CHASING CHARLIE GRAY

42

"When you said you needed help with something this isn't what I thought you had in mind" Charlie whined, she was sitting criss crossed on the floor organizing my books into boxes.

"Well that's your fault isn't it?"

She squinted.

"Don't play smart with me, I'll leave you to pack all these alone" She gestured to the various items around my room that still needed sorting.

"I'll just get another girlfriend, they're easy to find you know" I teased and she jolted from the floor to stand behind me, arms circling my waist immediately.

"Are you plotting to replace me right now?"

"Never, I'm just saying I have options if you don't want to fulfill your duties as my girlfriend"

"So many threats from the one folding sheets" She let go, eyes rolling as she went back to packing the books.

"Hey! They're important too" I protested.

"And they're just about the easiest things to pack"

"I don't like your tone right now" I huffed.

"Whatever, I'm just saying"

"Yeah well say less" I teased.

"Ouch, did you just tell me to shut up?"

"No, I said say less" I laughed.

"Same thing" She waved her hand indifferently, eyes focused on her task.

"Let's take a break" I suggested and she hurried to my side.

"I thought you'd never ask" She mumbled dramatically and I rolled my eyes.

"We've only been doing this for an hour or two" I pointed out.

"That's too long to not be holding you"

We sat quietly in each other's embrace just thinking.

"I'm gonna miss you"

"Yeah, You said that already" I teased further and Charlie shoved me playfully before pulling me back to her.

"I'm serious, won't you leave me something to remember you by?"

"Like what?"

"I have a couple suggestions"

"Nothing sexual"

She paused.

"You just burnt through half of my suggestions"

I laughed and she smiled at me brightly.

I took the necklace I always wore off before clasping it around her neck and fixing her hair back into place.

"There, think you'll remember you have a girlfriend who's away at college now"

"Oh definitely" She agreed, fiddling with the chain slightly.

"Good, keep it safe for me?"

Her eyes softened and she slumped into my side.

"Okay" She said softly, hand moving to grip my own.

"Cool, so what will I get to remember you by?" I asked, playfully nudging her.

" Isn't my mere presence enough?" Charlie flipped her hair jokingly.

"No it's not, you won't be there with me" I deadpanned easily.

"I'll bring you some of my hoodies with an underwear or two wrapped in the pile for your convenience" She said seriously.

"Why would you bring me your underwear?"

She thought about it for a moment.

"You're right that's pretty useless, I'll bring the strap instead" I almost choked on my own spit and Charlie laughed at me.

"That's it, back to packing" I commanded.

"Sir yes sir!"

***
I never really considered the fact that when people asked me if I had a Wattpad I would have to say no💀
And that I can't exactly share my work with anyone irl except a couple close friends so y'all are just my little (big considering we hit 20k reads today) secret.

I went on a spree and wrote like three other chapters which is like half of what's left of this story, course I'll do an epilogue and maybe like a couple one shots in the future if you guys are into that??? Just lmk I guess.