Two People. Two Worlds. One Soul. [Complete]
by 1_dream
Chapter 13
an Unwanted Text, and an Unwanted Call
When we arrived at Raymond's place, the house was all dark. "Where's everyone?" I asked.
Raymond just looked at me with a smile on his face. He slowly opened to door and gestured for me to walk in first. I hesitated a little, since I have this phobia of being in the dark alone. The moment I had fully stepped in Raymond closed the door, and from the distance I began to see lights from what seemed to be candles.
Suddenly I heard voices singing, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..." as the candles were approaching me. I saw Tavia's face glow as she stood in front me with the cake in front of her. The guys were standing around surrounding her and they were all singing to me. When the song ended they all shouted at the same time, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARMAINE!"
They were right, it was my birthday today. After going through so much chaos recently, I had completely forgotten my own birthday.
"What would I do without my cousin and these friends of mine?" I thought to myself as a smile began to spread across my face.
I closed my eyes, made a wish and blew out the candles. Just as the candles went out I was hoping for the lights to go on but they didn't. My heart began to race. I took a step back thinking that I could reach the door and let some moon light in but instead I bumped into Raymond. His hands held me by the shoulder. "Charmaine are you okay?" he asked me. "Guys why aren't the lights on yet?"
"I don't know," Bosco yelled back. "I tried turning on the switch, but it doesn't seem to work. I'm going to check on the power supply, but Tavia don't move, you wouldn't want to ruin the cake now do you?" he finished off with a chuckle, and then we began to hear his footsteps stomping down the basement.
"Charmaine, are you okay?" Raymond asked again.
I really wasn't, but I just couldn't put the words together to say anything when I opened my mouth.
"You’re trembling," he said as he lowered me down to the floor to sit.
Tavia knew what was going on as she yelled out to Bosco, "Hurry up man, we need some light in here," as she changed her tone, she spoke to Raymond, "She's afraid of the dark. She tends to get really nervous, and begin to hyperventilate. Just try to calm her down a bit."
"I'll go check on Bosco," Ron said as he walked down to the basement himself.
Raymond held on to me, but when I got a hold of his hand, I clutched onto it. I was really nervous, but to my surprise Raymond suddenly embraced me into his arms. My heart was racing, and I think he felt every beat of it, but when he held me tighter, it slowed down a bit as I felt his warmth. With my head against his chest, he whispered into my ear, "It's okay, I'm here right?"
I managed to nod a bit as the lights turned on. I pulled out of Raymond's embrace as I thanked him. All he did was smile back at me.
"Okay let's cut the cake," Bosco yelled out as he made his way up the stairs.
Tavia placed the cake on the coffee table in the living room. "Wait," she called out. "This is for you Charmaine," as she handed me a box covered in a red gift wrap, and silver bow.
I extended my arms thinking that I would be receiving the gift as a said, "Thanks Tavia."
To my surprise she retreated her arms and said, but there is a catch, "This is something that must come into use on the day of the concert, and don't worry Charm, it's nothing embrassing."
I wasn't sure what it was and I wanted to hesitate to accept it but I did, "Should I open it now?" I asked her.
"Wait until you get home," Tavia said. She then turned around to the guys, "So what did you guys get for Charmaine?"
They all looked at each other I said, "Our gift... umm... let's say it's going to run a bit late, but we do have something for you, just give us some time."
"No worries," I said, "You guys really don't have to get me anything, I'm just happy you guys are here spending my birthday with me." I wasn't sure why, but I just couldn't help but stare at Raymond while I was speaking to him, I mean them.
"We got you something," Ron said.
"Yeah, we really did," Bosco said as he nudged Raymond to speak up.
"You'll see when you get it," Raymond spoke up.
"Okay then," I responded.
After we cut the cake we all decided to watch a movie. Sitting between Tavia and Raymond, I began to grow tired, my eye lids grew heavier and heavier, and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep. When I woke up I realized I had fallen asleep on Raymond's shoulder. He too was sound asleep as I heard his gentle breathing as my head was still rested on his shoulder. His arm was around my shoulder, and his warmth sparked a feeling that I could never really pin down. I gently turned my head trying not to wake up Raymond and noticed that Tavia, Bosco, and Ron had gone missing. The living room was dead silent. I gently lifted Raymond's arm and got up. I look my jacket and cloaked it over him.
Just as I did that I heard him murmur, "Charmaine."
My face flushed red. I've been telling myself that I wasn't ready for something new, but maybe I was just playing mind games with myself and found someone.
I slowly walked upstairs to see where Tavia went, just then my phone rang.
It was a text message from Kevin, "Happy Birthday Charmaine <3!"
Lost in a state of confusion, "What does he mean by that?" I thought to myself.
I decided not to think about it and put my phone away, but just as I did my phone rang again. It was Gigi this time, "Hello," I said as I answered the phone.
"Charmaine, I called you house but your parents said you weren't home yet," Gigi said.
"Yeah, umm, I'm out with my cousin," I told her. I felt a little awkward talking to her, we haven't really talked for a while, and we were gradually growing apart. Even though I was no longer close to her, I could tell that there was something on her mind, and she definitely wanted to tell me what it was.
"Oh, I see. Well happy birthday!"
"Thanks."
There was an awkward pause for a bit, but she finally said what she wanted to tell me.
"Charmaine, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I know I shouldn't be telling you this now, but I really need to tell someone since it some what concerns you."
"Go ahead, I'm here to listen."
"Well I had this big fight with Kevin today."
I might have been a bit mad for Gigi going out with Kevin, but in the end she was still considered my friend, and I was still concerned for her. "Why? What happened?"
"We were having a conversation over the phone to today, and out of not where he called me..." she paused, "he called me... Charmaine."
Kevin called Gigi by my name? I was a little shocked.
"This isn't the first time too Charm, it's happened for the third time."
I couldn't listen to this no more, "Sorry Gigi, I have to go now. I'll talk about this with you some other time."
I hung up and sat on the stairs resting my head on my knees as I pulled them against my chest. I just got over Kevin, why is this happening again?"Charmaine," I heard Raymond call out from a few steps below. "Are you okay?"
I looked up in my chaotic state, without thinking I leaped forward and wrapped my arms around Raymond's neck and buried my head into his chest.
"It's okay Charm, whatever it is I'm here for you," he said as he too wrapped his arms around me.
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Hi guys, I should be studying right now..... exams are coming up and tests are starting next week. So much work, but I'm really bummed about the little Charray news that is out and about recently. Recently I've also posted a short story in the Charray Short Stories fanfic (http://www.winglin.net/CHARRAYforever). If you guys get a chance, do check it out. And if you haven't already, sign the petition supporting Charray. (Go to the Charray Short Stories forwards for more details)
Well I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and I'll update again in a few weeks =D. Don't forget to comment lol!