Magic

Round 12: Winter 2017

Brooke Harper is 25.
(Amabelle is 62 and Charlie is 23.)

Narrated by Brooke Harper

I think my college professors would be very surprised to see how well my career is building up. I've left the horoscopes and obituaries behind and now I'm working as an investigatory journalist. I've been lucky but I've also worked really hard for the past two years. I managed to dig up a really juicy story about a settled basketball match and that was my ticket to a better position.

I sometimes work at home but I usually get distracted. Alexa is often online now that she's home with the babies so we chat quite often. I completely fell apart the last time I was home. I've kept everything inside for so long that it was bound to happen. I actually felt better afterwards and Alexa also gave me some good advice. I know I have to be the one to make the first move if I want to get Charlie back.

There's a real flu epidemic going on and of course I caught it! I woke up one morning feeling like crap.

My boss sent me home early because apparently not only do I feel like crap I also look like crap. He told me to get some rest and take a hot bath and not come back until I'm fully recovered.

I honestly think I might choke to death. The cough is really annoying. It usually starts right when I try to get some sleep or when I'm on the phone.

Mom had the same thing but she recovered pretty quickly. She wanted to come to check on me but I told her to stay away. I don't want anyone else to catch this.

She had called Paige's husband Jack though and convinced him to come over when he was in town. He rang the doorbell one evening and brought in a juicer and some oranges. He said that many people say that organic orange juice helps with the cold.

I've always kind of thought he's a jerk but I guess I was wrong. He actually seems like a nice guy and he wouldn't even take money for the oranges.

"Nah, you're family. Just call us if you need anything, I know Paige is worried about you", he said before he left.

I don't know if it was the orange juice or the soaking in the bathtub or just simply resting but the next day I felt a 100% better.

I've been cooped up in my apartment for a few days so I wanted to get out. I heard Charlie was home so I went knocking on his door.

I asked if he wanted to go for a brunch at Tom's Diner which is on a walking distance from the apartment.

"Just as friends, you know, it's not a date. I mean, if you're not doing anything", I said.

"Ok, let's go on a non-date then", he said and grabbed his coat.

It was weird but I was really nervous. We've known each other since we were kids but it was all a bit awkward at first. I kept blabbing about everything although it seemed that he was hardly listening to a word I said.

Then all of a sudden he pulled me onto his lap and gave me this incredibly passionate kiss. I swear my toes curled up!

"That ought to shut you up for a second" he said and gave me one of his sexy grins. He was right, I was totally speechless!

I'm still a bit confused though. When we got back to the apartment he wanted to play kicky bag - which is definitely the least romantic thing you can do. I was too scared to ask if the kiss meant that he still has feelings for me or if he really just wanted to shut me up.

Mom called me at work and asked whether she could come over later that evening. Dad was working late in the lab and she wanted to give Alexa and Will some privacy. She brought a pizza and we had a nice conversation. First she naturally made sure I had fully recovered from the flu and that I had food in the fridge and stuff like that.

Apparently someone had seen me and Charlie kissing at the diner because suddenly she brought up the subject of marriage.

"You know, your sister's getting married this summer. Maybe next year it's your turn?" she said.

I tried to tell her that I wasn't even dating anyone so I was hardly gonna get engaged or married very soon.

"Not dating anyone? Well, it sure didn't sound like that when Paige told me that she had seen you and Charlie kissing in the diner" she said and actually winked!

All in all it was great seeing her. We didn't get to talk much the last time I was home so it was nice to spend some time with her. I just hope she doesn't bump into Charlie somewhere and start asking what his intentions are!


Notes:

• Title from "Magic" by Ladyhawke
• Brooke is the second victim of the flu epidemic. 8 more to go!
• Brooke and Charlie aren't officially dating yet but I think they're getting there.