It feels really strange standing outside Natalie's house and not using the key. I don't know if things would get sorted, but I was hoping they would. I ring the doorbell.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The day had been a long one and I had just gotten home not too long ago. There were so many things that needed to be done, and I didn't want to do any of them. I did put in a load of laundry, only because I wouldn't have anything to wear to work tomorrow if I didn't. As I was putting the clothes in the dryer, the doorbell rang. I figured it had to be a salesperson or something and I really didn't want to be bothered with them. I finished putting my load in and then went to see who it was.

"Charlie..." I said surprised

"Hi, Natalie. How are you?"

“Uh, I’ve been better. And you?”

"Oh, absolutely fantastic...not. I'm trying to deal with things"

"I know what you mean." I did know what she was going through. I had had been cheated on before and I knew mostly how she must be feeling. On the other hand, it felt awkward being in the same room with her, trying to be the friends we used to be. We weren't and I knew it. It was my own fault; my mistake, that I would probably regret for the rest of my life. I knew she must have a few choice words to say to me, so I figured we might as well get it over with now.

"Listen Charlie, maybe you should sit down."

"Sure, thanks"

"First off, why are you being so nice to me? I'm actually surprised that you even came over here. I know you absolutely hate me right now and have a few choice words you want to to say, so please.. just say it..."

"I don't hate you, Natalie. I'm devastated and I moved out so that I wouldn't end up hating you. I'm still trying to figure out why it happened. I guess a part of me always knew that Brian and I were never going to last. Maybe, it was supposed to happen this way"

"No, it wasn't. This was never supposed to happen. I should never have gone over there in the first place. You two would still be together if I hadn't done what I did. I should have kept my problems to myself and then we wouldn't be in this mess. I promise, I wasn't trying to take him from you."

"And, I believe that, but it takes two people to cheat and I know that a part of Brian wanted it. I let both of you down, because I should have been there and I wasn't, but...but I can't forgive him. He's destroyed my trust in him, but we can try and salvage our friendship. I don't want to lose you"

“I want that too.. But, how come you can seem to forgive me and not him? Charlie, Brian loves you."

"All the more reason that he should have known better. If he really loved me, he wouldn't have cheated, even under the influence of alcohol. You and I promised each other that we'd never fall out over a guy and although we're not living together, I wanna keep that promise. You'll always be the sister I never had"

"I don't feel like that. I would love that, but I feel so guilty"

"Natalie, don't feel guilty. You needed someone and I wasn't there for you"

"Yeah, but that's shouldn't have been an excuse. Plus, to be honest, Charlie, I came onto him.."

"It's not important anymore, Natalie. If Brian and I can sort things out one day, then so be it. But, I'd like us to be friends again"

"Me too.. I'm so sorry, Charlie.." giving her a hug

I hug her back. "I'm sorry too. listen, I gotta go. I've got class soon, but we'll hang out soon?"

"Yeah, sounds good. Bye"

"Take care. Bye"