of time this guy, this beautiful and sweet guy who seems so perfect, likes me.

  Mr. Hall walks in while I’m staring at Maverick and thinking about everything that has been said and what it all means. I shake my thoughts and re-focus on my love of music and why I am in this class to begin with.

  Maverick leans over and whispers in my ear, “We will talk later.”

  I feel shivers cascade down my back all the way to my toes with him just whispering in my ear. Then like a big bucket of water being spilled over me, Mr. Hall begins to speak.

  “Okay, people here are our plans for the semester. We are going to be in charge of a music festival that will be put on in front of the whole school during homecoming week, and it will help raise money for the arts in the school. You will be in groups of two or three, and make sure you pick something snazzy and fun! Go ahead and start picking your groups and start thinking about what you’re going to do.”

  Maverick leans over me as soon as Mr. Hall stops talking, “Be my partner Charlie.”

  “Can you even sing, at all?” I can’t help but ask.

  “I sing in the shower, does that count?” He says this with a smile and his fantastic blue eyes are laughing at me. He’s just so damn charming and I could honestly give a flip if he can sing or not. I just want to be with him every moment that I possibly can.

  I smile back at him as I reply, “Sure Mav, why not.”

  “Aw, you gave me a nickname, Charlie.”

  My face feels like it’s on fire. I mean like volcanic heat. I know my chest is sure to be all splotchy red now, and I’m sure he can see it, which is even worse!

  “I like it,” he hastily adds. His face is serious so I know he’s not trying to make fun of me.

  Tori nudges me, and I feel awful. Here I am having this conversation with Maverick and my new bestie is sitting right there getting ignored.

  I turn and look at her.

  She looks at me and smiles, like it’s completely okay that I’ve been ignoring her. “How do you feel about a third wheel?”

  “First off, you are never a third wheel and second I would love for you to be with us Tori, sounds awesome. Now we need to decide on music.”

  Maverick shakes his head and starts laughing, “Don’t look at me. How about I let the two of you decide on that?”

  “You'll feel comfortable with whatever we pick?” Tori asks.

  “Sure, I trust you both.” he responds

  “Are you sure about that,” I ask.

  “Positive.”

  I look at Tori, and she has a twinkle in her eye like she’s up to no good as she says, “Oohh, this is going to be fun.”

  Chapter 15-Charlie

  After class Maverick says a quick good bye and high tails it out the door. He has a bit of a mischievous
look about him. I shrug it off, and don’t think much more about it.

  Tori and I start walking to the parking lot discussing music choices. It cracks me up, because Tori is all about putting Maverick in an uncomfortable situation.

  “I can’t believe he said we could pick anything. Is he crazy? Does he not know what we are capable of and what we could make him sing? Crap, if he can even sing at all? Think about it. Big bad Maverick up there on that stage singing–with us. Anything we choose.”

  Tori can’t seem to help herself and just bursts out laughing. She has such a loud and infectious laugh that I can’t help but join her. “Man he must have it bad for you girl, that’s all I can say.” Tori says.

  I glance over at her shyly. “This is very new for me. I have never been in this situation and I can’t believe of all people he wants to date me.”

  “Awww, so he asked you finally, huh? How do you feel about that?”

  “I like him, I really do but I’m worried. Like if he gets to know me he may not like me–at all. Then I've put myself out there only to be crushed and have my heart broken. I don’t think I can handle that. I just don’t think he will like what he discovers if he gets to know me.” I stop walking and just stand there and look at Tori. I can see the wheels turning in her head.

  “First of all when you say shit like that, it pisses me off. It’s also a dig against me. Like I don’t have good taste when picking out my friends. I don’t like stupid people. I like you and I knew I would, the first time we talked. I’m not sure why you don’t think people aren’t going to like you when they get to know you. Here is what I know, and hear me out because I am not going to say this again. This may be harsh, but I’m always going to be honest and tell you exactly how it is, 'cause that’s me and you deserve that. Plus, that’s how I roll and I will always give it to you straight. She peers at me before questioning, Got it?”

  At this point all I can do is nod my head that I get it. Man this chick means business when she gets all riled up. Mental note. Never–piss–off–Tori–ever.

  “First off, you are an amazing person. You’re smart, pretty and you don’t even know it, which makes you even prettier in my opinion. You’re absolutely not fat, so please get that out of your head. You actually have a body, which most girls would kill for. I’m as flat in the boob area as the Sahara desert and would love to have something up there, at least a bra could hold up. Actually Charlie, if I swung that way, I would be on you like white on rice. You would so be my type.” Of course, at this point she’s laughing and I know we’re good. Tori laughing, is always a good sign.

  “Har, har Tori. Okay so last time, promise. You really think he likes me and likes what he sees?”

  “Yep, sure do sugar plum. He looks at you like a man looks at a steak. Or maybe like a lion looks at a gazelle. Or how a snake looks at a mouse. I could go on and on you know.”

  “So you're saying, he wants to eat me for dinner?” I can’t help but start laughing.

  “Okay, well maybe those weren’t the best descriptions,” she replies with a snort. Grinning, she says, “He watches everything you do. It’s so sweet. Seriously Charlie, he lights up when he sees you. The point is that the boy is into you, and I don’t think you're going to have a choice on whether or not you want him to catch you or not. He will, because I also see how you look at him. It’s not just his looks that pull you in is it?” Tori asks.

  Now, I don’t have to think about this long and hard, because she’s right. There is just something about him that draws me in. In just the small amount of time, I know he is kind, he’s sweet and he cares. Why, I don’t know, but I don’t want to over analyze it. Am I afraid of getting hurt? Yep, in a heartbeat. Am I completely scared about how my dad will react and what he will say? Sure, but something tells me that this will be all worth it. All of these facets will make it all worth it. I think the saying goes, anything worth having is always hard but worth it the end? Or at least something along those lines.

  “Yeah, Tori I do, a lot, and it scares the shit out of me, to be honest.”

  Tori links her arm through mine, as we start to walk to the parking lot. “Good, because I don’t want to see Maverick hurt either. He’s always been a good guy. Not like some of these jocks you see around here who are so full of themselves. That also means you have genuine feelings. Scared is a good thing. Promise.”

  “While we are on the subject, how about Will? He seems to be in to you and to be one of the good guys. I also heard that you guys went on a date once? What’s the story there?”

  Her whole body stiffens, which I can feel with her arm looped through mine. “We went out once, and it didn’t work. I mean, Will is a great guy, but he’s just not for me. Besides, we are talking about you Charlie, not me,” Tori replies.

  I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about it, so I’m not going to push it. Not to say I’m not curious, because I sure as hell am. I can tell there’s more to the story, but I’m just not one to push. I’m sure she will tell me when she’s ready.

  I steer the conversation quickly away, “So how about you call me tonight and we discuss music choices?”

  At this she gets excited. “Yeah and how we can embarrass Maverick. Just think what we could make him do Charlie.”

  “You’re a mess girl! I’ll talk to you later.” I turn away from Tori to head in the direction of my Jeep. As I near it, I see something sitting on the windshield. The closer I get the more it resembles a rose. As soon as I reach the Jeep, I spot it clearly and wrapped around it like a scroll is a note. It’s not a red rose, it's a yellow rose with red tips. It’s beautiful, and it smells so sweet. I unwrap the note from the rose careful not to rip it on the thorns and open it up.

  Dear Charlie,

  I wanted to leave you with something to think about. The yellow rose is a symbol of friendship, where we are starting. However, the red around the tips of the petals means that I have feelings that I would like to see grow into more. Please remember our talk from earlier. I meant every damn word.

  Your friend, but hopefully not for much longer,

  Mav

  Wow, is all I can think at the moment. I am completely blown away and surprised beyond belief. I open Lexie's door, get in and turn her on. As soon as I see the time on the dash, my happiness shoots right out of the window. I realize how late I am and in how much trouble I’m going to be. Plus, I have the rose in hand, which is going to bring questions from my parents. I decide to hide the note and play the rest by ear. I make my way as quickly as I can hopefully without getting pulled over. Getting a ticket and being in even more trouble seems to be my middle name here lately.

  As soon as I pull in to the drive-way, I see my dad is home. I can’t help the “shit” that escapes my lips. I head to the front door, and I hear my parents talking rather loudly and then I hear my name. Yep, I’m in trouble–again. Maybe I can get out of this.

  I make my way into the living room where the voices are coming from. My parents spot me, and my mom immediately stands up and heads in my direction with a fake smile plastered across her face and then ducks her head as she makes her departure.

  “Well, gotta run. I need a few more things from the grocery store for dinner. Be back soon.”

  Traitor.

  Seriously, she has to know what’s about to go down and the sounds of the front door closing behind her only bring silence. It’s maddening.

  “Where were you, and why didn’t you come straight home? Did I not tell you to come straight home?”

  As I’m about to answer, he notices the rose I’m holding in my hand.

  “Where did the flower come from?” he demands.

  I quickly gather my wits and respond with. “We have a program at school and I stayed after to discuss it with the Choir teacher. As far as the rose goes, it was left on the Jeep.”

  My dad gets a very cynical look on his face and all I know is that my soul is about to receive a massive beat down. I’ve been through this too many times to
not know by now. I am dreading the onslaught of rage that he is fixing to bestow upon me.

  “Who would give you a flower? This person must be blind, that’s all I can figure. Look at what you are wearing? No girl would be such a fool, than to be dressed in those clothes. Not to mention I’m sure you don’t even come close to being a pretty girl in his eyes. I know what this is–it’s a prank and you are the butt of the joke.”