In Charlotte's Eyes

Assemble

Carlos came back after rolling a strike. “Nice shot.” Suzuki complimented him.

He confidently smirked. “Thanks.” He sat down next to Aaron, throwing his arm on the back of the couch. “You're up, man.” He told him.

Aaron got up. “Yep-!” He stretched. “Gotta show you up now.” He smirked.

Carlos returned it. “I'm sure you will, man.”

Aaron went up to do his turn. That left Parker, Suzuki, and Carlos alone on the couch. They were at the bowling alley. Parker invited them. “You know, I'm surprised you wanted to go bowling so suddenly.” Carlos mentioned, his smirk still present.

“I wanted to hang out with you guys again.” Parker chuckled, smiling genuinely. “What can I say?”

He laughed. “Alright, man.” He watched Aaron as he rolled the ball down the lane. It hit the pins awkwardly, creating a split pin scenario. When Aaron turned around to get his ball for his second attempt, Carlos shouted sarcastically, “Great shot, man!”

In response, Aaron gave him the finger. That made Carlos laugh. “Hey, Carlos, Suzuki,” Parker got his attention. “I've got a favor to ask.”

Carlos leaned forward. “Ahhh, I knew there was an ulterior motive.”

“S-Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” Suzuki chuckled raspily. “What do you need?”

Carlos giggled slyly. “Yeah, you're good. You chose a good thing to bribe me with, anyway.” He said casually.

“Well.. I was thinking about raising money.”

“How much we talking here?”

“A lot. But I'm not asking for a huge amount from you guys. Just-.. I n- Well, no-..” He shook his head. “Charlotte needs some money for her surgery.”

Suzuki nodded, understanding what he was getting at now. “Ah, I see.”

The mention of Charlotte seemed to remove Carlos’ smile. “Surgery?” He asked with slight concern.

He nodded. “She got infected with mold two weeks ago when we went spelunking, and I'm trying to gather money from everyone to help her pay off the medical expenses.”

Carlos hummed. “I see..” He folded his hands over his lips. “How much have you gathered so far?”

“None, other than the twenty-five thousand I'm giving her myself. You guys are the first ones I've gone to.”

His brows raised. “Twenty-five thousand..?!” He repeated in shock.

“..Wow, Parker. That's a lot of money.” Suzuki stated the obvious.

“Parker, are you sure you want to commit that much?” Carlos challenged.

“Yes..! Her health is important to me. I mean, this could kill her if left untreated.”

He sighed through his nose. Aaron came back. “You're up, Parker.”

“Right.” Parker stood up. He looked at Carlos and Suzuki. “I hope you guys consider helping her out.”

As he left, Aaron sat down next to Carlos. He looked at him with raised brows and lidded eyes. “What were you guys talking about?” He asked smoothly.

“Charlotte has a mold infection.” Suzuki informed.

“Ohh, you mean that green splotch on her face?”

“You knew about it?” Carlos asked casually, although not smiling.

“Yeah. She told me she spilled some paint on herself.”

Carlos hummed. Interesting, although not unexpected. “Paint that she refused to clean off of herself?” He teased, smirking again.

Aaron laughed. “I guess I just didn't think about it.”

He nodded, then watched as Parker bowled. “Yeah, Parker was asking for some money to help Charlotte pay for the surgery.”

“Oh, surgery?” He listened more intently. “Is it really that serious?”

“Apparently. He said it could be deadly if she doesn't get treated.”

“That's awful.” Aaron frowned sadly. “Well, we've got to help her.”

“I agree.” Suzuki said.

Carlos’ eyes turned away from his friend. He let out a long sigh. “I dunno.” His fingers pinched his furrowed brows, and he closed his eyes.

“What do you mean? She's our friend, right?”

“That's true..” He muttered. “But, I don't know.” He leaned back in his seat. “Obviously I feel bad that she's going through this, but I can't get myself to feel very sympathetic for her.”

Aaron frowned. “Seriously? That's kinda cold, man.”

Carlos understood why it seemed that way to Aaron. He sucked in a breath. “Part of it has to do with when she discouraged your art.”

Suzuki perked up, confused. “She discouraged your art?”

Aaron laughed, flattered. “You're still hung up about that?” He lightly smacked Carlos’ shoulder with the back of his hand. “You helped me get over that doubt. No need to hate her for it.”

He shook his head, watching Parker finish his turn. “I just don't think she's a very good person.”

“Despite everything we've done together as friends?” Aaron looked at Parker. “I mean, she was high when she said that to me. I'm sure she didn't mean it.”

Carlos shook his head with a hum.

Parker came back, scoring a spare. He looked at Suzuki and the two exchanged a nod. Before he could get up to do his turn, Aaron spoke, “So, Charlotte has an infection?”

Parker sat down, then raised a brow at his friend. “You didn't know?”

Carlos snickered. “That's what I said.”

“No. Carlos and Sue told me you're raising money to help her pay for surgery?”

He nodded with a smile. “Yeah. Anything would help.”

“I'll help, for sure.” He nodded. “I don't have that much money, but I can spare some for her.”

“Thank you.” Parker smiled wider, a bit relieved. He looked at Carlos and Suzuki. “How about you two?”

Suzuki nodded. “I want to do everything in my power to help her out. She is my closest friend.”

Parker smiled. “Thank you so much, Suzuki.” He looked at Carlos, expectantly. “Carlos..?”

Carlos sighed, long and hard. He seemed combative to help Charlotte out, and Parker didn't know why. Carlos looked at Aaron briefly. He looked away. “I'm doing it for you, not her.” He muttered.

Parker didn't know how to take that. “Well.. Thank you.” He smiled at him.

“So-.. We're in agreement? We're all gonna help Charlotte pay for the surgery?” Suzuki asked for confirmation.

Aaron shrugged. “I guess so.”

“Thanks, you guys. I plan to ask a few more people for help, too.” Parker explained.

“Oh, really?” Aaron smirked. “That's great, because I have someone else in mind that’ll definitely agree to help.”

“Oh, nice!” He grinned. “Who?”

“Her name’s Rebecca. I'll set up a meeting for you guys later.”

Parker recognized that name. “Oh, was that Charlotte’s cellmate when she was in jail?” Aaron nodded in confirmation.

“Anyways, how much should we all give? Should it be an equal amount between all of us?” Suzuki asked.

Carlos scoffed lightly, over this topic. “We’ll take care of the donations later.” He shooed Suzuki with his hand. “Let’s just focus on bowling for now?”

“Ah. Sorry.”

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