Chasing The Sun

chapter 8

Hiding my feelings for Charlie was proving to be harder than I thought. I figured this out the next morning when I woke up and she was the first thing on my mind. Not tests. Not my family. Not Ethan. Charlie. She was my first thought. Honestly, I blamed Aspen. She was the one who had pointed out all these feelings to me. If it hadn't been for her, I would continue my life living in denial. That was something that I was perfectly okay with.

Aspen wasn't awake yet, which wasn't surprising. The sun was just coming up. I made my way over to the bathroom to get ready. I brushed my teeth and then climbed into the shower, closing my eyes as I let the water run over my body. I took a deep breath and found myself relaxing a little bit. Once I finished, I got out, wrapped the towel around me and then went to find an outfit.

By the time I was finished, Aspen was awake and making herself some coffee.

"I'll never understand how you wake up so early?" She rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Do you realise that you're going to sit around and do nothing while I get done and you know I take like seven hours to get ready."

I laughed at her rambling. "I'm gonna message Charlie and Damien and see if they're awake." She nodded and sat down, drinking her coffee and scrolling through Instagram.

I sent both Damien and Charlie a message, but only received one from Charlie. She had just finished getting done and was going to the coffee shop on campus to get some breakfast. She asked if I wanted to join her. I smiled at my phone and texted that I would meet her in five minutes. Grabbing my jacket, I headed out the door.

When I got to the coffee shop I saw Charlie waiting outside for me. She smiled at me and pulled me into a hug. I was slightly shorter than her and so my head rested on her chest. She smelled so  like roses and her hug was so warm, I didn't want her to let go. When she pulled away, I felt slightly disappointed.

"Good morning, Sunshine," she grinned.

"Morning, Charlie," I smiled back.

"You owe me some food, so let's get inside."

Charlie casually grabbed my hand, and as usual, I felt electricity shoot up my body. She dragged me inside and we went to grab a seat by the window. After placing our orders, we began chatting. We planned on going to the costume store to get our costumes when everyone was up and ready. I was excited for the party, surprisingly.

Just as our food and coffee arrived, I received a text message.

Ethan - I have some business in Chicago. I'll be there tomorrow morning. Love you, see you soon xoxo

I immediately started shaking, my anxiety taking over me. I didn't want him here. I was finally feeling better and feeling happier. I didn't want to see him. Charlie noticed that my breathing was getting heavier and I was shaking and scooted next to me, taking my hand in hers.

"Calm down. What's wrong?" she asked, taking her free hand and lifting my chin up so I could look at her in the eyes. I know it was ridiculous that I was having an anxiety attack, but I had been doing so well since I had been here. There wasn't anything to worry about, it was all so far away and now my problems would be here tomorrow. "Just breathe, Nova."

She never used my name and hearing it come out of her mouth made me feel calm. I closed my eyes and started taking deep breaths. In through my nose, out through my mouth. After a few seconds, I began to feel better. Once I didn't feel like I was dying, I opened my eyes and looked at a very concerned Charlie.

Well, that was embarrassing, I thought to myself.

"Wanna tell me what's wrong?" she asked, her voice gentle and reassuring.