Half a heart

Chapter 36

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Nick's POV

The music room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the soft rustle of sheet music that fluttered occasionally from the piano's ledge. Charlie was still asleep, his breathing steady and peaceful against the backdrop of instruments around us. It was almost 11 am, and we had missed four classes already, but right now, schoolwork was the last thing on my mind.

Charlie's phone started to vibrate inside his bag, the buzzing sound cutting through the silence. He stirred slightly, his brow furrowing for a brief moment before settling back into a deeper slumber. I gently reached into his bag, careful not to wake him, and saw Harry's name flashing on the screen. With a quiet sigh, I answered the call, putting the phone to my ear as I shifted a bit to make Charlie more comfortable.

"Charlie, where are you?" Harry's voice was frantic, his words rushing out as if he hadn't taken a breath in the last few minutes. The worry was palpable, each word tinged with fear for his younger brother.

"Hi Harry, it's Nick," I replied softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I glanced down at Charlie, ensuring he was still asleep, cocooned in his own world for now.

"Nick, where's Charlie? Is he okay?" Harry's concern was evident, his voice a mixture of desperation and hope.

"Charlie is okay," I assured him, hoping my words would alleviate some of his fears.

"Okay, that's good," Harry said, his voice softening with relief, though the tension didn't fully leave him. "But where is he?"

"He's asleep on me at the moment," I explained, looking down at Charlie, whose head was nestled against my shoulder. His face, though peaceful now, showed traces of exhaustion, the shadows under his eyes telling the story of his sleepless nights.

"Is he okay? What happened?" Harry pressed, his need for understanding pressing through the phone line.

"When he got into school with me, I took him straight to the music room as he looked very overwhelmed when we got in," I began, trying to paint a picture of the morning's events. Charlie had looked like a ghost, his usual spark dimmed by the weight he carried.

"Oh dear," Harry muttered, and I could almost hear the guilt in his voice, thick and heavy like a fog. I wished I could reassure him more, but some things needed time.

"He had a breakdown and told me everything that went on when he locked himself in his room after he got out of the hospital," I continued, hoping this would help Harry piece together the fragments of his brother's recent struggles. Charlie had poured his heart out, each word heavy with the pain he had kept hidden away.

"Thank you for being there for him this morning," Harry said, and I could feel the gratitude flowing through the phone, a warmth that settled around us like a comforting blanket.

"He has been in and out of sleep since his breakdown, but we've been in the music room all day. I have a feeling that we're going to be here until he gets picked up," I explained, glancing at the clock again. Each minute seemed to stretch, the hours creeping by as Charlie rested.

"I will be there to pick Charlie up at 2:30 pm," Harry promised, his voice firm with determination.

"Thank you, Harry," I replied, feeling a bit of the weight lift off my shoulders, though I knew the real work was just beginning. Helping Charlie through this would take time and understanding.

"Look after Charlie for us," Harry added, his voice a mix of request and plea.

"Of course, Harry," I assured him before hanging up. I placed Charlie's phone down on the floor beside me and adjusted my position, cradling him a little closer. I wanted him to feel safe, to know he wasn't alone. As he shifted slightly in his sleep, a soft sigh escaping his lips, I hummed a soothing tune, hoping to keep his dreams peaceful. It was a lullaby my mother used to sing, the melody wrapping around us like a gentle embrace.

The music room, usually a place of vibrant sound and energetic practice, had become a sanctuary today—a quiet refuge from the chaos of the outside world. As I sat there, holding Charlie and watching the sunlight filter through the windows, I hoped he could feel the care and protection surrounding him. And I promised myself, once again, that I would be there for him through thick and thin, no matter what.