Chapter 126 Staying Over for a Night
Charles didn't even eat; he rushed straight to Lindell Academy.
On the way, Alice sent him a location: Aquatic Haven Community, which was close to Lindell Academy.
Alice had moved off-campus after a fight with her roommate over her brother John and rented her own place.
Charles had to pick her up first before heading to the movie theater. He chose two different theaters far apart to avoid running into anyone.
For the first time, Charles felt time management wasn't his friend.
'I didn't do anything wrong. So why am I so stressed? Running around all day is exhausting. I'm just too nice. Why couldn't they pick different days to catch a movie?' he thought in frustration.
Around 8:30, Charles arrived at Aquatic Haven Community and texted Alice.
Charles: [I'm here!]
Alice replied: [Okay, coming down, give me two minutes!]
Charles's anxious heart finally calmed down. 'Last date of the day! No more running around!'
Sure enough, Alice came out in two or three minutes, wearing white sneakers, vintage high-waisted pants, and a small T-shirt. She looked casual yet charming.
"Damn, I've been eyeing this beauty for a while. She moved in six months ago, and now she's getting into a rich guy's car!" the security guard said, heartbroken.
"Stop dreaming. She's out of our league!" his colleague mocked.
Alice got in the car, and Charles asked, "Are we watching Black Hawk Down?"
"Yes, I already got the tickets. You guys like this kind of movie, right?" Alice smiled sweetly.
Charles was speechless. Since the tickets were bought, they might as well watch it. Watching it three times in one day—he would just consider it support for the director and actors.
They arrived at the theater. The ticket checker gave Charles a few looks, thinking he looked familiar but didn't dwell on it.
After the movie, Charles felt drowsy. He had initially pretended it was his first time watching, getting excited at times, but he couldn't keep up the act. He was almost sick of it.
"Charles, are you tired? You look like you're about to fall asleep," Alice asked.
"Yeah, maybe I had a lot going on today," Charles explained.
Alice didn't press further; sometimes it was best not to dig too deep.
The movie ended around 11:30 PM. As they left the theater, Charles felt restless. Looking at the beautiful girl beside him, his heart raced.
Finally, he tentatively took Alice's hand. She didn't resist, but her face turned bright red with shyness.
"How about we grab some late-night snacks?" Charles suggested.
"Okay!" Alice nodded.
'It's already late. If you're agreeing to getting snacks now, you probably don't want to go back,' he thought.
They walked hand in hand, like a couple in love. Charles felt a sense of surrealism. He could hardly believe he was holding Alice's hand, walking along the roadside, instead of secretly admiring her from afar or following her home at night. This high school goddess still held a special place in his heart.
After their late-night snacks, Charles drove Alice back to Aquatic Haven Community. It was almost 1 AM. Though running around was tiring, everything went smoothly today.
Charles parked under Building 3.
"Well, Charles, you should go back and rest early!" Alice said, covering her flushed face.
"Okay!"
Just as Alice got out of the car, Charles suddenly called out, "By the way, Alice, can I come up to your place for some water? I'm a bit thirsty!"
He didn't know what came over him. He just blurted it out, and now his heart was racing.
The atmosphere was a bit ambiguous.
"Uh, then come on up!" Alice said.
As soon as she said that, Charles felt a rush of excitement. 'So wonderful! Is she agreeing?'
He immediately got out of the car, locked it, and followed her. Alice lived on the fifteenth floor in a one-bedroom, one-living room, one-kitchen, one-bathroom apartment. It was quite spacious, about 540 square feet, enough for one person. Any bigger would be inconvenient.
This community was upscale, with an estimated monthly rent of over $500. Seattle's cost of living wasn't as high as San Francisco's. Normally, $500 could get one a two-bedroom rental apartment. Many recent graduates could only afford shared apartments for around $200. Alice wasn't extravagant; her family background allowed her to rent a $500 studio apartment, which was relatively frugal.
"Change into slippers, I'll get you a glass of water!" Alice blushed, looking a bit flustered.
She didn't know what came over her, agreeing when Charles asked to come up for water.
'Do I have some expectations? But I couldn't bear to refuse. Charles has helped me so much. If it weren't for him, the Mitchell family would have gone bankrupt, and I would have been forced by my parents to marry Orlando. This guy is outstanding, and he's also the hero from high school who took a beating for me in a dark alley. He has helped me so much; wouldn't it be too ungrateful to refuse him a glass of water? But, being alone in a room together, is that really okay?' these thoughts swirled in Alice's mind.
Charles drank the glass of water Alice handed him in one go. He felt the desire in his heart not only didn't subside but grew even more intense.
"Um, Alice, can I stay over at your place tonight? It's already past 1 AM, the school door is closed, and I can't go back..."
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