The Fortune Teller

The party stretched on until early morning, until noise complaints from the neighbours when they had to turn off the music. But the house was still full of people. Charlotte, Oliver and few other people, most faces that Charlotte recognised from the other day were all sitting upstairs in one of the bedrooms. Both Charlotte and Oliver were sharing a bottle of brandy between them on the floor, with the duvet covering their legs. Lee and Rosie were sharing the duvet less bed, Rosie was passed out whilst Lee was snoring softly. Everyone else was sitting on cushions on the floor. Tom was talking to a pretty blonde, whose name clearly escaped Charlotte’s head whilst Rissa stared at them with what seemed like jealousy.

Charlotte leaned her head against Oliver’s shoulder, her eyelids feeling heavy with sleep. But Oliver’s drunken conversation with Matt and Vegan about what would happen at the end of the world was clearly more interesting than sleep.

“I’ll tell yeh what seems like a good idea.” Vegan said, only to be followed by groans from everyone else.

“We have learnt from last time, we don’t trust your ideas yeh dick.” Matt replied simply with murmuring responses from everyone else who agreed.

“Tell me Vegan. I’ll listen.” Charlotte mumbled incoherently.

“Thank yeh Charlie darl, see she is a decent fuckin’ human being unlike yeh buggers.” Vegan shouted before talking normally again, “we should take a mini vacation up in the Lakes.”

“Ok dick. That is not a bad idea. I am up for it. I need a break from me beloved Steel City.” Matt mumbled honestly.

Oliver nodded his head, “Yeah, I could do with a break too. What about yeh Charlie?”

Charlotte nodded her head, oblivious to what she just agreed to. She let out a yawn before closing her eyes, falling asleep on Oliver. She could hear the soft chatter of their conversation soon fade and fuzz out as sleep descended on her.

***

By the time Charlotte next woke up, it was night time. The sky was once again deep ebony cross midnight blue, the stars were making an appearance since it was a clear sky for once. Charlotte snuggled back into her duvet, but then the realisation came over her. She was home, or in her and Rissa’s flat. Her eyes flickered open, clearly startled. She was in an over sized t shirt, not in the pretty dress she was wearing yesterday. She forced herself to roll out of bed.

Charlotte could only presume that she got taken home sometime during the day, from her present headache, she could only guess she was practically knocked out cold from her alcohol consumption. She made her way down the stairs only to be greeted by Thor, who was waggling his tail enthusiastically.

Charlotte let out a heavy sigh, rubbing the sleep away from her eyes. She felt like shit and was pretty sure she looked like it too. She followed Thor into the kitchen, grabbing herself a drink of water and some painkillers, she didn’t even want to think about food nor look at it. She checked Thor’s bowl in case he needed feeding which by her surprise he didn’t. She narrowed her eyes with suspicion, she was definitely sure that Rissa had not came down at all because if she did, she probably would’ve woke Charlotte up and made her feel Rissa’s pain too. From the corner of her eye, she could see Thor making a beeline into the living room, Charlotte followed him. And to her surprise saw Oliver Sykes lying across the couch with blankets on top covering his half naked body.

Charlotte’s mouth dropped slightly, it was still too early for her or late, but early for her mind and body to react in any way. She looked down to her bare legs then back to Oliver, her mouth closing quietly. She watched Thor jump on top of him, burrowing himself into the blankets. This seemed to startle Oliver, as his eyes flickered open.

“Mornin’,” Oliver mumbled sleepily.

Charlotte racked her brain for some reply, to only let the words, “its late afternoon,” escape her mouth.

Oliver’s eyes widened slightly, she could feel his gaze almost assessing her. Charlotte wriggled her toes, knowing it was a trick to prevent a vivid blush spreading across her cheeks. She bit her lip as she met Oliver’s stare.

“That does not surprise me. Er do yeh wanna sit down?” Oliver asked, as he moved to sit upright.

Charlotte was debating two options in her head, either run off and hides in her bedroom looking like a complete utter freak or just braves it, sit down beside him, humour him until Rissa comes down, then she can escape. She decided on the latter, it was clearly the best option. She sat down beside him, letting Thor be a barrier between them. She tucked her legs underneath her, letting her head loll back onto the couch.

“Where’s Rissa?” Charlotte asked him, breaking their heavy silence.

Oliver shrugged as he let out a long yawn. “Still in bed the lazy arse.”

Charlotte nodded her head, a small smile breaking out. “Oh thanks for feeding Thor.”

Oliver met Charlotte’s stare, a small smile on his face too. “Ah it’s no problem. The bugger wouldn’t stop pesterin’ me.”

She rolled her eyes, smiling down at Thor, stroking his head thoughtfully. Oliver jumped up, turning on the television. It finally dawned on her that he was just wearing boxers. This made her feel incredibly awkward. She didn’t know where to look. Her eyes were darting all over the place but always kept finding them trained on his arse. She could feel a blush attack coming on. She let out a shaky sigh, concentrating on Thor as much as she could.

Oliver sprawled back on the couch again, his head was beside Charlotte, his eyes fluttered shut then opened as he flicked through the channels on the television, looking for something sustainable yet easy to watch, which is why he ended up on one of Charlotte’s favourite American sitcoms ‘How I Met Your Mother’.

“We are watching this.” Charlotte ordered, ready to snatch the remote out of Oliver’s hand if he changed the channel.

Oliver looked at Charlotte with a teasing smirk. “Thought you’d have better taste, I am fuckin’ disappointed with yeh, Charlie.”

Charlotte snatched the remote out of his hand, hiding it behind her pillow. “Nope and I really don’t care Oli.” Charlotte stuck out her tongue childishly.

“You called me Oli!” Oliver shouted, his eyes widening with the realisation. A smirk full blown on his face now as he watched Charlotte grew uncomfortable under his stare.

“Er and what?” Charlotte retorted weakly.

Oliver smirked, shaking his head softly. “It doesn’t matter, self satisfaction that’s all.”

Charlotte shushed him. “Quiet, I love this episode.”

Oliver laughed, rolling his eyes as he turned his attention to the television, throughout the half hour, all he did was make sarcastic remarks, imitate the canned laughter and express his hatred for ‘trashy sitcoms’. Charlotte tried her hardest to ignore him. Every time she sensed a remark she elbowed him or messed up his hair since she knew that pissed him off.

“Thank fuck that is over.” Oliver groaned. He leaned across Charlotte’s stomach trying to reach for where she hid the remote.

“Ah yes, it’s a double bill, to hell you think your changing the channel.” Charlotte said with a glare trying to move his arm off of her.

Oliver leaned forward trying to reach further, she battled his arm away.

“To hell yeh think I am gonna watch that shite again.” Oliver growled.

Charlotte crossed her arms stubbornly, trying to make her-self seem heavier as she guarded the pillow that the remote was behind. Oliver leaned over her, attempting to tickle her sides in order to make her move. Charlotte stared at him with her best poker face. She bit her lip trying to stop the laughter that so desperately wanted to escape from her lips.

“C’mon, yeh know yeh wanna laugh.” Oliver chuckled huskily.

Charlotte blushed. Her face was close to Oliver’s as he was tickling her. He was hovering over her, almost straddling her waist. She couldn’t help but get lost in his eyes and almost feel so cliché at feeling ignited by the closeness and their touch. She wondered and hoped whether he felt the same way. Or if he simply just liked her as friends but surely this is no usual friendship.

“Oli, stop please. Oliverrrrr!” Charlotte screeched as he tickled her underarms.

Her underarms were the most ticklish. Her dad use to call it her Achilles heel, since it was her only physical weakness and it was quite scary that Oliver already found it so soon. Laughter escaped from her mouth, her eyes watering with tears of laughter, Oliver met her eyes once again laughter was in his too. He looked like he was dying to laugh but couldn’t quite allow himself just as yet.

“Bloody hell! Are you murdering her or having sex?!” Rissa shouted as she walked into the room, hiding her eyes from any memory burning views she may see.

Oliver practically threw himself off Charlotte, his cheeks were slightly blushed, but he carefully masked it with a smirk and a chuckle where as Charlotte was everything but masked, she felt hot and flustered.
Rissa removed her hands from her eyes. She met their gazes and let out a tsk noise before shaking her head.

“What have I told you? You can’t have fun without me.” Rissa pouted, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Charlotte rolled her eyes, trust Rissa to pick up on that and not on the obviously compromising position that they both were in or the way Charlotte was most definitely feeling hot and bothered by Oliver, or the way Oliver just smirked as if he knew this was going to happen anyway.

Charlotte really thought just then, what has she let herself into? Was she really ready to come out of her shell? Was she finally developing into that woman that can socialise, have fun without feeling self conscious? Charlotte looked from both Oliver to Rissa, then thinking about Rosie, Tom, Jona and all the other wonderful people she met no less than a week ago, it was weird, she felt right at home, more at home than she has ever been with her mother. And that really brought Charlotte to the conclusion, home is where you belong. And that made her feel a sudden wave of elated happiness.

Rissa forced herself between both Charlotte and Oliver, wedging herself almost perfectly. Oliver glanced over at Charlotte as if to apologise with his eyes, that sincere look in them made her blush. She just shook her head and forced a smile on her face.

“Okay, I think I better be getting off now. I know yeh ladies are fine, so me job here is done.” Oliver smirked, getting up off the couch with a yawn.

Rissa raised her eyebrows at him. “What’s got you rushing? Sure you don’t do anything on Sundays.”

Oliver let out a shrug. “Robyn is coming round to me parents so I need to be present.”

Charlotte couldn’t help but notice this strange pang in her stomach, a gut feeling. But then her breathing tightened, she narrowed her eyes and concentrated on regaining regular breathing. She glanced back up to Oliver who was receiving a deathly glare off Rissa.

“Whatever mate, I give up. It is your fault in the end.” Rissa said bitterly, her glare almost softening but her point was received plain and straight.

“I know, but this is nothin’, me mam insisted on it, she even asked if yeh wanted to come but I know yeh won’t consider it if Robyn is gonna be there.” Oliver smiled almost sadly.

Charlotte noticed something else in Rissa’s eyes, hurt. Charlotte was no psychologist but she could tell the hurt in Rissa’s eyes were because she was almost second best, she probably had these strange stomach pangs and shallow breathing just as bad. Charlotte couldn’t help but feel like a witness. Charlotte shot Oliver a glare, she felt almost protective over Rissa now, perfectly understanding what Rissa was feeling.

“Riss, if you want, you can come with Rosie and I to my dad’s for a sunday roast?” Charlotte asked, her complete attention on Rissa not on the boy changing into last night’s clothes in the corner.

Rissa’s eyes softened as she met Charlotte’s stare. “Are you sure Charlie?”

Charlotte smiled widely. “Yes, positive. My dad won’t mind, neither will Lucy, she’ll enjoy having a new face round.”

Charlotte heard some more shuffling from Oliver, then he let out a cough, gaining both their attention. His eyes now had a mix of emotions in them, whether it was jealousy or sadness, Charlotte couldn’t tell. But she could feel the guilt radiate off him. Too bad, she thought, what a dick head.

“Of course I’ll go then.” Rissa grinned, wrapping an arm round Charlotte in a half hug.

“I am gonna go then, er bye.” Oliver grunted, before picking up his keys and slamming the door behind him in a close.

Rissa’s pained expression was painted across her pixie like features again. Charlotte rolled her eyes in spite.

“Ignore that dick and let’s have a funday Sunday.” Charlotte smiled slowly when Rissa matched her smile.

***

When Charlotte was younger, she came to the conclusion that Lucy was psychic even though she didn’t believe in that nonsense. But highly intuitive Lucy was, she had a gift for knowing when someone was hurting or confused or just feeling rather shitty, one of the main reasons why she was such a good doctor. So when, Rissa walked through the door, Lucy embraced her in a big motherly hug. And already had a place laid out for her, without any mentioning of her arrival to Lucy. Lucy was magical like that. It just filled Charlotte with more love for her second mum.

“And I was like you are a complete utter waste of space. And that was the end of him, so don’t be anticipating his arrival anytime soon!” Polly babbled.

Rissa was fully amused by Polly she couldn’t help but laugh at her almost complete innocence whereas Lucy was looking rather bored by her daughter’s antics once again. Charlotte let out a laugh, rolling her eyes playfully. Rosie was engaging in a conversation with her dad about Rosie’s new step-father, mostly talking shit about him. But her dad being her dad entertained it, causing a few laughs from him and both Rosie. Ava was rather quiet, almost sullen which was so not like her youngest sister.

“What’s up Ava?” Charlotte asked, luckily she was sitting opposite her so there was no need for any raised voices.

Ava’s eyes lit up when Charlotte addressed her, she shrugged slightly. “It’s nothing, just one of those days.”

Charlotte smiled at Ava’s teenage angst, coming along so soon. She felt quite old but proud. “Well, you always know I am here for an ear, unlike Poll Doll.” Both sisters glanced at Polly who was going into more depth about her ever so dramatic teenage life.

“Thanks C.” Ava smiled widely, then carried on with polishing off her roast.

Lucy was pouring more red wine into everyone’s drinks, other than Polly and Ava. Charlotte leaned back into her chair, feeling royally stuffed from her roast. She couldn’t help but smile widely, taking sips of her wine.

“Is there any more ballet news, Charlie?” Lucy asked, her whole expression showed complete interest, yet again her intuition showing once again.

Charlotte felt her cheeks blushing. She shrugged slightly, trying to keep up a nonchalant attitude. But she could no longer contain this delay of utter sheer excitement. Just before they jetted off to her dad’s and Lucy’s place, she received a phone call off a very not composed Madame Lavelle, cut long story short, in January Charlotte was heading to Paris, for a audition for Clara in Nutcracker. She barely but managed to keep from blabbing to Rosie and Rissa. But now was the perfect chance.

“Er, well, before I got a phone call off Madame Lavelle, and well in January I am off to Paris for an audition for Clara in Nutcracker in their winter show next year.” Charlotte beamed.

Lucy squealed with delight, along with Rosie and Rissa. Polly joined in once it sunk in, then both her dad and Ava sat there with proud smiles.

“Whoa, that is amazing Charlie! You star!” Lucy grinned. She got up and embraced Charlotte in a tight hug.

Both Rissa and Rosie jumped up from their seats, joining in with the hug. Charlotte felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. She couldn’t lie and say she hated the attention but it was so overwhelming, the pressure increasing to succeed.

“Congratulations baby girl, yeh are so grown up now.” Ricky said. Kissing her cheek and enveloping her in a half hug.

It meant a lot to Charlotte, she was always trying her hardest to impress, as education was not one of her strong points, she had Dyslexia from an early age, it always affected her learning capabilities plus the fact she often got taunted when it comes to reading out loud in class, it was a serious wonder on how she passed all her GCSE’s. Then she avoided college, heading straight to a dance college which she soon left before working half time at her ballet studio. It was the fact that she could excel in something that was her own speciality. It was her own personal safety net.

“I can’t believe you’re going to Paris.” Rissa said dreamily, her eyes twinkling.

Charlotte rolled her eyes playfully, trying to appear blasé. “It might not happen, so let’s forget about it.”

“No way, I think we should make a weekend out of it. Like a girly break away.” Rosie said, her voice raising in pitch, showing only utter excitement.

Charlotte tried her hardest not to put her head in her hands. They were sitting in the back living room, which was basically like a mini cinema, lovely black suede leather chairs, along with a 60 inch television hanging on the walls. Charlotte was sprawled across a couch, trying to focus on the television which Kerrang music channel was on, playing its songs. Both Rissa and Rosie were brain storming their ideas down, together they were unstoppable. It was a wonder that Charlotte managed to get along with either of them.

“Then if you get the part, especially since it will be over Christmas, we should go down on Christmas and have a French celebration.” Rissa squealed.

Charlotte groaned, rolling her eyes. “Guys please, don’t get your hopes up. What if I don’t get it? Oh and please don’t mention it to the guys until it is definite.”

“Don’t mention what to us?” Tom asked as he just ever so casually walked in, as if he walked into strangers houses all the time.

Both Rosie and Rissa’s mouth fell open, along with Charlotte who narrowed her eyes at him, she saw Oliver slinking in behind him.

“What are you two doing here?” Charlotte asked, her eyebrows rising higher with astonishment.

“We dropped somethin’ off for yeh dad to do with Oli’s car, so we thought we’d drop in to say hi to yeh lasses.” Tom explained, he sprawled next to Charlotte, clearly avoiding Rissa.

Oliver sat on the arm rest almost awkwardly, he smiled tightly. Charlotte could sense that something must’ve happened through his roast family dinner meet up with Robyn. But Charlotte kept tight lip about it, pretending that he wasn’t there, she turned her attention to Tom. Still feeling incredibly confused to why they were here.

“Whatever Thomas, shush up, we all know you came here because Rissa was here.” Rosie smirked, her eyes glinting in that mischievous cat like way.

“Shut up Rosie, now Charlie, what are yeh keeping from us?” Tom asked, nudging Oliver, who was sharing the same questioning look.

Charlotte’s cheeks heated up, she crossed her arms stubbornly.

“She is going to Paris!” Rissa squealed.

Charlotte turned towards her, shooting her a fierce glare. “Rissa!”

Rissa’s lips turned into a bashful smile. “Charlie, you tell them, it’s your thing.”

Charlotte lifted her eyes to meet with those dusky hazel pair first, forcing herself to meet those blue eyes, it would be better if she concentrated on Tom, not Oliver. She could feel her cheeks heat in embarrassment, there was no way she could not get the part now, if she didn’t the humiliation would be horrifying.

“I... er, have an audition in January in Paris for Nutcracker. It’s really not a b-big deal.” Charlotte mumbled, her eyes now averting to the television.

If she could murder both Rissa and Rosie with her eyes she would. She heard both Tom and Oliver gasp, she could only imagine what they were thinking. Tom wrapped his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders in a half hug.

“That’s the shit Charlie, no need to be embarrassed about it.” Tom grinned.

“I know that is fuckin’ great.” Oliver murmured too.

Charlotte met Oliver’s eyes, he was grinning at her, she returned a small nervous smile. She ruffled Tom’s hair before shrugging him off of her.

“We won’t tell the lads until yeh want too. Oh yeah, Oli, didn’t we come here to tell them somethin?” Tom asked his brother, both brothers looked at each other as if they would find the answer on each other’s foreheads. It was quite a bizarre yet brotherly thing, it made Charlotte grin, quite adorable if she thought about it long enough.

“That’s it!” Tom said after another long second of silence.

Oliver nodded his head, soon remembering what their aim was. “Remember yeh all agreed to come with us to the Lakes, well its happenin’ so er on Thursday we are going until Sunday, stayin’ in Lee’s aunt’s cottage manor house thing.”

Rissa jumped up with excitement, throwing her arms around Oliver’s skinny frame, it was clear that their spite was over and forgotten. “Yes! I can’t wait! Aw, this will be the first proper time when we all go away together that doesn’t count touring! Fuck yes, how spiffing!”

Rosie smiled a knowingly smile, she must’ve already knew about it because of Lee. Charlotte bit her lip, averting her eyes once again. There was no way she could go, she had intense ballet practices, and Madame Lavelle would want her to concentrate solely on ballet, nothing else.

“So what about yeh, Charlie?” Tom asked.

Charlie let out a sigh, ready to decline the offer but Oliver’s words came first. “Yeh promised! Yeh encouraged Vegan, so yeh automatically have to go! It’s law!”

Charlotte’s cheeks heated up, she rolled her eyes. “Oliver, don’t be silly, you can’t force me.”

Oliver’s eyes met hers, they were almost pleading plus he had his cheeky grin displayed for her. “Please, please please.”

Charlotte forced herself to look at both, Rissa and Rosie who had their best versions of puppy eyes. There was no way she could turn them down now, she let out a groan, covering her eyes as she hid herself from their scrutinizing.

“YES, SHE HAS BEEN BROKEN!” Rosie screamed.

Charlotte groaned, rolling her eyes. “I suppose so, if you all insist.”

“Yes, okay. I am going to pack everyone a Christmas jumper each, right and we’ll do Secret Santa too.” Rissa bubbled with all these ideas.

Both Oliver and Charlotte shared the same pained expression. They were in for a long weekend, for definite.