Why Me?

5. I'm sorry

Charlotte and Reece sat watching the hours slowly tick by. Reece stayed awake to look after Charlotte and Charlotte stayed awake because every time she shut her eyes, all she could see was him. "Char, shall we go get morning coffee?" He asked, looking at the time, knowing the coffee shop would have only just opened. "I don't want to move, but i want coffee." she sighed before giggling slightly. "Truthfully, I think we should find Marjorie, though." she whispered nervously. "I hate not talking to her, and I was horrible." Charlotte muttered. "Okay, let me go and find her. She's only on the couch. Char she was out of order completely." Reece whispered before getting up and jogging downstairs, leaving Charlotte alone with her thoughts.

As he reached the living room, he noticed Marjorie sat on the couch, her eyes bloodshot and puffy. "Hey darling, Char wants to see you." he said quietly. She sighed, trurning to look at Reece before standing up, Reece wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Okay, I'm coming." she whispered. He held her for a moment before letting go. Reece followed Marjorie upstairs. She looked rougher than Charlotte. He walked into the bedroom first, closely followed by Marjorie. He gently placed his hand on her back as they walked. Charlotte looked over at them both. "Marj, you look like you haven't slept." she said quietly. She stood by the door nervously. "I had a lot of thinking to do, so no, i haven't slept." Marjorie was honest with her. Charlotte sighed and looked down, feeling guilty. "Can i have a hug, please?" Charlotte asked. Marjorie didn't need to be asked twice. She walked over and  wrapped her arms around her best friend quickly. "Just stay here with me, please. I need you." Charlotte whispered, Marjorie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. Charlotte let her friend go and pulled back the duvet for Marjorie to get in.

Reece watched with a small smile on his face. "I can go and get morning coffees if you two are happy together." Both the girls nodded and Reece left the room. "I don't like fighting with you." Charlotte muttered, Marjorie had pulled the duvet over the both of them a bit more. "Why were you drinking  alcohol last night?" Charlotte asked with a jokey tone before resting her head on Marjories shoulder. "Char i was scared, and I am more confident drunk, so i thought it would help, but then i overdone it and scared you." Marjorie muttered honestly. "Marjorie, you are a nightmare." Charlotte laughed as her friend nudged her side.  "And you didn't say anything, so that means you agree, and i am right." Charlotte laughed, proud of herself. "Oi, you can shut up," Marjorie laughed before calming down again and cuddling her friend.

After comfortable silence, Charlotte breaks it. "Where am I meant to stay now? He knows I'm here, and i don't want to be home alone in case he comes back because he knows where i am, and well technically its his house to" Charlotte waffled to Marjorie

Marjorie listened to Charlotte before interrupting her. "Char, do you know how much you are stressing over nothing right now? Do you know what we both need? It's a good night out, but not one of your fake ones where you just drink lemonade. A real one when we actually drink alcohol and get so drunk we forget our names. " Marjorie giggled slightly, knowing she was annoying Charlotte. "Marj, you are lucky i love you because you are so mean sometimes."

"No but really Marj how am ment to get myself out of these situations" At this point Charlotte had climbed out of bed and was stood by the window "I have no need to go to the police." She muttered before picking at her fingers."i will just have to hide forever from him. He will control my life without even being in it." Charlotte rambled on while pacing back and forth. "What if he does find me again?" She particularly shouted at Marjorie, her face pale with fear. "Charlot-" Marjorie tried to speak but was cut off. "He will hide me like before and use me, and i will be stuck just being his toy." By this point, Charlotte was taking shallow, quick breaths. "Charlotte!" Marjorie shouted at her before moving closer to Charlotte, holding open her arms. "You can have a hug if you want," She offered, not wanting to force Charlotte into anything.

Marjorie could see Charlotte physically shaking. "Charlotte, listen, I'm going to sit you on the bed, okay. It's just me." she told her before gently guiding Charlotte to sit down. "M-Marj I-im scared," Charlotte stuttered. She wrapped her arms around her friend, holding her against her chest. "Okay, Char, it's okay. Reece will be back soon, so shall we get back into bed?" she asked, Charlotte just lent herself back. "Come on," Marjorie whispered before pulling Charlotte to her feet, her legs physically shaking. "Okay, Char, it's all okay. Just please get into bed. I have a plan." Marjorie said softly, keeping as calm as possible.

Once Charlotte was in bed, Marjorie climbed in the other side, holding Charlottes hand in her own. "Im proud of you." she whispered while she watched her friends eyes flutter closed. She didn't let go of her hand as she sat quietly scrolling on her phone. Every time Charlotte moved, Marjorie would quickly look over at her. "Char, you are okay,  I've got you." she whispered softly.

Just as Charlotte settled again, there was a crash downstairs. Charlotte jolted awake and looked at Marjorie. "That will be Reece." but Charlotte shook her head. "Char just sit he -" Before Marjorie could even finish her sentence, Charlotte ran out of the room and locked herself in the bathroom. Marjorie sighed before knocking gently on the door. "Char, can i come in?" Marjorie asked softly. Charlotte shook her head even though she couldn't see her. "Sweet, it's only Reece downstairs. You know he doesn't understand the meaning of quiet," she whispered calmly through the door. "If i open the door and he gets in before I lock it." Charlotte panicked.

The sound of Reeces footsteps coming upstairs sent Charlotte over the edge. He heard sobs as he walked into the bedroom. Marjorie made eye contact with him. Reece quickly understood the situation. "Charlotte,  it's only me. I've got your morning coffees, i know you need two in the morning, " he told her. "Char, it's us two now open the door." As soon as Marjorie heard the door unlocked, she walked in and straight over to her best friend. Wrapping her arms around her gently.