How To Find Your Future

31 - Scary Problems

Olivia

It's a slow day today. Normally I'd be able to distract myself from it by doing homework, but today's the one day where I'm actually done everything. Another way I'd be able to distract myself would be by talking with Nick, but he's off today. I'm kind of thankful for that too since the kiss. We talked about it but it still feels awkward to be near him and to be talking to him. I knew everything between us wouldn't go back to the way it was before but part of me had hoped that it would.

I can't even bug Charlie today.

I have Naomi to blame for that. I glance over at where they sit. Which is still the spot Charlie picks everyday he comes in. The table closest to the counter. He and Naomi sit hunched over their math books. Why did Naomi have to tutor him today? There isn't even any cleaning I can do since mom did all of that earlier.

But as I watch them I can't shake the feeling that Charlie isn't really paying attention. His knee bounces up and down, every few minutes he looks up and around the cafe, or he even peeks at his phone. When he does attempt to do a problem it takes him ten minutes and Naomi has to keep urging him on. So I can't help but think that something is bugging him. But I can't just go up and ask if something is bugging him.

Unless...

I get up from my chair and grab some napkins, then I go to the display case and open it to grab Naomi's favorite fudge and then mine. I then walk over to their table. When I approach they both look up. Naomi gives me a smug I know what you're up look, which I ignore. Charlie crocks his head to the side like a curious dog.

"Hey," I say. "I thought I'd bring you guys some studying boosters." I hold the fudge up before setting one in front of each of them.

Naomi tries to hide a smile.

Charlie's eyes light up as he looks between me and the fudge. "Thanks!" he says before picking it up and devouring it.

I nod and hum. "So, how's the math going?" I lean against one of the chairs across from them. My arms propped up on the back of it and my head resting in my hands.

"It's going well," Naomi answers. "But it would go better if we didn't have a distraction."

I grin innocently. "I don't know what-"

"Sorry," Charlie mumbles. He reaches up and rubs the back of his neck. "It's just that something, or more like someone showed up in my life again last night and I just, I don't know how to deal with it."

Both mine and Naomi's eyes widen in shock.

"I was referring to Olivia," she says, a little shock coating her words.

Charlie chuckles and ducks his head. "Oh."

"You know, because you and her are like-" Her hands fly around her as she tries to explain the joke while also trying to excuse herself for making things uncomfortable. "Because you and Olivia have been flirting non-stop and-"

"Okay!" I interrupt her, my voice a little louder than is probably necessary. "We get it."

Charlie looks up at me. His eyes are wide as his mouth pops open into a little o.

I ignore it and pull out the chair beside him. As much as I want to strangle Naomi right now for exposing me I need to comfort Charlie more. "What happened?" I reach out and cover his hand with my own.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. I let him take the time to calm himself and gather his strength.

Naomi peeks around him and raises a brow at me. Concern lines her face.