Chapter Text
Waking up to an empty bed was one of Charlie's least favourite activities and this morning he had the displeasure of experiencing that. Frank must've already been at the bar, which means Charlie's going to be late and is going to get some shit for it by the gang. With a quiet groan he got up and got dressed. The usual jeans with a t-shirt and the green jacket he loves.
As he locked his door and walked down the hallway, he noticed the door right next to his apartment was open. Taking a quick peek, he saw a few cardboard boxes inside. The sight intrigued him and made him stop in his tracks, completely forgetting he needed to be at the bar right now. Suddenly, a sound of footsteps coming up the stairs caught his attention. He looked over to the stairs of the building to see a pair of legs carrying two boxes on top of each other. The figure walked slowly but almost lost balance, making the top box slide over and Charlie slightly jumped to catch it as it fell.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Thank you!"
Charlie was able to look at you once a brown square wasn't hiding your face. You were smiling shyly at him, slightly embarrassed by the interaction.
"You can leave it here, I'll grab it later." you said, not wanting to be an inconvenience to the man.
"No no, it's... it's fine…" Charlie blinked a few times, not sure why he got all flustered. He took a quick look at you, noticing you're wearing a simple pair of jeans and a shirt with a logo he didn't recognise. Your hair was up and not as tidy as it was in the beginning of your shift today.
"It's the restaurant down the street," you said as soon as you noticed his gaze. "Just started waitressing there, didn't get the time to change out of the uniform," you pulled the corner of your mouth.
Charlie looked at you again and nodded. "Oh, uh, do you need it ay 209?"
Your eyes widened, "wow, yeah! How did you know that?" you asked, amazed.
"I'm in 210, I just saw the boxes in your apartment… I mean, I didn't go in or anything! I just- the door was open…" Charlie replied, realizing he probably sounds creepy as usual before turning around and quickly walking towards your apartment with the box.
You picked up the pace to walk beside him, unfazed by his words. "Oh yeah, I'm just moving in! I guess you're my neighbour, huh?" you smiled at him and introduced your name.
The two of you reached your door and put the boxes down. "Yeah! I'm Charlie." he responded, subconsciously mirroring your smile. You stuck your hand out to shake his and Charlie did the same.
"Nice to meet you, Charlie!" you said excitedly. "See you around! Oh, and thank you for the help." You disconnected your hands from one another.
"Sure, anytime!" Charlie replied.
-
Incoherent chatter was heard from outside the bar as Charlie made his way in.
The gang was sitting across the bar with a beer each while Dee was cleaning glasses on the other side of it. "Well look who decided to join us!" Mac exclaimed as soon as he noticed the short man walk in.
"Somebody decided to shit in the urinals and it made the bathroom reek all morning so you better get to work." Dennis chuckled while pointing at the bathroom before taking a sip of his beer.
"Shit, sorry guys. This chick just moved in next to me and Frank's apartment, so I helped her out-"
"Hey, wow, what did you just say? A chick moved into your building?" Dennis cut him off, catching everyone's attention.
"Well, yeah. I helped her with moving some of the stuff in and we talked for a little bit so… but I'm here now." Charlie replied while scratching the back of his head as he went to put on a pair of gloves and grab a bucket with some cleaning supplies.
"Well? Is she Hot?" Mac asked, as if he's stating the obvious while Dee rolled her eyes.
"Um yeah, dude, she looks nice, I don’t know, " Charlie answered without looking at any of them, making his way to the bathroom and opening the door. "Holy shit!" He yelled as he walked back to the gang, covering his nose with his free hand, "What the hell did they eat!"
Dennis got off the bar stool and gestured to Charlie to come closer, completely ignoring his friend's question. Charlie followed his direction. "Now when you say 'looks nice'… do you mean…" Dennis cupped imaginary breasts to hint at Charlie.
Charlie sighed, "I didn't get the chance to see anything, she seemed really nice though!" He responded as he put the bucket down.
"Which is what really matters, guys!" Dee chimed in. "What did you two talk about, Charlie?" She asked, desperately trying to steer the topic of discussion as Dennis gave up and returned to his seat.
"Oh, not much," he answered Dee and adjusted his gloves better. "She said she works at this restaurant next to our building and-"
"Wait a minute, Charlie," the blonde halted her movement. "Is she a waitress?"
"Yeah." Charlie answered, high pitched and simple.
Dee made a pitiful face at the new piece of information while Mac and Dennis grinned, sharing similar thoughts. "Dude, do you only fall in love with waitresses?" Mac teased him. Dennis chuckled, "Yeah, she sounds awfully similar to another woman you like. Sounds like she doesn't even exist, bud."
"What??" Charlie raised his voice. "I'm not in love with this chick! And she does exist- Whatever! I have a bathroom to clean since none of you idiots know how to do properly." He pulled a face mask from the bucket before putting it on his face and grabbing the cleaning supplies into the bathroom.
The two men turned to Dee. "Do you think he made her up?" She asked, hoping her words are not true.
"I can't see any scenario where a woman would deliberately speak to Charlie, so I'm betting 'yes' ". The tattooed man replied and his friend hummed in approval. Right as he was about to speak, he was cut off but the office door opening followed by Frank's voice.
"Is Charlie here yet?" he asked.
"Yeah, he's cleaning the urinals. Someone took a shit in there and stunk up the whole place." The tall woman answered him and scrunched her face in disgust.
"Oh yeah, that was me. I think that cat food is expired." Frank responded while putting a hand on his stomach.