One second, Charlie had been dwelling unhappily about the lack of real family in her life, and the people she left by choosing to come to New Hope by herself. And now, her mind was reeling from the abrupt topic change and the particular question Rosemary had asked.
It was probably for the better. The farther they strayed from the subject of mothers and families and home, the better. Still... was this really the best subject to switch to? Her own feelings about her brother? The very idea had her blushing at the back of Rosemary's head, trying to figure out how exactly to respond.
The last of the remnants of outdoorsy things came freely from the fine hair and Charlie added it to the collection on the table. Now, the brush was moving all the way from root to tip without obstruction, and before she even registered she was doing it, Charlie's fingers began to French braid.
"You know, where I come from, people aren't nice like Royce is," she suddenly said. "All the people I've ever known... they liked to think that the problems in their lives were more important than the problems in other peoples lives. And they treat anything they see as an obstacle to getting the things they want pretty badly. Even if these obstacles are people. When I was growing up, I knew that this wasn't the way everyone behaved, that some people were different... but these kind of people were the only people I had known."
"But you and Royce are different. Even Doc is different, in his own way. And I like spending time with all of you, because it's not what I'm used to. Royce especially, I guess. I guess it would be lame for me to say he's super nice," she admitted with a chuckle.
"But he is. And very sweet. And always thinking of everyone else. Of course you know this already- you've only grown up with the guy- but it's sort of new for me. A good sort of new, though. Like, birthday present new. Or, maybe not exactly a birthday present, because you expect presents on your birthday. But more like... waking up on a random Tuesday and going into the bathroom to find a present next to the sink. The kind of present that takes you completely by surprise because you don't expect it at all. Bah, I'm rambling again."
Charlie polished off the braid and used the rubber band on her own wrist to tie it off, stepping away from Rosemary to let her stand up.
"Point is... if Royce were to... 'ask me out'... I'd like to say yes. But, at the same time... Royce has been the nice and sweet guy for you your entire life, and... I don't want to... I mean... would you mind if I said yes? If he asked me, that is? Not that I expect him to or anything but... will you let me?"