Cigarette, daydream and poetry ( A DPS fanfiction ) Charlie x OC

Welcome girl !

In the common room, the boys gathered in the evening with the aim of helping each other with their studies, which ultimately occupied only a quarter of their time that evening. That night, all discussions were focused on the presence of a girl in the school. Some were already planning to woo her, while others, more intimidated, didn't dare to say what they really thought of her.

Neil watched this commotion with irritation, but he knew that if Margaret hadn't been his sister, he would have joked and talked about her with as much energy as the rest of his comrades. Neil's friends only made vague innuendos about his sister, but it hardly bothered him anymore.

"Guys, be nice to her. It's not easy being in a school full of boys, especially given the way all these idiots talk about her," growled Neil.

"You can't really blame them; your sister is a knockout," teased Cameron.

"Shut up, Cameron," said Knox.

Neil sighed and turned his gaze to Charlie.

"Don't you want to give me a little help?" Neil asked sarcastically.

Charlie looked up at him and let out a small laugh, indicating to his best friend that he viewed the situation very lightly. Neil gave him a serious look, and he lost his smile.

"Listen, Neil, you know your sister; she'll survive here easily."

"She'd better, because from now on, you're the one who has to protect her."

"And why is that? She doesn't need a babysitter..." protested Charlie.

"Charlie, I refuse to let anything happen to her, so all of you are going to be nice to her and treat her like one of us, is that clear?" explained Neil.

Everyone looked at each other to gauge their thoughts and finally agreed to Neil's request, which delighted him. A few minutes later, Margaret entered the room, and as she feared, all eyes turned to her. She hoped that, in time, these looks would disappear and she could blend in like any other student at this school. Neil motioned for her to join them, and she did not hesitate. At her brother's request, she sat on one of the sofas.

"So," began Charlie, "nervous?"

"Oh, of course not, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, nature is sparkling, and my life is absolutely perfect," she replied sarcastically.

"In other words, it sucks," concluded Knox.

Margaret nodded. Neil saw by the way she was fidgeting with her fingers that she was uncomfortable. He tried to change that by asking everyone how their summer had gone. The boys took turns recounting their vacations, and it was Margaret's turn to share hers.

"Well... you already know my vacation, Neil," she lied.

"I'm sure you forgot to mention some juicy details," said Charlie.

"Unimportant details!" she interrupted.

"So, no boyfriend this summer?" he asked, surprised.

Everyone started asking questions, suddenly very interested in Margaret's vacation. She glared at Charlie, cleared her throat, and recounted:

"I had several flings..."

"Several?" interrupted Charlie.

"More than you, at least, Dalton," she taunted. "Anyway, there were a few kisses with a football player, a two-week fling with an English guy, a two-day romance with a French guy, and a long agony with a neighbor near our vacation home."

She smiled proudly at the astonished face of her childhood friend/foe. Everyone laughed and asked her more questions, and Neil smiled, seeing that a friendship could form between his sister and his own friends.

By the end of the evening, she felt much more comfortable and was playing darts with Meeks and Knox. The former struggled to win, but the latter was tied with Margaret. The boys watched the game intently as their new friend emerged victorious. Her opponent admitted defeat, and everyone applauded her. Neil took his sister aside and asked:

"I was wondering... aren't you supposed to be supervised by an adult or something?"

Margaret laughed and admitted that it was true but that she took great pleasure in ignoring that rule. Suddenly, Charlie and Knox came and took her arms, leading her to the fireplace as everyone watched with a smile. She looked at everyone, confused, not understanding what was happening until her brother approached her and declared:

"Margaret Perry, I announce that you are officially welcomed into our close and private circle of friends, if, of course, that brings you unparalleled or equal joy."

And it did. This evening and these new friendships had brought her immense joy. She had friends by her side to support her. Obviously, it was just the beginning of her adventure, but she intended to savor every minute. She nodded and smiled at Neil's announcement. He picked her up and spun her around as everyone applauded.

Midnight was approaching, and Margaret had to return to her room, but the boys refused to let her go alone. They sent Charlie to accompany her, despite the protests of both concerned.

They walked in silence, each looking for a sarcastic comment to throw at the other.

"So... four flings during the vacation, is that right?" asked Charlie.

"Why? Do you want to make it a competition?"

"I'm just surprised that so many boys paid attention to you."

"I must point out that it's you who's completely obsessed with my love life!"

"That's not true!"

Arriving at her room door, she turned to him and gave him a look that only she had mastered, one that was both sarcastic and serious, amusing and icy, filled with affection and devoid of sympathy.

"You're going to slam the door in my face while keeping that absolutely insufferable look, aren't you?" Charlie asked, knowing the answer perfectly well.

"Yes."

And with that, she slammed the door in his face, leaving him with a smile on his lips. She leaned against the door for a moment, listening to his footsteps fade away, and let out a sigh of relief. Margaret knew that her time at Welton would be challenging, but she also felt a sense of determination. With her brother and new friends by her side, she was ready to face whatever the school year would bring. The future was uncertain, but she was resolved to make the best of it, one day at a time.