Your Royal Highness

Chapter 10: the trip day two

I slightly opened my eyes to see Charlie coming back into the room.
Where did he go?
I said up as I stared at him as he came in and put his jacket on the hook "oh you're awake" he said as he turned around. "Yeah I am now, where'd you go?" I asked as he came and sat by me, he put his phone down on the side table then he looked at me. "I was just getting stuff for your surprise for today" he said as he waited to see my facial expression "you're planning a surprise?" I said trying to comprehend what was happening. "Yes, I wanted to do something fun today" he said as his smile slowly faded "is that alright?" He asked, concerned. "Yes! Of course I'm so excited to see what you have planned" he said as I slowly fixed my hair.
"Okay great" he said with a sigh of relief "okay well get dressed and then we get going" he said as he got up. I sat there for a moment still trying to wake up. "I'm actually going to take a shower real quick, if that's okay?" I said as I stood up and walked over to the dresser to grab some clothes. "Yeah that's fine" he said as he walked over to the coffee machine.
I walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I placed my clothes on the counter as I looked at myself in the mirror. I wonder why Charlie's doing all of this, going out of his way to make me happy. To do stuff I like and spend money on me?
I wonder if he does this with all his friends. I stopped there for a moment longer before I got in the shower.
Charlie has been so nice to me non stop since I met him, he never hangs out with his other friends anymore like he used to. I remember I used to always see him playing football with his friends after school or he would go to a party and stuff. But that all stopped when he met me, he put me first. He spent all his time with me...why?
After I got out of the shower I put on my pants then I left the bathroom. I put my old clothes down and then I put my necklace on.
Charlie walked back into the room as I turned to face him "here I got you some coffee" he said as he handed it to me, I put down my shirt then grabbed the coffee from him. "Don't we have a coffee marker right there?" I asked, confused. "yeah but
it's not that good. There's a cafe right across the street," he said as he took a sip of his coffee. I put the coffee down on the tv stand then I put my shirt on "are you ready?" He asked as I finished getting my shirt on "yeah" I said as I grabbed my coffee. He walked over to his side table and grabbed his phone then we left.
Charlie's pov
We were walking to the bus stop when I notest a few girls were walking behind us whispering. Me and James glanced back to look at them and they instantly looked away, I looked at James as he smiled slightly. "What's that all about?" He whispered, I shrugged my shoulders "I have no idea" I whispered back. We eventually stopped at the bus stop and so did the girls. I looked at James as one of the girls came to us, she turned to look at me. "Hi, can we help you with something?" I asked "oh um yes, I was wondering if I could get your number?" She asked as she looked at me with a small smile.
What?!
How do I tell her I'm not interested in her without hurting her feelings?
I glanced at James who was already looking at me, he quickly looked away. I looked back at the girl "I'm sorry but I'm gay" I said confidently. Her eyes widened as I glanced at James, his face was red. I looked back at her as she slowly stepped back "oh I'm sorry, I didn't know" she said as she glanced at her friends. "How would you?" I said with a shrug as she walked away. I looked at James but he didn't make eye contact. I looked back at the road as the bus pulled up "oh come on the bus is here" i said as we walked over and got in the bus. James was silent the whole time, he didn't even look at me and his face was bright red. I didn't know why he was like this but I won't ask him to respect his privacy.
We finally got off at our stop and started walking towards his surprise. "So where are we going?" James said quietly, I looked at him but he was still looking at the ground. "You'll see when we get there" I said as we walked up to a field James stopped and stared. He looked at me then back at the blanket and basket of food at the top of the hill. "You did all this?" He asked as he looked at me, I nodded "for me?" He said quietly as he stared at it amazed. "Yeah, I did" James looked at me with tears in his eyes as he smiled. "No one's ever done something like this for me before" he said as I smiled. "Thank you, so much" he said as he stared into my eyes. This was what I wanted, all I want to do is make him happy. I want him to experience
stuff he's never experienced before. I want him to know I care about him. I want him to know I love him, even if he doesn't feel the same as long as we stay friends I'm okay.
"You're welcome, so should we go eat?" I asked as I looked at the picnic that was sitting just at the top of the hill. "Yes," he said as he looked at me with an evil grin as he yelled. "Race you" he ran as fast as he could up to the top. I immediately raced after him but he beat me. We got to the top and he stared at the set up still in utter disbelief. "I can't believe you did all of this" he said still in shock "come on let's eat i'm hungry" I said as I sat down. "Oh yeah me too" he said as he sat down across from me "so what food did you pack?" He asked as I opened the basket "well I brought sandwiches and soup...well I brought a variety of food so pick what you like" I said with a shrug. James let out a small chuckle "earlier when that girl asked you out, did you mean what you said?" He asked, I avoid eye contact.
Crap I wonder how he feels about that? He was very quiet after that incident earlier. I wonder why. Does he not like me anymore? Does he not agree? I don't know why I care so much now. I didn't have a problem earlier, I guess I just don't want to lose him over  something like this.
I don't want to lose James at all.
"I-um-I" I trailed off. Why can't I just tell him!? Gosh I hate myself, why is this so hard? "I just-I just said that so they'd leave" I said quietly hoping he wouldn't entirely hear me. "Oh-Alright then, I'll be right back" he said as he stood up. "Where are you going?" I asked as I stood up, also confused on what's happening. "Sorry I just need to use the bathroom I'll be right back I swear" he said as he looked at his feet. "Are you alright, do you feel ill?" I asked as I stepped closer to him to feel his head. "I'm alright, I promise" he reassured me "you feel a bit warm" I said as I moved my hand to his cheek to make sure.
He grabbed my hand, his eyes drifted away from his feet and to my eyes. "I'm okay, I swear I'll be right back" he said as he let go of my hand.
He looked at me for a moment longer before turning away, I stood there as I watched him walk away. Did I say something wrong, did I offend him in any way and didn't realize it. Was he...disappointed? Or was he just relieved? I don't know but I hope this doesn't ruin our picnic and I woke up early to set this up and spent a lot of
money on this food that will hopefully get eaten. I pulled out my phone from my back pocket and texted Lizzy. A girl asked me out earlier, I told her I was into men, after that James was quiet and didn't speak much and he asked if it was true and I panicked and said I only did it to scare her off!! What should I do? How do I tell him I actually have feelings for him? I was hesitant for a second but I sent it anyway. I saw the text bubbles pop up immediately as she replied. Charlie I think James really cares about you and I think he might like you back, go for it! I smiled as I read her text.
James pov
I didn't actually have to go to the bathroom but I couldn't stay there with him. He's so confusing! Does he like men or does he not? He seemed to panic when I asked, which makes me believe he doesn't like me.
I like Charlie and I know I do but I'm scared to tell him because I don't want to ruin our friendship. He means the whole world to me. I can't lose him now. I took a deep breath before I walked out of the bathroom, i started walking but i slipped on a puddle of water. "Crap!" I yelled as i got up to see a small mud stain on Charlie's jumper. I sighed as I walked back over to charlie. I smiled as I sat down
across from him. "I'm sorry I left, I just needed a moment to collect my thoughts," I said as I grabbed a sandwich and put it on my paper plate that I found next to the basket. "No you're fine" he said as he put his phone away "are you okay?" I asked Charlie as he looked up at me. "Oh yeah I'm okay" he said as he put on a smile, I could tell it was fake. He wasn't okay but he acted like it for me. "Charlie, please are you alright?" I asked, concerned "James, I'm okay-I just want to have a good day today, okay?" I sighed. "Okay I understand, let's just forget about this but I want to talk later" I reassured him as I took a bite of my sandwich. Charlie nodded in agreement as he finished his food.
"When are your parents coming back?" I asked Charlie "they said it will be a bit they have a lot of work to get done" he said with a small eye roll. "Oh alright so do we have to be back on a certain day?" I asked as I grabbed a water bottle and took a sip. "No, I was hoping we could stay for a bit. I just need to clear my head and I like spending time with you outside of the shed" he said as he cracked a small smile. "Great" I said softly "I really do enjoy spending time with you and not having to live in a cold shed is nice" I left out a small laugh. "Do you
have anything else planned for today?" I asked as I finished my food and put it away in the basket.  "Yeah I do actually but you can't know just yet" he said as he finished his food.
After we finished eating we packed up the stuff then went back to the hotel. "Okay I think I got everything" he said as he finished putting all the food in the basket. "Okay and I put the blanket in the bag so I think that's everything" I said as we both stood up and walked to the bus stop.
"You know I saw your last test score, are you sure lizzys are actually helping you?" Charlie burst out laughing "um yeah in fact she is but she said how advanced I was she tried to give me something hard but it was a bit hard and I may have had no idea what I was doing!" I said, trying to defend myself. "Sure sure make up excuses" Charlie said with a laugh, I playfully punched him in the arm "oh shut up" I said as we made it to the bus stop.