Finding Tomorrow

3 - Charlotte

Hatred. It was the emotion that was rolling off of Blaire. Charlotte could feel it; it was nearly suffocating her. She never meant for this to happen. She wanted to protect Blaire. How did Charlotte know it was going to end up like this? She closed her eyes tightly, thinking back to last night to be sure there were no flaws to her plan.

She left Blaire’s house and sat in her car for a while, reading every page of the journal with flaming curiosity. It was remarkable, incredible; she couldn’t believe that all of these “visions”, as Blaire had called them, consumed a majority of her thoughts. They were bizarre, some embarrassing and personal, beautiful, painful, and anything else. 

Charlotte felt as if she could see the vision herself with the way Blaire had described them, down to the very glint of light that reflected off of someone’s hair. It was astounding. 

Charlotte had immediately went over to Theodore’s house, hoping that with him seeing the journal, he would release her from her current punishment, to show that what Blaire goes through was normal.

The page that had turned Theodore from wanting to release her safely back into the school, to tying her up in a white, padded room was the front and back section of constant “I’m not crazy” scribbles. Charlotte didn’t notice them. Theodore, however, suddenly changed in that moment. He told Charlotte to go home and be in his office in the morning. Charlotte never meant any harm. She only wanted to help.

Blaire will never see it that way, and even if she did, she made it very clear in her journal that she never, ever wanted anyone to know about them. She would have taken that secret to the grave. Now, Charlotte ruined everything.

The backs of Charlotte’s eyelids were burned with the image of Blaire lunging at her, her teeth bared like she was a wild animal. She could see the venom in Blaire’s eyes. Then, as fast as lightning, the cop had grabbed her and slammed her into the ground. Blaire didn’t say anything or even cry out in pain, even after the snap that made Charlotte’s stomach turn from her nose meeting the floor.

“What’s going on?” A panicked voice called out. Charlotte froze, her stomach dropping to her feet. She knew that voice. Oh, did she know it alright.

“Tyler, you need to go back to class -” Theodore began as he walked up to Tyler, but Tyler’s eyes were glued to something else. It wasn’t Charlotte. He pushed Theodore out of the way and dropped to the ground, brushing a lock of red hair out of Blaire’s eyes.

“What the hell is going on?” Tyler demanded, rising back to his feet with his fists balled, his knuckles white. “What are you doing to my sister?” He sounded vicious, deadly. Charlotte’s breath hitched. He hadn’t even noticed her. The cop was still restraining Blaire, though she hasn’t moved in several minutes.

“Release her!” Tyler snapped. Charlotte could see the veins popping out in his neck and forehead. He was about to flip, she could sense it. 

“Tyler, we can’t do that -” Theodore began.

“God dammit, I said release her!” Tyler was in Theodore’s face, towering over him like he were a child. 

“Tyler,” Charlotte whispered, though her voice seemed much louder than what it really was. His wild eyes met hers as he spun around in surprise. 

“What did they do to you?” Tyler asked in horror as he stepped over to her and dropped to his knees once again. His fingers began wiping the tears beneath her eyes and brushing back the random stray hairs that stuck to her face. He was so gentle. She knew he wouldn’t be like this if he knew that it was actually she that did this to Blaire.

“We didn’t do a damn thing to her,” Theodore answered for Charlotte. He sounded angry now and veins as well were popping out of his own forehead. Theodore twitched his hand and, on cue, the cop picked Blaire’s unconscious body up, placing her back in the chair. 

Tyler’s gaze never left Charlotte’s face as he examined her, his blue eyes searching every curve and plane on her. She stared back at him, her features stricken. The moment didn’t last long enough as he tore away from her. 

“Do you mind explaining to me what is going on, Theodore?” Tyler’s anger was back, his throat thick with rage. Theodore shifted uncomfortably in his stance, his eyes downcast. His mouth was hanging open as if waiting for a sentence to flow out from it. Tyler paced impatiently in front of Theodore, his eyes carefully watching their every move. No one said a word, or even attempted. The cop remained silent as well, as if he was being punished by his mother. 

Tyler’s agitation increased. Charlotte could see it in his face. His blue eyes were dark and nearly black, his usually pleasant mouth was now scowling. He was furious. 

“Why is there blood on your floor, Theodore?” Tyler growled, “Why is my sister’s blood on your floor?” His voice was rising, but still no one said anything. There was shame written on everyone’s face. Finally, when Tyler learned that he was not going to get answers from anyone, he walked over to the chair. 

“Blaire,” Tyler was whispered as he leaned over, touching Blaire’s knee as he crouched on his heels in front of her. She was watching him, her silver eyes lit up as if an angel has just saved her. Charlotte bit down on her lip as she watched the silent conversation. Tyler’s features were contorted with worry and when his eyes met Charlotte’s, his face turned stony. He knew.

Blaire leaned forward in her seat until her head was on his shoulder, her lips inches from his ear as she whispered to him. Charlotte focused hard, hoping to catch a word, name, sound - anything that would hint at the topic. But there was only the sound of the faintest breath.

Tyler kissed the top of Blaire’s head and stood up, taking her hand in his own. He didn’t look over in Charlotte’s direction, he didn’t acknowledge her presence. It was like she wasn’t even there, not even in his thoughts. Her stomach rolled again.

“Mr. Rooz, this entire situation is a joke. Blaire is going home, and I am taking her back. We will not be returning for the rest of the week,” Tyler announced. Theodore didn’t say anything back and the police officer didn’t even twitch a finger. “Oh, and when we do come back, Blaire will have classes with me.” Then just like that, the two people Charlotte loved more than anything else in the world walked out of the room and out of her life.