PART 1 -- The Elephant in the Room
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"You can't say things like that, Charlie. It's too soon!" Miley wrapped her naked body in a big fluffy towel as she scolded Charlie.
Charlie climbed from Miley's pool, moving to grab a towel of his own and fitting it around his waist, "I'm sorry, Miley, I didn't mean-"
"You've only been my boyfriend for a day! I mean, it's not even been a week that we've been hanging out. It's too soon to say things like that!"
"I know, it just came out! I don't know what I was thinking. Please, Miley, just forget it."
"How can I forget it?" Miley fretted, tussling her wet hair with a hand. "You put it out there. What am I supposed to say to that, Charlie?"
"Don't say anything! I didn't mean it, I-"
"What, so you don't love me?" Miley snapped.
"No! I mean, yeah, Shit, I don't know!"
"I think you should go," Miley's tone was as cold as her blue eyes. She gathered up her pile of clothing lying on the concrete beside the backyard pool.
"Wait Miley, please. Can't we talk about this?"
"What is there to talk about? We have some great sex and all the sudden you're in love with me? I can't deal with that, Charlie. Not this soon. I just... I need some space, okay?"
Charlie opened his mouth to say something, but failed to find the words. He realized there was nothing he could say that would take it back. Resigned, he nodded and moved towards his clothes.
Once dressed and walking through the gate of Miley's fence, Charlie remembered that he didn't have a ride home; Miley had driven them from school. Luckily he didn't live too far away, only about three miles, but it was going to be a long walk with the way things just went. He cursed himself for ever opening his mouth. How could he tell Miley he loved her? She was right, it was way too soon. She probably thought he was a lovesick dork, clinging to the first girl who showed him any interest. Charlie knew he blew it with the most fantastic girl at school. That was probably the end of the romance between Charlie White and Miley Andrews, he thought.
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"You've been having sex with him?" came Stacy's shocked voice through Miley's cell phone. "I can't believe you! Hand jobs are one thing, Miley, but...!"
"I know, I know," Miley said, curled on her bed. She felt confused about what happened, and guilty about forcing Charlie away. Miley needed to talk to someone and had told Stacy everything regarding the previous few days.
"Well it's no wonder he told you he loved you," Stacy said. "Most girls at school hardly even talk to him, much less spread their legs. I mean, he was a virgin, right? He's probably got a total puppy crush on you now."
"I was a virgin too!" Miley protested. "I didn't suddenly feel the urge to profess my love."
"That's so different!" Stacy's countered. "You were a virgin by choice.
Miley rubbed her eyes, "You're right. God Stacy, what am I going to do? Things just moved so fast with Charlie. I mean, one day I barely know him, and five days later I'm telling him I'm his girlfriend and we're fucking in my pool. What was I thinking?"
"Well, do you like him?"
"Yes, of course I do. I like him a lot."
"Do you love him?"
Miley thought about that for a second, "I don't know. Can a person know that in five days?"
"I think so? Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette got married a day after they met in 'True Romance'. That was so romantic..."
"This isn't a movie! This is my life we're talking about."
"I know, I know. Calm down, Miley. Geez."
"What am I going to do, Stace? What am I going to say to him tomorrow at school?"
"Hell if I know," Stacy replied. "This is why we agreed not to date high school boys, remember? They get all clingy."
"He's not clingy. He's just inexperienced with girls. That's one of the things I like about him, actually. He's honest."
"What do you want me to say, Miley? If you like him that much just talk to him; maybe tell him you guys need to slow things down. You two should try going out on an actual date, get to know one another instead of jumping right into the sack every time you see each other."
Miley breathed out a soft laugh, "You're right. That's a really good idea."
"You're welcome," Stacy said.
"Thank you. You're the best, Stace."
"I love you," Stacy teased in a sing-song voice.
Miley giggled, relieved after talking to her friend, "I love you too, see you tomorrow."
Hanging up the phone, Miley sighed and stretched out on her bed. She wondered how Charlie was doing; he probably felt awful, she thought. She considered calling him but felt it was best if they had some space.
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"You've been having sex with Miley Andrews?!?" Brian's stunned voice came through Charlie's cell phone. "Dude! That's so awesome!"
"I know. But I blew it," Charlie replied, laying on his bed in defeat. "I'm such an idiot."
"Yeah you are," Brian confirmed. "You never tell a girl you love her unless she says it first."
"How would you know? Have you ever had a girlfriend?"
"Dude, low blow, okay? But c'mon, every guy knows that. That's like 'Relationships 101'."