The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

'Oh, my god!' Charlie screamed in her head because the door creaked open.

She could almost hear angelic music in the background, like a choir was celebrating her arrival. A soft, golden glow seemed to shine from Taylor's room, practically inviting her in. If she focused hard enough, she might see tiny cherubs throwing confetti.

Obviously, none of this was real... but it sure felt like it.

Inner Devil: 'No, Charlie. It's not cherubs. It's me!'

'No, it's cherubs,' Charlie responded in her mind, or so she convinced herself.

She gulped, having cold feet, but she could not sleep either. Her heart told her she could only achieve her desired rest at Taylor's side.

After closing the door, she slipped into Taylor's bed. He seemed really out of it, lying face down.

Charlie lay stiffly, holding her favorite plushie. It took a few minutes to calm her nervous heart, but soon, her eyes began to feel heavy. She shut it for a second, and the next thing she knew, her body relaxed, and she dozed off to wonderland.

***

Taylor's eyes opened in the wee hours, feeling some movement on his bed. He frowned and turned around, only to find Blondie!

At first, he was stupefied. He did not think Charlie would actually stay with him!

He smirked, fully shifted his body, and rested his head on his fist, simply watching her. He pushed back a strand of her hair, whispering, "Damn, you, Charlie. You must have godly-looking parents."

Taylor loved Charlie's beauty. Despite not wearing makeup, she looked radiant. Her skin was smooth and flawless, as if she had been airbrushed in real life.

He gulped, remembering their shared kiss and how he had felt Charlie's hair. He reached out until finally being able to run his fingers through her soft curls.

'Stupid Sullivan,' He thought. Luke replaced Charlie with a girl who wears more layers on her face than a wedding cake!

"Hey, Charlie?" He said. "Blondie, I thought you did not want to come into my room?"

There was no answer.

"Charlie, yohoo!" Taylor called, tickling her even, but Charlie only threw her arm up and hummed.

"Charlie?" He snapped his fingers in front of her, but nothing! "Wow, she's out like a medieval castle under a hundred-year sleeping spell."

"Someone get a prince!" Taylor turned his head in every direction. Then, he hissed, glancing at Charlie. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Why aren't you lucky, Blondie. I'm the only prince around!"

"Listen, I wasn't going to cave this easily, but alas, a prince has responsibilities." He gently cupped her chin, leaned in, and placed a dramatic peck on her lips. "There,

there, fair maiden. You shall@waken

from your cursed slumber

eventually."

Then, he glanced at his watch and muttered, "Though, to be clear, I'm not one of those fairy tale princes. My magic works in about six to eight business hours, give or take a power nap."

Taylor continued to study her like she was some kind of divine conspiracy. He squinted. "Charlie... be honest with me. Are you secretly related to Cupid? Because there's just no way I got hit this hard without some supernatural foul play."

He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Tell me, how much did you bribe Cupid? Was it a one-time payment, or are you on some kind of weekly or monthly love-arrow subscription plan?"

Taylor wasn't planning to get

involved with a girl after what

UTnoveldrama

happened in his senior year, at least not yet. However, here he was, instantly attracted to his younger brother's crush. Initially, the thought of having a female roommate worried him, but Charlie was different! She was not one of those who was ready to jump him.

He began acknowledging Charlie's beauty when they were both stuck in the

condo during the storm. Taylor also thought she was funny.

"Sorry, Tristan. Don't worry, you'll find your soulmate eventually," Taylor muttered.

He lay on his back, his head resting on his arm, thinking.

In the past years, Tristan had always told Taylor about this girl he met.

"Taylor, I met an angel. She is so pretty and nice. She helped me get out of

trouble. I hope I meet her again. She goes to your school."

"I saw her, Taylor, but she was cheering on the opposite team. Yeah, I remember she is dating that brown-haired guy."

One time, during a match with The Wall Street Warriors, Tristan pointed to the bleachers, saying, "There she is, Taylor. There she is!"

Taylor remembered glancing in the direction Tristan had pointed. He smiled, realizing that was the first time he ever saw Charlie. However, back then, he had no idea who she was or that their lives wouldone day coffide in such an unexpected way.