Veilbound (Eddie Munson x OC)

Chapter 5: The Eldritch Tome

Carrie lay on her bed for hours, unable to get up. Exhausted yet unable to sleep, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts that refused to let her relax. She was tired of everything.

A knock on the door interrupted her reverie. The person behind it didn't wait for permission to enter.

"I'm not going to apologize to Dad if that's what you want," Carrie said, assuming it was her stepmother. Despite not being her biological mother, they shared a bond since she 'married' her dad.

"What are you talking about, loser?" It was Gareth after all. Carrie immediately sat up to look at him. Gareth joined her on the bed, and they shared a moment of comfortable silence. Carrie felt unable to speak, unsure where to start or if she even wanted to.

"I didn't want you to find out this way," she finally said.

"About you and Eddie?" Gareth responded quickly. "Carrie, I've known all along." Seeing the confusion in her eyes, he continued, "I've told you before, Eddie has a thing for you. But these past weeks, I've seen the way you two look at each other, how you smile when you help him with math. I knew it."

"You creep, spying on us?" They both laughed, lightening the mood. "So... are you mad?"

"Not mad, just surprised. But Eddie makes you happy, happier than I've ever seen you. And what kind of brother would I be if I ruined your happiness by being overprotective?"

"The best brother ever, duh." Carrie rested her head on his shoulder, hugging his arm.

"I'll end him if he breaks your heart, though." Gareth's tone was playful yet serious.

"If my dad doesn't first," Carrie replied, her voice tinged with sadness.

"It'll pass, Carrie. Just give him time." Gareth reassured her. She nodded, staying silent as he wished her goodnight and left her room to rest before school the next day.

Carrie finally found some peace. Whatever happened, she would figure it out tomorrow. The excitement of seeing Eddie at school was the only thing keeping her awake that night. She longed to be in his arms again, regardless of whether her dad approved or not.

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Monday morning was rough on Carrie. She barely got any sleep the night before and felt as if a truck had run her over. The alarm went off, and she found it difficult to open her swollen eyes, contemplating the idea of missing school to get some extra rest. However, as she slowly woke up, she realized she didn't want to see her dad, not even for a bit. She was still very mad and hurt.

As she got ready for the day, she couldn't help but constantly observe herself in the mirror, trying to imitate what she did the night before. The green energy emerging from her hands scared her, but she wanted to know more.

Time passed quickly, and she was running late for school. Gareth was already downstairs, eating breakfast with Stephen and waiting for her. "Gareth, you should really go and check on Carrie; it's getting late," Gareth's mom told him. Before he got up from the table, Carrie came running into the kitchen.

Carrie didn't bother to say a word to her parents. "Overslept, sis?" said Gareth, trying to lighten the mood. She didn't respond, worrying everyone there, especially Stephen. She was organizing her backpack and grabbing something quick to eat, giving her dad the silent treatment.

"Gareth, we should go," she finally said, rushing out of the kitchen to her car. The three of them exchanged glances, but no one said anything. It was a shared concern.

"I'll talk to her, Stephen," Gareth broke the silence and said goodbye to his mom and Stephen before leaving for school. Stephen ran a hand through his hair and sighed. It was better for him to leave for work; there was nothing he could do but just worry about Carrie.