After the Sun Sets

Chapter 1 Nora

I stumbled into the kitchen, my long dark brown hair up in a messy bun wearing a tank top and loose fitting shorts and a smile on my face thanks to the effect of alcohol. Everyone who is anyone is outside enjoying Auntin's pool party. His step sister Meagan and I however have been hanging out in her room watching movies and drinking their beer. Normally I'd be out there getting in on the fun but Meagan and Austin hate each other so Meagan felt it was best to stay out of his way. which suited me fine because I was tired of trying to avoid Charlie, not that he would notice since he's ignored my entire existence the last 6 months. It was just mentally better for me not to be around him and the constant reminder of how easy it was for him to cast me aside without a second thought. I could hear the music pumping as I started microwaving some popcorn and started dancing and humming along. I stepped out to the garage and grabbed a six pack of their beer and headed back to the microwave.

"Nice moves James!" I jumped and turned to find the very Charlie standing in the door frame of the garage. By the fact that he's speaking to me and the carefree smirk on his face.. I'd say I'm not the only one being affected by the alcohol.

"uh.. thanks.." I said and turned to get the popcorn out of the microwave.

"Why are you in here and not out there?" he asked pushing himself off the door frame walking towards me.

"Meagan and I are hanging out... watching movies." I said quietly not sure what was happening and he was making me nervous.

"And drinking. " he nodded towards the beer I had just retrieved from the garage. Maybe he was pissed I was taking their beer.

"There is plenty of beer out there but if it's such a big deal to you, I'll put it back!" I said grabbing the beer to take it back.

Charlie stopped me and took the beer and set it back on the counter stepping closer to me. He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I haven't seen you smile like that or seem so carefree in a long time, I miss that." he wraps his arms around my waist and put his forehead against mine "I miss you!" He says. I meet those dark brown eyes that I love.

"I miss you too Charlie," I sighed " but you don't want to say these things to me.. your drunk and will regret it when you wake up." tears prickled my eyes

"I've actually wanted to tell you for awhile.. just didn't know how to.."

I felt a tear rolling down my face. Charlie took his hand and wiped it away. Moving his hand behind my neck and pressing his lips against mine. I knew I should push him away but i wanted to kiss him back... so I did. I gasped when his hands slid down and lifted me up and setting me on the counter. I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer, getting lost in our kiss

Then the lights pop on " What the hell!?!"

Charlie pulls his lips from mine but doesn't loosens his hold on me and looks at a very pissed off Austin .

"I was just talking to Nora." Charlie shrugged. I peeked around Charlir and waved. Austin face instantly changed from angry to surprised. "I'm sorry Nora. I thought you were someone else." he laughed out. Who did he think I was? Austin has many "girl" friends.. but none he cares about what or whom else they are doing... Jealousy is not his thing. Who did he think I was?

"Nora James! I swear if you ditched me for that douchbag's party..." Meagan stopped mid sentence with a jump and took in Charlie and my position. She quirks her eyebrow "Hello Charlie!" she leans against the counter "looks like your enjoying yourself!" she wiggles her eyebrows at him. Meagan matches my appearance, messy bun and pjs. Charlie laughs "Yeah I am." he rubs his hand up and down my back. "You guys are something else, how much did you have to drink?"

Meagan and I giggle. Meagan loud whispers "it's a secret".

"Your drunk!" Austin scolded. Meagan's happy face fell to a cold glare.

"Go back to your stupid party!" She turned her back to him and grabbed the six pack and the bag of popcorn.

"Hey Meagan, do you mind if I borrow Nora?" Charlie gives her a pleading look. Meagan smile grows big "Of course not! She is all yours. besides.. Travis will be face timing me any minute and sometimes we can talk for hours!" she starts making her way back to her room.

"Promise to stay in your room till I get back? you remember what happened last time I left you drunk." I giggled. Meagan turned around looking like her eyes were about to pop out of her head and turned red.

"OH boy.. what happened last time you left her drunk?" Charlie asked amused.

"She hooked up with some guy. Cashed in her vcard. Let's just say it's something she'd like to forget. She's so embarrassed, she won't even tell me who it is!"

"I told you that in confidence and I don't plan on going near any douchbag's tonight. I'll see you later." she hollered practically running back to her room. Charlie laughed. We looked towards Austin who looked confused. "Do you mind if I take Nora somewhere to talk privately?" Charlie asked. Austin just shook his head no and walked back out to the party.