At Nights' End

So here we are, about to reach the conclusion of our night huh? As I stood there back in my dress and in the public eye quietly observing the party girl be entertained with discussions and dances here and there, I admit it was a strange feeling after all that's happened. Not a lot of girls get to experience what I did, or guys for that matter. Being with Charlotte gave me some much needed relief, not only because she was quite skilled in the art of teasing and love making. She was actually a good girl underneath her bad girl reputation, not so much someone who is misunderstood but more like someone who is open without a care of what the world sees her as. I kind of admired that in a way, she called herself a whore because it was how others viewed her and she was fine with it. Does that make it fine? I don't know, I'm not bright enough to answer that myself and frankly I don't think I should. I guess in the end she just did what makes her happy.

With a body and tongue like hers, I was willing to bet she made a lot of people happy as well.

There is truth in what she said to me before, about our comparisons. We both have our own demons to fight, but judging from that wide cute smile she was easily besting hers. I should be more like that, I should be confident and own up to those rumors and such. People see me as a carpet eater? Then I'll be the sexiest carpenter this city ever did see. Okay maybe not go in as hardcore as that, but the point is not to care! Stop letting the world be the judge and enjoy yourself for what you are or can be. Only seek change if you're unsatisfied with you, not if others are. Unless you're being a dick to the world, then maybe yea you should take their advice and be better. Bah, all these damn morals are so hard! I'm not qualified for this kind of shit, I'm just a college girl trying to figure herself out is all. I mean that's all, lord even her accent is contagious.

"Pardon."

That was a familiar voice, and turning to that direction led me to a familiar face. It was Bennet, still stuck with that purple stain on his once good-looking uniform of his. Green and purple do not mix well, I nearly forgot my little outburst and now that I see what I did, I felt quite embarrassed.

"Hey Bennet."

"Helen."

"Look, I'm sorry about... that. Just, me throwing my drink at you was pretty immature of me and really stupid. It's your house, I was your guest and I crossed a line pulling off that. I'm really sorry about that."

He was calm and well poised, a bit of a stoic emotion on his face before fading into a look of exhaustion mixed with regret. "Yea well, I s'pose I had it comin' with what I sed. I'm sorry bout that, it wasn't in mah place to say those things, 'n I shoulda known better."

We both sighed, sort of just reeling in the moment and letting the pause settle in.

"Guess we both screwed up tonight, huh?"

"Is what it is, can't let a bad time drag ya down yer whole life. Else happiness becomes a good memory 'n that ain't no way to live."

I smiled. "Ya know, I like that. That's a good phrase, did you come up with that?"

He shrugged with a sheepish grin. "is jus' words really."

"Well it was good. Sorry again about that, Bennet. Hate to have ruined a good uniform like that."

"Tell you what, ye feelin' the need to make up to me, ye can pay for it to be cleaned, ye?"

"Ha! I think that fits, yea. Sounds fair, so where are your friends?"

"Eh, they found themselves a couple'a ladies to keep 'em company."

"And I was supposed to be yours huh?" He shrugged. "You know, maybe their is another way I can make up for that."

Bennet gave a puzzled look as I walked up ahead before turning back to look at him. Catching the hint, he followed behind before we found our space. I don't know what song was playing or if a new one conveniently began like in the movies, we just held each other began to dance the night away. He felt firm with strong hands on my waist, and his happy look lit me up inside. I was glad to have turned our relationship around a bit, to kind of give it a happy ending there. Behind him I noticed Charlotte chatting away with a few girls and laughing before her eyes caught mine. She gave me the warmest smile which had me close my eyes and hide my face away, I think she still caught me blushing. Guess this night ended well for us both.

"Alright pops, ye take care!"

"Back at ye, Buster." Crawford waved his goodbyes before resuming to smoking that cuban cigar with his group.

"Did they ever leave that spot or are they just glued outside?"

"Oh, pops likes his open space. Always findin' him out on the porch with his buddies." Bennet beamed from fond memories as we walked down the steps and headed out to his car.

"Hey, wait up!"

We both spun around as did several others who were leaving the party to find a familiar gal lifting her dress as she hurried down the steps towards us. "Bennet."

"Charlotte. This is-"

"We met. Had a little get together during the party, right Helen?"

I sort of stood there frozen in place before her nod broke me out of my trance. "R-Right!"

"Just wanted to catch ye both before ya'll left. Here," She passed me a folded up slip. "We oughta meet another time fer sum girl talk, maybe go shoppin' er whut not."

"Gosh, when did ya'll become affiliated again? Er was it after we..."

"It was nothing." Both she and I said in sync. I recoiled as she let out a soft giggle, much to Bennet's confusion.

"Well, s'nice to have ye both at the ball. Bennet, ye keep 'n touch yea? Daddy wan's me to keep ye outta trouble!"

"Funny, he say the same thing I should do 'bout you."

"Hm, guess we see who screws up first." With that, she smiled at us both and waved goodbye. "Toodles!" She said before steadying her pace back up thoe stairs, her heels clicking away.

"Coulda sworn she was wearin' anuther dress." Bennet muttered before we went back at our way into the car. He held the door open for me like a gentleman before getting behind the wheel. As the engine started up, I inspected that slip she gave me to find a note and some digits.

Case ye need another pick me up, I'm yer gal! Call me!

(XXX) XXX-XXXX

I scoffed before feeling myself blush as I heard her voice read the line to me.

"Well, all in all it wasn't so bad, right?" Bennet asked as we pulled out and hit the road.

"Actually, it was kinda nice."