𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 | 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗

Carla was my crutch. My lifesaver. We stayed after school, waiting for Pitts and Dalton to show up. I was worried that my father would be at the front doors, watching. He had work, though, and I was simply paranoid.

"Get yourself together. Your dad's not gonna show up." Carla reminded me, patting me on the back. "The only one to show up will be your future husband."

"Pittsie?" I teased. She rolled her eyes, knowing I was trying to deny my attraction to Charlie.

"You'll never admit it, will you?" She laughed. "Stubborn."

"Maybe it's because I don't have a crush on him." I replied, trying to come off smooth. It didn't work too well.

"Maybe." Carla didn't want to get into this never-ending cycle of blame and reblame. So, I was happy she shut it down.

"Are you and Pitts dating yet?" I asked, genuinely interested. They had been hanging out practically every single day.

"No." She groaned, slumping her body against the wall. "He's way too shy. Like, he gets so awkward. It's cute and all... I just, you know?"

"Want him to ask you?" I finished her sentence for her, and she nodded. "Yeah. That sounds frustrating."

"We already fucking kissed and he can't ask me to be his girlfriend." She spat out, clearly annoyed with the boy. "I don't get it."

"Maybe he's scared?" I replied, knowing ig I were in his shoes I would be terrified.

"Of what? That he doesn't actually like me?" I could tell she felt a little insecure due to Pitts' actions.

"Well, I guess that could be a possibility." She glared at me after I said that. "No, I mean. He's probably scared of change. I know I am."

Her expression seemed to soften a bit, accepting that possibility more. Carla was the last person to be scared by change. In fact, she always strived for it. "Why am I so scary?" She finally spoke, her calm expression now turning into something far more sad.

"Carla, not you." It was hard to watch her dig into herself. She looked to me, confused. "Change is terrifying, and being in a relationship is a big deal. Give him time. I'm sure he will ask you. Maybe he's waiting on purpose?"

"Maybe." She grumbled under her breath, folding her arms in front of her body. "I guess I'll wait for as long as he needs."

"How romantic." I joked, nudging her with my elbow. She glanced to me, smiling.

"Says you, Dalton do-er."

"What! I never did, Dalton!"

That was the worst time for Charlie and Pitts to walk into the school. The boys both burst out laughing, and my face turned red. Carla and I looked at each other and also began to laugh.

"What the hell? What were you talking about. Please, do enlighten us." Charkie walked over, leaning against the wall next to me. Pitts went to Carla. He was extremely awkward, not knowing where to stand or how to stand.

"Fuck you, Dalton." I said, shaking my head.

Charlie's eyebrows went off, and his stupid smirk appeared on his face. I knew he was going to say something witty and stupid. "Seems like it."

Carla laughed at that. I didn't. I just kept eye contact with him, smiling just the same. In that moment, I almost felt like kissing him. I pushed that thought of way, embarrassed by it. "Idiot."

"I know that's not the only word in your vocabulary." Charlie moved from his position, and began walking.

"Where are you going?" I asked, walking after him. He didn't say anything, even when I caught up to him. "Charlie," I laughed, subconsciously reaching out and grabbing his arm. When I realized what I had done, I quickly took my hand back.

"Pittsie wanted time with his gal." Charlie finally responded. "I knew you'd chase after me. You always do."

"God, you're disgusting." I scoffed. He was right, though, and I didn't want to admit it. He knew it to, because he quickly turned around in silence. He just watched me. My heartbeat started to race a bit. I hated being alone with him, but I also loved it.

"Carla said you had something to tell me. Spill." Charlie waited for me, but I couldn't muster up the courage to tell him what happened that night. Well, I didn't want to tell him what my dad made me do. "Y/N? Hello?" He waved his hand in front of my face.

"Um, my dad found me walking home firday night. He knew I was with you guys." I spoke quietly, but in that moment, I could feel Charlie freeze up.

"Hmm?" I have never heard him so worried, almost panicked. I suppose he was wondering how much longer he had at Welton. "Is he... uh, gonna call the school?" His voice cracked a bit. In any other situation, I'd laugh at him for that, but this was serious. He was sad.

"No. I made a deal with him. Don't worry, Charlie, please don't worry." I took his hands in mine. "I promise. He's not gonna call."

Charlie looked down at our hands together. He glanced back to me, his sad eyes soon turning into something else. Something I've never seen of Charlie. "Alright. Thanks." I let go of our hands. "Alright." He cleared his throat and turned away for a moment. Running a hand through his hair, he turned back to me with a smile on his face. "Are you alright? Thar must've shaken you up a bit."

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied. "I just can't attend the meetings anymore."

I heard someone walking the halls, and I glanced down one way to see my mother. Shit. My eyes were full of panic, and Charlie could tell. He ducked into the nearest classroom. I was so grateful for that.

Once Charlie was out of site, I acted as if I was walking back through the halls. "Oh mom! Hi!"

"Sweetheart." My mom looked at me, suspicious. "I just saw Carla she was with a Welton boy."

"Yeah, that's her boyfriend." I responded. It wasn't a full lie. They were practically dating now.

"Hm." She eyed me intently, and I couldn't breathe. "Why aren't you with Carla?"

"Mom! I don't want to be a third wheel!" I laughed, trying to come up with a good excuse. "I was just talking to a teacher," I motioned down the hall with a nod of my head. "I was just heading back to Carla."

My mom moved to down the hall, peering around the corner. She didn't believe me. "Alright, well then. I'm going home." She said, bringing me into a quick, cold, hug. "I love you, and be careful getting home."

"Yes mom." I replied, nodding. I wanted her to get out of there as soon as possible. As she left, I went back the way I came.

"Not to be offensive or anything, but damn your parents are helicopter, and that's coming from me." Charlie spoke as he walked out of the empty classroom.

"Yeah, sorry." My smile felt awkward. I didn't know what to do with my hands, so I shoved them in my coat pockets.

"Why are you sorry?" Charlie asked, coming over to me. He put an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a side hug. "You say that too much. You didn't do anything."

I shrugged, letting out a laugh. "Sorry." When I apologized again, he shook his head.

"You're impossible." He spoke, moving his arm from around me. "Come on." He lead the way outside.