Mandy: OMG Penny I got a callback for Cinderella!!!!!

Penny: That's so awesome

Read: 4;18 pm

I let my arms fall into my lap. I let out a breath, slowly.

"Hey why so glum Princess?" Charlie plopped down on the bench next to me.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, referring to the nickname.

"Princess. I thought it was funny." He pointed at my phone.

"Oh, right," I locked my phone.

"What's up? You look sad." He asked me.

"Just miss my best friend." I said staring at my lap.

"Aw but I'm right here." He put one arm around me, pulling me into him. He smothered me in a hug.

"Aughhh," I shoved him off of me, "Eyeliner." I said, checking to make sure it wasn't smudged.

"Oh, right sorry." He moved his hands to his lap. "So maybe I should give you my number, since you don't have it." He sounded nervous.

"Sure," I unlocked my phone and handed it to him, "Just text yourself so you'll get my number."

"Cool, cool." He took my phone carefully typing his number. He typed a quick message and saved his number before he handed it back to me.

Charlie<3: Penelope ;)

I smiled at my phone before looking up at him. When I did, I noticed Mia, Camden and Shay walking towards us. "Uh, I have to go," I said quickly. I gathered my bag and loose sheet music before literally running off and into the school for auditions.

"But-" He yelled after me, before cutting himself off.

"Charlie!" Mia's voice was high and flirty.

I didn't hear the rest of their conversation as I stood in the hallway.

"Penelope Taka- Tak- Penelope T?" One of the student volunteers called into the hallway.

I raised my hand slightly, walking towards her. "Penelope Takahashi." I clarified.

"Awesome, sorry for messing up your name." she took my forms, tucking them under her arm.

"Its cool," I smiled.

"I'm Claire." she smiled, "Okay so you'll go in, slate, perform your monologue, sing and we will contact you by email or text if you got a callback by four."

"Okay," I smiled and walked in.

"Good morning," One person from the council said.

"Hello," I said happily. "My name is Penelope Takahashi and I'll be playing Gina from The Audition and singing a part of Breathe from In The Heights." I slated. I stood up straighter as they all jotted things down.

"Okay sweetheart you may begin whenever you are ready," Ms. Z said.

I took a breath, getting into the character, before starting my monologue.

I finished Breathe, letting myself breathe (haha) in character for a moment. "Thank you," I smiled wide and waved farewell.

As I walked to my car I heard footsteps behind me, "Penelope!" Charlie's voice rang throughout the parking lot.

I walked faster, but I knew he was running. He caught up to me at my car as I was opening the driver's side. "What?"

"Where you off to so quickly?" He asked, breathless.

"Home?" I said, questioning his motive.

"So uh, I was wondering if maybe you'd wanna go get lunch?" He asked.

"Like a date?" My voice came off as disgusted even though I was just confused.

"Well, no not if you don't want it to be I just thought-"

"Sure," I said, stopping him from going on anymore, "why not?"

"Oh! Awesome!" He jumped in excitement. "Let me drive, I'm parked over there." He pointed to his red car, parked under a tree.

"Okay let me just grab a few things." I said. I opened my car, leaving the sheet music and audition materials in the passenger seat. I shut the door and locked it, following him to his car.

"Okay I know its not impressive for a first date but we always come here after a show." He said as we pulled into a 24 hour diner.

"Its fine, Charlie, chill." I laughed, "We could have gone to Subway and I would have been happy."

"You're amazing." he said quietly.

I smiled, looking at my jeans. " Thanks." I said, at the same volume.

"Anyway lets go eat." He said, getting out of the car. I followed him into the little diner.

"Its cute." I said upon entering the building.

"Only the best for my Penelope." He said, over-exaggerating the royal tone in his voice, making us both laugh, "Table for two." He told the hostess, laughter laced in his words.

The hostess led us to a little table next to a window. "Your server will be with you shorty." She said, returning to her station.

"The best thing here is the grilled cheese." Charile handed me a menu.

"I'm more into fish." I said opening the little menu. There was a section labeled Seafood. I looked down the list, spotting Fish and Chips. "Found what I'm getting." I said. I set the menu down on the table as our waiter came up to us.

"Hey guys, I'm Brandon, I'll be your server today. Can I get you two drinks?" He said happily.

"Yeah I'll have a water," I said. Brandon's happiness made me smile.

"I'll have a sprite," Charlie said, "Uh, if you're ready we know what we want." He added.

"Oh, yeah that'd be wonderful." He finished writing on his notepad.

"Okay cool, I'll have your grilled cheese with fries. And a small tomato soup." He told Brandon.

I waited for him to finish writing before I told him my order. "I'll just have the fish and chips."

"Tarter sauce?" He asked.

"Yes please," He nodded.

"Alright I'll be back with your drinks in a moment."

"So I never asked," Charlie started as Brandon left, "Where did you come from?"

"I'm part Japanese and-"

"No like where'd you move from." He laughed.

"Oh," I smiled, "I lived in Philly." I said.

"That's kinda close," He was obviously referring to my friends back home.

"Yeah if I had a job. I don't think my friends really miss me."

"I'm sure that's not true. Its not like they leave you on read." He joked. My face fell, "Oh, sorry."

"No it's fine." I felt my phone buzz and I quickly checked it.

Jasmine: Omg r u and Charlie on a date???

Penny: How'd you find out?

Jasmine: Word gets around

I looked up to see Charlie texting someone. He held his phone up, "Smile." He snapped a picture of me. "Aw, cute. Snapchat will love you." He said smiling.

I held up my phone, snapping a picture of him. I captioned it: 'Lunch date' and put it up on my snapchat.

"I had fun today." I said, we were sitting on the hood of his car in the school parking lot.

"Me too." He moved his hand over, taking mine.

"Oh! What time is it?" I asked. We both pulled our phones out, checking the time. "Callbacks?" I asked.

"I got an email!" He said excitedly. "The fall production will be In The Heights." We looked at each other like kids. "I got a callback for Usnavi, Benny and," He started laughing, "Piragua Guy."

I started laughing too, "Okay okay, I got a callback for Nina," I smiled, "and Vanessa."

"So we might be each other's love interests." He said.

"So are we a thing now? Or," I trailed off.

"I don't know." He said. "Maybe we should wait."

"Yeah maybe." I agreed. I got off his car, "I gotta get home." I turned on my heel and headed towards my car.

"Wait," I heard his feet hit the ground, but I didn't stop, "Penelope."

I stopped and turned, "Its Penny." I said coldly before continuing on. I slammed my car door and drove off, probably a little faster than I should have.

Charlie<3: Penelope please

Charlie<3: I want to date you

Charlie<3: Really

Charlie: Just not right now

I turned my phone off and tossed it across my room onto my bed. I turned back to my computer, typing away.