nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter nineteen

Tw: b*n h*pe

The days that followed Ben’s cryptic warning were a whirlwind of school, rugby practice, and whispered conversations. Nick and Charlie tried to focus on their routines, but the tension of Ben’s mysterious message lingered in the back of their minds.

True to his word, Ben sought them out whenever he could, striking up conversations and making an effort to get to know them.

At first, it was casual. Ben would join them at lunch, asking about their classes and hobbies. He seemed genuinely interested in what they had to say, but there was an intensity in his gaze that made Nick uneasy. Charlie, ever the optimist, shrugged it off, attributing it to Ben’s desire to make friends in a new school.

One day, during lunch, Ben slid into his now-usual spot on the bench next to them. "Hey, guys," he said, flashing a friendly smile. "So, I was thinking, you two are pretty much the only people I’ve really talked to since I got here. Do you think we could, I don’t know, be friends?"

Charlie smiled, always happy to welcome someone into their circle. "Sure, Ben. We’d be happy to be your friends."

Nick forced a smile, trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his gut. "Yeah, of course."

As days turned into weeks, Ben’s presence became a constant in their lives. He joined them for lunch, walked with them between classes, and even started hanging out at their usual spots after school.

He had a way of inserting himself into their conversations, sometimes a bit too eagerly. Nick couldn’t shake the feeling that Ben was a little too interested in their lives, especially in Charlie.

One afternoon, after rugby practice, the three of them were sitting on the benches, cooling off and chatting. Ben’s eyes were fixed on Charlie as he spoke about an upcoming match. "You’re really good at rugby, Charlie. I’ve been watching you practice."

Charlie laughed, brushing off the compliment. "Thanks, Ben. But it’s really a team effort."

Ben nodded, but his gaze didn’t waver. "Still, you’re impressive. I bet you could go pro if you wanted."

Nick shifted uncomfortably, feeling an odd surge of protectiveness. "Charlie’s good, but he’s got a lot of other talents, too," he said, hoping to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable scrutiny.

Ben glanced at Nick, his expression unreadable. "Of course. You both do. It’s just... nice to have friends who are so talented and interesting."

Charlie smiled, oblivious to the tension. "We’re glad to have you, Ben."

As they walked home that evening, Nick couldn’t shake the unease. "Do you think Ben’s... I don’t know, a bit too intense?"

Charlie looked thoughtful. "He’s just trying to fit in, sweetheart. New school, new people. It’s probably tough for him."

"Yeah, maybe," Nick replied, but the feeling of unease lingered.

The next day, Ben joined them for lunch as usual. He seemed more animated than ever, talking excitedly about a new movie he wanted to see. "You guys have to come with me. It’s going to be amazing. We can go this weekend."

Charlie looked at Nick, who nodded reluctantly. "Sure, Ben. Sounds fun."

Saturday rolled around, and the three of them met at the cinema. Ben was already there, bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement. "You guys made it! This is going to be great."

Throughout the movie, Nick couldn’t help but notice how often Ben glanced at Charlie, his eyes lingering a bit too long. He tried to focus on the film, but the nagging feeling of unease grew stronger.