It's no surprise that when Earthquake, the third book in the Element Bound Series comes out, I go to the bookshop to buy it on the very day it is released. I know there are countless bookshops in London and I could even send someone to buy it for me. Screw that, I could just buy it online and wait for it to be delivery to my door. But I want to go to Wuthering Heights, see Ella and buy the book all at the same time. Besides, it'll give me a chance to fangirl with someone. I'm so excited that I've kept my distance from Terry for fear to go crazy in front of her and ask her all the secrets to know how the series ends.

It's been such a hard task.

So yes, I am looking forward to have someone to talk about it and express my own excitement freely. I go late in the evening, taking a detour from my way back home, after texting Ella to make sure she has late shift today. I don't think I'll find other costumers in the shop, which is why I also decide to go at this time instead of in the morning.

However, the moment I walk inside the shop I don't find her alone.

"How do you treat it in case it has been diagnosed?" a boy in front of her asks, holding a notebook. A pile of many other books is by their side and he seems to be timing her answer.

"For a case of resistance to insulin, besides the pharmacological treatment with an anti-hyperglycaemic like metformin, the patient needs to change their diet to a controlled one in order to stabilise the reserves of fat and avoid other health problems, commonly hypertension and high cholesterol. Furthermore, as it is highly connected with the emotional state of the patient it is advised to recommend them a therapist to keep them stable," Ella answers with confidence.

The boy stops the time and looks at her with a grin. "Good but not excellent. You forgot the extremely important part of the treatment: exercise," he corrects her and to top that he also flicks her forehead. I gasp at the same time Ella complains, but he only laughs. "If you keep making mistakes you'll end up with a permanent red spot on your forehead, Ella."

"Stop flicking me so hard then! I'm stressed, too, you idiot!" she screams, trying to hit him back with one hand whilst the other covers her forehead, but the boy intercepts her attack quite easily.

I have no idea who he is, but they seem really close. Could he be Ella's boyfriend?

"Then stop making mistakes! It's not my fault you always forget something," he shouts back, grabbing both her wrists and laughing at how she struggles.

"I'm gonna kick you. Let go of my hands, Charlie!"

The boy, Charlie apparently, immediately releases her and takes a step back, putting a safe distance between them and I can't help myself, I let go a small chuckle that alerts them of my presence. I blush immediately when I'm caught red-handed. I didn't mean to, but I should've said something sooner instead of staying watching.

"Ann!" Ella exclaims, recognising me immediately and forgetting all her fury against the boy. "Let me guess. Earthquake?" she asks next and my smile is the answer. "I knew you'd come. I have yours reserved," she continues and as I take steps closer to where she is standing, I feel so touched that she actually put a book aside for me.

"Thank you, Ella. I'm dying to read it," I tell her, keeping my smile.

"I'm sure you could've asked the author to give you a book before it was released or something like that," Ella comments and I shrug. I could've, but I didn't. "Such a honourable person. Seriously, are you hoping to become a saint or something?"

I laugh out loud, watching her going behind the counter where she retrieves the book she had even wrapped for me. I look at the boy that is quietly watching. He is tall and handsome, fair skin with a few moles here and there, big and warm brown eyes with a kind smile, his light brown hair is ruffly. He stares back at me, keeping that kind smile but at the same time making me a bit uncomfortable.

"Hi, I'm Charlie," he introduces himself. "I was waiting for my friend to make the introductions, but as usual, she forgets something."

"Oi!" Ella complains, and I chuckle.

"I'm Ann, it's very nice to meet you," I reply, shaking his hand. His smile widens. "I'm sorry for staring before when you were... uhh, studying? I should've said something the moment I came in."

"Oh no worries. And yeah, we were studying. Ella and I are classmates, as well as childhood friends, hence why I can flick her forehead every time she makes a mistake," Charlie explains, and then leaning closer he adds, "Which is quite often. She's so dumb."

"Oi!" shouts Ella again and this time she throws on of their notebooks at him, but Charlie dodges it.

I chuckle as quietly as I can, but their bickering seems so funny to me. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend," I tell Ella, who's still glaring daggers at Charlie.

"What?!" they both say at the same time. "Boyfriend? Ew, that's incest," they continue their chorus. I just blink in surprise. "We are like siblings. I can't see him as anything else but Charlie. He's his own species, you know?" she explains further.

"Ditto," Charlie adds, making me chuckle again.

"I'm sorry for my wrong assumption," I apologise again, bowing my head a little.

"Never mind, you're not the only one that's made that mistake. People have a hard time believing a boy and a girl can be only friends, I guess."

"Stupid soap operas. They are the ones to blame for everything that's wrong on this planet. All those clichés! We are doomed," Charlie dramatises and I can't help it, I laugh out loud, having to cover my mouth to keep the sounds at bay, my eyes almost closing.

"But talking about real boyfriends, how are things going with your guy?" Ella asks, leaning on the counter, watching me carefully. "Are you still avoiding him?"

My cheeks blush immediately when I think of Gareth and the laughter dies, just to leave a shy smile on my face. I can see his face so clearly in my mind, the small smile that is so common to me and the warm eyes that stopped being icy so long ago. I can't see a trace of the Ice Prince in my mental picture of him. All that ice thawed already.

"Oh, look at her! Does every girl in love look like that, Charlie?" Ella asks out loud. Her expressions is the one of someone watching cute kitty videos on the Internet. I blush even harder, I actually feel my cheeks burning so I have to cover them with my hands.

I look at Charlie, and although amused, he doesn't seem as excited as Ella.

"That's why it's so easy for everyone to tell when someone's in love. You looked worse than that. I always regret I didn't take pictures. I could blackmail you with them now to write my papers," Charlie laments, trying to look so regretful and lost. He pinches the bridge of his nose in a very thoughtful and angsty pose.

Instead of a verbal reply, Ella throws another notebook and as Charlie is so busy trying to look devastated that this time she hits him. I gasp, my mouth forming a big O in surprise but Ella throws her arms in the air in victory.

"Never mind the idiot, you just look adorable when thinking of him, Ann. Did something good happen?" Ella asks, going back to the topic.

"I stopped avoiding him so it's okay now. It's easier. He invited me to have dinner to his flat the other time," I tell Ella and she looks excited, but not as excited as Cece when he made me tell him everything and tried to find a second meaning for every word Gareth said. "I also met his mum and we had dinner together."

"You met your future mother-in-law?!" Ella exclaims and I laugh because that's exactly what Cece said. I nod. "And you said this guy rejected you?"

"He rejected you?" Charlie echoes Ella's words. I didn't notice the moment he recovered from the blow he received and joined us around the counter again.

"Yeah, he really seems me like just a friend. I think I'm his only friend, that's why I met her. I'm also the producer of the film and she came to see him and offer her greetings. I just happened to meet her. If my father had been in charge of the production he would've met her."

"Wait a second, producer? How old are you?" Charlie asks dumbfounded. "Don't tell me the rumours are true and Asians have the fountain of youth in their hands."

I can't even answer that, I just blink, too taken aback by that statement. "Where do you even hear that, Charlie?"

"Somewhere," he shrugs.

Ella shakes her head and tries to push him away. "Forgive him, I don't even understand how he can get better grades than I do." I laugh again.

"I'm seventeen, but my father owns a production company. His health is very poor right now so I'm acting as CEO until he can comeback. So I'm in charge of the production of Typhoon. It's just a temporary thing, I'm not supposed to inherit the company just yet."

I think Charlie is so surprised he can't even utter a word. He looks very much like a fish out of water, gaping and trying too hard to process what I've just said. I look at Ella and she has a smug smirk, pleased that this news can't affect her that way. She even folds her arms and the smile comes to my lips.

"Wow... just wow."

I shy away, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Charlie just looks surprised, but I'm so used to people looking dubious and disregarding me because I'm not even eighteen yet. But that will change soon, I'll be a legal adult in no time. Although I'm not sure if that would make a difference at all, I'll still be too young for my job in the eyes of everyone else.

"That's why I told you the film is gonna be great 'cos I know the producer is making sure the adaptation will be a good one. I told you, didn't I?" Ella tells Charlie and he can only nod. His eyes are still on me. I can read surprise in his expression, but the good kind. I have impressed him. "Anyhow, going back to your guy, I don't think it's that hopeless, Ann. Maybe you should try to get his attention or something. You know the saying, if you want something, go get it."

"I don't think anyone can be that stupid as to reject you twice," Charlie adds, joining the conversation and recovering from his surprise. "And if he is that stupid, don't worry. There's always a second love and I'm totally single by the way."

I blush furiously, not knowing what to do with myself in this situation, feeling clumsy and like my limbs don't belong to me. He smirks and it seems my brain stops working. I've never been in a situation like this, I don't know what to do!

"Ew, Charlie!" Ella whines. "Don't hit on her in my presence. That's disturbing!" She smacks Charlie on his arm, making him chuckle and break the eye contact. "Besides, she's totally in love with her guy so you don't have a chance."

"I was just saying. You know, just in case she decides to move on. I wouldn't mind helping," Charlie replies, making me blush even more.

I can't believe someone really hit on me.

"Ann, don't listen to that idiot. It's clear you're in love with this guy so just do your best, okay? Charlie is right about one thing: no one can be that stupid to reject you twice, especially someone who regards you that highly already," Ella encourages me. "I'm no expert, but I think the only way not to regret anything in life is by doing your best to get what you want."

I smile, feeling moved with Ella's words. It's impressive how every time she talks to me I feel motivated in a new light.

"Gambarimasu," I mutter and both Ella and Charlie looks confused. "It means 'I will try my best' in Japanese."

Both smile kindly and encouragingly. "Yeah, you do that. And good luck. If not, Charlie is also right about something else: there's always a second love and another chance, but don't give up on your first one without trying your best."

"And don't forget that I'm very single," Charlie adds once again, making us all laugh.

>>>·<<<

I have a problem... I really love Charlie and Ann too <3 but she belongs with Gareth and Charlie meets his match in the future, too. Anyhow, this chapter was really fun to write. Did you enjoy it? I hope so. The next one is already written ;) I'm being productive. So...

1K VOTES BEFORE FRIDAY! And you get the chapter :D If not, then the next update will be on Friday.

I also want to thank to everyone who commented and has helped sharing this story. I appreciate it. Please, keep it up!

Dedication to katnissarcher 

Bel, xx