SWEET TALK ── charlie dalton

xviii.

❨𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏❩
ITS GOD!

    The next morning I awoke with a headache. I let out a soft groan, rolling over in my bed. The morning sun streamed annoyingly through the curtains, reminding me I had to get up for rowing.

"How'd it go last night." Ruby spoke. I glanced over at her, watching as she placed her pearl earrings on.

"Horrible, awful." I groaned. "We got into an argument and then-"

"You had a panic attack, I heard." I groaned once more. Who spilled. "Don't worry, the boys told me this morning."

"I didn't even forgive him Rubs, I feel awful about it."

"Do you forgive him though?" I sighed, laying flat. I pondered in thought. Did I? It would certainly take some time to build trust again, but I did forgive him. I knew from his words, his tears and the others, that he his apology was sincere. Forgive, but never forget.

"I think I do." Ruby walked over to me, an unwanted smirk on her face."No no." I cried as she pulled my covers off. The cold air stung my body and I curled into a ball, trying my hardest to preserve any body heat I had left. It seemed the seriousness she held only a moment before had already disappeared.

"Come on, you have rowing."

"Can't I skip today." I muttered, swinging my feet over to the edge of my bed Ruby shook her head, tossing me my Welton sweater. A knock sounded from the door. The two of us exchanged a look before the brunette swung it open.

"Knox? What are you doing here?" Ruby asked her brother. He stood awkwardly at the door, his fingers scratching the back of his neck. I furrowed my brows, myself now coming to the door. The boy didn't even try to hold back his laugh. My eyes narrowed, knowing full well he was laughing at my disheveled appearance. Hey, nobody said I looked like a goddess when I woke up. I scowled. Knox coughed, averting his gaze to the floor.

"Uh Hager told me to get you guys. Emergency assembly." Ruby nodded, shooing her brother off.

"Do I really look that bad?" I asked once the door was shut.

"Besides the birds next in your hair and the dried mascara tears, beautiful." Ruby smiled. I returned it with a small head shake. "You better hurry though." She spoke, opening the door once more.

"Your not even going to wait?" I asked my mouth parting slightly. She shook her head, already halfway out the door.

"Sorry, can't be late Josie."

"Bitch." I muttered. Already out of bed, I grabbed a damp towel and blotted my face. Doing my best to remove the dried up mascara that dripped down my cheeks. Looking the mirror I stared at my eyes, the whites of them turning red from the lack of sleep and the tears that dried them out the night before.

I ran a quick brush through my hair, just to get it slightly flat, before shoving it up into a ponytail. I didn't have time to stroke each piece so that it was perfectly lain on my head.

"Sit." Mr. Nolan commanded. I bit my lip, sliding into the seat next to Ruby and my brother. My eyes wandered around the room trying to spot Charlie. I couldn't.

"In this week of Welton's Honor there
appeared a profane and unauthorized
article." I let out a small sigh, realizing what the assembly was about. "Rather than spend my valuable time ferreting out the guilty persons --and let me assure you I will find them -- I'm asking any and all students who knows anything about this article to
make themselves known here and now. Whoever the guilty persons are, this is
your only chance to avoid expulsion from this school." Silence. Silence stung the air, not a student or member of faculty made a sound. Patiently, or rather impatiently waiting for someone to speak up. I gnawed on my lip, my eyes once again searching for the brunette boy. Suddenly a phone rang, startling me.

"Welton Academy. Hello?" The air dried up in my throat as Charlie spoke, what was he doing? "Yes, he is. Just a moment." The boy took that as a cue to stand, holding out the phone, "Mr. Nolan, it's for you. It's God. He says we should have girls at Welton." A smirk rested on his face while Nolan's gleamed angrily.

From beside me Neil pinched the bridge of his nose, laughter filling the room. I gripped Ruby's hand as Charlie got escorted out by Nolan and other faculty members. Without a second thought I stood up, my heart beating loudly in my ears.

"Charlie!" I cried as Neil and Ruby pulled me back down. The boy looked back, blue meeting brown. He gave me a pitiful look before being ushered out the door. My throat closed up as I watched him trudge up the stairs through the closing door. He was going to be expelled, and for being stupid.

━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━

Thirty, or so, minutes later Charlie came stumbling around the corner. His face very clearly contorted in pain. I had been pacing around the hall, unable to stop myself from shaking. Even if I was mad at him, I cared, deeply. And above anything else I wanted him to be safe.

"You kicked out?" Neil asked, pushing himself off a nearby wall.

"No." Charlie spoke, his eyes glistening. A pang stabbed at my heart, seeing how hard he was trying to fight the tears that bubbled below.

"So what happened?" My brother pushed. I stood closely behind him, not wanting to invade personal space but not wanting to leave either.

"I'm to turn everybody in, apologize to
the school and all will be forgiven." Charlie explained, opening his door. I waited with bated breath as he faced the door, refusing to meet any of our intense gazes.

"So, what are you gonna do?" No answer, "Charlie!"

"Damn it, Neil." Charlie snipped, turning to face us. I could a see a small tear that trickled down his cheek, and how desperately I wanted to wipe it away, "The name is Nuwanda." He spoke with a small smile. My brother returned the gesture before Charlie shut the door in our faces.

It was silent for a moment and then all eyes turned to me. I bit my lip, an internal battle raging on within me. A sigh escaped my lips,

"Okay fine."

not gonna lie, I did not proofread this chap, butttt i hope you liked it anyways :)