SWEET TALK ── charlie dalton

ix.

❨𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒆❩
I LIKE HIM

I stifled a yawn as I walked into Mr. Keatings class the next morning. I had fallen asleep in chemistry and barely been able to stay awake in Latin (which I had only stayed awake in thanks to Meeks hitting my desk every five minutes). Maybe staying up til the crack of dawn wasn't the best idea on my part. Not to mention the sickening feeling that resided in the pit of my stomach since last night. Neil kept stealing glances at Charlie and I. It caused an uneasy feeling to rise in my chest. I was certain Neil couldn't be that mad. It wasn't a big deal.

After the events of last night, before the meeting, Neil had been keeping an extra close eye on me. He was constantly looking back to make sure I wasn't doing anything he didn't approve of.

"A man is not very tired," Keating tapped on my desk, my head shooting up, "he is exhausted. And don't use very sad, use-" our teacher pointed to Knox, "Come on, Mr. Overstreet, you twerp."

"Morose?" The boy answered unsurely. Keating was full of energy today, energy that was not wearing off on me. I had missed breakfast, meaning I had missed my chance for coffee. My stomach also grumbled, reminding me of the misfortune.

"Exactly! Morose. Now, language was developed for one endeavor, and that is? Mr. Anderson? Come on! Are you a man or an amoeba?" He asked, standing in front of the boys desk. Silence stung the air as he didn't answer. "Mr. Perry?"

"Uh, to communicate?" My brother answered. I rested my chin on the palm of my hand watching as Keating wandered around the classroom.

"No! To woo women!" Charlie chuckled from behind me, "Today we're going to be talking about William Shakespeare." I sighed, not even something interesting to keep me awake. The others felt the same as me, letting out a collective groan. "I know. A lot of you looked forward to this about as much as you look forward to root canal work." I raised a brow at his analogy. He certainly did make teeth references a lot.

"We're gonna talk about Shakespeare as someone who writes something very interesting. Now, many of you have seen Shakespeare done very much like this: O Titus, bring your friend hither." He stuck his arm out, mimicking the many stage adaptations of Hamlet we had all seen. Some of the boys chuckled. "But if any of you have seen Mr. Marlon Brando, you know, Shakespeare can be different. Friend, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. You can also imagine, maybe, John Wayne as Macbeth going, Well, is this a dagger I see before me?" I laughed at Keatings impressions, the class turning out to be more interesting then I had previously thought.

Once class was over I scooped my books up in my arms and darted out the door. Instead of lunch, I much rather would go to sleep. A rough force grabbed my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. It was Neil. His brown eyes were filled worry as he stared down at me. I sighed, shifting my books in my arms.

"Are you okay Josie?" He asked. I bit my lip, studying his face. His lips were turned down into a frown and the space between his brows was punched with confusion.

"Actually, no," I spoke. I figured it was a better time then never to talk to Neil about his protectiveness over me with Charlie. "Can we talk?" I asked. Neil nodded, ushering me into an empty classroom.

"What's up?" He asked, sitting atop of a desk. I sucked in a deep breath totally unsure how to start.

"I love you, you know that," Neil nodded, "but I need you to back down." His brows furrowed, his mouth opening to speak, "I like him Neil." Neils mouth shut, his lips pursed. "And I know he's your best friend but- but I feel like a prisoner with you constantly watching me." I swallowed, watching my brother with a calculated eye. He stared at his shoes, seemingly in thought. My foot tapped anxiously awaiting for Neil to say something, anything.

"I don't want you to get hurt-Charlie, he's a flirt and a wild card and-" He stuttered, running a hand over his face.

"Neil, I'll be okay. You need to trust me." The boy swallowed thickly, giving a small nod. "Okay?"

"Yeah, okay." He slipped off the desk, giving me a hug. I squeezed my brother tightly. "I'll back off."

"Thank you." I released him. "Shall we?" I said, motioning to the door. He nodded, following me out into the hall.

"What's for lunch?" My brother asked as we walked down the steps.

"Spaghetti I think." The two of us entered the dining hall, the boys immediately waving us over.

"Where'd you two go?" Charlie asked with a raised brow. I slid into the spot next to him. Neil sat beside me, taking a large heaping of noodles.

"None of your concern Dalton," Ruby told him, throwing a piece of garlic bread across the table. It hit Charlie in the chest, making me laugh. Knox gave his sister a high five, ignoring the scowl Charlie sent her way.

"We just had a talk," I responded with a shrug. I took a piece of bread from the center of the table, buttering it.

"You just talked?" Charlie repeated, trying to read my face. I nodded, praying I didn't give anything away to him.

"Leave then alone," Ruby scolded. I shot her a smile, thankful for getting Charlie off my back.

"Did any of you read Hamlet for Keatings class?" Cameron asked, the said book open in his lap

"Nope, I read it in seventh grade." Knox told him.

"Do you even know the plot Knoxy?" Ruby asked her brother, raising her brow in a challenging manner.

"Yes of course I do!" He argued back.

"Who is Ophelia then?" Meeks joined in. I bit my lip in amusement as Knoxs face was blank.

"Or how was Hamlet killed?" Pitts added in.

"What? Do you not know, Hamlet expert?" Ruby teased, twirling her spaghetti around her fork.

"Well of course I do!" The boy said with a thick swallow. I shook my head in amusement before stabbing a meatball on my plate.

"Then who is she?" Meeks pestered, the three of them ganging up on the Overstreet boy. I laughed as Knox stuttered, his face growing red.

"Okay fine! Maybe I should re-read it." He exclaimed, slamming his fork down.

"Demerit Mr. Overstreet!" Mr. Nolan hollered. The boys snickered as Knox groaned.

"Thanks guys." Knox muttered, taking a bite of his meatball.

"No problem Knoxy," Ruby spoke, patting her brother on the back. Neil sent me a grin as Charlie scooted closer to me. I bit my lip as my brother was finally opening up to the idea that maybe Charlie liked me and I liked him.