“Well done, Charlotte. Found your fate.”
Charlotte was the quietest guest at Marina’s birthday party. The two girls had studied together at college. Marina had grandly invited everyone she could, but many of the girls had gone home to their villages for the weekend. Charlotte, shy and reserved, decided to take her up on the offer.
After all, she never went anywhere, and shed just turned eighteen too, same as Marina. Only, Charlotte hadnt celebrated her own birthday with friendsshe didnt have any. Her parents had convinced her to keep it simple, a family affair with just her grandparents over for tea.
“So whats the difference, really? Five or eighteenstill the same,” she thought glumly.
Of course, Charlotte loved her family, but she couldnt help wondering when shed finally feel grown-up and independent. When would someoneanyonenotice her quiet beauty, her gentle nature?
Charlotte dreamed of love but was embarrassed by herself. She wasnt striking like Marina or her friend Lucy. Those girls wore bold makeup and stylish clothes, sometimes even daringly so, earning disapproving glances from their college lecturers.
Meanwhile, Charlottes outfits were still picked by her mum, her jumpers knitted by her grandmotherwho sulked when she refused to wear them outside the house. They were old-fashioned, after all.
Tonight, Marinas flat was full of their college friendstwelve in all. When the food was cleared away and the dancing started, Charlotte slipped out and sat on the bench by the entrance.
No one noticed her leave. The girl was painfully shy around unfamiliar lads, though, truth be told, none of them had spared her a glance anyway. Maybe thats what hurt the most?
She checked her watch.
“Probably time to head back,” she thought. “Mum will start worryingI promised not to stay out late”
Just then, a lad stepped out of the building. Not one of Marinas guests.
He sat at the far end of the bench and sighed, staring up at Marinas second-floor window where music and laughter spilled out.
“You from there?” he suddenly asked. Charlotte nodded toward Marinas flat.
“So hows Marina? Dancing? Having fun?” he asked again, his eyes still sad.
This time, Charlotte mustered the courage to ask, “Why? Cant you hear them? Yeah, theyre having a laugh”
“Well, it is her birthday,” he replied. “Mine? Spent it sulking. Didnt even celebratejust tea and cake with the family. Like I was still in primary school.”
Charlotte raised her brows in surprise.
“Same here. Are you friends with her?” She gestured to Marinas window.
“Sort of. Id like to be, but she doesnt notice me. Didnt even invite me tonight, and weve been neighbours for ages. She knows how I feel about her”
He trailed off. Charlotte sighed in understanding, then suddenly said,
“Dont worry about it. I get it too. But whats the point? Nobody notices anyway. I just left in theredid anyone care? Might as well be invisible. Whether I exist or not, no one bats an eye”
“Come off it,” he tried to reassure her. “Though youve got a point. Guess some people are just unlucky. Like us.”
“No, not unlucky. Unnoticeable. Unobtrusive, more like. Maybe thats an advantage in a way. Theres freedom in it.”
“You think?” He seemed intrigued. “Im Will, by the way. And you?”
“Charlotte.”
They sat a while longer, listening to the music, occasionally glancing up at the windows. Each secretly hoping Marina might lean out, spot them, and call them back insideto dance, to laugh, to belong.
But no one came.
“Nice to meet you,” Charlotte said politely, “but I should get home. Promised I wouldnt stay out late”
“Let me walk you, at least to the bus stop.”
They cut through the park, chatting, catching themselves smiling at each other.
Will suddenly realisedhis attention pleased her. She liked it, needed it. He saw it in the blush on her cheeks, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when he admired her long lashes.
So he joked, told every funny story he could dredge up from his young life. Hed have talked all night just to hear her bright laughter, just to stay a little longer.
At the bus stop, Charlotte thanked him and moved to say goodbye, but Will wouldnt leave until her bus arrived. She “accidentally” let the first one pass and boarded the second.
From the window, she waved at Will like they were old friends.
He stood there long after the bus had gone, spellbound by this sweet girl with expressive eyes and dimpled cheeks.
Will turned and walked home, realising with a start that he desperately wanted to see Charlotte again. But he hadnt taken her number or addresswho does that so soon? Too forward.
The next morning, he rushed straight to Marinas flat.
She opened the door with a frown. “Not this again. Im not going out with you, Will. Ive told you”
“No, its not that,” he stammered. “I, erm need your classmates number. The girl who was here last night. She left something behind on the bench”
“Who?”
“Charlotte.”
“Charlotte? Oh, quiet Charlotte?” Marina smirked. “Blimey. Fine, hang on.”
Minutes later, she handed him a scrap of paper.
“Romeo strikes again. Didnt think she had it in her,” she chuckled before shutting the door.
Will clutched the note like a treasure and sprinted home.
He spent the day rehearsing what to say, nerves twisting his stomach. By evening, he finally called.
He asked her out againjust a walk, hed buy her an ice cream. To his delight, Charlotte agreed eagerly, as if shed been waiting. Her voice was softer over the phone, sweeteror maybe that was just him.
They strolled through the park, ate ice cream, and talked for hours. Their personalities and interests aligned perfectly.
“Next time, its my turn,” Charlotte said boldly as they parted. “But not the parklets go to the cinema. Fancy it?”
From then on, they were inseparable. Films, museums, even short trips once they were officially engaged.
Two years after that first meeting, they married.
Charlottes mother wept that her daughter was too young. Her grandmother disagreed:
“Well done, love. Found your man and tied the knot. Means its real. No need to keep shopping around when youve got a good one like Will. Hell take care of herwhat more could you want?”
“Quiet ones, eh?” their college friends muttered. “First to get hitched. And look at himabsolutely smitten.”
The newlyweds glowed. In each other, theyd found understanding, care, and the love theyd both dreamt of.
Years later, theyd smile remembering that bench by the entrancethe one that brought them together for life.
