Social Murder - Charmax

399 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

Spencer had completely gone out of her way to make Lottie look a certain way. It was another one of Max Parker's infamous Swim Team parties and with all of the lingering and side-glances he'd been given her, it was obvious she needed to look good. In Charlotte's eyes, ripped jeans and a low-cut shirt was good, but Spencer felt the need to put her in a skirt to show off her legs and her hair was pulled back in a high pony that brushed against the back of her neck when she walked.

At least she had control over her makeup so that she didn't look like some high maintenance diva and more like herself. Basic nude eyeshadow, thick eyeliner and mascara was all she needed before she was ready to go. They had to be late, of course, to hide her over eagerness. Taking Miles helped with that though, the boy had no idea how to look cool. Plus, he was a bit of a mess and she had been trying to con him into some fun since his recent encounter with a long lost relative asshole.

Her mind held to the thought of Will for a split second, but she was much more focused on adjusting the shirt collar of her twin's button-up, "Relax, chump. It'll be fun."

As they made their way into the party, immediately greeted by their dashing host, Charlotte could only mentally cheer on her medication for keeping her emotions in check. If she was calm, Miles was calm. Of course he was uncomfortable with as friendly as Max was being, but she nudged his arm and smiled, "Of course, we wouldn't miss it. And he only looks so good because his sister took pity on him today."

Miles rolled his eyes at her and offered the host a smile, "Uh do you have like water?" And the question personally offended Lottie.

"We'll both take a beer, please," She flashed Max another smile and side-eyed her brother. It was short-lived when Max said that she looked good, which very nearly knocked the breath out of her. She maintained her composure and her smile turned into a smirk, "Not looking so bad yourself tonight, Parker."

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.

357 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

Lottie was fully aware of Miles and the fact that he never drank. He was always their designated driver, and while she took full advantage, she also hated that he never quite enjoyed himself. Be it from lack of effort or just a general discomfort around the people at the party, she couldn't figure out. He'd always been the good son, and she was the reckless rebel. It was nice of Max to point him in the direction of water, and honestly it made her heart skip that he looked out for her twin, even if it was just being a good host. And with as nice as Max was, Miles just nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. Ever the awkward ball of fluff.

Charlotte stopped herself from scoffing at his comment, getting by was not what she'd call that, but she followed him into the party with Miles stuck close. She watched her twin nod at a few of the guys from lacrosse and she knew his eyes wandered towards where Spencer had run off to. The music was loud and everyone was dancing, swept up in the bliss of the moment. She squeezed her brother's hand before they reached their destination of the cooler. Lottie didn't hesitate when the beer was handed to her, but her eyes also went to her brother when Max spoke to him. Miles laughed uneasily and nodded, "Unofficially, but yes. I'm the only one who should be driving anyway." He smirked at his twin and Lottie placed a hand dramatically to her chest.

"First of all, I'm a wonderful driver. And secondly, I am not nearly as sloppy as my counterpart thank you very much," She couldn't help but smile at the two boys in front of her. "Besides, you get a little rowdy yourself, dear host of ours," Charlotte shrugged and took a sip of beer before glancing at Miles who was still just holding it in his hand.

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.

233 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

Charlotte watched Max as he looked towards where Spencer had gone to find Drew and did her best not to frown. She knew he was technically dating someone, but she couldn't help her massive crush. Just looking at him made her go nearly mad. She rolled her eyes and waved her hand dismissively, "Details. Completely unnecessary."

Miles snorted at her and nodded, "Right. Uh, yeah, living a little...sure." Because that was definitely something he could do. When Max asked his sister to dance, Miles tried to hide his own smirk and winked at Lottie when she glanced at him. He gave a nod to both of them before slipping away from the pair and off to find his friends from the team. At least they could potentially get him to loosen up. It was unlikely he'd drink more than just one though.

Charlotte smiled when Miles went off to find his friends and then turned back to the gorgeous Brit in front of her, nearly melting when he called her 'love.' She straightened her face and shrugged, "If you insist. Don't worry, I'll try not to take up all of the attention." Her hand automatically, if a little hesitantly, reached out to take his.

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.

461 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

She had thought plenty of times about throwing her own party. The predicament she often ran into was her living quarters. Charlotte was still pretty young, just living in the dorms because she hadn't made enough money on her own to afford an apartment, even a crappy one. Never mind the fact that her parents could more than afford to help her out a bit, but positively refused to give her anything. She never asked for their hand outs anyway. Not only did she not have the proper living arrangements, she also was given the most incredibly dull roommates who scoffed at the mentioning of fun. She didn't tell him any of that of course.

"Perhaps I'll give you a run for your money on these shindigs. And I suppose I could probably squeeze you onto the list, but only for my benefit," She gave him a wink. It didn't hurt to make her attraction to him quite clear without so much as telling him she was practically obsessed.

She noted that Miles ducked out quite quickly and she had to both thank him and laugh a bit. He wasn't the most subtle person, but she supposed neither of them were. Charlotte followed him into the crowd and found herself very close to him, not objecting in the slightest. His comment made her heart nearly leap from her chest and she smiled, but couldn't find a witty comeback. Her arms draped over his shoulders while they swayed, though she could honestly say she wasn't much of a dancer. Her eyes darted around to make sure she was doing it correctly, though her posture still exuded confidence. When he spoke again she turned her eyes to him and smiled an actual smile.

"I'm glad you asked me," She called back over the music, following his lead when the beat picked up. For the moment she forgot about Spencer, she forgot about Miles and she forgot about the pending problem she had hovering over her with her older brother. Charlotte laughed and danced and enjoyed herself.

After a bit her feet began to ache and she felt a little dizzy so she kept a tight hold on his hand and pulled him over to the couch. Her beer was still full enough, luckily none had managed to slosh out in the mosh pit of bodies. She draped her legs over his so that she could face him and tilted her head to the side, "Okay, so, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, something very few people know about me. Are you ready?"

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.

303 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

For a moment all she could do was watch him. In that moment, she couldn't believe what was actually happening. Of course she'd noted his side-eyes and lingering at practice, but this was a whole new level. She wasn't naive enough to just open her heart to him however, and she was glad that when she drank she didn't become overly emotional. No, for the moment she was going to act as if it was the most normal thing in the world that two friends, she thought she could call them friends, would do.

Charlotte snorted and rolled her eyes, "It's nothing like that. I'd need a few more drinks for it to be some kind of naughty bit." Still, she appreciated his attention and was basking in it for as long as she thought the time would remain. With him looking at her, she couldn't quite get her mind to focus on the big secret. After a few moments of quiet, added suspense of course, she answered. "Believe it or not, I was born and raised for the better part of my life in London. I know, I know, I don't have the incredible accent that goes with it. I'd kill to have it back though, I could charm the socks right off of you the way you seem to do it to everyone else."

She almost singled herself out in her last statement, but she thought it better to keep it on a broad spectrum. Charlotte wasn't interested in making herself sound desperate because while she was horribly attracted to him, she could point at a guy and have him more or less.

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.

332 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

Charlotte couldn't help laughing at his response. She gripped his arm, "I'm absolutely one hundred percent serious!" She wondered if she'd have maintained the slang terms of England if she'd stayed because she couldn't imagine anyone understanding her if she had. Luckily she was well-versed in the slang because while her uncle was quite posh himself, he had the mouth of a sailor sometimes. She remembered taking notes when she visited him one summer trying to decode his speak, but he didn't let her keep it because her parents would have lost their damn minds.

"Are you saying I couldn't pull it off? That hurts, Max," She jutted her lower lip out in a pout and sniffled for good effect. Although, she was certain she'd have sounded much less attractive than he did. His was hard to top.

His question was innocent and she supposed it was a necessary question, but she hardly ever dove into her personal life. Of course she'd opened the door wide open by telling him one of her secrets. She leaned back against the couch and pursed her lips while she thought, "Would have been about six years ago now. Miles and I were just starting to hit the teen years and coming into our own. Talk about culture shock." She laughed and shook her head. He would understand that much at least. She did not regret the move now, back in England she'd felt a constant reminder of her long lost brother. After they moved she grew into her personality and became someone she never thought she'd be before.

Bonus that she'd met Spencer and Max along the way. "Where did you grow up? Because while I've been out of the game for a bit, I can tell your accent is different from the likes of my home."

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.

393 Words

I couldn't look you in the eye

Charlotte could feel her heart stutter at his words. He liked the sound of her voice and had already pictured her with an accent. "Well, catch me after a winter break and you might get your wish. I would visit my uncle James and somehow manage to come back with the accent." She'd also been told by her brother that when she was angry or tired her slang started to show. But she couldn't quite see herself getting angry at such a pretty face any time soon.

She smirked, "Oh I'm certain it does have its advantages for sure." Namely on her. He could say whatever he wanted and likely get away with it. Between that accent and his eyes, she was a doomed woman from the start. "Now you've got my curious though, what kind of impressions can you do?" Her eyes gleamed at the idea that he'd put on a little show for her, but even if he didn't, she wouldn't be disappointed. She was on her way to a good buzz and nothing phased her when she was blitzed. His laugh had already occupied her mind after she spoke because she was determined to commit it to memory. He had the most adorable laugh.

When he asked her if she was homesick, she had to think for a moment. London had been home when she was happy. She'd had the most beautiful place to live, endless friends, her twin and even her older brother for most of it. But it was also when she lost Will and when her parents became paranoid and everything started crumbling. America hadn't brought her any joy, it didn't have the same beauty to it that England did, but she was trying to make it work. She missed her old life, she missed her uncle and her older brother. Charlotte bit her lower lip and sighed, "I miss what it used to be I guess. London always had a way of making things feel lighter and less catastrophic."

Charlotte tried to shake off the dreariness that was likely from the alcohol, "I'm hoping that I get to go back soon though. It's actually been a few years."

You're so very special, but I'm a creep.