Hearstopper from the edit room floor

Charlie's Birthday Part 2 - Period 1

Nick's POV 

Form seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Unlike most mornings, there were lots of announcements, so Charlie and I didn't have much time to talk. We managed to have a quick conversation, but it was rudely interrupted by the first-period bell. As the bell rang, Charlie's head flopped on my shoulder. "Ugh, do I have to go? Can I pretend I'm in Year Eleven for the day? No one would notice, would they?" he protested. I chuckled warmly, not really wanting to let him go either. "Would a second present cheer you up?" I asked. Charlie slowly removed his head from my shoulder, blinking at me slightly confused, and sat up slowly, looking at me curiously.

"Close your eyes, then!" I prompted as Charlie covered his eyes, much like the monkey emoji. "How many fingers am I holding up?" I quizzed, double-checking that he wasn't cheating. "Umm, three," he responded. "Five," I corrected. And when I was sure he wasn't looking, I unzipped my bag. "Hands out," I asked, taking his hands gently away from his face and placing the jumper in them. Charlie grinned as soon as the soft blue fabric touched his palms. Before I could say anything, he was opening his eyes and throwing his blazer at me. "How do I look?" Charlie asked, stretching his arms out proudly. "Like you're wearing your boyfriend's jumper," I laughed. Charlie leaned down from where he was now standing behind the desk and kissed my cheek, mumbling, "Well, that's good, isn't it? Because that's exactly what I am doing!"

Our moment was cut short by Mr. Lang standing by the doorway, pointing and saying, "Nick and Charlie, get to class, please! I haven't got all day. Oh, happy birthday, Charlie... put your blazer back on, please." Mr. Lang made no mention of the jumper, so Charlie quickly put his blazer over it, locking our fingers together. One of his hands slipped into the front pocket of the jumper, where I knew it would stay for the rest of the day. "You don't have PE today, do you?" I asked as we stalled outside the form room, reluctant to go to our lessons. "No, I have English, chemistry, music, Latin, maths, and history today! Why?" he asked curiously. "Because I think Ms. Singh would have to surgically remove that jumper from you otherwise!" I said, pulling him in by the drawstrings for a quick kiss.

Charlie pulled away, giggling and blushing. "I like it! It takes 'protective boyfriend' to a whole new level," Charlie stated proudly. We bumbled down the hallway, edging closer to the English corridor. "PE, maths, health and social care, English, business studies, and ending the day on geography," I told him absentmindedly, reeling off my timetable for the day. Charlie scrunched his nose in dissatisfaction. "What?" I laughed at Charlie's face. "Ending a day on geography! Sounds like hell on earth! You poor thing. I still don't know why you chose that; it's a painful subject," Charlie mocked, tracing a fake tear down his cheek. As we ambled towards the English block, I teased him, "And ending a day on history is a walk in the park?!" Charlie shrugged. "Mmm," he began, picking at the bed of his nail inside the pocket with his free hand. "Family trees are certainly more exciting than physical landscapes in the UK!" Charlie teased. I paused for a moment, shrugging. Charlie had a point. I remembered the year 10 family tree project being very fun when I did it. I looked back down at him. "Touché," I lovingly taunted, lightly poking his cheek.

Charlie checked his watch as we walked across the Year 10 courtyard to the English block, noticing how close it was getting to the start of period 1. "Aren't you cutting it a bit fine, as PE is on the other side of the school from English?" Charlie reminded me, and I shrugged again. "Nah, me and Mr. Bentley are like this," I said, crossing my fingers to show that we were 'tight'. "Mr. Bentley gave you detention last week for wearing your pride pin on the pitch at the game against Marshall Hill Academy," Charlie said, stopping and spreading my fingers into a peace sign. "So I'd say you're more like this," he teased. I looked at my fingers and back at Charlie. "He's also a knob! Frankly, I couldn't give less of a shit if I'm late. I'll just join Mr. Taylor's class later," I confirmed.

We rounded the stairway into the English hallway, and Charlie's teacher, Mrs. Robins, was standing outside the classroom, waiting for Charlie expectantly. She had her arms folded, but she didn't seem angry. "Good of you to join us, Charlie! Hello, Nick," she said brightly.

Charlie laughed, his cheeks turning beet red. "Hi, Mrs. Robins, sorry I'm late. I, um..." Charlie glanced up at me, giggling. "Got held up?" she finished, peering at him through her glasses. "Something like that," Charlie confirmed. Mrs. Robins sighed, checking Charlie's name off the attendance list. "I expect nothing less from the pair of you. Now, come on, Stephan Winchester is missing his Romeo!" she said, stepping aside so Charlie could go through the door. His lesson was abuzz with chattering students.

"Come on, Charlie, or do I have to surgically remove you from Nick!" she says, giggling softly. "But miss, Charlie's Romeo is already here!" I tease jokingly. Mrs. Robins, who was also my English teacher, tutted, rolled her eyes, and said, "I'll see you in period four, Nick. I hope you have your writer's viewpoints and perspectives homework." She waggled her pen at me. "Of course! Hey, miss, look, aren't those three Year Nines supposed to be in class?" I say. This was something we often did with Mrs. Robins, as public displays of affection weren't the best idea in front of a teacher. She quickly turned her back, playing along with the gag. Charlie quickly wrapped me in a hug and stole a kiss that would've made a teacher squirm before asking if I was able to walk him to his next class or at least "bump into him" in the hallway. Charlie waved as I watched the pair disappear into the classroom.

Starting the sprint to my first lesson as I realised just how late I was I very quickly texted Charlie 
9:00am Nick Nelson: I'll see you at period two consider me your escort for Chemistry xxxx  

A/N: see I told you part 2 would be up very soon... part three hasn't been written yet but I think it may be from Charlie's perspective