Vulnerability

five: Nick

Today is Monday. The first day back at school for Higgs Sixth formers. I think it's going to be a little chaotic at Truham, considering we're now sharing with Higgs. It's almost the summer holidays though, so it should be fine. To be honest, I can't wait to start year 13. Charlie is gonna be in year 12, so we'll be together either way. Although i don't think he has much of a choice now. Charlie's older sister Tori is also going to Truham now. Not that she has any choice either. I suppose a lot of people will be going to Truham.

I pick Charlie and Tori up at quarter to 8. Tori doesn't really say a lot to be honest, so when she gets into my car without a word, i am neither offended or surprised.

"Morning." I say to her.

"Hey." she mumbles.

Charlie forgot his homework, so he went to go and get it. Tori takes out her phone and starts scrolling, or texting. I can't really see through the mirror. Charlie comes back and I quickly kiss him before we leave. As i'm driving, I notice out of the corner of my eye that Charlie is looking at Tori behind him. I manage to look behind me for a second and catch a glimpse of her. I'm not sure weather I'm hallucinating or just misreading the situation, but it looks like she's smiling. I've never seen Tori smile properly before, so it's kind of nice really. Although I might just be hallucinating. I look back at Charlie for a second and he's looking at me.

"You alright?" I ask.

"Yeah." He smiles.

Once we get to school, Tori basically sticks with us. She doesn't say a lot, only 'yeah' and 'Hmm' when needed. I don't really mind though.

I know Tori has had mental health problems as well as Charlie. Hers aren't as bad, well actually I suppose there's no 'worse or better than others' when it comes to mental health. But she's never been to a mental hospital, so I guess that's a plus. I do worry about Tori though. I can't help it to be honest. She's Charlie's sister. I care about her a lot, you know? I worry about Charlie too. He had a panic attack because he was worried about her the other day. It was pretty bad to be honest. I worry that if Tori is having problems again, Charlie's problems will rise again or whatever. I don't want him sinking with her. But I don't want her to sink either.

Tori's friend Becky comes over to us and practically drags Tori away. I could have sworn they were fighting. Maybe not.

Before the first bell goes off, Charlie spots Michael Holden and points to him. He sort of looks lost. Then again, he almost always does. Charlie waves to him, and he smiles widely and then comes jogging up to us.

"Charlie Spring!" He says.

"Michael." Charlie nods and smiles.

"How're you doing?" I ask politely.

"It's sort of strange being back here. I forget what it's like." He laughs.

"Do you know what form you're in?" Charlie asks.

"Uhh hang on." He says, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket.

"Hamlet 5?" He kind of asks.

"No way!" I say. "You're in with us."

"Ah! Excellent! At least I'll know someone." He grins.

"Yeah. It's kind of a shame that my sister isn't in our form." Charlie says. I have no idea what he's going on about, but judging by Michael's wide eyes and sort of red face, it's probably something that Charlie's teasing him about.

"I agree." He says, after quickly (and quite impressively) pulling himself together.

The second bell goes off and we all make our way to form. After a few denied protests, Michael goes to sit where he's meant to, and Charlie and I go to our usual table.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" I whisper to Charlie while our teacher is talking.

"What?" He asks.

"Your inside joke with Michael? Or is that not an inside joke and I'm just being dramatically dense?" He just laughs, then leans to my ear.

"I think he has a crush on my sister." He whispers.

"Oh wow." I say. "I did not expect that."

"Seriously?" He asks. "Wow. You really are dense." I lightly hit him on the shoulder.

"And the best part is," He's whispering again now. "I think she likes him too."

"No way." I say.

He smiles and nods.

"Hang on," I say. "Are all gay people really this big on gossip? Because right now I feel so invested. It's not even funny." I groan. This makes him laugh.

"Most of us I think." He says.

I nod.

Soon enough, the day is finally over. I hate Mondays. I think Tori agrees, judging by her half groan half sigh as she gets into the back of my car. Once again, I'm sat in the from with Charlie.

"Bad day?" I ask, turning to face her.

"Not necessarily a bad one. Just not a very good one either."

"Wanna talk about it?" Charlie asks.

"Maybe later." She says.

I keep glancing at Tori in the mirror as I'm driving, and I think she notices because she moves her hair to cover her face, not that it does a very good job. I drop Tori and Charlie off and then go home. To be honest, I just want to sleep. So I do exactly that.

HEY!! I'm sorry how this ended😭 I actually hate it but whatever, it's midnight, and I'm tired😭 anyways bye