Charlie huffed out in frustration as she tried to sort her outfit together. She wanted to look like she made an effort, but not too much and look...too much. She settled on a dress that said ‘I can go eat at a semi-fancy establishment but also go kick it in nice club afterwards’, that seemed like a good message to send. After making sure everything was perfect - the reservation was double confirmed and Anya was still up for it - Charlie tried to casually slip out of the apartment. She knew with the way she looked, that one of them was going to clock that she was away out for a date. Although Charlie was planning on telling them it was with Anya, she wanted the other girl to be there with her - and after their first real date.
Just as Charlie thought she had successfully sneaked to the front door, she heard a cough from behind her and turned to see Jackson leaned against the wall in the hallway. “So sis, where do you think you’re heading off to? Don’t you know it’s against family rules to be sneaking out like this?” Charlie rolled her eyes sarcastically in response and put a hand on her hip. “You can’t parent the parent it doesn’t work like that. And I would have text the group chat when I left anyway.” She knew she had to at least let the kids know she was out, she was no animal. She was simply going to say she was having drinks with a friend and nobody would have batted an eye. “Who’s the lucky person? C’mon give me the details, you never go on dates anymore.” Jackson was genuinely interested in who had piqued his sisters’ interest and needed to make sure she was getting the absolute best. He knew Charlie hated it, but he tried to protect her and look out for her just as much as she did for him. “Jackie, you know I don’t spill until it feels right. But I...I’m really hopefully about this one. She - they’re a she - is just...she’s really sweet and gentle and a whole lot of fun to be around. I think you all will really like her I just...let me explore this on my own first, then you’ll know. Okay?” Charlie gave her brother a soft smile as she wrapped her up in a tight hug mumbling an “I love you, have fun nobody deserve it more than you do” as he did so. The older sibling gave one last smile before she hurried out the door and away to her date with Anya.
It was going to be a twenty minute walk to the restaurant so Charlie decided to plug in her earphones, blast her power playlist and speed walk like hell there. It actually helped and she managed to shave down some time and got there in fifteen, giving her five minutes to prepare. They were going to a rooftop Mexican restaurant called Alma - although Charlie left out the rooftop part, she wanted it to be a surprise - and the brunette decided to stand outside the building and wait for her date to arrive. Not too long later, Charlie spotted her and waved with a cheesy grin plastered on her face. “Anya! Anya! You...you look go-...I mean, you look beautiful.” Charlie gave the other woman a genuine smile as she gently took her hand.
