Page 15 of Into the Mountains (Blue Grove Mountain #3)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHARLOTTE

MAY - FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

THE FIRST DATE

“ I still can’t believe he actually saw my profile and wanted to go on a date with me.”

“Oh, c’mon, starfish. Why are you so shocked by this?

” Mom is perched on the corner of my bed among the vetoed outfits from earlier.

I practically emptied my closet until we decided to go with high waisted jeans and an olive green wide sleeved tank with a v-neck that dipped lower than I’ve ever worn before.

It ends right at my sternum, which means I have to use this weird tape to make sure my boobs stay where eyes can't see. Mom promises it will hold and if it doesn’t, I’m fully blaming her.

She’s watching quietly as I do my makeup—try to do my makeup is a more accurate term.

I missed that phase in high school where girls get obsessed with doing their full face of makeup.

Not for lack of trying though. I did try it once and I used the completely wrong shade of foundation.

Casper was my nickname for the next month and sometimes kids still brought it up a year later when they passed me in the hallway.

But things are different now. I’m still a teenager, but I’m almost a twenty-year-old college student. That’s a big difference. Maybe Elias will see that this time. He’ll see what he didn’t before.

Before, I was quiet and nervous. I panicked if he tried to talk to me in the hallways, which wasn’t often because all of his friends were around and I’m almost certain he was too embarrassed to even try.

But no matter what, my heart would beat abnormally when I saw him walking in my direction and my skin would turn so red it would almost match my hair.

My clothes match my personality too. Quiet and understated.

I wore quiet colors to blend in. Being noticed wasn’t something I ever wanted to be.

If I could fly under the radar and just live my life, I’d be a happy girl—woman.

I’m different now though. I’m brighter, more confident.

I’m louder and I still don’t back down from a challenge.

That was the only thing with Elias I never felt nervous about.

Challenging him. I was good at that. Dating though?

I have no idea if I’m good at that and high school Charlotte would be terrified right now trying to think of any excuse to get out of socializing. College Charlotte, however, is…giddy.

“I’m not shocked, I’m just surprised I guess.”

“But why?” she asks again. “He would be lucky to snatch you up.”

My laugh escapes before I can catch it. “Snatch me up?”

Mom just sits up a bit straighter. “Highkey, you’re a catch.”

I have to move the mascara brush away from my face so I don’t accidentally get it on my skin. Turning toward my mother, I can’t help but laugh with her. And laugh loudly, because I have no idea what she’s doing right now.

“Why are you laughing?” she asks even though she’s trying and failing to stifle her own giggles. “I’m just trying to say that I ship you and Elias together.”

“Do you have a google page open to slang terms or something right now? What is going on?”

She tries to shove her phone behind her back, but I notice her movements. “Oh my god, you do! Mom, you’re insane.”

“I’m just trying to keep up with all the young people. Live vicariously through you.”

“Why would you want to do that when you have me right here?” Dad says appearing in the doorway.

Without hesitation, Mom stands to go to his side, wrapping her arms around his waist. He lets one of his arms fall around her shoulders in an embrace I’ve seen a million times.

Next he’ll plant a kiss on the top of her head and whisper something in her ear that’ll make her blush.

Right on cue, he bends his head slightly and her cheeks redden as his words reach her ear. Now I’m wondering if Mom had ulterior motives for getting me out of the house tonight.

“Okay, as adorable as this is, I’d like to leave before you go any further.

” I put the finishing touches on my lips with a light pink lipstick.

“How do I look?” It feels weird presenting myself to my parents when I’m an adult, but it also feels like I’m still a kid playing dress up.

Pretending to go on a date with a guy I really like, except this time it’s very real.

My hair is in a low ponytail and it swishes around as I get my nude heels strapped to my feet. Once they’re secure, I stand in front of my parents who are both looking at me like I’m the most precious gem and they must guard me with their lives. Which, I guess is technically their job as parents.

Mom’s eyes are glassy with tears and I put a finger up at her. “Absolutely not, Mother. We aren’t doing tears for this. This is not a good enough reason for tears.”

I look at Dad for some assistance only to find him with the same expression as Mom, except with a hint of sadness behind his eyes. Similar to the one I caught a few days ago. “Oh, c’mon you traitor.”

“You’re just grown up, peanut. That’s all.”

Except I know it’s not all. I’m still convinced there’s something they aren’t telling me.

They act normal most of the time, but there are moments here and there that I catch them looking at each other when they’re doing the smallest things.

They’re doing dishes together and I see them looking at one another like they are about to renew their vows or something.

Yesterday, it was at the grocery store. Usually, Mom tackles one side of the store and Dad takes the other.

However, this time they stayed side by side the whole time, arms brushing, hands never straying more than an inch away from one another.

I accept his answer with a small smile even though I don’t believe me being grown up is the full reason for the wetness in his eyes.

“Have the best time, sweetheart. Where are you going?” She asked the same question a few minutes ago.

“A coffee shop nearby. I told you that already,” I say gently.

She shakes her head like she’s trying to remember. “Right,” she says, but she’s doubtful.

“Have fun, peanut,” Dad interjects, either to genuinely wish me a good time or to distract from whatever moment Mom was having. Whatever it was, it passes.

Mom opens her free arm and I melt into her embrace as Dad’s other arm comes around me completing the hug. Part of me wants to stay right here in the familiar comfort of them. But I know I can’t.

It’s time to experience something new with someone familiar.