Nick and Charlie

Chapter 12

!TW - Mention of Anxiety, Sexual assault!

The next day I wake up to the sun shining through the window, I must have forgotten to close the curtains yesterday before I went to bed. Even my 'music' sign above the bed is still on.
"Will you be okay today?" I hear a voice say and realize that Tori is suddenly standing in the doorway. How can she just appear out of nowhere?
"Yeah... why wouldn't I?" I ask back and she takes a sip of her lemonade drink.
"You're going to school by yourself.. like.. without nick" she says. I didn't think about that until now - because nick has a concussion he can't go to school for the rest of the week, and I haven't been to school without nick since last year when all the bullying and everything happened.
"I will be fine" I answer and tori leaves my room. But the truth is that I now became very anxious about going to school.

But despite the anxiety in my body, I get out of bed and go to school. I didn't eat breakfast though, but that's not usually a problem for me.

As I standing and waiting for Tao at the gate, I see a person walking towards me, a person I don't want to meet. Ben. I look down at the ground so I don't have to meet him, but it doesn't seem to work.
"Hey Charlie" he says when he is now only a few meters away from me. I don't answer him and look around to see if Tao is around.
"Charlie.. can we meet in the library after school?" he asks and I don't answer again, which makes him start to get a little more aggressive.
"Okay, fine.." I reply and he walks off towards his friends who are sitting on the bench next to the gate. Soon after, Tao arrives and we enter the school together to have math.

After the school day, I just want to go home, cuddle and kiss with nick in bed. But I promised Ben to meet him in the library - and you have to keep what you promise. I go up the stairs and take the first right to get to the library, it's quiet and not a human being in sight, well except for him, Ben.
"Hi" he says when I arrive. He is leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.
"Hi" I answer back. I stand quietly in front of him, let him tell me what I'm doing here.
"Why are you afraid of me?" He says mockingly. I look up from the floor and meet his angry eyes.
"It's.. I'm not.." I answer with a trembling voice, both he and I know that I'm lying.
"So.. why don't you come closer?" He says, trying to be sexy, which he's not. Disgusting is what he is. He puts his hand around my waist and pulls me closer to him. I try to get out of his grip, but can't - he's too strong. Now we are only a few centimeters apart. I look down at my shoes so I don't have to look at him.
"Charlie.." he whispers in my ear. I flinch when I hear my name come out of his mouth. But I don't answer, which makes him continue.
"You have to understand that I still like you. And I know you like me too." I look up and meet his eyes. I frown while quickly shaking my head.
"No, I really don't"