more than this// charles gitnick

4;

"Hey", I smiled, trying to act as normal as possible. I looked over to Joey who raised his eyebrows at Charles.

"Hey", Charles smiled and patted the seat next to him on the couch. I sat down, and put my head on his shoulder while opening my phone. Only a few minutes passed and the doorbell rang, "Pizza delivery!" Lexi's brother Alex yelled from the other side of the door.

Lexi walked down the hallway and looked at me. A smile spread across both of our faces and we both headed to the door. I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned it, swinging the door open to reveal Alex's tall figure. He smiled and I kindly returned the gesture.

"Taylor!", Alex yelled, wrapping his arms around my waist after handing Charles the pizza. He spun me around and I let out a squeal. He put me down with his hands still loosely on my waist, "It's been so long," he said in a slurred tone. I looked over at Joey whose face was red and you could see that he was ready to burst into laughter.

"Yeah..what has it been? A year?" I laughed sarcastically, looking over at Lexi.

"No really though, I missed you," Alex said in a normal tone.

"Same here," I smiled sympathetically

"So, what're we doing tonight?", Alex asked.

"Pizza and a movie?" I suggested. I turned my head to look at everyone else and they nodded, "Alright cool," I finish. Lexi makes some movie suggestions and we all begin walking into the living room. I grab the pizza from Charles and walk it into the living room, setting it on the dining room table.

"What about Insidious 2?" Joey asks

"Hell yeah," Alex says excitedly. I let out a small laugh and walk into the kitchen to grab water. I see Alex following close behind as we enter the kitchen.

"So, how've you been?" Alex asked. I look over at him and he lightly bites his lip. I feel butterflies in my stomach and look to the fridge, opening the door. 'I can't let him do this to me' I think to myself.

"Good," I say trying to avoid eye contact, "How was Miami?"

"Not as good as being here with you," Alex said, putting a finger under my chin and turning my head to face him. He exchanges looks from my eyes then to my lips and I feel dither.

"You look hot by the way,"

"Thanks," I blush. I hear something from by the door and look over to see Charles walking into the kitchen. My stomach churns and Charles meets my gaze but looks away immediately. He walks past us and grabs a stack of plastic plates from a cupboard next to the fridge and heads back into the living room as if we weren't there.

"So who's the blond kid?"

"My friend Charles," I reply. I spot the pitcher of water and mentally sigh in relief.

"Friend." Alex says, putting emphasis on 'friend'.

"Yeah, is there a problem?" I ask, pulling the pitcher of water from its shelf and closing the fridge door, turning to him.

"Sophie was my friend," Alex retorts.

My mouth went dry and I feel a shock of pain spread throughout my body. A pit of anger forms in my chest and I feel my face getting hot as tears brim my waterline, "Shut the fuck up you sick bastard!" I yell. Alex smirks and looks to my side. I look behind me and see Lexi looking at us in concern.

"What happened?" she asks

"Nothing," I grit my teeth

I wipe a tear from my cheek and walk into the living room with Lexi following behind. I try to ignore everything that just happened which I hope won't be hard. I place the pitcher on the dining room table next to the pizza and I hear the kitchen door swing open, "Forgot the cups babe!" Alex yelled, a smirk plastered on his face. I swallow in disgust and fake a smile, "whoops!" I yell back sarcastically, throwing my hands up loosely.