𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 | 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚒𝚡𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗

It was the night of the play, and I felt excitement rushing through me. My parents were saying I couldn't go. They thought I was making up an excuse to run off to Welton again. I wasn't. I was serious this time. Though they didn't know the Welton boys were also going to the play. "Carla's picking me up in fifteen minutes. I'm going." I wasn't going to take no for an answer.

I got dressed up the best I could, even doing makeup for the first time in a really long time. This almost felt like a date with Charlie. Though it wasn't labeled as such. I was excited to Neil act. I knew that boy had talent for it.

"You're not going. Your mother and I said no." My father said as I walked down the stairs. I was already dressed and everything, and they wanted me to stay home.

"Im only going to the school, not to Welton. Dad, please." I glanced to my mother than back to my dad. "It's just Carla."

My mother gave me a sympathetic look, but my father was set in his ways. Finally, he spoke up. "No dilly dallying. Be home right after the playm you hear me?"

"Yes, sir." I replied, smiling. "Thank you!"

Carla showed up a bit after that whole fiasco. I yelled bye to my parents, quickly leaving the house before they could change their minds. When I saw in Carla's car, I looked to her. "Wow, Pitts is a lucky guy."

"I know." She blushed, fixing her hair. "I can't wait to see him. It's gonna be romantic." I laughed at how dreamy she was being. "What about you and Charlie? You're all dressed up."

"We're not dating, dumby." I replied, not wanting to start this again. "Come on, let's go."

She started her car and drove to the school. The whole way there, a pang of anxiety crept up on me. I wasn't sure why. I guess it was because I hadn't seen Charlie in a while. I was nervous. What? Weird.

We got to the school, and I noticed the poets were all seated together. Pitts quickly stood up when he saw Carla waving her over. Charlie, on the other hand, was in between two boys, so I wasn't able to sit by him. Mr. Keating looked to me, waving. I waved back awkwardly.

I sat next to Carla and Pitts, glancing over to Charlie, who kept glancing over to me. What was he doing? Did he want me to chase him again? "Boys, make room." I finally heard him say. They scooted over to create a spot for me to sit by Charlie and Meeks. I smiled, thanking the boys.

"Hi." I said as I sat down, looking to the two—one to my left and the other to my right.

"Hi." Charlie responded, not taking his eyes off of me. "You look really nice." He finally said, and I looked away quickly.

"Shut up, Dalton." I grumbled, though it was sweet of him to say that. I just didn't know how to take a compliment. I looked quickly to Meeks. "Meeks, Hi."

"Hi." He said awkwardly, not knowing what to say after Dalton made me flustered. "Uh," he finally started to speak. "I haven't seen you in forever. Charlie told us about your parents. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. We'll figure it out. I still want to go to the meetings." I responded, and Meeks smiled back at me. When Charlie spoke again, I went quiet.

"Yeah, we will, huh?" I didn't know how to reply to him. He had been acting weird recently. It seemed like he wanted to get in my head, but he hadn't realized he was already living there.

I was saved by the play starting, and Charlie was getting hyped. We had to hold him back and quiet him down when he saw Neil on stage. I giggled at him, finding him adorable. He was very supportive, and it was obvious.

Near the middle of the play, I felt eyes on me. I looked over to see Charlie. He looked away quickly as if he wasn't just watching me. "What?" I whispered to him. I heard him chuckle and look down at his hands. "What?!"

"Nothing, doll." He whispered back. "Nothing." He looked back up to the stage, but my eyes stayed on him. He glanced over to me, laughing a bit. "Now you're doing it?"

"Yeah, taste of your own medicine." I replied and quickly turned back to watch the play. I heard him laugh a bit more to himself, then felt his hand touch mine. Carpe diem. I let him grab my hand and turn it so we could hold them together. I felt myself go stiff, nervous about it. After a few minutes, I grew comfortable and laid my head on his shoulder. I could practically hear him smile.

The play ended with a standing ovation. Charlie and I were cheering Neil on like our lives depended on it. I was utterly entranced by his performance. Seems the rest of the crowd was as well.

By the end, we noticed Neil's dad standing near the doorway. Charlie looked like he was about to either break down and cry or break down into rage. I wasn't sure. Me, on the other hand, didn't know what to make of it. I put a hand on Charlie's back, trying to calm him down a bit. "Come on, let's go congratulate him."

Charlie nodded, stuffing his hands in his pockets and putting a smile on his face. He could mask his true feelings well, and I wondered how much he had done that. I suppose I could, too. We were walking out of the building to catch up to Neil. I caught his arm, and he looked at me. His face was full of worry. "You did wonderful." I quickly said, and he gave me a weak smile. That was the last time I had ever talked with him.

"Neil, Neil! You were great!" Dalton called after his best friend, trying to catch up to him. We managed to get outside, his father carving a path in front of us. It was painful and raw. I could feel the tension between the father and son.

I heard Mr. Keating speak up, calling after his favorite student. "Neil. Neil." He watched as Neil went over to the car. "You have the gift. You left me speechless. You have to stay with-"

"Get in the car." Mr. Perry shoved Neil inside the car, glaring at Keating. "Keating, you stay away from my son!"

Charlie stumbled out from behind me, watching the scene unfold, his best friend being shoved into the car. "Neil! Neil!" He looked to Neil's father. "Mr. Perry! Come on!" I could hear the hurt in his voice, and I had to pull him back from jumping in the car with Neil. Part of me wishes I left him go.

The scene ended with Mr. Perry driving away. That would be the last time I was to ever see Neil. He gave his final performance his all. Though, at the time, I thought... well, I didn't know what to think.

Charlie asked, Keating if they could all walk back to the academy—motioning for Todd to follow them. Carla and I followed, too.

"Charlie." I caught up to him, taking his hand in mine. "I actually have to go home. My dad was serious about it and-"

"I'll walk you." He said, glancing down to me. His face was soft. His eyes were soft.

"Carla has her car and she's-"

"Let me walk you home, y/n." He interrupted. I knew he needed it.