“We’re going to have to cancel your placement on the course,” my media tutor, Mr Stuart told me. I stared at him for a moment before looking down at the pile of coursework I’d just put on his desk. “I-I don’t understand. I did all the work on time,” I replied. Mr Stuart took his glasses off and sighed. “Charlotte, I’m sorry but you haven’t been attending classes or handing in work on time. And when I do get work from you, it’s barely passable. You were once my best student. But recently, you’ve been distant. In fact, it’s ever since that work placement at the studios in London. Did something happen there?” he asked me. I looked at the door of the classroom which was shut, stopping anyone from eavesdropping on our conversation. The poster explaining how to construct the perfect piece of coursework was curling at the edges. The colours had faded as it had been pinned to the back of that door for quite some time.
I closed my eyes for a moment before looking back at Mr Stuart. “Okay, thank you very much for the time you’ve spent helping me with this course,” I told him before standing up straight. I turned towards the door before taking a deep breath and leaving. My dad would go mad when he found out. Well, if he found out.
When I’d left college, I took my phone out and called Reece. We’d barely spoken for the past few days. I’d been ridiculously busy with coursework. And looking back, I regretted it because it had all gone to waste. “Hello,” he sang, clearly happy that I’d called him. “Hey, are you busy over the next few days?” I asked, only just realising how upset I was. “Uh, I guess, yeah, what’s happened?” he asked, suddenly concerned. “I got kicked out of college,” I practically whispered, trying so hard not to cry. “Oh, Lottie,” Reece spoke, “I love you, I really do but I have to go. I’ll call you as soon as I can. I’m sorry.”
Brilliant. Thanks a lot, Reece. I rang Chris’ phone instead and he answered almost straight away. “Are you alright?” he asked. “Not really,” I replied. “What’s up?” he questioned. “I just got kicked out of college,” I answered. “Oh, Char, I’m so sorry. Did they say why?” he asked. “Yeah, they said it was because I hadn’t been attending classes,” I replied. He was quiet for a moment before saying, “Do you want to stay with us for a week or so? I’ll come and pick you up.”
“Yeah, that’d be great, thanks, Chris,” I told him. “It’s no problem. You get your stuff ready and I’ll be there in an hour or so,” he replied. “I will. Thank you,” I said before hanging up the phone. I seemed to do a lot of going back and forth between Surrey and London. But I didn’t mind. I got to see my favourite boy, Reece.
By the time I’d packed for the week ahead, changed my clothes and rung my dad to explain what I was doing, Chris arrived. “How are you feeling?” he asked as he put my bag in his car. “I’ve been better but I guess I’m looking forward to seeing the lads,” I replied and he smiled. “Hey, we’ll make sure you have a great time to cheer you up.”
Chris and I stopped at McDonald’s on the way back to London, only to be spotted by some of Chris’ fans before running back to the car. “Have any of the other lads got girlfriends?” I asked Chris. “Yeah, Casey and Jake,” he replied. “Do they not come round to the apartments often?” I questioned and Chris shrugged. “Not really. Not as much as you do,” he answered as he turned onto the street where the apartment building was.
Chris parked his car in the garage before we both got out of the vehicle. Chris grabbed my bag from the boot of his car and the two of us went upstairs. “Did you tell them I’m coming?” I asked Chris who shook his head. My lips curled into a smile at the thought of surprising them.
Chris opened the door and we went inside the bigger of the two apartments. I was expecting to see my boyfriend sat on the sofa, surprised yet happy to see me. But that’s not what I saw. Much to my dismay, Claire and Barclay were sat in the living area. Reece walked into the room and handed them both a cup of tea. So now they were friends? What the hell?!
“Reece,” I spoke. He looked up and the colour drained from his face. “Charlotte…what are you doing here?” he asked. “Chris brought me to stay for a week because in case you didn’t notice, I’m feeling pretty down at the moment,” I told him, still annoyed about him hanging up on me. Before Reece could say anything, James came out of his bedroom and saw me. His whole face lit up. “Lottie, it’s so good to see you,” he said, walking towards me then pulling me into a hug. “You too, James,” I replied as he released me.
“I’m going to grab some pizza with Tom and Charlie. Do you two want to join us?” James asked, looking at both Chris and I. “Yeah, sure. Sounds great,” I answered with a smile. I knew I had to act flirtatiously with James outside of the apartments. And I knew it’d make Reece jealous and at that moment, that was just what I needed. I was annoyed and hurt that he’d hung up on me earlier, even more so now that I knew he was being so friendly with Claire.
Chris put my bag in Reece’s bedroom before leaving the apartment with James, Charlie, Tom and I. James slipped his hand in mine as we left the building. “Reece mentioned that you got kicked out of college,” he said, the two of us walking behind Charlie, Tom and Chris. “Yeah, I did. But I can always go back and retake the course some time,” I replied. “To cheer you up you can have anything you want from Pizza Hut. It’s on me,” he told me, making me smile. His attempt to cheer me up was the best. “Thanks, James. You’re a good person,” I said.
YOU ARE READING
Second Girl (Reece Bibby)
Fanfiction"I can't be second best anymore, Reece," I told him. Reece shook his head as if he was dismissing what I'd just said. "You have never been second best, Charlotte, I love you."
