Willow's POV
It's been about two months since I started fake dating Charlie and now we don't have to anymore. Austin stopped showing any signs of interest in me about a week ago. I just wanted to make sure that he was completely over it. I'm telling Charlie after school.
I'm really worried though, about Charlie. Lately he's been acting so depressed and sad. Not like when he needs to be alone and go to the piano. It's different this time. Usually, when he needs to go to the piano, he just seems deep in thought all day. This time, he just seems to be almost lifeless. I'm getting really scared so I'm gonna ask him what's up later.
My day went on as usual. Boring classes, annoying teachers, weird but funny best friends. Charlie avoided me all day. That's not normal for him. He's been acting like this for about a month now.
When I was gathering my books and my bag before going to the choir/band room, Jess came up to me.
"Hey Willow!" Jess greeted me. "Hey..." I said, still in thought about Charlie, as I stuffed books in my bag.
"Okay. What's up with you? You look like you have been thinking your brains out all day. Everything okay?" Jess asks me, now looking concerned.
"I'm just worried. Charlie has been acting weird for a month now. Like he's depressed or something. I'm gonna to the practice room to ask him about it." But as I told Jess this, a look of realization and fear came over her face. I just assumed she was as worried as me.
"Uhm, maybe you shouldn't... I mean, Charlie likes to be alone when this stuff happens, right? You should just leave him be." Jess advised.
"No. No, this is different. I'll text you later, okay? I gotta go." And before Jess could say another word, I walked away in a hurry.
I walked down the hall and before I opened the door of the practice room, I looked inside. Charlie was already in there, playing on the keys and writing down notes on a piece of paper. Just like every time he went when he was troubled. Everytime I saw him there doing this, I would turn around, and walk to my car and drive home until he called and told me to pick him up.
Not this time.
I took a deep breath, and opened the door.
I assumed Charlie didn't hear the very quiet door opening or closing, because he didn't turn around. He just kept writing on his music sheet.
I stopped once the door was closed, and took another deep breath.
I walked towards him very slowly. My palms were sweating. I had never once approached him when he did this stuff.
I stood a few feet behind him so that way I wouldn't invade his personal space or something. I just didn't want him to be upset... I wanted to be gentle and supportive and very calm.
"Ch-Charlie?" I stuttered in a quiet voice, wincing at my decision of even saying anything at all.
Charlie turned around and smiled. Yet, it wasn't his usual smile. It was like it was replaced with this fake pained smile that I had never once see before in my life from him.
"Hey Willow. Surprised to see you here." Charlie said in a mellow yet rough voice that made him sound like he was about to cry.
"Haha, yeah... I'm surprised I'm here too..." I said, looking down at my sneakers, afraid to look him in the eyes.
"So... what's up?" Charlie asked in an awkward tone.
Charlie has never been this awkward around me before. Never.
"Okay Charlie, I need to get something off my chest. I'm getting so worried about you lately because for the past month you have been acting so sad and depressed and it makes me feel like you're not telling me something and-" but I was cut off by Charlie abruptly getting up and hugging me tight.
This is so confusing. What's up with him? Did I do something to him? Did someone else do something to him? Did he do something to himself? I wish boys spoke their feelings. Maybe he will. Oh I don't know anymore! Never the less, I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him back.
When Charlie let go, he kept his hands on my shoulders and gave me that same painful smile again.
"And that painful smile! Charlie I'm scared and worried and I don't want you to be hurt. Please, tell me what's going on. I'm scared..." I tell him truthfully. I had to let this out or I knew something bad would end up happening.
"Willow, I'm fine. I'm happy you worry about me and that you care. That means a lot to me. It means the world to me, and that's one of the many amazing qualities about you. You care about your friends and even your enemies feelings. You even cared about Austin and how you didn't want to break his heart. I'm okay." Charlie was lying. I knew he was lying. He's always a dead give away.
"You're not fine. I know when you're lying and you are lying to me. Why would you lie to me Charlie? And by the way Austin's over his little crush on me. We don't have to act like a couple anymore. And right now, I'm kinda glad that we don't. I can't believe you're actually lying to me. You never lie to me Charlie! I gotta go. Talk to me when you're ready to tell the truth." I then stormed out of the room, and as I did, tears began rolling down my cheeks. I got in my Jeep and left. For once, I couldn't stand the sight of what I thought was my best friend...
