breathe

chapter 9 | benjamin

chapter 9

benjamin

"I don't have snow pants," Charlotte announced with a frown, glancing between me and the overflowing contents of her closet. Her shoulders sagged as she pushed clothes aside.

I watched from her bed, already packed for our ski trip. Stacks of clothes teetered on every surface as she rummaged, muttering to herself. Her anxious energy was mounting by the minute.

"I can ask Elena to bring an extra pair," I reassured her. A text was sent before she could protest further.

"Six sweatshirts should be fine, right?" She lifted each hoodie to examine it, biting her lip. Most were actually mine she'd borrowed over the months.

"Charmander, your suitcase is about to burst," I chuckled. "One bag should be plenty."

"I like to be prepared," she mumbled, sinking onto the floral comforter with a sigh as she fidgeted with her hands.

"I know, love," I smiled. "But you don't need seven pairs of jeans and four skirts."

"But what if we—"

"Charlotte," I cut her off softly. "We'll be staying in a cabin for two days, not roughing it."

She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Help me," she groaned in frustration.

"Wow, the great Charlotte Irene Bianchi asking for help," I teased with a grin, tugging lightly on one of her short braids.

She swatted my hand away, rolling her eyes. "Shut up!" But the corner of her mouth twitched upwards. I moved to the foot of the bed, piles of clothes surrounding us like a colorful fortress. Charlotte's suitcase bulged, threatening to burst at the seams.

"Alright," I began. "I would say keep two hoodies, two pairs of sweatpants, one pair of jeans, two shirts, and one pair of pajamas. And no skirts."

Charlotte lifted her chin defiantly. "Four hoodies, four pairs of sweatpants, two pairs of jeans, three shirts, and two pairs of pajamas," she countered. "I'll concur on the skirts."

Smiling softly, I took her hand in mine. "Talk to me, love. What's got you so on edge?"

She sighed, gaze dropping to our collapsed fingers. "What if it snows and we can't leave? Or Laurel decides we should go out to a fancy restaurant? Or Ash pulls some stupid prank and ruins my clothes?"

Ah, there it was. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We'll be cozy and safe in the cabin, I promise. How about we meet in the middle? Three hoodies, three pairs of sweatpants, one pair of jeans, three shirts, and one pair of pajamas."

Her shoulders relaxed as she considered. After a moment, she nodded. "Deal."

We set to sorting through the piles together, her anxious energy melting away as we chatted and laughed. Baby steps, but progress all the same. My goal was always easing Charlotte's worries, not having the last word. I hoped in time she'd learn to soothe herself when those fears rose up.

"Why can't I take four hoodies?" Charlotte pouted as we folded and organized her clothes.

"If you wear one there, you'll have four hoodies," I said with a grin. "Loophole."

Charlotte's pout turned into a playful smirk. "You always have an answer, don't you?"

I shrugged and grinned. "It's part of my charm."

She rolled her eyes but smiled, and we continued to pack her suitcase and put away the extra clothes. Charlotte packed all of her toiletries and hair products. She picked five books off her bookcase and tried to shove them in her suitcase.