Half a heart

Chapter 2

⚠️Tw: anxiety, fainting, eating problems, panic attack,tiredness,⚠️

Nick's POV:

Something seemed to be wrong with Charlie; he was so tense around me. As the day went on, I found myself increasingly worried about him.

I tried finding him before my classes, but I had no luck. The rest of the day was a blur until lunch.

My girlfriend Gemma was waiting for me at the rugby field. She doesn't know that I'm aware she's been seeing Harry Greene behind my back the whole time we've been together.

Finally, as I sat down for lunch, I spotted Charlie across the field on the running track. He was running so fast, and his curls were stunning, just like him.

"Nicholas, are you even listening to what I'm saying?" Gemma's voice snapped me back.

"Sorry, babe, I was just thinking about my exams," I lied, hoping it would be a good enough cover for the real reason I wasn't listening.

"I was wondering when your next game is. I want to come cheer you on," she said, coming over to kiss me. I really didn't want to kiss her, but I had no choice.

When I'm around Charlie, I get a million butterflies in my stomach. But with Gemma, I don't feel anything anymore, not like I used to.

Finally, it was last period. I had science, and Charlie was in this class. Finally, I had a chance to make sure he was okay.

I took my seat at the back, four rows from the front, and Charlie sat in the row ahead of me.

Twenty minutes into the class, I saw Charlie put his head down on the desk. I thought maybe he was bored or tired. Mr. Farouk approached him.

"Charlie, are you feeling alright?" Charlie didn't answer, which worried me more.

"Charlie, did you want to go see the nurse?" Charlie barely nodded and got up slowly; he didn't look okay at all.

"Sir, do you want me to go with him and make sure he gets there okay?" I asked.

Mr. Farouk let me leave, and I ran after Charlie. He was walking so slowly, and his face was so pale.

"Charlie, are you okay?" I was seriously worried now. Something was definitely wrong.

I put my arm around him and walked him to the nurse, but he started leaning heavily on me. We were only two minutes away when he collapsed completely onto me.

We fell to the ground, but luckily Charlie didn't hit his head. I gently laid him down for a moment before picking him up and carrying him to the nurse.

Now I'm sitting on a bed in the nurse's office with this boy with the cutest black curly hair laying in my lap. I couldn't help myself from playing with his curls; they were so soft.

There it was again, that weird feeling in my stomach. Why does only Charlie make me feel like this?

My girlfriend should make me feel like this, not a boy with dark curls.

The nurse was kind and let me stay with Charlie. I hoped he would wake up soon. I just wanted him to be okay. After 15 minutes, Charlie started to wake up.

"Hey Charlie, you're okay now," I said. He looked up at me, then fiddled with his hands.

"Where am I? What happened?" Charlie asked, sounding nervous.

"You're in the nurse's office. You fainted while we were walking here," I explained, my voice trembling.

He tried to sit up on his own but couldn't, so I helped him. He gave me this soft, small smile that was so adorable.

"Charlie, the front office said they couldn't get a hold of your sister. Do you have anyone else who could take you home?" the nurse asked. Charlie couldn't go home without a guardian's permission.