Sweethearts' Scrapbook, A College!Charlie Slimecicle x College!Reader.

❦Chapter Three: Cinnamon Swirls of Anxious Doubt (TW controlling behaiour)

"I'm sorry Charlie, keep talking. I really love this. We should scope Stoneybrook at some point actually."

"We definitely should. The highway that always has bunnies crossing, the one with the animals crossing sign-"

"Wha-no. That sign says animals xing."

Charlie stared at you dumbfounded, then carefully swallowed. "N/N, you sweet summer child. 'Xing' is just short form for crossing. It's just so they can fit it on one sign."

Your world quietly exploded as you Dora blinked at Charlie for a moment.
He maintained your eye contact, pushing up his glasses and giving you that exasperated smile a parent gives you when you realize something obvious.

"Oh." You squeaked, brushing your hair further in front of your eyes, as if you couldn't barely see already.
"If I can't see you, you can't see me, and I don't have to face the embarrassment of being almost twenty years old and not knowing that."

Charlie's lip twitched slightly. And then the corner of his mouth raised.
A goofy grin spread across his face, and a snicker shot out.

And then another.

And another.

Until a boisterous, hearty chuckle burst from behind his lips. Not at you, of course, you could feel that, but maybe...

With you?

His laugh was contaigous. You started giggling obnoxiously.
The both of you just sat there laughing like idiots for the next five minutes. And after that, you revealed a few more things you didn't know, as a kid and at this point in your life.
It was spectacular. Just laughing with this guy. You barely knew him, yet you were both cackling and having milkshakes together like you were childhood best friends.
And it was amazing.

Therefore, your feelings of pure glee turned to absolute dread when you opened the door to your dorm and saw your boyfriend sitting on the couch impatiently.

"Uhm. Hey, Darling? What brings you here at..." you checked your watch, "7pm on a Tuesday? This is your wind down/ work time. You go to bed around ten?"

"The only work I need to do is make sure you're okay, N/N. You weren't answering my damn calls."

You winced slightly at the expletive, but pushed forward. "I silenced my phone, lovebug, I was trying to focus on working on brainstorming with Charlie." Your expression softened at the thought of your chat with him. "Which by the way, we have the coolest idea ever! I can't wait to tell you about it!"

"Yeah. Alright. At least you're home, for fuck's sake. You shouldn't be out that late."

"I'd be fine. There's no need to worry."

"You need to be home before it gets dark. I'm going back to my dorm, kiss me goodnight please." He doubled down on it, which gave you a mix between guilt and anxiety. You pecked his lips and mumbled an absent minded "I love you get home safe."
This just couldn't be how its gonna be.
It made you...

Afraid.