Why Me?

2. Are you safe?

Charlotte was once again rooted to the spot with tears in her eyes. "She's my best friend, and I'm just pushing her further and further. Before I know it, she will be like everyone else. Wanting to hurt me, not wanting to see me, constantly calling me out for everything. I didn't know i was that hard to spend time with. I never knew I was such a horrible person." In the distance Charlotte could hear shouting, but it wasn't just her husband, it was Autumn as well. Thankfully, she was to in her own head to understand anything that was being said in the room around her.

Just like that, Charlotte's thoughts were interrupted, and the sound of footsteps got closer and louder. "Char, get your stuff." Autumn told her sternly as she joined the friends in the staffroom. She was annoyed at David but still trying her best to keep calm. Charlotte looked around and slowly shook her head. "Autumn, don't do this to me. You know I can't. " Autumn rolled her eyes. "For once, just do as i ask and move your butt." Autumn told her friend sternly, Char looked up at her, still not moving. By this point, Autumn was getting more and more frustrated, grabbing Charlotte's hand, pulling her towards the door. "Do you want me to get hurt? Because David will give me his all tonight because of you... i have to go home and make dinner, do the cleaning, make his lunch, get the food shop and do the washing" While Charlotte was rambling, she hadn't noticed that the three of them were now in the car park and she was sat in Marjories car.

Once Marjorie was in, she took hold of Charlottes hand, taking a deep breath before speaking. "Hey, look at me." Marjorie told her calmly, Charlotte looked up slowly."He knows you are gone. Earlier, while David was at the nursery, Reece went to yours and packed your bags, and you are coming to stay at mine. Please just let me look after you." Charlotte felt tears filling in her eyes. "You don't hate me?" Was all Charlotte could get out, Marjorie rolled her eyes. "Shut up, you know I could never hate you." she giggled as she squeezed Charlotte's hand before starting the car. "I was only asking." Charlotte giggled slightly for the first time in what felt like forever.

The car ride was filled with comfortable silence. "Char, you can sleep if you want." she whispered as she noticed her friend fighting to stay awake. "Wake me up in five minutes, please." she muttered back before resting her head against the window and letting her eyes close. Marjorie turned the radio on quietly as she knew Charlotte couldn't sleep in complete silence.

Instead of driving straight home, Marjorie drove for half an hour to give her friend time to sleep before pulling into her driveway. She turned the car off and just sat with Charlotte. She placed her hand on her knee and rubbed it with her thumb to try and gently wake Charlotte. "Hmm 5 more minutes" she muttered  "Char you can go and lay on the bed if you want, we are here now" Marjore told her but Char shook her head "or you can crash on the couch" she added making Charlotte sit bolt up right, making Marjorie jumped slightly. "I dont want to be on my own!" Charlotte blurted out before grabbing her arm. "Okay, okay, get out the car, and we can go get comfy somewhere. Remember, Reece is here as well, and he's got all your stuff." Marjorie said, trying to keep things light-hearted, but Charlotte couldn't handle it.

She opened the car door, climbing out as tears rolled down her cheeks. As she opened the front door, Marjorie noticed the change in Charlotte's behaviour. "Bath and pizza?" Marjorie asked, Charlotte nodded while walking inside before taking herself slowly upstairs.

Marjorie stood and watched sadly. Her best friend had lost herself to a man who didn't deserve her in any way. Charlotte walked into the spare room. Her bags were placed on her bed. She sighed sadly and sat next to them.

With that, there was a knock on the door. "Char, it's just me, Reece ran you a bath in mine and his bathroom, so it's more out of the way for you,  and it might make you feel a bit safer." She said through the door. Charlotte stood up and opened the door, looking at Marjorie quietly.

"Go and get in the bath, and I will find your pjs in the bag and bring them to you." Marjorie said calmly. "Reece is back downstairs making food, and he said he will stay down there for a while, so down worry about him." Charlotte just nooded slowly before walking out and into the bathroom.

Charlotte had been in the bath for ten minutes now.

Marjorie had been sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone when the sound of sobbing echoed from the bathroom. She put her phone down and went to Charlotte. "Hey, it's just me. Can i come in? " she said quietly, knocking on the door. "P-please. " she slowly opened the door, walking in. "Can you wash my hair?" she blubbered, Marjorie knelt down beside the bath and wrapped her arms around Charlottes' shoulders gently. "This is more than just washing your hair, isn't it?" She asked softly, Charlotte nodded. "Just not now... please." Charlotte whispered. "Tilt your head back, my love." Marjorie whispered, stopping all questions before gently wetting Charlotte's hair and massaging shampoo into it. "Marjorie... thank you for saving me." Charlotte whispered. "You can stay here as long as you need." was all she replied before washing out her hair. "If you get out and get dried, then I will do your hair for you. I will just be in my room, Char." Charlotte nodded as Marjorie stood up slowly and walked away.

After 5 minutes, Charlotte walked into Marjories room, wearing her pjs. "I know you were going to do my hair, but can I just have a hug?" She looked up and opened her arms to Charlotte. "Come and join me, sweet. We can just have cuddles. " Marjorie waited for Charlotte to get comfortable before wrapping her arms around her tightly. "Char, what's going on? Please talk to me." Charlotte's body tensed. "He's not who I thought he was, I can't have children, and since then, I'm just his toy, and he's very abusive." Charlotte whispered to Marjorie, tears dripping onto her shoulder. "Charlotte, you just stay with me and Reece. We will fix this together." she said softly.

It didn't take long for Charlotte to fall asleep. Marjorie didn't dare move she knew how much her friend needed her there. After a few minutes, Marjorie noticed a change in Charlottes breathing. It started to get faster, and she started getting more and more restless. "No - no, let me go... I can't help it, No matter how hard you try, i can't have a ba.." Charlotte muttered in her sleep "- Charlotte... I'm here, right here. Can you feel my chest moving and hear my voice?" Marjorie interrupted her while moving them both to stir Charlotte. Her eyes shot open and stared at Marjorie. "I'm glad it's just you," she said, trying her best not to cry again.

"Charlotte,  do you want to go for a drive again so you can sleep. You slept well in the car earlier." she shook her head. "Can we just stay here, please? I dont want to move. I just want the flashbacks to stop, " Charlotte muttered into her chest. "How about I lay down, and then you can get comfortable next to me?" Charlotte nodded. She moved and then Charlotte moved to lay next to her with her head on her chest. "Can i just stay here like this?" Charlotte whispered, Marjorie nodded slowly before rubbing circles on her back. "Im not going anywhere,  you are stuck with me, and Reece is downstairs. You are safe." she whispered as Charlotte's eyes fluttered, and her breathing slowed once again.