DANCING ON MY OWN (Charlie Puth)

T W E N T Y T H R E E

"I'm in love with you." It's such a small amount of words, with such big meaning. The moment those words left his lips, my throat went dry and my heart stopped. I went into immediate panic mode. I mean, the kiss was one thing. This is something way bigger than just a kiss.

How could Charlie be in love with me? I thought we were merely best friends, but he had been falling for me. I'd be lying if I said that his flirty comments didn't make me blush, and I've always found him attractive. But I never thought there was more to it than friends. Am I really this clueless?

Every thing that happened after Charlie's romantic confession was a blur, but I do know one thing; I never said anything back.

I lay in Charlie's bed, without Charlie of course, and stare at the dark ceiling, scratching at my hands and contemplating the friendship I thought was simply just a friendship. It's well past midnight, and there is no way in hell my mind will be calm enough to sleep tonight.

I feel like an asshole for not saying anything back when he poured his heart out to me, but what was I supposed to say? "I don't love you back" seemed a bit inappropriate.

Don't get me wrong, sparks definitely flew during our shared moment. But I don't love him the same way that he loves me. I'm not in love with him, but I have so much love for him, as a friend. I don't know how to tackle this situation on my own. Josh hardly ever said he loved me, much less that he was in love with me. This is basically a first time experience with Charlie.

I need to talk to someone that's not Charlie. I can't call Camila, because her roommate might strangle her for disrupting her sleep at two in the morning. That leaves one person left. I'm as silent as a ninja, knowing that there is a possibility that Charlie is awake on the couch, thoughts running wild in his head too.

I stealthily sneak across the hall in my chair to Shawn's room, hoping and praying that I don't see anything that I don't want to see.

Shawn's cuddled up in his comforter, fast asleep, and for a moment I consider just leaving him be. Then I decide that my problems are far more important than his sleep, so I shake him awake.

"Mia, what the hell?" He whines. I quickly clamp a hand over his mouth so he'll shut up.

"Ssh! I'm sorry that I woke you, I just need someone to talk to." I whisper.

"You're kidding, right? This couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

"Oh God no!" I exclaim, horrified at the thought of how awkward breakfast was going to be tomorrow.

He groans and rolls his eyes, before sitting up fully awake now.

"Well, what's going on then?" He asks, slightly cranky, but I don't blame him.

"Promise you won't say anything?" I beg

"Mia-"

"Shawn, promise!" I demand.

"Okay, I promise." We interlock pinkies, and then I think about how to tell him.

"Charlie kissed me and then told me he was in love with me." I blurt out.

He doesn't look surprised, shocked, mortified, or any of the completely rational feelings that I'm having. Instead, he chuckles.

"Shawn!" I'm desperate for help at this point.

"Mia, calm down. What's so wrong with that?" He is still smiling huge and I want to punch him.

"Everything!" I have to stop myself from shouting.

"I thought you knew, actually, I thought you liked him too."

"Shawn, your missing the point, he didn't say he liked me he said he was in love with me." Once again, Shawn smiles like an idiot.