Charlie's POV
What just happened? I'm so confused. What did I just do? It was like I blacked out or something, but didn't pass out. I then looked down at a bloody nosed Austin laying on the ground in the fetal position holding his nose. Did I just punch Austin? I know I was really mad but did I really just do that?
The next thing I know Austin gets up and is running to the office. Uh oh. I'm in big trouble. Why did I do that? I'm so stupid! But I mean it wasn't my fault entirely. Austin did start this whole mess. But I know I'm in trouble. So, I sat on the floor against the lockers, waiting for a fuming Principal Rogan to scold me and give me detention.
And that's exactly what happened. Principal Rogan picked me up by my shirt and dragged me to the nurse. Austin was sitting on one of the beds and I sat in a chair, waiting to get my bruised and bloody knuckles bandaged.
While I waited, the bell sounded to signal that first period was over and that we had a 10 minute break to get our things and get to our next classes. Then, Willow came in the room.
"Charlie!" Willow exclaimed with shock and a hint of anger. By now Austin had left and went home to go get his nose checked out by a doctor. "I can't believe you would do that!" Willow scolded. I just stared down at my shoes. Willow let out an angry sigh and grabbed some rubbing alcohol, some wrap, and some cotton.
Willow sat next to me and grabbed the hand I punched Austin with. While Willow cleaned and wrapped up my knuckles she kept lecturing and scolding me.
"Why would you do that Charlie? I told you that we were trying to get him to back off, not break his face!" Willow told me. "Willow, I'm sorry, okay? He started this whole fight. He hit my shoulder. I asked why he did that and he told me to stay away from you. I told him I was your boyfriend and that he should be the one to stay away. He said make me and the next thing I know he's on the floor with a bloody nose. It felt like I blacked out. I didn't know what I did until I looked at my knuckles. I'm sorry." I explained sincerely to WIllow.
Willow stopped what she was doing and looked me straight in the eyes with her crystal blue ones. "You fought for me?" Willow asked. I nodded. "Aww, Charlie! You don't have to do that. I can stand up for myself, you know? I'm not a helpless little puppy." Willow told me. "I know... I just couldn't stand it anymore. Austin was being a jerk and.. well I care about you, you know? I really do. And I wouldn't want him near you. I guess I just wanted to make the message clear or something..." I told her.
Willow looked down and continued wrapping my hand and let a giggle escape. "Thank you. What you did wasn't the best choice, but thank you. I care about you too. You're like my-" but Willow was cut off by her own coughing. Once she was done she finished her sentence. "Brother. You're like my brother." Willow told me smiling. Then she finished wrapping my hand.
Whoa. Brother? I'm like her brother? No, no, no, no, no. She did not just bro-zone me. No way! She couldn't have! But she did... Man, this is bad news. Really bad news. I need to get out of this bro-zone quick, or it's game over. I know it sounds cliche and everything but this really stings and I gotta stop it quick. But how? What if Willow doens't feel the same way? I can't just confess my full on love to her. She would turn me down and everything would be awkward and downhill from that point and on. What am I going to do?
"Charlie?" Willow said, waving her hand in front of my eyes and knocking my horrible thoughts away. "What? Sorry... I, uhm, spaced out. Sorry." I replied quickly. Willow rolled her eyes and smiled. Then she grabbed my hand which shot tingles up my arm. Then again that could be pain... "Let's go. We're gonna be late."
As we walked out, Willow was still holding my hand. "Austin's not here. You know we don't have to act like a couple now." I told her, even though I wanted her to keep holding my hand for the rest of the day. Or forever. Okay I sound weird. Or in love... Whatever! "Yes Charlie, we do. What if people find out we're faking and then rumors will spread and then Austin will go for the rebound. Sorry but you're gonna have to hold my hand." Willow replied, her last statement dripping with sarcasm. I let out a chuckle and rolled my eyes. "Ugh, such a pain holding hands. I'm simply to lazy." I reply, also with sarcasm. Willow giggled and we kept walking, holding hands, down the hallway towards our lockers.
When we were almost to our lockers we noticed our little gang was there. Jess's glance immediately shot down to our hands and she gave a happy and surpised smile. Everyone followed her gaze and everyone else, too, gave the same expression.
"Finally do the deed, Charlie?" Jess asked me. Oh no. She's gonna blow my secret in a matter of seconds if I don't speak up.
Let me just fill you in on something. Jess and everyone else but Willow know that I like Willow. A lot. And they keep urging me to ask her out or at least talk to her about boyfriends. Willow must have forgotten to tell them about our little plan with Austin. Crap!
"What the heck are you talking about Jess?" Willow asked her. Jess shot me a confused look and I quickly shook my head, luckily without Willow noticing. "Uhm, I was kidding. You know I've teased you guys about dating before." Jess replied. Willow just rolled her eyes and opened her locker.
"Charles," Jess knew I hated it when she called me that. But I could tell she was trying to act funny and casual. "Would you please talk with me for a sec?" She asked. I nodded and we walked over to the drinking fountain. "What the heck Charlie? Why would you be holding her hand and not dating?" Jess asked, giving me a punch in the arm. "First of all, ow! Second of all, Austin keeps bugging her so she asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend to get him to leave her alone. Austin knows we're pretty close so she picked me to be her fake boyfriend." I explained. "Ugh, you need to hook up with that girl before she gets hooked. Understand? I will tell everyone else what the deal is and if Willow asks, I will tell her you told us about your little Austin situation." Jess told me in a matter-of-fact tone for whatever reason. I nodded and we walked back over to our group.
Although halfway there, Jess stopped me again. "You sure you know what you're gettin' into?" Jess asked. "Yeah. I'll be fine Jessie. Don't worry about me." I reassured her. Jess nodded. "I just don't want you to get hurt when this whole thing is over." Jess told me. I told her again that I was fine and we got back to our group then went off to our classes.
The truth is, I don't know what I'm getting into. But I do know that I most likely will be hurt in the end. But maybe I can change things if I have perfect timing. Girls are confusing. And so are feelings. And so is highschool. My life is a mess.
