Book title: Charlie and Dia

Book Genre: Romance

Author:  Aamenah456

Character Names: Charlie and Dia

Nominated by: spaceface0

About the story:

Few words describe Charlie Jackson. He commutes on the train, he enjoys work, and he loves coffee. But there is more to Charlie that's on the surface. He has a stammer, and when things get uncomfortable, the speech impairment likes to make its grand appearance.

So when a compulsive chatterbox gains his attention on the train, naturally, he is bewitched. Dia's eagerness to surpass boundaries and the usual stiff-upper-lip mesmerises him, and he feels compelled to get to know her. Only his chance hasn't arrived just yet.

For Charlie, however, it seems fate has other plans, and when Dia strolls into work one day, he realises there is more to the girl who talks to strangers.

Dia has her own battles, and there is a reason why she chooses to live in the present. But can Charlie fight his demons to support Dia in facing hers?

Oh, hello you two.  What should I call you? Do you prefer a nickname?

"Oh we're just Charlie and Dia," Dia giggled, her smile wide as she held Charlie's hand in her lap. Her eyes were bright with excitement but Charlie's nerves were more overt, as he simpered, maintaining a slightly lowered gaze.

Welcome and thanks for agreeing to talk to us today. Before we get going, can I get you something to drink? Water? Soda? Coffee? Wine? Whiskey?

"Thank you for having us!" Dia enthused. "Erm, I'll have a tea please, and Charlie...coffee?" She glanced at him he nodded affirmatively.

"Th-that would be great," He smiled, taking a small breath as Dia squeezed his hand once more.

Great.  While those are brewing, tell me a little about yourself.

Charlie glanced at his girlfriend, before taking a deep breath, and answering the question. "G-gosh well where to b-begin. M-my name is Charlie a-and I have a stammer," His posture strengthened with confidence as he continued. "I work f-for a publishing house, cr-creating covers for authors; I r-really enjoy it, and may have a sl-slight addiction to coffee."

"May have?" Dia questioned raising an eyebrow, as he chuckled, shaking his head.

"Okay I d-do, it just tastes so good," She nodded in agreement, before turning her head to the interviewer who was waiting for her response.

And Dia?

"I work at the university as a library assistant, but on the side I was helping my friend Rebecca write her book, which was how Charlie and I met. He designed the cover." Their eyes made contact at the memory, sweet smiles of reminiscence coating their gazes. "Erm, other than that, I enjoy meeting with our friends, and baking on the side," She added, clearing her throat as if remembering she was in an interview, and not sharing the moment at home.

Where do you live?

"We live in a-a small apartment on the outskirts o-of Leicester, but recently w-we've been thinking of moving to somewhere bigger," Charlie responded, as Dia bobbed her head in agreement.

Ooh, a move.  Do you have any hobbies?

"Dia has h-hobbies," Charlie answered first, gaining a thwack on his leg, as Dia's cheeks glowed red.

"That's not a hobby," she insisted as he raised his eyebrows, mockingly. The interviewer simply remained quiet, a small smile gracing their lips as she watched the pair bicker amicably, before Dia finally sighed in defeat. "It's not a hobby," she insisted. "I just like to talk to new people," she shrugged.

"Dia, y-yesterday you sp-spent forty minutes talking to that w-woman at the ph-pharmacy,"

"She was telling me about this new Marvel show, how could I walk away?" she insisted gaining a knowing chuckle as she blushed.

We might have to chat everything Marvel sometime. But back to the interview... What are some of your likes and dislikes?

"W-well Dia loves TV, she's always w-watching the l-latest show." He teased as she stuck out her tongue.

"You watch it with me remember," She giggled. "We like to go on walks a lot, don't we?" she added, as he nodded in agreement. "Spending a lot of time with our friends, and we're hoping to go travelling once we've moved,"

and dislikes?

"Charlie hates to be late for anything, punctuality is everything to him, which is a pain as I tend to always be late," Dia chuckled.

"And y-you just can't stand d-dogs,"

"It's true, they just frighten the bejeezes out of me." She shuddered in thought.

Speaking of...what is your greatest fear?

"Being a-apart," Charlie responded, gaining Dia's surprise. "N-not in a c-corny way," he added, "J-just things a-always seem to g-go wrong when Dia isn't w-with me," His eyes moved out of focus in thought and she squeezed his hand, nodding in agreement. The interviewer could only assume that there was a deeper meeting to his words, that would need further investigation later on.

"I'm with Charlie, not that it happens often, but being apart, there is always a fear that something could happen or go wrong. We've had a tough year and without Charlie, I don't think I would have made it." She illuminated, blinking away her tears.

That's really sweet. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

"I don't know about Charlie, but I wouldn't. It has been a very difficult year, and with my amnesia, I have to consider whether I'd like to know more about my past, but everything terrible made me who I am. I'd feel it would be wrong to want to change anything."

And Charlie?

"Mmm, maybe I wish I c-could be m-more confident with my stammer. I've a-always let it g-get to me, so i-if I could t-tell my t-teenage self that th-things were going to be okay, that I n-needn't worry on h-how my stammer would affect me, maybe I'd be m-more confident," He considered aloud.

"I wouldn't change it," Dia spoke softly, meeting his eyes. "It's how I knew you were genuine and kind, when we first met," He simpered in response, bobbing his head in agreement.

"Then n-nothing," He grinned. "M-my life is p-perfect, I'd n-never want this to present to ch-change."

I like it.  Are you happy we know your story?

"Very," Dia grinned. "We've had a wonderful response, and we're so thrilled that people can see the alternative side to romance. It's not been easy and sharing our story has certainly helped us get to the other side."

Tell us about someone important to you?

"Jasper," Charlie answered instinctively as Dia caught his eye. "I-if we d-don't mention h-him, he'll have a f-ft," He added, gaining a knowing chuckle. "Jas is...o-one of a kind. He's b-been an exceptional friend t-to us and r-really without h-him, and Dia's fr-friend Reebcca,"

"And Melissa of couse," Dia piped in.

"And Melissa, w-we wouldn't b-be where we are now,"

They sound like good friends indeed. Do you gave a pet?

"No," Dia pouted. "I really want a cat, but Charlie isn't keen, he has suggested a dog, but he knows my thoughts on that," He winked in her direction as she shook her head in disapproval.

"Ah d-don't look at m-me like that," He sighed. "Th-they're just s-so smelly,"

"B-but they're cute!" She reasoned as he released another chuckle.

"How about a fish?" The blank look he received was enough to tell him and the interviewer it was the end of that discussion, but Dia's returning smile was assurance that she wasn't upset at all.

Moving on... Do you have any events or people in your past who affect you today?

"I guess my amnesia and your stammer,"Dia answered. "But you'll have to read the book to know all about that," She winked, gaining chuckles of understanding.

Adding it to my list now. Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

"H-honestly, just a h-heart felt th-thank you. Our f-fans have st-stood by our side and encouraged u-us when we n-needed it most. It's h-helped us heal, and we wouldn't be us without th-them," Charlie beamed.

Can we look forward to reading more of your story?

"We like to say 'never say never', don't we, Charlie?" Dia hinted. "We can't say anything is in the works, but we'd like to think one day in the future, we'll have another story to share."

I think that little tidbit is the perfect place to end the interview. Thank you both for chatting with me today.  

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