Running from the Rain

John glanced over at the sleeping girl from the driver's seat. He wasn't sure what happened earlier, but what seemed to unsettle him was the fact that he felt something from it. Maybe it was from not having physical contact with a girl in a while, at least that's what he was going to keep telling himself.

He sighed as he shook his head and tried to focus on driving. He just needed sleep then he could focus on his dilemma correctly.

Once he arrived at home he debated on walking her to her house but he never did that and he was afraid she would know something was up. Why was he doing this to himself?!

He breathed in before turning off the car and climbing from the truck. He quickly reached her side, pulling open the door and to no surprise she didn't even move.

"Charlee, wake up." He spoke gently and she rubbed her eyes before slowly sitting up.

"What time is it?" She asked and he chuckled, "Like midnight. Leave everything in here. We will get it in the morning."

She didn't object just grabbed his hand as he helped her out.

"I'll come get my things in the morning." She said once fully awake and he tried to conceal the hurt that took over from her words. She wasn't staying with him. It stung more than he was prepared for.

"Oh, um, ok. Yeah. I'll walk you over though."

"You don't have to." She whispered with a grin and he shrugged, "But I'm going to."

Charlee didn't respond, just fell into pace with him as they walked the short distance to her front porch. John stopped at the bottom stair and she finally turned around once by the door.

"I had fun today." She spoke honestly and he nodded as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his blue jean jacket.

"So did I, Charlee."

Her eyes met his and the pair stood their in silence for several seconds. Both wondering if they were thinking the same thing.

"Goodnight, darlin'. I'll see you tomorrow." He finally spoke out and she nodded, "Goodnight..."

Charlee stepped inside, breathing in deeply as she did so. What was she thinking?! She couldn't possibly have feelings for him could she?!

She locked the door behind her and tiptoed up to her room where Carrie sat on her bed with an amused grin. Charlee groaned, "What is it? Why are you up?"

"It's only midnight loser and I heard you talking outside."

Charlee nodded not in the mood as she sat down. Carrie didn't bother to speak and Charlee immediately filled the silence.

"I think I like John."

"I know."

"I don't want to."

"Neither does he."

Charlee sighed as she looked at her sister, "How do you know?"

"We had a long talk the other day."

A groan escaped her lips, "Great."

Carrie chuckled, "You should tell him."

"Definitely not. He's barely over his ex I'm not going to complicate things."

"He's over her. I just think he's scared to be vulnerable again."

Charlee shrugged not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Give him a chance. I think he's worth it."

"Maybe you should date him."

Carrie scoffed as she moved from the bed slowly, "Oh please, he's not my type."

"Oh but he's mine?"

"Oh yeah. A Mysterious, charming, musician. Definitely your thing." She teased and Charlee rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah."

Carrie said goodnight and once Charlee was finally in bed she couldn't help but replay everything over and over again. She always tended to over think everything. What she worried most about was how he would act tomorrow.

The next day, John woke up early thanks to his over working mind and he paced his room trying to weigh out the pros and cons of going over to Charlee's. If he didn't, he was certain she would know something was up.

John breathed in deciding to just go for it and as he opened his bedroom door he was face to face with the girl.

"Oh, I was just coming to get you." He stated with a nervous chuckle.

"Ah yes, well I figured you'd be asleep still."

"I'm a man of mystery what can I say?" He teased as she sat on his bed. He rubbed his neck before sitting by her. The tension was obvious but they both knew they weren't going to talk about it.

"So, wanna go get lunch? Eric texted me asking if we wanted to meet up with him and Jenna."

"Are you going to be ok with that?" She asked as he walked over to his dresser to grab his wallet.

"Well yeah. Honestly, it's a bit weird just because of everything that happened, but I don't have feelings for her anymore. I swear." He stated turning to look at her and she just nodded not sure what to say to his confession. The way he said it made her feel like he was saying it to her for other reasons. She gulped as she forced herself from the bed.

"Well let's go."

Once in the truck John's anxiety was in full force. All his worst thoughts were now taking over. Was she uncomfortable around him now? Did she even want to hang out with him?

"You're being really quiet." He finally said as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to try and calm down.

"Sorry?" She asked as she looked over at him and he shrugged, "Just not like you is all. You would tell me if something was wrong, right?"

"Would you tell me if something was wrong?" She asked with a smirk.

"Probably not." He answered with a frown as he stared out at the road before him. He could spill his guts to her about his past but he just couldn't seem to spill out how he felt. He wasn't certain if that would ever change.

"Why not?" She asked not really sure how to take that answer.

He shook his head and she decided against asking other questions.

Once they reached the familiar diner she grabbed his arm once they were both out of the truck. His eyes met hers and she spoke, "Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing, you're the one who was being quiet not me."

"And you're the one who was acting like your usual anxiety filled self in the car." She replied, not hesitating on calling him out.

"I was not." He grumbled out, not prepared for that so his wit was put on a back burner.

"You were."

"It's nothing. Let it go." He stated before pulling his arm from her grasp.

"Is this about Jenna being here?"

He groaned, "No, Charlee. It's never about her. Ever. I know you always assume it is, but that's not the case."

She sighed as she watched him walk into the diner without her. This was going to be a fun outing she could just tell.

"Hey guys." Eric spoke happily once the pair reached the table. Charlee waved, forcing a grin and John mumbled a hello.

"What's wrong with you two?" Jenna asked with a raised eyebrow as Charlee crossed her arms over her chest.

"Nothing." John spoke coolly as he pretended to be interested in the menu he was certain he had memorized by now.

"Are we having a couples fight?" Eric asked seriously as he placed his hands on the table.

"Drop it." John grumbled and Charlee cleared her throat, "Yes, I believe we are. And want to know why?" She asked and John groaned as he dropped the menu onto the table to look at her.

"Tell me so Dr. Eric can fix it." Eric said and Jenna rolled her eyes, "Dear god don't listen to his advice."

"Because John has this annoying habit of answering questions with the word nothing and it's the most frustrating, most girl thing he does."

"Most girl thing I do?! Really?! Because you asking a million questions is not annoying?!"

"Well John, if you would have answered the first I wouldn't have had to keep going!"

"Oh because that's logical!"

"I mean, it kind of is..." Eric chimed in and John shot him a look causing him to continue, "I'm not taking sides, I'm trying to resolve it! I mean you don't want to break up over an unanswered question John!"

"It would never be that easy." John grumbled and Charlee scoffed, "You're right. I mean, who would save your ass if I wasn't around?"

John glared at her and she continued, "Exactly."

John clinched his jaw in order to keep his thoughts in. He had allowed this to go to far.

Eric raised an eyebrow and John shook his head. Charlee ignored him and went into conversation with Jenna which really wasn't that hard to do.

"Well not how I imagined the day going." Eric spoke to John who sighed, "Me neither."

Before he could say anymore ironically Charlee's sister walked up to take their orders.

"Oh hey." She spoke boringly, "What can I get you guys?"

Eric ordered for himself and Carly's eyes landed on John.

"And you?" She asked and before he could speak Charlee interrupted, "I don't think he knows how to say anything but nothing so he'll have a cheeseburger and fries, how you don't know their orders by now I'll never know."

"I do I just hope one day it'll change." Carly mumbled as she scribbled on her notepad and walked away.

John glared at the girl as she went back to talking to Jenna.

"For the first time ever I wouldn't mind throwing her through this window." John grumbled and Eric laughed, "Oh the joys of love."

"She's becoming a pain in my ass." He mumbled.

"Then break up with her."

He immediately looked up at the boy, "What?"

A grin covered Eric's face, "Yeah, that was the reaction I assumed I would get."

John simply stared at him unable to speak as Carly returned with their food. Leave it to Eric to be able to tell how he really feels.

He sighed as he glanced over at the girl beside him. Was she really mad at him? Sometimes it was hard to tell. Although he was aggravated at the whole situation he didn't want her to be upset.

"We're playing a show this coming up weekend. You should come." Eric spoke to Charlee and she nodded, "Oh I would love to come and watch girls swoon over you Eric."

Jenna laughed, "You think that's going to be bad? Wait until you see Mr. O'Callaghan on stage. Then you can talk about swooning girls."

John rolled his eyes as Eric spoke, "why is he more swoon worthy than me?!"

"Um he's the singer. He has to be!"

Eric mumbled something as he went back to eating and Charlee chuckled, "I'll be there."

"Good, we're trying to get The Maine to play a few songs as well, but we will see how that goes."

John finally spoke, "I said we would man."

"And yet since you haven't told your girlfriend forgive me for thinking that isn't true."

John rolled his eyes, "We literally just talked about it yesterday."

"Plus, anything that involves himself he doesn't tell me about." Charlee stated and Jenna covered her mouth trying not to laugh.

"Why are you trying to fight with me?!" John asked turning in his seat to look at the girl better.

She just stared at him, not backing down as she continued to eat fries causing Jenna to go into a fit of giggles.

"I swear..." John grumbled turning back to his food.

"You swear what exactly?"

"That you're driving me nuts!"

"You started it."

"When?!"

"Outside!"

"Bullshit! I gave you an answer, you apparently didn't like it and now here we are! You can't be a bitch when you don't get your way, Charlee!"

"Um, no see I guess we recall that situation a lot differently. I asked a question you got an attitude and here we are."

John scoffed, "Well apparently we do darlin'."

Charlee rolled her eyes and Eric cleared his throat, "I mean, should we separate you two?"

"You two seriously are too much alike." Jenna stated with a chuckle.

"No we are not." They both replied at the same time.

Even Eric couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Yep, both stubborn, has to have the last word and has the whole fight until the death mentality. Yep."

John narrowed his eyes at the two, "Ha, ha. So funny."

"Oh give me more credit then that. I'm way wittier and cuter than him."

Eric shrugged, "Well..."

John looked at him intently.

Eric threw up his hands and Jenna laughed once more.

"Well, I'm glad we did this. Has been interesting and fun for me." Jenna stated once they had paid.

"Me too." Charlee agreed and John rolled his eyes. He definitely didn't agree.

"Seriously, me and a few of my friends are going to dinner Friday you should come!" Jenna spoke once outside and Charlee nodded, "I think I can do that."

John couldn't help but not like that idea. He was ok being around Jenna but he didn't want Charlee hanging out with her. Charlee was his, not Jenna's.

"Is that ok if I steal your girlfriend Friday? I promise to keep guys off her." She joked and John nodded, "By all means take her now if you want."

Charlee glared at him and Eric and Jenna laughed, "I'll text you tomorrow!"

As the girls said goodbye Eric leaned closer to John to speak, "Apologize to her."

John looked at him with a raised eyebrow and he continued, "Just do it. Even if she's wrong. You don't want to end the night with her upset with you. Trust me."

John couldn't seem to find words and Eric patted his back before saying goodbye and the pair watched them walk to their car.

Charlee didn't bother to wait on John just hopped into his truck without a word. Once he was in and they had began their journey to his house he decided to break the ice.

"Are you going to go Friday? You know, with Jenna?" He asked and she shrugged not bothering to look over at him.

"Probably."

He sighed as he focused on the road instead of his insecurities.

"You don't want me to."

"I can't tell you what to do, Charlee."

"But I can tell you don't want me to."

John shrugged and she let out a laugh he knew wasn't real.

"Of course you can't admit to that, but that's my assumption ."

He frowned as he continued to drive, "I don't want you to."

"Then I won't." She mumbled.

"That simple, huh?"

"Yeah." She replied not bothering to move her eyes from the window. As frustrated as she was at him, she didn't want to upset him by hanging out with Jenna.

Once they parked in his driveway she hopped out as soon as he turned the car off and he immediately did the same, grabbing for her before she could try and head home.

"Hey, I'm, well I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier." He whispered. His grasp on her not faltering as he pulled her closer.

"But you know you can't really get mad when you don't tell me everything either, Charlee."

She didn't bother to respond and he stared down at her as he tried to think of what the right thing would be to say at this moment. He was never good at saying the right things at the right time so he opted out of words and brought his hand to her cheek, gently brushing her skin with his fingers.

"We're ok, right?" He asked lowly and she nodded not able to control the nerves now in her stomach.

His eyes met hers as his thumb brushed against her cheek lightly. He hated how much he wanted to just kiss her. The moment they shared at the lake was haunting him now and he craved that feeling again.

"Don't leave yet." He boldly got out and she didn't bother to object as he grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.

She was already giving into him without hesitation and she knew that couldn't be a good thing.