Closed A New Level

[Charlie Madison]

Ever since writing her rose, Charlie had been terrified of today. Things with Phoebe were good. Great, they were perfect. The best thing in Charlie's life since finding her family. And now she had jeopardised everything. Charlie didn't know if they had both been too scared to say the L word, or if it was just her misreading, and Phoebe didn't feel the same, or if her insecurity had put Phoebe off, or... the list went on forever. But it was a step Charlie had taken... sort of. She had been too chicken to write the word out, but her choice of rose colour had been clear. Waiting the day out to get Phoebe's rose had been agonising, but finally, it had come. And there it was. Ruby red, just as the one Charlie had sent. Neither of them had written the word itself, but it hung in the air between them, yearning to be said. Tonight was their first anniversary, and Charlie wanted this dance to be really special. She had dressed up, properly dressed up, and though Charlie usually tried to think as little about her clothes as possible, she had to admit, she both looked and felt really, really good in this. It was her first proper suit, but Charlie was sure this wasn't going to be her last. She stood outside the Great Hall, waiting to meet Phoebe, heart racing. Today was the day. Charlie was going to tell Phoebe exactly how she felt. All she had to do was wait.

 

[Phoebe Holland]

Phoebe had been thrilled by the rose she had received from Charlie, and she had looked forward to the dance all day. Normally she didn't really enjoy wearing dresses and skirts, but at events like this she usually made an exception. The dress she was wearing today was especially girly for her, but she liked that it fit the Valentine's theme. She hoped Charlie liked it too, and was curious what her girlfriend would be wearing for the dance. She grinned at the sight of her as she approached the great hall, and hurried over to her. "Hey Charlie, you look awesome." She said, looking at the suit in wonder. "Thanks for the rose." She added in a softer tone.

 

[Charlie Madison]

Charlie's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her girlfriend. Neither of them were the type to dress up often, and Charlie loved when they would just hang around in their casual clothes, but there was something special about seeing Phoebe so elegantly dressed. Something magical. If any part of Charlie had held worries, it was now abundantly clear that the rose she had sent the other girl had been entirely accurate. "Hey." Charlie grinned, taking Phoebe's hands as she came over. "You look beautiful." Her smile softened when Phoebe brought up the rose, and it was a relief to see that there seemed to be no worry in Phoebe's own voice. "Thanks for yours too." Charlie smiled nervously. She didn't want to wait another moment. Squeezing Phoebe's hands, Charlie's heart raced as she spoke. "Hey... I love you." She said softly, the words almost tripping over themselves to get out of her mouth. Vulnerability had never been anything Charlie really knew how to deal with, but for Phoebe she wanted to try. Phoebe made Charlie want to be open, be vulnerable, share everything she had never thought she would share, and Charlie knew Phoebe was worth that step out of her comfort zone.

 

[Phoebe Holland]

Phoebe could tell by Charlie's expression that she liked her dress a lot, and that made her happy. She grinned at her, her mind already spinning to come up with ways to have fun at the dance. Maybe a second round of the drinks experiment? Charlie took her hands and told her she looked beautiful, and she felt her cheeks heat up slightly. "Thanks." She said, then shrugged as the girl thanked her for her own rose. Maybe it had been a sappy gesture, but she was now glad she had done it. Phoebe opened her mouth to tell the girl about her idea for another drinks mixing contest, but before she could say anything Charlie said she loved her. Phoebe's mouth remained open for a moment before it snapped shut, and she stared at the girl while her face turned red. The silence went on a moment too long, then Phoebe realized she really really needed to say it back now before Charlie got the wrong idea. "I love you too!" She said, quite loud in her attempt to make up for the pause. "I mean. Yeah. I do." She muttered under her breath.

 

[Charlie Madison]

As the silence stretched between them, Charlie wished she could sink into the floor, disappear forever. This had been a huge mistake. She had thought things were going so well, thought that after a year everything would be fine. Had Phoebe wanted something different from their relationship? They didn't exactly do a lot of romantic coupley things, what if Phoebe just wanted it to be light and breezy, friends who kissed from time to time? Charlie was on the verge of apologising, of turning and running and never looking back to this terrible, awful moment, when Phoebe spoke again, so loud it immediately chased away all of Charlie's worries. The silence and outburst hadn't been what Charlie expected at all, but the sincerity in Phoebe's voice was obvious. Charlie couldn't help the grin that split her face, relief rushing through her as she squeezed Phoebe's hands gently. "Cool..."