friends in low places

Chapter Twelve

Charlie told them everything that evening. He told them where he went and for how long, he told them how Zeb wasn't talking to him, because he was so upset with Charlie. He told them that his parents hadn't tried to reach out since his father's phone call. He explained his disheartening situation, being friends with drug dealers, using, trying to get back on his feet but failing. He told them about the toxic relationship he was currently in, unsure of how to get out of it. It was a long and grueling process, but the boys were patient with him. They listened intently, and held off on questions until they were sure they were completely caught up to speed. 

"So, that's pretty much it." Charlie sighed. "I totally understand if you guys are pissed, I would be too."

The boys looked at each other. To tell the truth, they were a little pissed. All Charlie had to do was stay with them, they would have helped him through all of it. They would have rallied behind him to make sure he got everything he needed. They would have even been willing to help him get back to school. They also knew that Charlie did what he thought he needed to at that point in his life, and they couldn't fault him for that. Things needed to be rebuilt, but they were willing to rebuild it if Charlie was. 

"I mean shit dude. That's a lot, obviously." Phoebe said, peering out the window. 

"Yeah. I think I can speak for all of us when I say like, no we aren't pissed at you necessarily, not anymore, the primary emotion is concern. At least for me." Julien said, looking to Phoebe and Lucy. Lucy picked up her mug and took a sip of her tea, mulling over what she wanted to say. They were silent for a moment, until Lucy broke the silence. 

"Why did you do it? You had to have known that we would've done anything for you. And why didn't you call? We would have dropped everything to come get you the second we heard your voice. Everything could have been so different." Lucy said, looking to Charlie. She just couldn't make herself understand, and she had really tried. She'd spent the last two and a half years silently working through every logical option, every emotional stand point, every perspective. It simply just didn't make an ounce of sense to her. 

Charlie sighed heavily before he answered. 

"I don't know Luc." Lucy's stomach dropped as she heard the nicknamed he used for her. She didn't know if she was ever going to hear that again, and she just did. She was mad, but also elated that he was alive, sitting here in front of them, using a nickname he made for her 2 years ago. He didn't forget about them, about their bond. It was proof that their Charlie was still in there somewhere. 

"I felt suffocated there, and I felt like I had to leave so I could breathe. But fuck if I knew everything that was gonna happen I would have stayed. I hope you guys truly know how sorry I am." He didn't look at them, didn't want to see any lingering disappointment or resentment. He couldn't handle it. 

They were silent for a little longer until Julien took charge of the situation. 

"Okay, first things first, do you have anything of real value at the place you were staying?" Julien asked. Charlie shook his head no, because he had sold everything that had value in order to afford food. He left that part out though, they didn't need to know that. 

Julien looked at Charlie, sensing she knew what he was thinking. She didn't say anything about it, not then. 

"Alright, so you don't ever have to go back there. Do you have a phone?" She asked. 

Charlie took a flip phone out of his pocket, and put it on the table in front of him. 

Lucy and Phoebe looked at it. 

"Is that part of the reason you never called?" Phoebe asked. Charlie realized that he never answered that part of Lucy's question. 

"Yeah," he said sheepishly. "I lost my other phone, and couldn't remember your numbers. I only remembered Zeb's and as you know he didn't want to talk to me. Which I understand." Charlie said looking at his shoes again. They were falling apart, some parts mended together with duct tape.