This is the second part n a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I before continuing.
Charlie remembered when Lindsey had first started hanging out with Dan. They had hit it off right away and Charlie had been so happy when it seemed Lindsey had finally found someone. She remembered when Lindsey had come back to their dorm room after Dan had asked her out. Lindsey couldn’t stop grinning and Charlie knew what the news was before Lindsey had said a word.
“He finally did it, huh?”
“Yep. Can you believe it? I finally have a boyfriend!” Lindsey had collapsed on her bed, which was the lower of the two bunk beds.
“Of course I can believe it,” Charlie had said from her higher perch in her own bed. “Wasn’t I the one who told you this would happen eventually?”
“I know, but I still can’t believe it! And he’s so cute!”
Charlie had laughed, but she had had to admit he was cute.
“What do you think he sees in me? Why would someone so awesome want to go out with me?”
Charlie had thrown a pillow down in the direction of Lindsey’s voice. “Only everything I’ve been telling you makes you so awesome since we first met.”
“I guess.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“Sure I do.”
Lindsey was a bad liar, but Charlie let it go. She knew Lindsey had low self-esteem and nothing Charlie said could change that. Hopefully having a boyfriend would finally make Lindsey see what Charlie had been trying to show her.
On the other hand, if Dan did anything to hurt Lindsey, Charlie would have to kick his ass. She really hoped it wouldn’t come to that. So far, she liked Dan.
They had stayed up most of the night talking about how great Dan was and how lucky Lindsey was to finally be paired up with someone. Charlie could only find the topic of Dan interesting for so long, but she was happy to let Lindsey chatter away.
Dan treated Lindsey well, and even better, he fit in with the whole group. After a few months, Charlie started thinking of him as her friend, rather than just Lindsey’s boyfriend. And there’s no better feeling than seeing two of your friends make each other happy.
Charlie saw Lindsey less often, but that was fine by her. Of course she still loved Lindsey, but she was also glad to have more time to spend with Isaac without feeling guilty.
Before Dan had come along, Lindsey had pouted every time Charlie went off to be with Isaac. She never said anything against it, but Charlie could tell Lindsey felt left behind.
Now, Lindsey was gone as much as Charlie was. Or Lindsey would come back to their room to find Lindsey curled up with Dan, usually quickly pulling away and wiping their mouths as Charlie opened the door. Charlie would cock an eyebrow at Lindsey, who would blush. Then Charlie would grab her things and head for Isaac’s room leaving Lindsey and her new boyfriend alone together.
They had all been so happy, which made it that much harder for Charlie to comprehend how they had gotten here. To this horrific day.
To be continued …