Nightcrawler (A Slimecicle FF)

SEVEN

Charlie's eyes slowly opened as light flooded through the curtains, and he was surprisingly refreshed. 

    He yawned and planted his feet on the carpet, standing to his feet before putting on his glasses and making his way to the kitchen. 

    It was already noon, so he wasn't surprised to see the spare bedroom empty. Her bed was neatly made, almost as if she hadn't stayed the night, but her snake ring was resting on top of the book that she'd placed on the bed. 

    What did surprise him was when he saw the slip of paper on the counter, and resting on top was a five dollar bill. 

    As he read what she wrote on the paper, he smiled, holding it in his hands. 

    For the leftover pizza I stole from your fridge this morning.

    Charlie chuckled to himself at the fact that she'd given him more money than a single slice of pizza was worth. He couldn't help but wonder how she made money, but he didn't want to think about it too much. She had her ways. 

    There was a knock on his door and he grinned, pocketing the paper and the money before rushing over to the door. 

    Charlie pulled it open with a smile. "Back so...soon…uh—"

    "Who did you think it was?" Ted tilted his head as Charlie's smile slipped off of his face. "So that girl was here last night."

    His eyes went from Ted, to Schlatt, to Cooper, then down to his feet. It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway.

    "Maybe."

    "He's just messing with you, Ted," Schlatt chuckled to himself. "You really believe this?"

    Charlie sighed and pulled the door open for them to walk in, embracing the chance to earn Santana's trust by shrugging with a smile. "You caught me. It was all fake."

    Cooper's eyebrows furrowed. "So Travis was in on it? Why the hell would you make that up?"

    "I dunno, I thought it'd be funny," Charlie sat down on the couch. "You know me and my weird sense of humor."

    He didn't look convinced, but he shrugged it off. Charlie let a relieved sigh escape his mouth and turned on the TV.

*****

Later that night, all of the guys were sitting in his living room, partially watching a movie but mostly having small conversations with each other. Travis was running late, so Charlie didn't take much notice when there was another knock on the door. He even let Schlatt answer it.

    Big mistake.

    He continued his conversation as he went to the door, adjusting his Yankees hat, but as he opened it, he went dead silent. Confused, Charlie turned to look at him, but when his mouth was wide open, he quickly realized what was happening and shot to his feet.

    "Shit," Charlie rushed over to Schlatt and looked out the door, but he widened his eyes when he saw her. 

    She was in worse condition than last time. 

    She was in the same clothes she was in the night before, but there were bloodstains on the grey hoodie underneath her jacket. Her cheek was badly cut, and she had the beginnings of a black eye forming right above it.

    "So," She shifted awkwardly, looking between Schlatt and Charlie. "I don't think I won this time, Glasses."

    She was trying to act tough, but she nervously looked down at her shaking hands, which were in very bad condition.