A story about love

2.

!TW - Anxiety, Pain!

Nick's pov-
Charlie continues walking towards the school while I remain at the front door, speechless. There are several things that don't add up with him today - his gloomy mood, the bruise around his eye and he didn't even do his daily ocd rituals with the front door. He just left. I get very worried, but at the same time I don't know how to get anything out of him. Charlie is really stubborn, so this will be a challenge.

I look back over my shoulder and realise that Charlie have disappeared into a distance and I start running to catch up with him. My heart beats fast and my mind is like a whirlwind of unanswered questions. After running a few more steps and approaching him, I grab his arm which makes him stop and turn around. But it also makes him wince in pain. He quickly removes his hand and looks down at the ground. He pulls down the sleeve of his hoodie further down so his hands are no longer visible.
"Charlie.." I whisper worriedly. It feels like someone stabbing my chest the second I understand why Charlie pulled back, why he doesn't want me to hold his arm. I have seen the same behavior many times before with him. I know what he's hiding.
"Charlie?... have you?..." I whisper with a trembling voice, feeling the tears press behind my eyes.
"Can we just leave it, Nick? Please... Im fine" Charlie says quietly but firmly, before turning around and continuing to walk down the street, towards the school. He's words carries the weight of a thousand unspoken truths.

—

We sit in form, next to each other, at the table in the corner of the classroom. Charlie sits next to me, in solitude, just scribbles on his paper. In the meantime, I'm trying to do some math myself, which he should be doing too. The science between us just reminds, and slowly starts to get even more and more heavy for every second. But the suddenly I feel something, a weight - he puts his head on my shoulder and closes his eyes.
"Are you okay?" I whisper, not to disturb the others in the classroom. I hoping to get something out of him, but at the same time I know Charlies not gonna let me in into he's darkness, not right now anyway. As an answer, Charlie just gives away a weak nod.
"Yeah.. just tired" he replies. He's words echos in my head. I know well enough that it's not about a lack of sleep. He is tired because of a lack of happiness and hope. That's what makes him behave the way he does. Even if he doesn't want to say it, I know he's not okay.

I let him rest his on my shoulder while I finish my math homework.

The bell rings and form ends. I put my papers in my bag and Charlie does the same with he's. We stand up, thank Mr. Lange for the lesson and walk out of the classroom together. Outside the classroom, the rest of the world seems like a blur as my gaze is fixed on Charlie. His the only thing my attention is drawn to. His tired eyes speak for themselves, and seeing his black-eye staring to turn blue makes my stomach turn inside out.
"I'm going that way" I say and point to the right. Charlie nods before saying that he's going to the left. He's body starts to shake a little, which makes me even more concern. He's gives me a weak smile before we are supposed to go our separate ways, but I grab Charlie's hand and hook our fingers together.
"Please let me know if you need me" I whisper. His gorgeous blue eyes meet mine. I can see a flicker of gratitude in his eyes, which gives me a sense of hope. He nods a little before letting go of my hand and we walk our separate ways.

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A/N - hi! I hope you liked this new chapter! If you have any ideas on what should happen next you are more the welcome to write! :)

Have a good day/night!

Love!🤍