The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

Charlie blinked at Taylor's request.

"Charlie?" he asked again, his voice low and soft.

"The thing is " She gulped, second-guessing. "The truth is, my dad doesn't want me to date until I'm twenty-five."

Taylor stilled, his eyes narrowing in doubt. He asked, “Explain Lukifer."

"Lukifer?" Charlie asked, then let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, Luke? haha!"

She relaxed, slouching against the wall and resting her hands on his arms. She replied, "My dad never knew about him. Only my sister did."

In response, Taylor lowered his head, so much that his hair dropped over his face. "Babe, so, you're going to treat me like some undercover lover?"

"What?" She laughed again. “No—"

"So, what do you plan to do about this? You do know we're going to kiss again, right? We are going to do things that couples do," Taylor asked. He leaned back, crossing his arms. "I mean, what difference does it make? Now and when you turn twenty-five?"

"I guess my dad was worried that I wouldn't finish college or my master's," Charlie said. "And-um—"

"The sex part," Taylor cut her off.

“Yeah, I—I guess,” she admitted, looking down.

Taylor groaned. He took a complete turn and lightly slammed his hands against the wall, trapping Charlie between them. He focused on her and said, "But don't you like me, Charlie?"

"I do," Charlie admitted. "I really like you, and that's exactly why I don't want to put you in a situation where my dad might not approve of you."

Taylor hesitated. "Okay, you have a point. But Charlie, does this mean we're not going to kiss?"

Charlie bit her lip. She honestly wasn't sure if that was possible—especially since they were pretending to be a couple. Moreover, can she really control her feelings for Taylor?

"If it's about your studies, I have the same goal. Besides, we're graduating this school year. You'll continue your master's, while I'll either pursue basketball or further my studies. If it's about sex, I'd never force you into anything you're uncomfortable with," Taylor said. "So tell me, what do you think would give me a worse image in your dad's eyes? Being your friend with benefits, someone you kiss now and then, and live with? Or me, being your official boyfriend?"

Charlie groaned. "Arrghh. I hate it when you're right!"

Taylor shrugged. "Then just tell your dad about me."

Charlie sighed, raising her hands. She said, "Let me think about it."

She picked up her things and repeated, "Please, let me think this through properly."

Taylor looked disappointed, more like hurt. He belatedly said, "Okay. Okay. Get some sleep."

"You are not mad, are you?" Charlie asked, her eyes begging.

"No," Taylor responded. "How can I be mad at you?"

"I'm sorry, but thanks for helping me today." Charlie smiled at him once more, saying, "Goodnight."

***

A few days passed. Student life went on for Charlie and Taylor.

During business classes, Luke kept eyeing Charlie. He looked like he wanted to confront her again, but surprisingly, Regina was always nearby dragging Luke away. stunned Charlie because Luke had claimed he would break up with Régina, yet they were stilbtogether! What was even more surprising was how Regina still seemed to be good friends with Ashley and Sofia.

Naturally, Taylor occasionally fetched Charlie from classes. That also helped scare Luke away. Although the night they had shared another kiss did not end in his favor, Taylor was there for Charlie as a friend and her pretend boyfriend. Cóntent belongs to

Charlie, on the other hand, kept her word and sometimes visited Tristan at the College of Engineering, often bringing Dawn, Frank, and Mia along.

Coincidentally, the Atomic Heat's basketball practice schedule changed. Since the university only had one gym, teams rotated practice times, and now Taylor's team had after-school sessions.

Since Charlie had never attended one of Taylor's practices, she decided to go on a Thursday evening, inviting her friends. When she arrived at the gym, she spotted Taylor and his team stretching before getting started.

She wasn't sure if Taylor had noticed her, but she had texted him earlier to let him know she would be there.

While she and her friends made their way to the bleachers, she overheard Macy and her friends discussing Taylor.

'Right,' Charlie thought. 'I forgot about this girl.'

Macy's gaze flickered to Charlie, and

for a split second, she looked nervous. Seeing that, Charlie made a point of sitting in the row below Macy and her friends. She wanted to

k.nnoveldrama

hear what lies Macy had to say about Taylor.