A/N: I'm starting to run out of sour foods. If you can think of any, I'd love to know. Also, Clark calls Mrs Wellington Mrs Willy-ton, and I'm just letting you know that I did that on purpose, because a willy is a penis. Also, I hope you guys like Lottie, because I love her. also, dedicated to TinaTwister, because she made me a fabulous cover!

Chapter 16: Sour as a Rhubarb (Ben)

"You know, lately I've had to ask you what's the matter an unnecessary amount of times," Clark said, sighing painfully.

I whipped around from where I was pacing and scowled. "Here's a thought," I said flatly, "how about you stop asking me that?"

Clark grinned, looking way too pleased with himself. "Now, where's the fun in that? I find amusement in your little tantrums."

I was already annoyed, and now my best friend was just adding fuel to the fire. "I'm not having a tantrum!" I thundered.

"I'm not sure why I even ask you why you come back in such horrible moods. It's obvious it's to do with Charlie."

I paused, my anger coming to an abrupt standstill. I'd known the girl for what? A few weeks? And I realised that Clark was right. Lottie was the cause of my rising temper.

"What happened this time?" Clark asked patiently.

I looked at him, rolling my eyes. He looked like an eager therapist the way he was sitting. "You looking at me like that doesn't make me want to tell you," I said.

Clark gave me an unimpressed look. "What happened this time?" he repeated more forcefully.

I stared at him. "I went to the bakery and Mrs Wellington came in."

His nose wrinkled in disgust and understanding. That's why I managed to stay close with the bastard - he understood my situation better than anyone. "God, I always wondered how that crabby old hag managed to change the Miss to Mrs, but the Mr is just as bad as her." I nodded in agreement. "Did she act like her usual self?"

I nodded again. "Like she cuts the throats of puppies in her spare time."

Clark winced. "And in front of Charlie? How'd she handle it?" he asked curiously. Because that was always the deciding factor - people who agreed with my family and their horrid friends just to make a good impression on wealthy people, or even listened to their demeaning words with frightened rabbit eyes, pissed me off. I couldn't stand those types of people.

But Lottie...

I strode over to the sofa and sat down heavily, burying my face in my hands. I heard Clark groan. "Oh god, did she cry or something? Or did she offer Mrs Willy-ton free cupcakes to get her approval?"

I gritted my teeth. "No. Worse."

Clark sighed. "I really thought she was different. What did she do?"

"She stood up for me."

I glanced up, and noticed Clark gaping at me. "What the fuck, man? How is that worse? You scared the shit out of me, I thought she'd acted like a dickhead!"

"You don't understand!" I snapped, my fists clenching up. "It's worse because now I know that she really isn't a dickhead!"

"And how is that worse?" he asked, looking like he wanted to smack me upside the head. And I could totally understand why.

I gritted my teeth. "Lottie, the bird who lets customers walk all over her and offers her sweeties to small children, stood up for me!" Why couldn't he understand how bad this was? She'd even said I made her happy, and I couldn't let that happen.

Clark rolled his eyes. "Don't be such a dickass, Ben. That means she likes you, which is definitely a good thing."

"It's not. I'm a dick. She needs to stay away."

"And even though you're a dick, she's still kind to you."

"Well, she's weird."

"Look, Ben. I know you're hyped up on the 'I'm not good for her' shit, but she's good for you. She could help you be a better person."

Ladies and gentlemen, my best friend, who thought I wasn't a good person. Not that I could blame him.

I sighed. "She wants to be friends." Best friends.

Clark started laughing, and I stared at him in irritation. He had absolutely no sympathy for me whatsoever. I crossed my arms and raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to stop braying like an ass. When he stopped, he still had a cheesy grin on his face. "What did she do?"

I grimaced. "Laughed. All she ever does is laugh at me."

"Oh man. Never did I think I'd see the day when my Benny would be so mad that a girl friend-zoned him. Hell, I never thought I'd see the day that you were the one being friend-zoned! Man, this is rich."

I stood up and walked over to him, slapping the back of his head. "I fucking hate you. You're a horrible excuse for a friend."

He rubbed his hair and wiggled his eyebrows, not fazed in the slightest. "At least you don't have romantic feelings for me, friend."

Out of pure frustration, I kicked the back of the armchair he was sitting in. He went toppling forward, landing on his face with a muffled exclamation. I smirked to myself.

"Sometimes I really do think you're in love with me."

***

"Boo!"

I sighed and laid my Multivariable Calculus textbook onto the table. I raised my hands and wiggled the fingers. "Ooh, so frightening, ahh, save me, help," I said, my voice devoid of emotion.

Lottie laughed and sat down across from me, not at all offended. "Why is it so hard to catch you unawares?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"'Catch me unawares'?" I repeated, raising my eyebrows. "Hello, Miss English Major."

She rolled her eyes and gestured to my textbook and graphing calculator. "Hello, Mr. Smarty-Pants. I didn't know you were taking maths."

I shrugged, avoiding her gaze. I knew if I looked at her, she'd be smiling, and I couldn't deal with that so early in the morning.

"But it kind of explains your big head," she continued. "I mean, your brain must be huge."

My eyebrows furrowed. I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult. "I have a big head?" I repeated, bringing up my hands to cradle my head. It wasn't big. Was it?

She simply grinned, and I knew she was teasing. Of course she was. I bet she'd never said a cruel thing in her life, even as a joke.

Just then, my stomach grumbled loudly, and I closed my eyes, completely embarrassed. God, of course it would roar like a beast the second she sat down with me. I hadn't had breakfast that morning, because Clark had kept annoying me about Lottie, and I couldn't take it anymore. So I came to the library to study, but apparently I can never find peace.

Lottie looked at me, amused and concerned. "Do you want something to eat?" she asked, not even waiting for my answer before rifling through her bag.

"No," I said, my eyes narrowing when she brought out two apples and a tub of yoghurt. "Is that your food?"

She brushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled at me. "No. I started to carry around spare food because Ginny is always hungry. I swear, she's like a bear in the springtime."

"So give it to her," I dismissed, trying to ignore when my stomach howled again.

Lottie shook her head and pushed the food towards me. "No, eat," she said stubbornly.

"We're in a library!" I hissed quietly.

"Yes, we are," she said, raising her eyebrows. "But nobody cares. See, that kid brought Starbucks and that other guy is eating cake." I glanced around, and true to her word, people were eating all over. I looked at the food she was presenting me with. I really was hungry. "Take it," she said encouragingly. "You need to eat breakfast."

God. She was literally sunshine. "Are you sure it's not yours?" I asked again. I had to make sure, okay? She wouldn't lie to me, but if I ate her breakfast, I'd be guilty. She probably needed it more than me.

Lottie stood up and leant over the table, grabbing my hands. I was in such a state of shock from the feel of her soft skin, that I didn't even notice when she placed the yoghurt in one hand and an apple in the other.

"You're so difficult," she said as she sat back, her eyes twinkling. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll keep one of these apples."

I frowned at my hands, wondering when exactly she stopped touching me.

Oh my god, I was going insane.

"Oh yeah!" she squeaked, and I had to hold back an amused grin because the sound she made was so high-pitched and just plain weird. "Here's the spoon!"

She brandished a large, metal spoon, and I accepted it, not even bothering to ask her why she carried silverware in her bag. I paused just as I was about to rip the top off the yoghurt. "Blueberry," I read off the label. Blueberry was my favourite flavour, because it was more tart than sweet.

She grinned. "Because Ginny makes me carry her food around, I buy all the ones I like and she hates. Blueberry is my favourite."

I stared at her kind, open face for a minute, and then at the food she'd given me. For some reason, I felt my face slowly become warm. "Thanks," I blurted, unable to look at her.

There was a pause, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw the way she looked at me. It scared the fuck out of me, because sweet, friendly girls weren't supposed to hang around assholes like me.

But I was too far gone to care anymore.

"You're welcome," she said, in a voice softer than cotton.

Charlotte Carter was probably the first human in existence to succeed in the impossible - making me blush.

____________

In case you lot haven't noticed yet, this story doesn't really have that one thing that it's centred around. Like some have the tutoring thing going on, or maybe summer camp, or a prank war, or living with each other, ya know?

But Lottie and Ben are just two people who are learning the ropes of love, plain and simple. It's their awkward, cute, maybe heartbreaking (haven't decided whether I want it to be a bumpy road or a roller coaster) story of how they find the good in each other.

So...if you're looking for excitement and a definite, strict plot line, this probably isn't the story for you, because I'm just going with the flow. But if you want a light-hearted tale of two totally opposite people, then read on :)

Just wanted to put that out there, in case you were hoping for a direction!