Choices

         Charlie stared into the orange sky of the early morning. He felt a great burst of happiness as he entered his dark blue ford focus. The black and white interior shined, revealing the work that he and his best buds had done that summer. He felt as if nothing could ruin that day.
         Reflecting on his life at 17, he felt extremely well off. He had gotten all the juice out of life. Friends, parties, grades, and a bright future loomed ahead of him.
         Ever since he middle school, he wanted to go to university and start a successful business of some sort, just like good ‘ole dad. He was the star of his family. Prior to his senior year, he thought he had everything he’d ever need in life, and nothing more could bring him any more happiness. It was like living in a teen flick.Well, that is, until he met CK.
         He had met her at a local restaurant a few months back. A soaked girl in sweats seeking shelter from the rain, she hadn’t been the prettiest sight. Yet, after accidentally tripping her and spilling her coffee, he couldn’t help but buying her another one. They started in conversation, and just plainly hit it off. There had been something about her that was so incredibly unique that she was almost intimidating. A few conversations here and there, and soon they couldn’t get enough of each other. He didn’t see her much at school, out of lack of classes together, but nevertheless they tried to spend every waking hour together.
         He drew his breath as he drove into the parking lot of his school, John Frasier Secondary. His eyes scanned the parking lot, but he couldn’t find her. Suddenly, out of the blue, she appeared, standing amidst the dense crowd of students going into the school. A long red-haired figure of beauty, she stood in stone-washed flared jeans and a blue tank top, with a long shoulder bag resting on her un-tanned freckled skin.
         “Hey darling,” he smiled at her as he gently brushed his lips against hers. “Waiting for someone?”
         “ I was, but I think I might just dump the jerk for standing me up.” She smiled at him.
         "Don’t smile so much. You’re smile is so pretty I’m afraid someone might steal you.” He grinned back.
         “God, can you be any cheesier?” She rolled her eyes and gently hit him on his shoulder.
         CK wasn’t like all of the other high school preppies. The girls that walked the halls, with their highlighted hairs, extra-tight dark blue jeans, and perky white and pink purses, just waiting for their “sweetie pies” to tell them they’re pretty, were just a bunch of air-headed drones. They lacked originality, charisma, and there never appeared to be anything truly special about them.
         Being part of the more popular crowd, Charlie had dated many of those girls. Yet he had yet to come across one as unique as CK. She wasn’t as obsessed and intimidated by him the way some of his old ex-es were. It was the reason that their relationship had lasted so long. He was always finding out new things about her. It was like he knew so much but never enough.
         Charlie gently put his arm around CK’s shoulder as they walked into the bustle of the morning crowd. “ So ya wanna go for pizza after school? Soccer practice is cancelled ‘cause coach is sick, so I’m totally free.”
         “Yeah…I don’t think so, not tonight at least. I have plans with some other friends tonight.” She turned her eyes away from his face as she attempted to open her locker.
         “When will I get to meet these friends of yours?” He gently stroked her shoulder. “I mean, I hear so much about these ‘peeps but somehow I never see them.”
         She pulled his hand off her shoulder sharply, slammed her locker shut, and turned to face him. “You’re not! God, Charlie! What are you? My mother? How many times must I tell you that you’re not the only focus in my life? I have a f-ing right to a life don’t I? ” She started walking away from Charlie.
         “Oh Come ON, CK! Don’t be like that! I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just that there’s a party at Greg’s tonight and I need myself a date.” He called to her.
         “Oh My God!” CK turned around and made a shocked expression at Charlie. “I didn’t know there was a party! You should have told me that! This changes everything. “ Suddenly she glared at him, “Well, HAVE FUN!” and then she stormed off, her straight red hair rising and falling as she walked.
********




         Charlie walked into Gary's house, with a bag containing 10 cans of beer over his shoulder. The air was filled with smoke and ear-splitting hip hop. Some freshman girl walked past him gently touching his toned muscles with her hot, sweaty palms, a half-drunken smile on her face. He quickly pushed them off.
         "What, am I not good enough for you?" The girl put on a forced pout.
          "No, I just don't know, and probably don't want to know, where your hands have been tonight." He grinned at her.
          "Well, if you change your mind, I'll be 'round the pool."

          Suddenly, Jamie, Charlie's best friend, slapped him on the back. Charlie turned his head towards him,

          "where's that weird chick you been with for way too long." Jamie smirked. "Is she too holy to come to a party with a guy."

         "She was busy. What can I do. I'm not her daddy. Can't force her to come."

          Jamie rolled his eyes. "Man! You've been too long with her already. She's holding you back. If I were you, I'd dump her in a second. She is definately NOT worth your time." Jamie took a deep breath, then took a big gulp of beer, gasping as the cold liquid went down his throat. "The way I see it," he put his arm around Charlie's shoulder," you're only young once and it's too early to get into such serious relationships, so go and LIVE man!"

          Jamie and Charlie had been friends since the first day of grade 3. After 9 years. Jamie was like his closest confidante and friend, and he trusted him. True, before CK he did date a lot of girls, but he liked spending time with her, and she was quite attractive.

          Suddenly he felt two warm hands gently rub his back. He turned around and smiled at his beautiful girlfriend. She was wearing tight black jeans and a tube top and her long hair was tied back, revealing her glossy metallic lips and shiny eyelids.
          "Wow." He stared at her. "I see somebody's finally got out of her shell."
indent}"Well, I felt kinda bad for bursting my bubble today on you. I thought i'd make it up for you." She glanced at him with hope dangling in her eyes.

         "Oh, CK, you didn't have to do that. I know how private you are, but I want to know SOMETHING about my girl. I mean I've been open to you about everything. Any wayz, " He took her hand,"Now that you're here, let's dance and have some fun. I want everybody here to know how lucky I am to have such an angel with me."

          CK stared into his eyes and beamed. He may not have been the guy she had expected to date at first, but he sure knew how to be charming and sweet. She was usually immune to his corniness, but sometimes it was impossible for her to resist just running into his arms and hugging him for all time. she had never felt so passionate about a guy. CHarlie seemed so perfect, and honestly good guy, unlike what she first thought when she met him.
          After a coupleof glasses of beer, Charlie began to feel a bit whoozy. He liked to be the life of the party, and everyone once in a while he liked to have some fun/