The Curse of Your Past // Charlie Gillespie

Chapter 23

I heard the door to Charlie's room close a while ago so I think it's save to go back into the living area and grab some water for the night. This tiptoeing around like I'm some intruder... but I kind of am.

This is his home and I have no business being here anymore. I should have just stayed at the club but selfish as I am I couldn't go. Even though we are not together he's here... even when he's not. It's his place and it makes me feel closer to him. I couldn't go...

On my way to the sink I can hear silent guitar strums from Charlie's room. I know I shouldn't listen but I can't stop myself. As quietly as I can I tiptoe up to his door and wait. For a little while he's just strumming on his guitar but then he starts singing.

This might be the last time I'll ever hear him sing... I know I shouldn't be doing this but I just can't walk away. I sit down infront of his door, my back pressed against it. It takes my ears a little to adjust to how quietly he's singing but after a while I can understand the words.

I wish you would trust me enough to just tell me the truth

I thought we were stronger than every battle we face

I know we could fight it but you just decided

That this is something we can't fix

A single sob leaves my mouth and I press my hand infront of it, hoping Charlie didn't hear it. I didn't even realize the tears streaming down my face. It just happened. The words I just heard... they break my heart, if there are even any pieces left that can be broken.

As quietly as I can I move away from his door. I get up and walk back into my room, my legs trembling. I crawl underneath my blanket, trying to use it to absorb the sound of my sobs.

"VICTORIAAAAA I'LL GET YOU!" I squeak and giggle while I run through Charlie's apartment. Of course he's faster than me and after a while I'm lifted of the ground. My giggle's grow louder and louder and I feel like I can't breath from all the laughter.

"You have to stop doing that! Let me down!" I try to say in-between the laughter. "You know the drill. Give me back what you stole and you shall return to the ground." - "This is blackmail you know?" Charlie lets out a small devilish laugh and for some reason my heart starts racing.

"You have a free choice here. Plus, you technically stole from me so..." I roll my eyes. I caught him writing a song when Jenny and I got back from the club but he refused to let me see it. Somehow I managed to steal the paper from him anyways. "Hey! I may not see you but I know you just rolled your eyes."

Without a warning I fall onto the couch. I'm so shocked that I loosen the grip of my hand on the paper I'm holding and it falls to the ground. Charlie grabs it so quick I don't have a chance. He places it in the back of his jeans pocket with a victorious smile. I'm still lying on the couch like a little ladybug turned upside down. I reach my hands into the air like a little child and Charlie takes them.

Instead of waiting for him to pull me up I quickly pull him down. He didn't expect that and lands on top of me with a small gasp. I don't give him a chance to regain control over this situation. I fling my arms around his neck and wrap my legs around his waist. Placing my lips on his I move one hand into his hair. Without any resistance Charlie kisses me back.

I wake up bathed in sweat. My cheeks are still wet from the tears and it takes me a moment to remember where I am. For just a moment I'm still so buried in the dream that I forget we are not that happy couple we were back then anymore. I fumble for my phone... it's only 6am but I guess that's better than nothing. I roll myself out of bed and head out of my room to take a shower.

As I open the door Charlie is standing at the kitchen counter. He looks up and the moment he sees me his expression turns sad. "Sorry. I didn't know you were up already." - "Vic... you live here too, you don't have to apologize for anything." The way he says my name... so filled with affection... it's killing me. I hastily walk into the bathroom.

As I look at myself in the mirror I realize I'm wearing one of Charlie's shirts. I completely forgot I put it on. I immediately feel bad. I fold it carefully and place it on a shelf. Once I'm done showering I put on my own clothes. With the shirt in my hand I walk out of the bathroom.

Charlie is still in the kitchen. Looking down at his shirt I say "Do you want that back?" He doesn't respond for a moment so I look up at him. For maybe the first time since I know him he isn't looking at me, he's looking at the shirt I'm holding in my hands. He shakes his head slightly, barely noticeable. "Keep it if you want."

I know I shouldn't but I can't bring myself to say no. For a while we just stand there, neither one of us saying anything. After a while Charlie clears his throat. "I gotta go to work." He walks past me, grabs his keys and just like that he's gone. I force myself to walk back into my room. When I enter I can see something on my bed that wasn't there before. I walk over only to find two pieces of paper in Charlie's handwriting.