Music sounds better with you

Chapter4: Through The Dark

A conversation with his mum makes things a little complicated for Charlie

The past few days have had Charlie on a real high. He's living in a new city, at a university he's been looking forward to attending for a good couple of years now, with new friends and the love of his life at his fingertips. He's excited about his course, he's excited about the future, and he feels like he's in the best headspace he's been in for a long time.

It takes one phone call with his mother for it all to come crashing down.

He's getting ready to head out to meet Nick and some of his housemates for lunch because they're all on campus for the afternoon, when his phone rings. His mum hasn't called him the entire week he's been up here, and just seeing her name on the screen is enough to make him frown.
He almost doesn't answer, but something compels him to swipe across the screen and accept the call.

"Hello?"

"Charlie," his mum greets, always full of warmth. "How are you?"
"Fine, thanks," Charlie says. "You?"
"Just fine?" his mother asks. "You're not having the time of your life?"
"Yeah, it's great," Charlie amends. He picks at a scab on his knee, exposed by the hole in his jeans. "Everyone is lovely and my accommodation is really great. I've got two really nice housemates."
"Mmm," his mum says. "And how is Nick?"

Charlie frowns. It's not that she never asks about Nick, but it's usually to mask some hidden agenda.

"He's really good too. He's got a lot on so we haven't seen each other too much," he lies. It's easier than filling her in on the fact that they've indeed spent almost every waking minute together, plus it'll probably placate her a bit that he hasn't just gone to uni to follow his boyfriend.
"That's a shame," she replies in a tone that implies she doesn't think that's a shame at all. Suddenly, he doesn't feel guilty about lying. "Anyway, I know you'll be very busy doing all your induction stuff or whatever you've got on this week, so I'll make this quick."
Charlie frowns. "Okay."
"We got a delivery earlier. A parcel from ASOS, I believe."

Dread creeps into Charlie's stomach like running water. He thought he'd got that parcel sent to this address, not his home one.
"Sorry," he says automatically. "I meant to get that posted up here."
"Yeah, well," his mother says, "I opened it just to make sure."
"You opened it?" Charlie asks incredulously. "Why did you open it?"
"Charlie, I don't think these clothes were a very good decision on your part," his mum tells him, and oh. Within seconds, all the anxiety he's been pushing away comes flooding back and he feels like a scolded little boy again. "They're very out there for you."

He shrugs even though she can't see him. "I just wanted to try something new," he mumbles. "I know they're a little brighter than what I usually go for, but..."
"But they're very bright," his mum interrupts. "Too bright for my taste."
"You're not the one wearing them," Charlie fires back. "They're just something new I wanted to try, that's all."
"Charlie, I'm thinking about you . It's a lot of money to spend on clothes that you probably won't wear more than once."
"Can you just send them up to me so I can see them for myself and I'll be the judge?"
"Would Nick like them?" his mum asks, and that causes all the words to die in Charlie's throat. "Don't you think Nick will feel a bit awkward being seen with you wearing those?"
"No," Charlie says defensively. "Nick won't care."
"Are you sure?" his mum asks, and this feels like goading at this point. "It's just something to think about, Charlie. Nick might be bisexual or whatever, but he's still very boyish in how he dresses."

Charlie wants to scream. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm just saying," his mum says, "these are very out there clothes. Nick might not like them and if it's a bit too far out there, he might not want to be seen with you wearing them."
"What you're saying is you wouldn't be seen with me wearing them," Charlie snaps. "Nick won't care."
"I'm just saying," his mum repeats. "Just think about it, Charlie. I won't post them up to you yet, not until you've had some time to think about it, okay?"
"I don't need to think about it, just send me the clothes."
"Think about it," his mum says again. "Jesus, Charlie, you don't need to be so snippy with me."