"Take me down into your paradise
Don't be scared, 'cause I'm your body type
Just something that we wanna try
'Cause you and I, we're cool for the summer" ~Demi Levato

17 July 1964, 11.52 am New York

"So, who is the new girl moving in?" Eddie asked as he lit himself a cigarette.

"Toni and Mina's friend," Lily answered barely looking up from his paper "I know we don't really have the space, but it's an emergency"

"Oh?" Eddie cocked his head.

"Guess her boyfriend roughed her up and kicked her out on the streets a couple of nights ago," Lily said
"Poor girl," Eddie replied, "Where is she going to stay?"

"With Charli," Lily answered. Eddie's eyes went wide.

"Look, man," Eddie said, "I know Charli has come a long way in the last few months, but she's always pretty apprehensive of others...."

"Relax," Lily laughed "We talked it over with Charli, she offered. I think she'll be fine"

"It's not Charli I'm worried about" Eddie laughed. They heard a knock at the door.

"Hey!" Mina called "Anybody want to open the door for us?"

"On my way!" Eddie called, hopping off his stool.

*

"Welcome Sophie," Lily said as Mina, Toni and Sophie entered behind Eddie carrying a few bags of Sophie's belongings.

"Hello," Sophie said quietly.

"Sophie," Toni introduced "This is Lily, he's sort of the mother hen here"

"And I'm Eddie," Eddie grinned "We're happy to have you"

"Does anyone know where Sophie's new roomie is?" Mina asked "It'd be nice to have her meet Charli"

"I think she's still...asleep" Eddie explained "She was out late last night"

"Fuck off!" they heard from behind the closed bedroom door.

"And just like that, I think she's awake" Lily laughed. Before anyone could say anything more the door flew open and a man's shirt and jacket were thrown out.

"I don't know why the fuck you stayed over!" Charli yelled "I said I didn't want ta' see ya's in the morning"

A young man came stumbling out hurriedly picking up his jacket and shirt.

"What the fuck man?" he yelled "I thought we had something! I've been nothing but nice to you!"

"Fuck nice! I don't need nice" Charli said throwing a shoe at him "You were an easy shag, that's it"

"Fucking bitch!" he called back angrily as another shoe was thrown nearly hitting his head before the door slammed again.

He stood looking confused.

"Is she always such a bitch?" he asked.

"For someone who says he's so nice, you sure do call my best friend a 'bitch' a lot" Eddie pointed out.

"And she's family so," Lily added making himself imposing "I would watch what you say about her"

"Fine, whatever..." Charli's one night stand said, "Bunch of assholes anyway!"

"Cheers darling!" Mina called sarcastically, blowing him a kiss as he left the apartment.

"T-that's my roommate??" Sophie stuttered nervously.

"Yeah...that's Charli," Eddie laughed "Honestly, she's sweet once you get to know her..."

The bedroom door swung open again and Charli came out carrying a set of towels.

"Hi.." she said approaching Sophie "You must be Sophie"

She shook Sophie's hand quickly.

"I'm Charli, we'll talk more I'm sure..." Charli continued "For now, I need to shower away the stench from last night's mistake...I'll change the sheets after, he was supposed to be gone before you got here"

As soon as the introduction happened, Charli was gone and they could hear the shower running.

*

"So why did he kick you out?" Charli asked as she exhaled her cigarette and stared at the canvas in front of her. Sophie sat in the window sill of the apartment, she'd been living with Charli and her flatmates for a week and already had become closer with Charli.

"You want the truth?" Sophie asked.

"I wouldn't have asked if I wanted a lie" Charli laughed. Sophie smiled slightly.

"Fair enough," she said finally "He kicked me out...because he found out I was dating a girl before him"

Charli glanced at Sophie a moment, Sophie expected the worst.

"That's all?" Charli asked, "Because he found out about the person you were dating BEFORE him?"

"Well...really, he was angrier that I dated a girl..." Sophie said nervously.

"Who fuckin' cares?" Charli spat angrily "No bloody reason to beat you and leave you on the streets!"

"So...you don't care that I like girls as well?" Sophie ventured.

"Why would I?" Charli asked "Nobody deserves to be hurt for who they are"

Charli and Sophie had gotten to know each other over the short time of sharing a room, Charli was quite blunt about the abuse she faced from her father, Sophie felt some comfort coming from an abusive relationship.

Sophie smiled slightly, she was beginning to develop feelings for her roommate but had been afraid of coming out to her.

"I've got an idea!" she said suddenly hopping down from the window sill "We should go out...see Lady Liberty or something"

"I SHOULD be finishing this painting..." Charli retorted.

"Come on, Charli," Sophie laughed "You've been cooped up inside staring at the same canvas for the last 3 days...have you even been to the Statue of Liberty yet??"

Charli shrugged.

"Please??" Sophie pouted.

"Oh alright," Charli smirked as she rolled her eyes.

*

It was later that afternoon as Sophie and Charli made their way down the streets of New York, it was sweltering in the city.

"Ugh...this is why I prefer winter" Charli sighed as she pushed the sleeves of her shirt up "I can't bloody win in the summer, the sun hates my skin and the heat hates the rest of me"

Sophie laughed.

"Let's get an ice cream before we see Lady Liberty," Sophie suggested "My treat"

"I'm not going to turn you down," Charli grinned.

After a while of talking, joking and eating ice cream through the streets of Manhattan, Sophie decided to venture a little further into her newfound crush's history.

"So...have you talked to your boyfriend lately?" She ventured.

"Boyfriend?!?" Charli asked, shocked "What boyfriend?"

"Wait..you mean the guy you had over when I moved in isn't your boyfriend?" Sophie feigned ignorance.

"Pfft..No," Charli scoffed "That's just Matt...picked him up at the pub a couple of times, he seems to think there was 'something'...I was too fuckin' drunk the night before to realise he'd spent the night. Bit of a shocker to wake up to..."

Sophie and Charli both laughed.

"I don't really do the boyfriend thing..." Charli admitted as she lit a cigarette.

Sophie smiled to herself.

"Ready to see the best view of New York?" she asked.

It was early evening by the time Sophie and Charli finished wandering the streets of New York and made their way to the top of the Statue of Liberty. They had stopped and asked a passer-by to take their photo which would show both of them laughing and flashing peace signs.

"Somewhere...way beyond that horizon," Charli said resting her arms on the ledge of one of the many windows at the top of the statue's crown "...is home"

"But you're home with us," Sophie smiled next to her, "You made me feel at home, all of you did, but you've been the most understanding"

Charli smiled slightly "Believe me luv, I know far too much about people who were supposed to love you, harming you"

Sophie frowned knowing why Charli was so kind to her and why when Toni asked if she could stay, and why Charli was the first to volunteer her room to Sophie.

"It really is beautiful..." Charli said looking out over the sunset in New York. Sophie rested her head on Charli's shoulder and put her arms around her waist.

"It is.." she said "So are you"

Charli turned to say something...before she could they were kissing.

Sophie was surprised that Charli kissed back but couldn't complain.

"I really like you Charli," Sophie said as the kiss ended. Charli was quiet.

"I can't do this to you Soph..." she said. "I really can't"

"I swear, I can be the best girlfriend," Sophie said hopefully.

"I'm sure you can," Charli smile "But...I will hurt you if we do this. Trust me"

"No, you.." Sophie tried arguing

"I would," Charli interrupted "Look, Sophie...you're lovely. I really love your friendship but..."

Sophie hung her head.

"Can we grab dinner?" Charli asked "I'll explain over dinner luv"

Sophie smiled slightly and nodded.

Early September 1959, Liverpool

"What did ya' tell yer parents?" Jenny asked as she and Charli sat at her window smoking.

"Just that I'm stayin' the night at your house," Charli said. "They don't like it, but it's better than what they had planned"

Jenny raised an eyebrow.

"Afternoon tea with the Prescotts" Charli said rolling her eyes "Apparently, I need a 'better influences' since I fuckin' taught Olivia a lesson"

"That was bloody brilliant!" Jenny laughed "I know ye've been nervous about the older teddies accepting ya's, but that got the attention of a few of them for sure"

"Yeah?" Charli grinned as she hopped down from the window "What was her bloody problem anyway?"
"Oh, right...you don't know," Jenny said as Charli raised an eyebrow "See, she was a teddy. She and Paul were a 'thing'. She got pretty attached, I don't think they did more than snog...then you sort of came along and destroyed that"
"Ha!" Charli laughed "That's why she thinks I'm a slag?"
Jenny shrugged "You'll be able to brag about it tonight all ya' like at the pier."

"Can't bloody wait!" Charli laughed excitedly. "And what about you meetin' with John? I thought he and Cyn were still on"

"Nah, they had a fight after the Casbah show and she's not talkin' with him right now," Jenny said exhaling her cigarette.

"So, you're swoopin' in?" Charli raised an eyebrow "I'm not judgin' ya's Jen, but yer better than his fallback girl"

"Who said anythin' about being his fall back?" Jenny laughed "I just want ta' have a snog and get on with me life"

*

Jenny and Charli at the pier

It was later that night and the party on the pier was well underway.

It was the end of summer and school was starting in 2 days, Charli was more than happy to celebrate the best summer she'd had with the rest.

"Bloody hell, Jamison!" She shouted at Jenny "Come up for some air!"

"Sod off McLeod!" Jenny laughed before continuing to kiss John.

A few other girls laughed at the exchange and catcalled.

"I'm surprised Macca isn't at yer side" George teased as Charli sat on the edge of the pier next to him.

"He's grabbing drinks fer us" Charli smiled.

"You know he's really bloody smitten with ya's, yea?" George grinned.

"I might be aware," Charli laughed standing up. "Luckily, the feeling is mutual" She offered a hand to help George up.

"Ta luv," He grinned. "Ya' know he's my best mate, when I first met him...I didn't like the blokes he was around, so I punched them and tol' him I didn't think they were good enough for him"

Charli laughed.

"And how do I add up?" She asked standing in a mock fighting pose.

George laughed and put a friendly arm around her.

"Yer perfect for him" he grinned "And I mean that luv"

"Oi! Harrison!" Paul called out "What are ya' doing with me girl?"

"Just convincing her I'm a better match for her than a tosser like you" George laughed before planting a wet kiss on Charli's cheek.

"Cor! Come off it" She laughed shoving him away and wiping at her cheek.

"Hold on luv," Paul said handing her their drinks before tackling George.

"McLeod!" Jenny said as she snuck up behind Charli and picked her up from behind "I should throw you off the pier for interrupting my snogging session!"

"Hey!" Charli laughed "Yer goin' to spill the drinks"

But it was too late as one of the lagers spilt over her jacket.

"Serves you right!" Jenny laughed.

"Take her down, Charli!" an older teddy girl Charli didn't know shouted as Jenny put her back down "That's a bloody waste of lager!"

"Fuck, you know me da' will kill me if I go home smellin' like I was on the piss!" She said punching Jenny in the shoulder harder than she meant to.

"Ow! Calm down," Jenny laughed "We'll wash it when we get back to mine"

"You better Jamison," Charli laughed as she took off her jacket "It's me favourite jacket"

"That I gave you" Jenny teased "Don't worry luv, we'll get it all cleaned up before you go home"

"Hey, what happened to the other lager?" Paul asked as he approached trying to tidy his hair after his mock fight with George.

"Ask Jen," Charli answered "She threatened to throw me in the pier!"

She gave a puppy dog face to Paul.

"Don't let her fool you Macca!" Jenny said pulling her into a headlock "She was interrupting my snog session"

"Get off!" Charli laughed, ducking out from Jenny's lock and hiding behind Paul, her arms went around his waist. His face soured slightly seeing bruises at her arms, he regained himself quickly and laughed.

"Foul witch I cast thee aside!" He said overdramatically to Jenny "You will not harm my princess!"

"Princess?!?" Charli said indignantly "I'm no fuckin' princess"

"Alright, foul witch," John said as he joined the conversation "I'm keen for a couple of bevvies, care to join?"

"Yeah, fine...." Jenny laughed "See ya' princess"

"Fuck, she'll never let me live that down" Charli laughed as she turned to face Paul. "Sorry, 'bout the lager"

She passed the remaining bottle to him after she took a sip herself.

"Don't worry about it kitten," he said as he took a drink, his face turned serious "Please tell me those are from your fight with Olivia..."

He indicated the bruises on her arms.

Charli bit her lip.

"Sort of..." she said "Those were from da' after he found out about my fight with Olivia"

She pulled her hair back revealing more bruising.

"That big one is from Olivia.." she said "She came out of it worse, fuckin' deserved it. Calling me a slag..."

"And that one?" Paul asked as he gently lifted her chin, noting a smaller bruise just underneath. Charli sighed.

"It's an old one...from da'" she said finally "Can we, I dunno', ignore all that for now? I just wanted to escape it all for a night"

"Alright luv," He smiled, taking her hand as he raised an eyebrow "Come'head, I've got the perfect idea for an escape"

Soon, they found themselves away from the pier and the rest of the teddies in a secluded and quiet alleyway. It didn't take long before they were tangled in each other.

"So many layers," Paul growled, kissing along her neck as he untied Charli's shirt, "And a bloody singlet underneath"

"It's the only way they let me leave the bloody house" she laughed slightly as she removed the shirt.

He smiled before kissing her deeper, his hand made its way up inside her singlet, caressing her breast.

Charli moaned into his kiss as she unbuttoned his shirt. That summer, they had become far closer and were almost feverish that night.

She ran her hands down his chest and stomach.

"We should stop," Paul said breaking away with a small laugh.

"But, I don't want to" Charli whined as she kissed his neck.

"Yer not makin' it easy kitten!" Paul groaned "But, I wasn't thinkin' and I didn't bring any protection"

"We could just fool around," Charli said, running her hands over his stomach and kissed his chest.

"You know we're terrible at just keeping it to fooling around," he laughed before kissing her.

"We could try," she argued.

"I just don't want anythin' to happen, yeah?" Paul said more seriously "I mean, if we did tonight...and ya' got, ya' know..."

Charli paused abruptly. "They'd probably kill me..." she said quietly.

"Maybe not that bad, but I just don't want ta' give yer parents another reason to hate me and take it out on you luv," Paul admitted.

"Yeah...yer right," Charli sighed "I just really love being close to you"

"Trust me, I know how ya' feel kitten," he laughed softly, pressing into her. He lifted her chin slightly.

"You know I love you, yeah?" he asked with a smile she couldn't resist.
"I love you too," She smiled before he kissed her.

"Someday luv," he said "It'll just be us...we won't have ta' worry about yer ruddy parents, just me and you"
"That day can't come soon enough" Charli laughed slightly, before kissing him again.

"And after the next Casbah show," Paul added "We could always go back to me house and continue this"

"MACCA WHERE ARE YA'S??"

"CHARLIIIIII!"

They heard John and Jenny call.

"Shite," Charli laughed "I should get my shirt back on...now where the fuck did it go?"

**

"So, it really isn't me?" Sophie asked as she drank her milkshake.

"No, not at all..." Charli smiled "I just, I'm not into relationships...After everything that happened, I don't really know what my feelings are on love and if it exists."

Charli had finished telling Sophie about her life growing up in Liverpool and the young lad she fell in love with and broke her heart.

Sophie still seemed sad.

"Look, Sophie," Charli said "You are gorgeous and a lovely person, any guy or girl would be lucky to have you. I would just hurt you luv, and I don't want that. I like you too much"

Sophie laughed slightly.

"I guess that's ok.." she said "We can still cuddle on stormy nights?"

"I'm ok with a cuddle now and then," Charli smirked "I'm not THAT much of a cold-hearted bitch"
Sophie took another drink of her milkshake and smiled.

"So you know Charli," She said "Despite me making things awkward, I had the best time with you today...I'm glad we can stay friends"

"I did too Sophie!" Charli smiled "And you didn't make anything awkward, I'm flattered, but I'm also happy we're friends luv"

"What do you say we make a night of it?" Sophi grinned "Lily has a show tonight, should we surprise him?"

"I love the way you think!" Charli laughed "Let's do it"

-----

A/N:  So I am back to writing!!!  When I picked this back up, I noticed the last time I wrote in it was December 2019!  That's a new record for me.  I'm sure it changed from it's original inception, but yeah...I sort of wanted to show how Sophie and Charli got to be friends and the crush Sophie had (also that Charli's sexuality isn't 100% straight).  Also, the flashback took place shortly after the first Casbah show and after Paul realised how shitty Charli's parents are...I may find a way to write about her and Olivia's fight someday.  I honestly am leaving this pretty open to ideas that pop up.  Also, I am a graphic artist and designer, I illustrate a couple comics and while I'm not super detailed, I have a style I like and am using for these one shots and the main story and I hope people enjoy.
 Anyway, I hope I still have readers and as always looooove the likes, reads, comments, votes, etc.  it keeps me going :)

And the chapter song if people want to have a listen while they read, it was a little perfect for this particular one shot.

https://youtu.be/kMsHEKy8N14