A broken record never lies{OPEN}

[Derek Johnson]

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[Charlie Benette]

Now if she does it like this will you do it like that. Now if she touches like this, will you touch her right back. Now if she moves like this, will you move it like that.

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Charlie sat at the top of the slide, doing her biology homework. Ah, the anatomy of plants. How would she truly understand them if she wasn't outside with them? Big, black glasses hid her eyes from the glowing sun. She put her pen down with a sigh.

Hector was at work as was Tara and who knows what X and Naps were up to. She surveyed the grounds for a sign of life. Her eyes soon fell on a hoodie and a puff of smoke. She half smiled. She knew that sweater, and the delinquent inside.

It was none other than Max's new cousin Derek. Derek had just married Max's sister who was then practically disowned from teh family. Charlie didn't get why. Derek was a kind guy at heart, just a rebel. Charlie closed her book and let herself slide down. When she got up she made her way over to the bench Derek was sitting at. She pulled back his hood gently and sat down next to him.

"Nice cover my friend."

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[Derek Johnson]

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[Charlie Benette]

I know all about your about your reputation, And now it's bound to be a heartbreak situation.

Charlie shrugged, placing a hand over her eyes to block out the sun her glasses missed.

"When school got out I was bored so I decided to come out here and do homework."

Charlie much preferred being outside then in. Inside it was stuffy, like at school. Sometimes without the proper sugar, Charlie got the jitters from being inside so long. She smiled friendly back his way.

"You my friend?"

Charlie looked back to the sky, wondering where Michelle was. Max still kept contact with his sister, but how did she feel about not talking to anyone else? Thank God she had Derek. Or else it would be a lonely life.

"How's your lovely wife?"

[Derek Johnson]

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[Charlie Benette]

I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut. And my weakness is that I care too much. And our scars remind us that the past is real. I tear my heart open just to feel.

Charlie shook her head with a small smile. She too knew why he was out. It was obvious, everyone knew. She didn't mind it that much however. She knew Derek wasn't a bed person regardless. Unlike Xanadu and Max's parents who thought Derek was no good and useless. So he smoked every one and a while. He could do worse things.

"That's good. I haven't heard anything about her in a while so I was nervous. Max has seemed to disappear himself too...Hmmm..."

Where could her friendly joker friend be? Charlie smiled. She was great. Not a hair out of place in the mob of hair that was her life, but she wouldn't shine the spotlight on herself, it wasn't her way.

"I'm good. Just trying to keep my head above water. Along with everyone else."

[Derek Johnson]

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[Charlie Benette]

Charlie watched Derek casually as he spoke on and leaned over to tie his shoe. He was such a laid back person, sometimes she wished she could be like that. Most of the time she was going going going. Her never ending schedule left her no spare time to hang out like this. Even when she was with Tara, Max and even Hector lately she was always doing homework or working on after school activities. She envied Derek's free spirit. She smiled with a small shrug.

"Ya they do don't they? Such a funny family."

Charlie would never deny it, Maxwell Montgomery was the funniest, most quirky person she had ever met. Always cracking jokes and comfortable with himself, Max seemed so untroubled. It made everyone thing his life was perfect, but it was just a cover. In the end, no one really knew (besides the central clique) that he was really a poor boy from a small city who's not sure where he's going.

Charlie looked up at the mention of Hector, she grinned.

"He's...great. We're great."

She giggled. The thought of him still made her blush.

"Football season's just started to so he's really excited. And I'll be cheerleading soon."

She reached out and lightly punched his shoulder.

"You and Michelle should come to a game. Max is often the half time show."

[Derek Johnson]

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[Charlie Benette]

((Sorry it took me so long to reply. I've been slacking...I'll try and be better! >.<))

Charlie never had a thought in her mind that Derek wasn't sincere. Even when people accuse him of being careless, she knew he had all the love in the world for his wife and her (and now his) family. In a way, Max was part of her family too and no matter how he may bug her to death, she loved him for it in the end.

Charlie blushed slightly when Derek replied with 'great'. Was she doing it again? Using the word 'great' too much? She cursed herself. And her small vocabulary. Mental note: Look for synonyms for great. She smiled.

"Yeah, it's a pretty fun time. When we win anyway. Some of our players can be kind of sore though."

Several members of the football team were really bad sore losers. Not Hector though. Like a noble King, He always kept his head up high. He smiled when he won and was content when he lost.

Charlie tilted her head slightly at Derek. Was it weird for him? Being a part of a family all different from his own? She looked up and around and caught site of several leaves falling. Fall was setting in and with a deep breath, she was at peace.