Runaway

Chapter 9

'So, tell me,' says Charlotte, 'when are you and Luke finally going to go out?'

We are lying in our beds in the dark, as we must've been for about ten minutes now, but Charlotte had only just spoken.

'I wasn't even supposed to stay this long,' I say, 'let alone male friends with you lot.'

'Friends?' Exclaims Charlotte, taking mock offence. 'Wow, I thought we were more like sisters seeing as you live with me and all.'

'Sisters, then,' I say, smiling and genuinely agreeing.

'Great, so were sisters,' says Charlotte. 'And sisters tell each other, everything, right?'

I sigh. 'Luke and I aren't going to go out. I live in the same house as him, anyway, it'd be really awkward.'

'So? I live with Ashton, Izzy lives with Michael, and Lianne lives with Calum!' Says Charlotte, and I smile slightly, agreeing.

'Luke probably doesn't like me, anyway.'

Charlotte bursts out laughing.

'I've known Luke all my life. I know every tiny thing about him,' she says. 'I can tell when he's lying, I can tell when he's hiding something, and it can tell what he's feeling. And you know what? I've never been wrong about him, either, in the fifteen years I've known him.'

'I didn't know you knew him since you were two,' I say, trying to divert Charlotte's attention from Luke.

'Yeah, I knew Calum and Michael, too, and Izzy and Lianne. We only met Ashton when the bouts started their- well, we just met him around, basically.'

'So, how long have you known Ash?'

'Almost five years,' Charlotte replies. 'But five years, fifteen years or three weeks - you'd still be completely perfect for Luke. You're so cute together, and honestly, Luke's one of the best guys I've ever know.'

I smile. 'But there's no way he'd want to go out with me.'

'Aww, you practically just admitted you like him, you know,' she says, and it can hear the triumphant smile in her voice. 'But I can get him to ask you out. I already know he asks you - we're pretty much psychic, I swear - but I am pretty certain I can get him to ask you out. Trust me. Sisters, remember?'

I hesitated. I didn't want to ruin the relationship I had with Luke now. 'Don't do anything stupid, though.'

'Who do you think set Michael up with Izzy?'