𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 | 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚢-𝚏𝚒𝚟𝚎

Tw: mentions suicide

The dust had settled, and I waited for Charlie to apologize to Knox. It felt as if they had been speaking for hours about various things, but, in fact, it had only been a few minutes. Charlie walked back to me, linking his hand into mine. "Still friends, I hope?" I asked.

"Of course." He said with a smile, though I could see that empty pit in him beginning to form again. Something was clearly gnawing at him. "Did Rhonda ever apologize to you?"

"No, but leave it." I sighed, not wanting them to go at it again. "It's fine. She can get that way sometimes." I glanced over to see her catching up with Carla. Maybe those two could become friends? However, they were basically opposites of each other. Charlie kept shifting his weight back and forth. "What's wrong?" I finally asked, knowing something was up.

"Nothing." He replied, smiling ear to ear. As he let go of my hand, I could sense he was lying. He went up to the group. "You guys wanna go somewhere now? Get some food, maybe?"

"No, I'm pretty tired." Pitts said with a yawn. "Been a long drive."

"My parents are expecting me. Sorry." Next was Meeks. He watched Charlie with apologetic eyes. Todd shuffled in place, lowering his head slightly.

Knox and Carla were the only to agree, oh and Rhonda, of course, but I was getting tired myself. Though, I would be happy to go anywhere with my friends. Charlie scoffed. "You boys go to college, and you suddenly act like a bunch of old men. Meeks! Todd! You don't even have girlfriends yet! You're the free-est you'll ever be!"

"Charlie, grow up." I hit him lightly on the shoulder, knowing he was only joking. Carla even looked to Charlie with a shocked expression, ready to kick his ass. Maybe her and Rhonda weren't so different after all.

He laughed, glancing around at the others. "Is that your final answer? We finally get Knox back, and you're so quick to leave him."

I saw Meeks beginning to cave. "Oh, fine." He sighed. "I'll join you guys." Pitts looked to him for a couple of seconds and then agreed to come along, too.

Todd was the only one left now. He looked sheepish, hanging his head low and looking for a way out. "It's okay if you can't, Todd." I said, not wanting to push him.

"No, it's not." Charlie shook his head and made his way to Todd. He put an arm around his shoulder. "You're coming with us whether you like it or not. What's another hour? Your folks can wait."

"Not really." Todd laughed awkwardly, his voice quiet. Charlie wasn't going to take no for an answer. So, he began to walk down the path, trying to convince Todd. I finally heard an: "Okay, fine."

We had all decoded to meet up at the diner that was near my house. Todd seemed to be the least excited to go. He only ordered fries, and he told me it was because he's supposed to be having dinner with his family. "Are you gonna get in trouble?" I asked since it was already dark out. His family was probably eating soon or maybe just finishing. 

"Probably." He laughed, looking down at the napkin that lay on the table in front of him. "It's alright. Like Charlie said; Carpe Diem."

I didn't smile at that. Instead, I glanced to Charlie, who was busy in conversation with Knox. "Don't listen to him." I said, looking back to Todd. "We won't be mad if you need to go. Seriously. He's just eager to get everyone back together."

"It's fine, really." Todd replied, trying to make me feel better. "I'd rather be with you guys than with my parents anyway."

Again, I didn't smile. "Alright." I wasn't sure how to respond to him. My head was all over the place at the moment. From Neil, to Charlie, to Knox, now this? Also, I needed to get home as well. My parents were waiting. "Carpe Diem doesn't mean that, by the way."