True love doesn't just exist in fairy tales 💕

Goodbye, Dad.

Nick's POV:

I wake up to the sound of arguing, which is never great.

I slowly shuffle my way out of bed, not waking Charlie, and leaving the room. I shut the door behind me before sprinting into the room with the arguing.

Brooke's...

I don't even knock on the door and make my way into the room.

"YOU CAN'T EXPECT ME TO LOOK AFTER A 12 YEAR OLD!! I'M IN UNI!!" She screams.

I shut and lock the door.

"Mum, please leave me alone..." She cries out.

Brooke turns around, tears flowing from her eyes, only just realising that I'm here.

"Mum! I can't-" she takes a deep breath. "Just leave me alone!"

She hangs up the phone before launching it into the wall, breaking down in tears.

I run over to her and catch her before she falls to her knees in tears.

"Shh~ you're ok..."I whisper in her ear, slowly bring us to the floor.
"Why doesn't she understand!?" She sobs into my shoulder.
"I don't know." I sigh.

I play with her hair and rub my hand down her back, comforting her as much as possible in this situation.

We sit in silence for a few minutes.

"Sorry." She manages out.
"Don't be."

~~

Once she's calmed down I bring her into the kitchen area to get her breakfast.

"Are you not having any?" She asks, taking the cereal bowl off me.
"Nah. I'll wait for Charlie to get up."

She nods and we walk back into her room and take a seat on the carpet.

"Do you want to tell me what that was earlier?" I ask.
"My mum wants me to look after my step-dad's kid..."
"The one you like?"
"Mhm."
"What's the problem then?"
"I'm not in the right mind to look after her! I just-"

I stop her.

"Calm down."

She takes a deep breath.

"Why was she calling you at..." I check the time on my phone. "7am?"

She shrugs her shoulders.

Before she can properly answer, my phone starts ringing.

Chéri 💙

I tell Brooke it's Charlie and answer.

C-"Hello?"
N-"Hey, Char. You ok?"
C-"Where are you?"
N-"In Brooke's room. Why? What's wrong?"
C-"I just panicked. Sorry."
N-"What'd you mean?  How did you panic?"
C-"I-I'm fine...I just-"
N-"Charlie, are you alright? What's going on?"
C-"My mum texted me..."

He's crying...

N-"I'll be a few minutes, Chéri"
C-"T-Thanks..."
N-"Get your breath back and I'll be there soon."
C-"L-Love you..."
N-"I love you too, Char."

I hang up the phone and Brooke stares at me.

"Charlie's mum texted him."

She nods.

"C'mon."

I reach out my hand for her. She takes it.

I walk to my room, Brooke following behind. I open the door and notice Charlie curled up on the floor.