Charlotte's hair was a mess when she sat herself up from the mused sheets. After popping her back, her tired brown eyes rested on the phone next to the bedside. She flipped the charger out and immediately began searching through the messages from the night prior.
Charlotte almost heaved a sigh of relief when no new messages were sent from the unknown number before throwing herself off the bed and walking out of the bedroom.
Her morning routine was always rushed from waking up late; always switching the alarm on snooze and not bothering to focus on the time. Charlotte's clothes were casual, dressing in a plain fitted t-shirt and baggy gray sweatpants. Her hair was set up in a loose ponytail with bangs and baby hairs sticking from the front.
The arrival to school was like any other day, but she felt oddly on edge.
'I saw you today'
The message clung to the back of her mind. It wasn't comforting knowing someone was watching her from a distance and not giving the decency to show their face.
The hallway felt long and lonely given the fact she was already late to her first period and most of the students were already in class.
Charlotte flinched when she heard an unfamiliar voice call from behind, "Hey!"
Turning towards the sound, she tilted her head slightly when a shorter boy walked towards her frozen form.
"Hey.." Charlotte hesitated, tone questioning, "Is there something you need?"
The boy shook his head, dark hair following the movement, "Nah, I was just wondering if you knew where Mrs. Sunderlands' room was. I just transferred classes and I've never been to this hall before."
She perked up, "Oh, I'm actually headed there right now. We're both going to be pretty late, though."
He quirked a smile and raised a hand up to the strap of his backpack, "That's fine, I thought that would happen anyway.. 'Been here for years and I still have no idea where some classes are."
She gave a soft smile before motioning to follow her, turning away from the boy, "I'm Charlotte, if you wanted to know."
"I'm Moni Harper, I've never seen you around before."
Charlotte stopped in her steps, eye twitching slightly.
Moni Harper.
The Moni, famous at the high school for his charm and humor. An untouchable who took pride in his friend group and never let many get too close. How couldn't she have noticed?
"O-oh!" She stuttered before he rose an eyebrow, "Yeah, I don't get around the school much. I kinda keep to myself, I guess."
He hummed while turning to look ahead, "I get that."
The rest of the walk was mostly quiet, both of the students making small talk with small answers. Charlotte stopped in front of a closed brown door and raised her arm, knocking slightly on the wood, "We're here, Mrs. Sunderland is pretty chill, just make sure you aren't too late with turning in assignments."
Moni turned towards her with a nod and a smile which Charlotte returned, "Thanks for showing me, probably wouldn't have gotten here without your help."
She chuckled, "Well, I was headed here anyway, right? I'd be a dick if I didn't let you tag along."
They entered into the room, counting tardy for algebra.
-
Sitting at lunch was always the highlight of her school day. She could look around the busy room without a care and gossip with her friends about random incidents throughout the week.
"Did you hear what happened today," Nessa announced calmly, grabbing at her ( possibly spoiled ) chocolate milk, "Apparently Aidan and his boy hooked up in the bathroom; some kids even caught them on video coming out. Who fucks in the boys restroom?"
All three of the girls looked around the room, eyes catching on a tall boy with curly hair entering the cafeteria.
They turned around quickly when he looked their way.
"Doesn't look like it," Tia muttered.
A feeling ran down Charlotte's body telling that someone was watching her. She whooshed around, hair flipping over her shoulder. Brown eyes met brown, and the boy looking smiled in return.
Moni sat with his usual group, but someone else caught her eye. Sitting next to him was a beautiful girl with curly brown hair. Her eyes, a deep brown, followed Moni's hand as he pointed towards Charlotte's table. The two girls' gaze locked, and they stayed fixed even when her friend looked away.
Charlotte's eyebrows furrowed when the the girl tilted her head the slightest bit, showing off the pretty curve of her neck and the gold pendant necklace adorning it.
"I.. uh-," she stumbled over her words, turning back towards her table, "going to the bathroom, see you guys in a bit."
Charlotte didn't wait for a response as she grabbed her bag, noting to pick up her lunch when she returned. Her pace was quick as she looked around for the small door to the girl's restroom, and pivoted when she almost missed it.
A flush crept up her neck as she thought back to the girl at Moni's table, and quickly tried to dismiss it by splashing cool water on her face over the sink.
"You seem a little stressed," A smooth voice rang out through the bathroom, and Charlotte twitched as she shut off the sink.
"What's it to you?" She questioned, but once Charlotte turned she felt herself freeze.
In front of the door stood the girl, eyes blinking innocently up towards Charlotte. Up close, her teeth were white and blinding as she giggled.
"Just wanted to see what was up," she took a step closer, "I'm Gabriela, but I'd rather you call me Gabi."
"I guessed that's who you were," Charlotte turned towards the sink mirror, taking in her own flushed appearance and prayed to any god above that her skin would return to normal, "especially when you're friends with Moni, it's hard not to know."
Another giggle, and she saw Gabi press in close. Her reflection fit in tightly next to Charlottes in the small mirror above the sink, "Well, sadly I don't know your name, although Moni told me a few things during lunch."
Charlotte made eye contact with the slightly shorter girl, faces right next to one another. Her heartbeat stuttered when Gabi's eyes met hers to further down, stopping at the paler girl's lips.
She cleared her throat, willing her voice to come out decent-sounding, "Charlotte."
They stayed close, breaths mingling as they took in each other. Gabi bit her bottom lip, glistening pink disappearing behind her teeth before quickly appearing again. Charlotte felt herself swallow.
Gabi hummed when she took a step back, pretty gold earrings swinging along with her curled hair, "Well, it's nice to know your name, especially after seeing you walk the halls over the past year. Didn't think I'd ever get to see your pretty face up close."
Charlotte blushed impossibly darker, and the only reply she could give back was a stuttered out, "Uh-huh.."
Gabi left the bathroom, and Charlotte was left staring at the closing door, completely and utterly dumbfounded.
She looked towards the mirror and noticed her own crimson colored cheeks; quickly turning on the sink and splashing water over her face.
After, Charlotte grabbed her things and swiftly left the bathroom, headed back towards her table. She didn't see Gabi the rest of the day.
—
