Cleats and Tiaras

Chapter 1 Part 4

“I, uh, I actually wanted to talk to you about that.” he started. Charlie started to chuckle.

“James, if you need me to be your wing woman you just have to ask. There’s no need to be nervous.” James moved his hand to rub the back of his neck.

“Uh, no, that’s not it.” he said as he looked at his dirty cleats. James was clearly uncomfortable but why? Charlie had always been nice to him. He was a likeable guy. Most importantly he was one of the few guys that accepted her on the team from the first day of tryouts. It had taken a while to get some of her teammates to come around.

“Okay, so what's up?” Charlie asked casually. James' face became even more red as he struggled to find his voice.

“Oh for pete’s sake!” They heard her Grandfather yell from the other room before he appeared in the doorway. “Charlotte, you are such a smart girl, but you are also oblivious. The poor boy wants you to be his date for the homecoming dance.” He said matter of factly. “See? That wasn’t so hard to say.” he said to James as he spun on his heel and returned to the kitchen. Charlie stared at James in shock. He wanted her to be his date? Was he trying to be nice because no one had asked her? Charlie knew that most of the girls that hadn’t been asked were choosing to sit this one out, but as part of the football team that wasn’t an option for her. How could the kicker skip homecoming?

“Well?” James asked. Charlie could see something in his eyes, a desperation.

“James, it's sweet that you want to save me the embarrassment of being one of the only girls there without a date, but you don’t have to. I wouldn’t want to mess up your game. Besides, I’ll be in my jersey just like the rest of the team, I didn’t bother to buy a dress.”

“Oh, well I sort of want to go with you. I mean you’re the coolest girl I’ve ever met and you’re really pretty, like really pretty, not fake pretty like Savannah and her friend that wear 5 pounds of makeup. But I understand if you still wanna say no, I should have asked earlier but I was so nervous, and you don’t even have time to get a dress now.” James’ sentence had started shyly and quickly turned apologetic as he discussed his less than ideal timing.

“And that is my cue!” Aunt Maddie’s voice carried happily through the air as she came into the living room. “I have brought over a few dresses that I bought in case you changed your mind about the jersey. So, don’t worry about the dress. Just let me know what you want to do.”

Charlie looked to James and back to Aunt Maddie. She saw the hope in both of their eyes. Was it really that important for her to wear a dress? It wasn’t as if she dressed girly on any other day. After looking at Aunt Maddie once more she made her decision. Aunt Maddie had always wanted a little girl, but wasn’t able to get pregnant after she had Joey. After everything that Aunt Maddie had done for her, she could wear a stupid dress. Now the only question was the one that James had asked. Did Charlie want to be his date? James was definitely cute with his green eyes, black hair, and muscular build. She knew him well enough thanks to the time they had spent together with Joey. Charlie also knew that Joey would never think of her as someone he would want to date. Actually, come to think of it, no one had ever asked Charlie out. Was that weird for a junior in high school? Charlie knew what she had to do.

“Okay, yes I will be your date, and yes I’ll wear one of the dresses.” She stated.

Aunt Maddie squealed in delight and James grinned from ear to ear.

“Oh you both need to get ready! Charlie go shower quickly, and James go see if you can find a corsage anywhere.” Aunt Maddie directed. Charlie laughed as she moved to go upstairs to her shower.

“I kind of bought one already. I was really hoping she would say yes.” She barely heard James’ reply. “My mom told me to get white since I didn’t know what color dress she would wear.” He reassured Aunt Maddie. The two could no longer be heard as Charlie shut the door to her bathroom. After a few deep breaths, and accepting that no matter how much she wished things were different, she stepped under the warm water.

“You look so much like your mother.” Aunt Maddie gasped as she took in the final product. In under an hour Aunt Maddie had managed to dry and curl Charlie’s hair, put makeup on her, and help her choose a dress and the matching shoes. Charlie had landed on a dark red dress that came to her knees. The top was fitted and sleeveless before it morphed into the skirt that hung silkily down her legs. The dress was simple, elegant, refined. It was a miracle that Charlie was able to walk in the shoes that Aunt Maddie had bought to pair with the dress. Dark red, almost wine colored, stilettos adorned Charlie’s feet. The heel had to be at least 4 inches. As Charlie looked at herself in her full length mirror she found that she was unrecognizable. The tomboy that looked back at her every morning was gone. Instead she saw a gorgeous girl with smokey eyes, full red lips, and slightly pink cheeks. Her jeans and baggy shirt were replaced with a beautiful form fitting dress that hung sexily over her figure. The heels made her legs look incredible thanks to her calves being toned from sports. Aunt Maddie stared at her with unshed tears brimming in her eyes.

“You are so beautiful Charlotte. I know that your mother and father are looking down on you with so much pride.” Aunt Maddie said. Charlie smiled at her in return. Aunt Maddie hardly ever called her Charlotte, it was only for special moments like these.

“Ready to show Grandpa?” Charlie teased. She knew that her grandfather would be uncomfortable with the way that she looked.

“He will think you are just as lovely as I do.” Aunt Maddie said confidently.

Charlie descended the stairs slowly, being careful not to topple over in the heels. She walked into the living room and focused her gaze on her grandfather. He was looking at Charlie with so much love in his eyes.

“Your mother would be so proud of the woman you are becoming. I never thought I would see anyone more beautiful than your mother on her wedding day, but you proved me wrong.” He choked out. Charlie raced forward and hugged her grandfather.

“I have something for you. I took it to get cleaned for tonight.” He said as he released Charlie from their embrace. Charles pulled a blue box out of his pocket and handed it to Charlie. Opening the gift Charlie found a beautiful silver necklace with a ruby pendant. She gasped as she held it up to get a better look at it.