Room 537

Chapter 8

Elijah

They were here for an hour maybe even less and somehow Charlie knows about their relationship and about Oliver being transgender. That's a record even for them.

The door closes behind them. Charlie flops down on the bed next to me.

"You know you actually have to keep this a secret right? You have no idea how much trouble they could actually get in especially Oliver."

"I will. Don't worry. Their secrets are safe." I look at him. Charlie doesn't seem like the type to snitch but you never know. You can't judge someone based off of first impressions.

"Maybe you should share something." I suggest.

"Why?" He asks.

"A secret for a secret." I shrug. "You know something about them, it'd only be fair."

"I know nothing about you though. How do I know you'd keep my secret? You're the main guy's son. What if you're his eyes and ears? Wasn't that one of you rules? Don't trust anyone?"

"You're a fast learner." I smirk at him. He smiles back. "And by the way, Malik and Oliver wouldn't think of you differently just because of what you did."

"What're you talking about?"

I noticed how he kept avoiding questions about his crimes tonight. I understand completely. Most people blame the drug dealer and not the ones who voluntarily took the drugs.

"Dad thought I should know about my roommate. It's no big deal compared to what some of the other guys here have done."

"There's worse things than being a murder?" He asks.

I sit up straight, facing him.

"You sold the drugs. You never forced anyone to take it. That kid didn't deserve to die. But taking drugs was his choice. You didn't shove it down his throat. It wasn't your fault, Charlie. You didn't kill him. "

"The drugs I sold did. "He runs his hands down his face. His voice not holding its normal tone but rather one saturated with defeat and regret. That's the most emotion I've heard from him.

"Why did you sell drugs?" I ask. I've never understood drug dealers. They're harmful and they hurt people and not to mention you could end up in a lot of shit. You're also tempting yourself by purposely surrounding yourself with drugs. It's not an ideal situation to be in so I guess I don't understand people wanting to sell it.

"Last year we got kicked out of our house because we couldn't afford to pay rent. That was in June. I had to break into school in the middle of the night. I slept in the janitor's closet and used the gym showers before school. That's when I started dealing. It was small at first. I didn't do harmful drugs, but I got greedy. I was so close to being able to afford somewhere to live for my dad and I that I started selling more drugs, worse drugs, so I could get more money. My dad is a dead beat. Any money that could be used to get ourselves out of there is used for drinks and drugs. I was the only one trying to pull money together. I became desperate and because of that someone died. Next thing I knew I was getting called into the police station and now I'm here." His voice cracks at the end. He tries to cover it up with a shrug. Charlie avoids my eyes.

I run my hand up and down his arm., trying to sooth him. I guess I haven't really had to think about money struggles because I don't use any of it when I'm stuck here. I thought of drug dealing as a greedy act, selling for the sake of selling. I never even thought of it as a survival tool.

Charlie may think what he did was greedy but thinking about it now I can see why he did what he did. It may not have been a choice I would've made but I haven't been in Charlie's situation, scared of living on the streets with the only adult in my life not being willing to do anything.

"What about your mom?"

"She's in a mental institution." He rubs the back of his neck.

Shit.

"I'm sorry." I say and I genuinely mean it. I've noticed how he writes to his mom. I can only assume that they're close. It's never fun seeing someone you love struggle. Nobody deserves it.

Charlie offers a small smile and rests his head on shoulder. We sit in silence for a little while. I stroke my hand up and down his arm. It feels soothing, both to me and him. It's been a long time since I've been this way with anyone. And me of all people know how dangerous it is to do it. But I'm drawn to Charlie like a sailor to a siren's song. Lord knows I'm not strong enough to resist.