Chapter Text
Charlie's first day continued pretty much the same with the rest of her classes, getting to know the subjects and professors. She also got to see Angel again as they shared another class that day, so she made sure to get his number and invite him to join their project group. Surprisingly, or maybe not so, he agreed, and they arranged to meet with the others during the weekend. By the time her classes were over, Charlie felt well and truly productive. Something told her that this year will be a good one.
After their last class, Charlie met up with Vaggie and they went to grab a coffee and talk about their day. It was a thing they always did. After every first day, they'd grab their things and go to their local coffee shop and exchange impressions. They walked in hand-in-hand and made their way to their usual spot by the window.
"So," Vaggie started, resting her chin on her hands, smiling sweetly at Charlie, "how was your first day?"
"It was amazing! I made two new friends who I invited to join our group, and I love the subjects we have this year. Especially history with Professor Zestial. His voice is so soothing, I could listen to him talk all day. How about you? How was your day?"
Vaggie chuckled at Charlie's enthusiasm. She always looked so in awe whenever Charlie talked, as if she had just seen a rare and beautiful flower for the first time. It always made Charlie blush a little whenever she noticed. She had to admit that it was nice having someone who listened so intently and seemed genuinely interested in what Charlie was saying. Not to mention having someone she could tell anything to without fear of judgment. Someone she could trust with the worst parts of herself, knowing she'd get the same in return. Charlie felt her cheeks go a little hot at the way Vaggie's eyes shone with love.
"I'm glad you had so much fun, sweetie," now it was Vaggie's turn to blush, "and I guess I had a good time too."
Vaggie became sheepish as Charlie's smile grew, "Yeah, I know. Who would've thought."
"Oh my gosh, Vaggie, I'm so happy for you!"
"Yeah, this might end up being a tolerable year after all," she chuckled, then rolled her eyes, "you were right."
Charlie squealed quietly as their coffee arrived and they went on to talk for the rest of the afternoon.
...
The rest of the week went on as usual. Charlie's hunch about attendance proved to be correct, and by Friday, their class was cut down to a third, much to the professors' disappointment. Not that they were surprised though. Charlie couldn't blame them. Luckily, Angel was there more than he wasn't, so she could get to know him better. Apparently, his family isn't that supportive of his way of expression, which is preposterous, but Charlie wasn't going to stick her nose where it doesn't belong. She'd learned her lesson about that after causing an incident at her high school years ago.
She also learned that Angel had an older brother, with whom he has a strained relationship with, and a twin sister, whom he adored. Apart from that, Angel hadn't really been open about his life. However, he had no qualms about commenting on the physical appeal of most of the male college staff, much to Vaggie's disgust. Somehow, Vaggie's reactions seemed to only further encourage Angel. Charlie had to admit, they weren't really getting along as well as she hoped, but as long as no one got hurt, she could make it work.
As for Niffty, the girl she bumped into that first day, she only saw her once more across the campus, talking to two of her friends, presumably the new additions to their team. Before Charlie could go greet them though, she was approached by Vaggie, asking to borrow a pencil as she had lost hers. By the time Charlie looked back, Niffty and her friends were gone.
As the weekend was approaching, Charlie started becoming a little nervous about the project. It was Saturday morning and Charlie was beginning to doubt herself. She was starting to suspect that her decision to invite random students, albeit well-intentioned, might not have been the ideal course of action. After all, she barely knew Angel, she had only met Niffty and she had no idea what Niffty's friends were like. For all she knew, they could be awful. Despite generally believing in the best in people, she became aware that some people were genuinely mean just for the sake of being mean. Like Katie, from Charlie's elementary school, who hated everybody and Vaggie told her about what high school was like for her. Charlie had been horrified to find that she'd been bullied, not only for being Latina, but also for being a lesbian, which... wow- rude.
Now, Charlie had to admit that her initial impulse to be friendly might've been a mistake. She probably should've gotten to know the other students before starting this whole thing. What if they don't take the project seriously? What if they don't do the work assigned and end up putting them behind? What if they don't get along amongst themselves? What if-
Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell ringing. Right. Vaggie was probably back from the grocery store. Shaking her head, Charlie made her way downstairs to open the front door. When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Angel there instead.
"Uh, hi there, Angel. What are you doing here?" Charlie asked, quickly glancing around the street.
"Heya, toots, I'm here for the project group- thing, whatever. I hope I'm not too early." Angel said, grinning and adjusting his pink sunglasses. He was towering over her as usual, his height made even more prominent by his thigh-high platform boots. He was wearing a pink striped suit and black shorts, and was sporting some casual makeup.
Charlie blinked up at him for a second, caught off guard a little, before gathering herself.
"Oh, you're not that early," only 3 hours, "come on in!" she beckoned, opening the door further to let him in. She beamed as he took off his glasses to glance around the house in wonder.
"Wow, this place is massive!" he said, taking in the interior. Charlie blushed a bit, a little self-conscious of her wealth. She keeps forgetting that not everyone is as well off as her family. It took her a while to get used to Vaggie being around such extravagance, so she figured it'd take a while to get used to the others being here as well.
After getting Angel a beer and herself a soda, she showed him to her room upstairs. She was pleased to find that Angel really liked her room, favoring the pinkish, bright decor more than the fancy minimalistic base furnishing the house had before Charlie's dad bought it and left it to her and Vaggie a few months before. He had refrained from adding his own touch to the space, which would've likely included a ridiculous amount of rubber ducks, instead giving her and Vaggie a clean slate to work with. They have yet to start doing anything big in terms of customizing the space, instead focusing mostly on decorating their bedroom to their liking, as they mostly spend their time there, watching something on Netflix, studying, or just cuddling under the covers. Charlie liked the last one the best.
Now, Angel had sprayed his lanky form across the bed, inhaling deeply.
"Damn, ya living quite the lavish life here, princess," Angel teased, but there was a hint of something sad underneath his cheery tone. Charlie immediately felt bad again about taking the privileged life she lived for granted. She didn't know Angel's exact financial situation, or anything much about his private life for that matter, but she knew he didn't have that much money, having to work his way through college. She could imagine how he must feel looking at Charlie who never had to lift a finger in her life.
There was an awkward silence and Charlie cringed. She internally cursed herself. She was usually way better at talking to people, but she hadn't been in the best headspace to begin with. She'd just been so nervous about the group working out. Vaggie never once told her she minded inviting so many new people into their little circle, but that didn't mean she was okay with all this. Gosh, she probably should've asked first. Oh well, the cat is out of the bag she supposes. Hopefully, things will turn out okay and not end up being a complete disaster.
"Soo," Angel started, sensing the mood change, "when's the rest of the gang coming around?"
Charlie let out a quick breath, "Oh, they should be here soon enough, I think! Vaggie should be back from the store any moment now too," she said, grateful for Angel's attempt at small talk.
Angel raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, "Wait, hold on, so that's her actual name?"
"Uhh, yes?" she said.
There was a beat.
"So, like vagina?"
"Angel!"