Neighbours, Friends, Lovers

24. Lilies

꧁ Charlotte's Pov ꧂

They tried to keep me awake in the ambulance talking about random shit but once I got to the ER my eyelids got too heavy and I fell asleep.
When I opened my eyes again I found my sister pale face staring  out of the window while there were a bouquet of lilies staring at me, Marta knows my tastes too well. Of course I took it away when the day after they let me go back home giving me more than a week of complete rest that means no classes too.

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that all of it was a dream.
Apparently they broken up the night that I was in the hospital, Gaia texted me a whole paragraph not caring about the fact that I was in the hospital so thoughtful of her.
I answered briefly saying that I was so sorry that she was in a lot of pain and that at the moment I couldn't be there for her but when I'll feel better we will get to talk about that.

My phone dings while I'm all wrapped in a blanket, laid on the sofa watching Harry Potter for the 100th time.

Marta: Cha I didn't sent any Lilies🥲

What? Than who sent me?

The doorbell hits. Someone is at the door.
So I lazily get out of my blanket and walk to open the door.
Fuck , I think when my eyes get to the sight of Charles dressed all comfy and casual in some grey sweats and sneakers.
And now? How do I act?

"Hey." he says looking at me with his eyes slightly darker than other days, framed by his glasses that helps him with blue rays .
"Hey." I say not really knowing why he is standing at my porch. Did he came to say hi to is parents?

In the dream I dreamth about him getting a house, well he got that months ago but Gaia didn't knew about it. I did since we are neighbours and I saw him moving his things away.

That's why the night that we all went out and Gaia went to search for him at him mother house he wasn't there, but he lied to her telling her he was with the boys.

Why hide it from her? I don't know gotta ask him that but I didn't want to be the one to break that to her. Yes, I am her best friend but I'm friend also with the rest of them and I don't want lose anyone, it's a thing between them.

"I came to check up on you..." he says sneakin his hands into his sweatpants pockets.
"I'm fine, really. Just some black mark and a broken ankle." I say smiling while he checks me out from up and down with the softest look in his eyes.
Fuck he is freezing out side. What I do? Ask him if he wants to come in?
"Do you want to come in, or are you in a hurry-" I try to ask trying to not sound so awkward.
"I would love to come in." he says.

So I step beck leaving some space to him to walk in.
He takes off his shoes knowing my mom's rules and I follow him helping myself with the crutch.
He always looks around so fascinated, maybe because it remind him about our childhood when always playing together inviting each other over.
"Oh Gosh I missed this place. Quarantine... good old days." he says while I let my fall back into my usual seat.
"Oh no way! I thought about it yesterday!" Charles says with so much excitement starting at the screen.

Damn he is so genuine and I think that's what is so attractive to me. He is one of the fastest drivers in the world but when he is back into his comfort space he acts like a kid. In a good way.

Attractive? Fuck, what am I saying? I have to stop it right here. I'm not back into my dream. I'm back to reality where he is my best friend's boyfriend. Ex boyfriend, whatever.

"How are you really feeling?" he asks looking me right into my eyes, pressing his pretty lips into a thin line making his dimples appear.
"A bit stoned. I'm also really bored." I say hinting with my chin toward the shows that I designed an hour ago and left them to dry on the coffe table right in front of us.
"Cha these are awesome, never thought of selling them?" he asks taking one of them and analysing it.
I shrug my shoulders.
"I did, but I don't think it would actually sell." I say with so much defeat in my voice.
He looks up at me with a strange look.
"Why are you saying that? You just need a little push and I would be happy to promote it by wearing some." he says. God this guy is gold. How Gaia really managed to lose a guy like this? It requires talent to do that.

"Thank you but I don't want your pity." I say maybe to harsh but I'm just angry with myself because I can't see him like a friend anymore, not since the dreams I had.
"Woah, mama mia. Who told you it's pity and not a friend that believes in you?" he asks.
Friend. Exactly.
"Yeah, sorry, I didn't meant like that." I apologise feel like a shitty ungrateful brat.
"Sometimes it's not bad saying yes to some help, you know?" he asks placing a hand on my knee covered by the blanket.
He's looking at me with a comforting look into his eyes with Jose head laid back to the headrest.
"I know. I will think about that." I say and a satisfied grin takes place on his lips.
"Good. What if you start think about it after I brought you one pair of my Nikes and let you design it how you want?" he asks with his eyes filled of happiness.
"I think that's a good idea." I say biting my lip while the corners of my mouth betrays me turning upwards in a flattered smile.
"Good. This movie never gets old even if it's almost old like us." Charles says fascinated.

We watch the movie in complete silence for like an half an hour and then...
"Thomas asked me about you" he says lifting an eyebrow and looking at me with the corner of his eyes.
"Oh please stop it" I say rolling my eyes.
"What?" he asks shrugging his shoulders.
"Y'all have to stop shipping us together. Yes I had a crush for few years but one he is one of our friend group, two isn't m type and three surely I'll not talk about boys with you." I say and at the 3rd point he looks at me with a glacial stare.
"Why not? During quarantine, I was your gossip friend." he says almost hurt by my affirmation but the truth is that he doesn't knows that something inside me have changed for him and I don't want ruin everything.

His phone rings. Thank God. Right on time.

"Andre, dimmi" he says picking up the phone.
It's Andrea his trainer that it's such a treasure of person and he really helps Charles when he misses home during the Championship and he's away from home a lot or when he's frustrated from a bad result.

"I have the training sessions in 30 minutes but one of these days we should do a Harry Potter marathon like in Quarantine." he says and I nod.
"For sure, have a good training then." I say while my heart is already aching knowing he about to walk out.
"Wait, I will walk you to the door." I say trying to stand up but he places a hand on my thigh cover don't by my sweats.
"Stay, I know the way out. This house it's like home to me." he says looking right into my eyes and my chest gets a feeling of warmth by hearing his affirmation.
I look down at his hand covered by rings and bracelets of the Monaco brand that he is promoting, Apm Monaco. They look so sexy on him, I can't lie about that.
"Come here." he says opening his arms and sliding closer to me and wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
His sent hits me like a train or more like a F1 car with the DRS open.
The soft fabric of his sweater seems more like a melody of a mermaid that tells me to lay my face on it.
His hand rubs my back, his arms holds me firmly and his warmth comforts me.
"If you're bored you can always text me and I'll come over and make you some company, okay?" he asks leaning back. I nod.
He stands up and after putting his shoes on he disappears behind the door.

We clearly not call him. He's too busy anyway and we don't have time to fall harder for this guy that calls you friend, right Charlotte?

Right.

🧸

Authors note: hello girlies!!🩷
How are we doing?
I was so happy to read so many
comments in the last chapter!
I know y'all are concerned but
trust me, it will be worth it.
When we will het to the flirty
part y'all will be thanking me!
Pls guys let's vote, I know many of
you forget to vote, so let's do that!
-V