A story about love

9.

!TW - Eating disorder, Anxiety, PTSD!

Nicks pov -
After a while of sitting in my bed, hugging Charlie, we both hear a voice coming from the kitchen.
"Nicky! Charlie! Dinner is ready!" My mom screams and I immediately notice how Charlie flinches, his whole body tensing. It's as if some kind of discomfort is coming over him. I turn he's head and see the panic growing in his eyes. It's like he's somewhere else, trapped by memories I can't see.
"Charlie, are you okay?" I ask softly in a whisper while placing my hand on his leg. He shakes his head quickly in response to my question, and I can see how much effort it takes for him to want to talk.
"I.. I don't know if I can eat... I.. I just can't" he says with a trembling voice. I pull him closer to me and hold him tight.
"It's okay, I understand! Do you want me to go down and talk to mom about it?" I ask and I can feel how he hesitates at first, but after some thought he nods.
"Do you want to join? Or should I talk to her myself?" I ask and he looks deep into my eyes.
"Can.. can just you go.. by yourself?" He says uncertainly and I nod, with a smile, in response. I can see a kind of relief in his eyes - His beautiful blue eyes.

—

I go down the stairs and into the kitchen. The dining table is nicely set and my mom is standing by the stove to fix the last thing.
"Hey nicky, how is Charlie? Did he say anything about why he was acting strange today? Do you know where the black-eye comes from?" She asks.
"Um.. he hasn't told me... but I can read between the lines about what has happened" I reply with my eyes on the ground, unwilling to talk about it now.
"And because of everything, Charlie doesn't quite feel ready to eat right now, if that's okay?" I continue and look at her. She meets my gaze and her face shows understanding and concern.
"Of course, I understand. Bring some fruit up to him that he can have if he wants" She tells me and takes out some strawberries from the fridge. I thank her for everything before going back to the stairs, up towards my room.

Charlie remains in bed and looks at me with a worried and questioning look when I come through the door.
"You don't have to be afraid, she understands!" I say, placing the fruit on the bed, next to him. He gives mine a relieved smile.

After sitting for a while in silence, comfortable silence, and eating some fruit together, I notice how Charlie's eyes are getting hard to keep open. The tiredness has taken over him - which is understandable after a day like this. I tell him to lie down and he is more than happy to do so. He makes himself comfortable in bed, puts his head on my chest.
"You.. you won't leave me?" He asks quietly and I run my hand through his hair.
"Never" I reply with a whisper and place a kiss on his forehead.

—

The next morning I wake up to a sound, a sound I recognize. It's the sound of a phone ringing. On the screen of Charlie's mobile, which is between us in bed, it says his mother's name - Jane.

————

A/N - Hi everyone! Again a short and bad chapter, but I promise the next ones will be better!!🤍

I'm currently sick so I don't know how much I'm gonna be able to update the next couple of days! I hope you understand!🤍