DANCING ON MY OWN (Charlie Puth)

T W E N T Y F I V E

I wiggle out my toes, and gently touch them to the tiled floor beneath me. The last time I tried this, it didn't work out so well. I take a deep breath, and touch my socked feet to the floor. All of my weight is being supported, otherwise this would be an awful idea.

"You can do it." Charlie whispers from beside me.

Charlie.

Things haven't been awkward between us, other than the fact that we both have our feelings out. He knows that I could possibly reciprocate that same feeling someday. He hasn't tried to push me into feeling anything more, he has just remained the same sweet Charlie, which I'm thankful for. He is happier, I can tell that it took a lot off of his chest when everything happened. The past few weeks have been smooth sailing, and it's been really helpful in strengthening our friendship.

I take another deep breath and try my hardest to step, and then slowly but surely, step again. I'm doing it. It's not walking on my own, but its the next best thing. I smile hard and I keep going, sliding my hands along the handrails with each step.

"Okay Miss Hendricks, I think thats enough. We don't want to wear you out." The therapist chuckles.

"I can keep going!" I plea, even though my legs are getting tired.

"Mia. No." Charlie laughs.

"Fine." I say, wearing a big grin. This is a great step in the right direction for me, nothing is going to destroy my happiness right now.

Charlie helps the therapist loosen the harness and safely return me to my chair. As soon as the therapist leaves Charlie grins at me.

"I told you that you could do it. Pretty soon, you're gonna be walking all by yourself. You won't need my help anymore." He feigns heartbreak.

I roll my eyes but smile anyway. "I don't know, I've gotten pretty used to you taking care of me. Who says I won't need you to be my slave anymore?"

He raises an eyebrow and smirks. "That's kinky."

My jaw hits the floor and I go red in the face. "Charlie! No. That's not-"

"It's not what you meant, I know." He chuckles.

I punch his arm, still feeling completely embarrassed, but he doesn't even flinch. He just grabs my chair and wheels me out of the clinic.

"Shawn texted and said we are having a mandatory lunch today, by the way." Charlie informs me.

I laugh at Shawn's role as the mom of our friend group.

"Well, alrighty then. Let's go."

. . . . .

"Why don't you just let me wheel myself around once in a while?" I whine, as Charlie holds the door to the restaurant open with one outstretched leg and pushes me through.

"Because, I care about you."

"That doesn't even make sense Charlie." He scoffs.

"Yeah it does, because if I let you do that, then you're going to get some freaking ripped arm muscles, and then your body would be proportioned all weird. I don't want you to look like Joe from Family Guy. I care about you." He reiterates

"Wow. You're an idiot." We both start laughing and he continues to push me.

The smell of rice and beans, and delicious queso dip fill my nostrils and my mouth begins to water. I feel like I haven't been out to eat in forever. I usually just eat whatevers at the apartment, seeing as that's where I spend most of my time anymore.