'Cause I'd Find You In Any World (Nick and Charlie - Alternate Universe)

Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Seven.

Nick:
Even though nothing really happened before dinner, I couldn't help but feel anxious; like everyone was looking at Charlie and I. A big part of me wonders where that would have led to had no one come home. I'm curious to know if Charlie feels pressured to move quickly because I told him I have done things; I want him to do things with me because he wants to. After dinner, we all help Sebastian clean up and then head upstairs.

"I know you all have a short week at school but it's still school. Mia and Nick, you guys can stay until 9PM, okay?" He shouts from the bottom of the stairs.
"Okay!" We say in unison and then laugh.

We walk into Charlie's room and sit down. He puts on the TV and I can already feel the awkwardness in the room. I feel Mia's eyes shift quickly from me to Charlie, then to the floor.

"What's going on?" James asks as he narrows his eyebrows.
"Absolutely nothing," Charlie quips back.
"Mia's face is telling me otherwise."

God, they all know each other so well. And even though James and I have gotten close, I really don't feel like hashing out what just happened in a group setting.

"I just walked in on them kissing before, that's all," she says sternly.

I feel like James is looking at her like he is a lie detector. After a minute, he shrugs.

"Oh, nothing I haven't walked in on already, get use to that Mia, they're obsessed with each other."
"No shit," Mia teases.

Suddenly, I feel like I can breathe again. I don't think it's a discussion to be had with everyone, especially before I even talk to Charlie about it. Once it turns 9PM, Mia and I get ready to leave.

"Want me to walk you home?" I ask her.

She nods.

"Thanks, that would be nice."

I thank Sebastian for dinner and say goodbye to him and James. I walk over to Charlie and pull him into a hug.

"Meet you in front of school tomorrow?"
"Actually, I was thinking maybe I'll walk over to your house and we can walk together?"

I laugh.

"I'm not even on your way to school."
"I know," he says with a smile.

I kiss him quickly.

"I'd love that and I love you. Call you when I get home."
"I love you too," he says.

Mia and I start walking and at first, it's very quiet.

"Hey, I jus wanted to thank you for not telling James."

She laughs.

"Honestly, I'm surprised I was able to get him to believe me. I've never been able to keep anything from him or Charlie."
"They got you all figured out, huh?"
"I got them figured out too," she says with a chuckle. "It wasn't my place to say anything."

We keep walking before she speaks again.

"Can I ask you something?"

I nod.

"You're not like, pressuring Charlie or anything right? I mean, you don't seem like the type to do that, and I see the way you guys look at each other. Things just seem to be moving a little ... quick? And this is Charlie's first relationship and --"
"Mia, slow down," I say with a smile.
"Sorry! He's just like a brother to me and I've always felt so protective over him."
"It's fine. I'm glad he has you in his life. No, I wasn't pressuring him.. it was actually all him."
"Really? Well then, go Charlie," she cheers. "And go Nick too, because you know, Charlie is a catch," she laughs.
"I know he is. But can I actually ask you something? I feel like you know him better than anyone, well maybe not better than James but close enough."

She looks me in the eyes, waiting for me to ask her.

"Do you think Charlie feels like he needs to move this relationship fast?"

Charlie:
"So, Mia was clearly lying," James says as soon as we head back upstairs.
"What do you mean?" I ask, trying to play it cool.
"I mean, I didn't want to put anyone on the spot but I can spot Mia lying from a mile away. She's not very good at it."

I roll my eyes.

"She is good at it. Just not when it comes to us."

James slams his hand on the bed.

"I KNEW IT! What happened?"
"Ugh, James, I really don't --"
"CHARLIE," he whines. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me, I guess that's fair..." he says as he slowly walks away.
"I mean, really, nothing happened. Something might have happened if you guys hadn't come home."

James runs back into my room and jumps on the bed.

"WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED CHARLIE?!" He asks excitedly.
"Can you not be so loud!?" I whisper.
"You're right, sorry. ...Can I ask what Mia saw? I think that's fair."
"I mean, your logic makes no sense. But she walked in on Nick and I sitting on the bed."
"Really? That's it?"

I take my pillow and put it over my face.

"Nick's shirt was backwards."

James rips the pillow away from me.

"Oh really?" He asks with a smirk.
"Shut up."
"Were you about to...?"
"No. Maybe. I don't know," I say. "I was caught up in the moment."
"Charlie, maybe you should slow things down. Nick isn't going to leave you or something like that just because you're not moving quickly."
"I know that."
"I mean you just came out not too long ago, Nick is your first kiss and boyfriend, and I worry that you are moving way faster than you ---"
"James slow down. What Mia walked in on was all me. Nick tried to stop and asked what I was doing."
"I'm not surprised that it was you and not Nick."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you were always so worried that you were missing out on things, so it makes sense that now you're trying to fit everything that you think you missed out on in the one year you have with Nick physically here all the time."
"What are you, some kind of therapist?"

He smiles.

"No just your brother and best friend. You know Charlie, I'm still a virgin. You don't need to push yourself to do things you aren't ready for based on other people's timelines."
"You're a virgin because you're so annoying that no one wants to sleep with you."

He fake laughs.

"Very funny."
"I think I just got caught up in the moment," I say.
"That's fine. I just want to make sure you're ready. Emotionally, physically, mentally."
"Okay, okay, I get it. Can we play video games or something now?"

He laughs again.

"Yeah, lets do that."