California, romance and poetry Tome 2 (DPS Fanfiction) Charlie Dalton x OC

Summertime Sadness

"Think I'll miss you forever

Like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky"

Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey

Margaret was lying on the kitchen floor, crying. She stared at the ceiling in dismay, as if some stars might appear there, but there was nothing. Her vision was blurred by her tears, and she couldn't even remember why she was crying. It wasn't the first time she had found herself on the tile floor, wishing she were dead, but she wasn't. She wanted to talk to her brother; in fact, she was probably crying because of him. No matter, the cold of the floor kept her from thinking clearly.

She started to think about her father. "Pathetic," he would think, and he would be right. She was pathetic. She hadn't spoken to him in three years; the last time ended in a fight, as usual, and that day she decided to kick him out of her life. She had no family left; she was alone. No, not completely. She had found a family in California; the Dead Poets were her family.

But for now, she was staring at the ceiling, with a million questions running through her mind. Suddenly, an upside-down head appeared above her. It was Charlie.

"What are you doing down there?"

"Yoga," she replied weakly, trying to muster some humor.

"Sure," he said, unconvinced but smiling nonetheless.

He helped her up and sat her on the counter. She watched him get some water and medicine, which he then handed to her. She refused to take them and said she was fine. Charlie asked if she had nightmares, and she replied no. She got up, took a piece of paper and a pencil, and started writing. Charlie frowned and stood behind her.

"What are you doing?" Charlie asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Writing, it relaxes me."

"At three in the morning?"

"I'll sleep better."

He watched her write sentences on the piece of paper. After five minutes, she handed it to him, and he read what she had written with attention:

"You break me like a secret, a shame you haven't gotten over.

You kill me, me and my soul without restraint, without regrets.

You don't know it, but I still hate you

And I hate my mark on this family

A cursed Antigone facing a cruel Creon

Burying a brother wounded in battle

A battle that continues with me."

He looked at her for a few seconds and asked, "This is about your father, isn't it?"

She nodded, and he hugged her. She hadn't expected it and suddenly felt like she hadn't breathed in hours, and she let herself go... she cried once more in Charlie's arms.

He held her very tightly and for a long time. Then she signaled that she couldn't breathe anymore, and he let go. She laughed sadly, which made him even more worried about her.

"I really need a psychologist," she joked.

"I'm always here if you need," he replied softly.

"No... you have your own problems too."

He sighed and sat next to her on the counter. She looked at him and, for a split second, saw the 17-year-old Charlie she had known back then, but she realized he was very much an adult now.

"I wish I were always 17..."

"Me too..."

He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. She smiled and snuggled into the crook of his neck. He rested his head on hers, and they stayed silent for a few minutes, finding comfort in each other's presence.

"What was military school like?" Margaret asked, breaking the silence.

"Horrible, worse than Welton."

"I can't even imagine."

"And you, your girls' school?"

"Not so bad at first... then they found out I wasn't a virgin, and I became the school 'slut.'"

"Oops, sorry."

She blushed and laughed to hide her embarrassment. She remembered that night, looked at Charlie's hands, and remembered when they were on her waist while he whispered words any young girl would want to hear. She looked him in the eyes, and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, which made her blush and smile even more.

"You should go back to sleep," Charlie said.

"I don't want to."

He sighed and slipped one arm under her legs, lifting her like a princess, and headed to her room. He opened the door and placed her on her bed. She had to hold back her laughter to avoid waking the rest of the house. Charlie sat on the bed, and Margaret looked at him in surprise. Did he want to stay? He tried to say something but, once again, said nothing. Margaret was surprised to imagine kissing him again.

"Goodnight, Margaret."

He got up. She wanted to ask him to stay, but it probably wasn't a good idea. Why did she always want to be near him? She must not have her head clear. This man had an almost illegal effect on her. He was dangerous for her and her heartbeat. He left, and she lay down in her bed, convinced that these thoughts would be gone by morning.

But during the night, she remembered a conversation she had had with Neil about Charlie when they got together.

*Maggie, I think he's the best thing that's ever happened to you,* Neil said.

*Really? No 'if he hurts you, I'll kill him' or 'He dares to get close to my sister?!'*

*No, I sincerely believe you're meant to be together. It was so clear that you loved each other. You're about a decade late.*

*Is it that obvious?*

*Margaret, it looks like you're about to jump each other as soon as you're in the same room.*

She had laughed, and they had changed the subject.

Margaret sighed deeply, her thoughts a tangled mess. She missed Neil so much that it physically hurt. The pain of his loss was a constant companion, but moments like this, with Charlie, gave her a glimmer of hope. Perhaps she could find some semblance of peace. She could almost hear Neil's voice telling her to seize the day, to find joy in the present.

The next morning, Margaret woke up feeling slightly more rested. She decided that today, she would focus on the good memories, the laughter, and the love she shared with her friends. She knew that Neil would want her to be happy, to live fully, even if he couldn't be there with her. With that thought in mind, she got up, ready to face another day, carrying Neil's spirit with her.