Tragic Kingdom (80s/90s imagines)

66. Charlie Dalton (Dead Poets Society)

There was something about those private school boys. Maybe it was the money. Maybe it was just Charlie.

You smiled at the thought of him, but you'd never let him know.

When he occasionally wandered into town, the candy store you worked was typically his last stop so that he could be there the longest. He might follow the boys into a restaurant or somewhere to just mess around, but he always ended up at Kilroy's Kandies.

"All this candy, and you're still the sweetest thing," Charlie remarked, propping his elbow on the counter, his chin in his hand.

You glanced at him for a second, knowing he only wanted to know he had your attention. "Really? I've been told I'm a little bitter."

"Why don't you let me taste you, and we'll find out." He winked at you when he saw your eyes dart his way.

"Yeah? How does my fist in your mouth sound?"

"Aw. You're so mean to me," he pouted. "But I know you love me."

You were glad he couldn't feel the butterflies he gave you. You had to try hard not to fall for him. It wasn't easy.  "That's generous. I hardly tolerate you. I'm just glad you go to school somewhere you can't terrorize me daily."

A kid that had been roaming the chocolates since before Charlie ever showed up finally made his way sheepishly to the counter.

"Charlie, there's an actual customer behind you." You rang up the candy, and the kid paid you and left quickly.

He stayed quiet for a second, but his smile stayed in tact. "Anyway, I'm not the jealous type, but the fact that other guys get to see you all day while I have to stay in a castle full of dicks, figuratively and literally, has me..." He waved his hand around. "I don't know... upset, almost? Envious, I suppose."

You attempted a sympathetic look. "If it makes you feel any better, guys at my school aren't anymore successful at trying to get with me."

"So I'm the most successful?"

"I wouldn't go that far." But it was true. You loved the attention he gave you. Anyone else flirting with you just annoyed you.

He ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "When are you off?"

"Why?" you questioned carefully.

"I want to take you out." He leaned against the counter again. "On a date."

"Oh, really? I figured you meant with a gun." You tried to contain the emotions swelling inside you.

To your surprise, he wasn't getting fed up by your constant deflection. He just smiled. "I don't normally ask girls out. Please?"

"Why don't you?"

"If I answer, will you say yes?"

You shrugged. "Maybe."

"I'll take those odds." He thought before answering. "I'm not usually looking for long-term. I'm normally a 'one and done' type of guy."

"And by that you mean... you just sleep around?"

He nodded.

"But you.. don't want that from me?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I like you. A lot."

A woman and her two kids came in, keeping you from immediately responding.

"Hello! Let me know if I can help you with anything," you greeted, a smile stretched across your face. You turned back to Charlie.

"God, you're smile is marvelous," he whispered. "Exquisite. Magnificent. Beautiful."

"When did you become a thesaurus?"

"When I started learning poetry. Now, about that date..."

"I'm free Friday night." You grabbed a scrap piece of paper. "And here's my number so I know when to expect you. My parents will greet you at the door, so be decent."

His eyes went wide at the realization that he had finally won you over. "Of course, babe. Charm is my middle name." He blew a kiss to you as he backed out of the shop. "See you Friday!"

As the door shut behind him, you let your steady expression soften in a real smile. That boy was something else.

Idk I've been feeling DPS lately so I had to pop something out and I realized I have only ever written imagines for Todd and Neil. A tragedy rlly. I would just like to reiterate: REQUESTS ARE NOT OPEN RIGHT NOW and I will make it very known when they are. Thank you. M'kay.

~Mariah