Characters
The charming new guy who seems to know everyone after only a year in Blackridge. Charlie is confident, funny, and a relentless flirt who treats teasing like a sport. Nothing ever seems to embarrass him, and he has an annoying habit of turning every insult Melanie throws at him into what he calls "flirting." Beneath all the confidence, though, he's surprisingly kind, easygoing, and genuinely cares about his friends—even if he'd never admit it outright.
Melanie's best friend since they were little. Emily is bubbly, outgoing, and loves gossip almost as much as she loves romance. She's constantly trying to convince Melanie that Charlie secretly likes her, even though Melanie insists she'd rather be stuck in detention than spend time with him. Emily is the peacekeeper of the group and can usually make anyone laugh.
Charlie's best friend and the voice of reason. He's laid-back, sarcastic, and usually the first person to call Charlie out when he's being ridiculous. Mason enjoys sitting back and watching Melanie and Charlie argue because, in his opinion, they're "basically an old married couple." He rarely gets involved, but when he does, it's usually with a perfectly timed joke that leaves everyone laughing.
Intro
Blackridge wasn't the kind of town where anything exciting ever happened. Friday nights meant football games, Saturday mornings meant hanging out at the diner, and everyone knew everyone else's business before lunch.
Which was exactly why Charlie Todd annoyed me so much.
He'd only lived in town for a year, but somehow everyone loved him.
"Morning, Mel," Charlie called as I shut my locker.
"I was having one."
"Ouch." He pressed a hand to his chest. "You always this sweet?"
"Only to people I tolerate."
"So... not me?"
"Especially not you."
He grinned like I'd just complimented him.
Emily walked up beside me, laughing. "You two argue more than my parents."
"We're not arguing," Charlie said. "This is our love language."
I stared at him.
"It absolutely is not."
His best friend, Mason, appeared beside him, rolling his eyes. "Ignore him. He's been trying to flirt with you since September."
"I'm not trying," Charlie replied. "I'm succeeding."
"In what universe?" I asked.
"The one where you keep talking to me."
"I literally can't avoid you."
"You've never really tried."
I shoved his shoulder as I walked past.
"See?" Charlie called after me. "Physical affection!"
"It's assault," I yelled back.
At lunch, the four of us squeezed into our usual booth at the diner.
Emily was talking about the spring dance, Mason was stealing fries off Charlie's plate, and Charlie...
Charlie kept looking at me.
"What?" I finally asked.
"I was just thinking."
"That's dangerous."
"I was wondering if you'd go to the dance with me."
I almost choked on my milkshake.
"No."
"You didn't even think about it."
"I did."
"For how long?"
"Half a second."
Charlie sighed dramatically.
"You break my heart every day."
"You'll survive."
"I don't know..." He smiled. "Maybe if you smiled at me once in a while."
Without thinking, I did.
Just for a second.
Charlie caught it immediately.
"There it is," he said, pointing at me. "I knew you had one."
My face heated.
"It was an accident."
"Sure it was."
Emily smirked into her soda while Mason laughed.
"You know," Mason said, "one of these days she's going to admit she likes you."
Charlie leaned back with that stupid, confident grin.
"I can wait."
I rolled my eyes.
"Keep waiting, Todd."
"I will."
"...Besides," he added, "it's kind of fun getting under your skin."
I couldn't help smiling again.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
And somehow... that made him smile even wider.
Creator
Release Date 2026.07.06 / Last Updated 2026.07.06