Vanishing Lake

Volume Two

The rest of the drive was quiet and awkward apart from the occasional smug remark from Marco and rarely, Charlie spitting back insults. Charlie glared out of the muggy window as they passed by the dirty lake signaling how close the school was. He changed the tapes on his walkman from "Mixtape 7" to "Mixtape 3" with Tenderness by General Public starting off the playlist. "Drop me off here, I'll walk the rest of the way. And don't bother picking me up either." Marco shook his head. He paused his walkman. 

"You're relentless, you know that? Mom said if I can safely get you to and from wherever you need to go for a week, she'll tack off a week from my four-week grounding. Let me take you there and back for this week and I'll give you all the quarters you and your freaky little imaginary friends need for when you go to the arcade this weekend." Charlie looked at him. He knew Marco didn't have an amazing streak of keeping his promises and why would he need Marco's bribe money anyway? He could just mow Mr. Darly's lawn and he'd be set. He sighed and undid the lock. He opened the door and quickly took his bike out from the back of the car. "Come on! Charlie, please! Seriously, dude!" He rolled down his window as Charlie passed and grabbed his arm. "Charles, please. Just let me drive you for this one week. Okay?" 

He broke free from Marco's grip, mounted his bike, and pedaled as fast as his twig legs would take him. He knew Marco would follow him but it was fine. He knew Danny would be there early as always and with his muscular build, he could scare Marc off. He unpaused his walkman, pumping harder as he rounded a turn. He could see the light-up sign of the school ahead. He stole a glance, noticing Marco's license plate around the corner in his peripheral vision. Jesus, what's it gonna take to get rid of this bitch? His legs began feeling weak so he slowed down as he remembered he forgot to take his iron pill. He'll take it when he gets to school, it's okay. "♪ Where is the tenderness?♪" Dave Wakeling sang in his headphones. 

Charlie squinted his eyes shut and took a deep breath. His eyes were open now, struggling to stay that way. "Okay. You're gonna speed up and make it to the school." He thought as his knees shook slightly. "3. 2. 1. Ready? GO!" He stood up on his bike and moved his legs as quickly as his muscles would let him without falling. The speed at which he was going was making Charlie's eyes water so he forced them shut. He heard the faint sound of his older brother's car behind him getting quieter and quieter as the entrance to the school parking lot approached. He opened his eyes and slowed down. Taking deep breaths and using the soles of his shoes as brakes, he noticed Daniel applying a fresh coat of white paint to the fence around the school. 

He steadily walked his bike up to Danny and hugged him. He was so tired, he thought he could pass out on the spot. "Oh hey, Char!" Danny happily wrapped his arms around Charlie's waist. "Can I-I borrow this for a quick second?" He pointed at Danny's plastic water bottle. "Um, sure." Danny nodded and let go of his waist. Marco's car pulled up to the lot. Charlie dug through his bag until he found his prescription bottle. His unsteady and sweaty hands slipped a couple of times but eventually, he managed to open it, and out fell 2 orange pills, then popped them in his mouth and took a swig of water. "Thanks..." He mumbled softly as he noticed the familiar brown car parking. Zipping up his bag, he started walking back inside. "Yeah, no problem." Danny flashed a friendly grin at his favorite boy. "Hey, where are you going?" Class wasn't supposed to start for another 20 minutes and Danny still needed help with the fence. Not noticing Marco's car sitting in the parking space, he was practically glowing with confusion. "Okay then..." He sighed and went back to his work. Charlie struggled to swing the door open. His lightheadedness was taking a toll on him not to mention the fatigue. Anemia is a bitch. He trudged into the school and sat down on a bench outside of the nurse's office. It's just one more day of school, it can't be horrible.

His vision went in and out of focus and his breathing hitched. Why do pills take so long to kick in? "Hey, are you all right?" Teddy. He seemed... concerned. Charlie rubbed his eyes. "Mmm..." He nodded and yawned. "You're just... super pale. Did you remember to take your iron pills?" Teddy placed his hand on Charlie's shoulder. He nodded again. Teddy looked around. "Do you want me to go get anyone? The nurse?" He shook his head. His breath steadily slowed and he started to see things in a less blurry film. "Here..." Teddy dug through his backpack until he found his reusable water bottle. "Drink this." He pushed the bottle into Charlie's hands and unscrewed the top for him. Charlie shakily lifted the water bottle to his lips and took slow, steady sips.

"You sure you're okay?" Teddy put his hand on Charlie's neck, worried for his best friend. "Yeah," Charlie muttered over his breath, sitting up straight. "I-I'm good." Teddy hugged Charlie and then checked his watch. "We've got about 10 minutes, do you want to go grab something from the cafeteria?" Teddy got up and sat on the bench. Charlie grabbed onto the armrest the best he could and stood up. He took deep breaths and tried to let go even though his knees felt like they would snap like a fucking subway cookie. "Here, I'll help you." He got up and wrapped an arm around Charlie's. "Get up too fast?" Teddy chuckled and put Charlie's left arm around his shoulder. Charlie sighed and nodded. They started walking and Charlie's legs felt like lead. He heard some kids whispering things like "Fucking fairies." as they passed but he brushed them off. 

Charlie removed his arm from Teddy's shoulder to try and walk on his own. "You sure?" Teddy asked, still holding onto Charlie's upper torso. "Mhm." Teddy's hand withdrew from Charlie's waist and Charlie began limping through the halls towards the cafeteria with Teddy refusing to leave his side. The two teens entered the room and were immediately greeted by Jackie and Tommy from grade 11 making out on a bench right next to a table. "Sit." Teddy ordered as he pushed Charlie on another bench. Charlie dug through his bag until his hand met a squiggly smooth noodle-like object. He pulled out the Tangle and began messing with it. 

Teddy came back with a small plastic container filled with tater tots and ketchup, accompanied by a chocolate milk container. "Here ya go." Teddy opened the plastic box for him and replaced the Tangle with it. "Help yourself." He grinned but Charlie could see gleaming red hair peaking out from behind Teddy. "Oh, and look who I found!" Teddy moved a couple inches revealing a trembling and very anxious Ruby Slora. "O-oh good morning, Ruby!" Charlie's face lifted in a cheerful smile. Teddy (very stealthily) coughed and put his hand up to his face to cover the blush splattered across his cheeks.