It was 1:24 when Charlie arrived in his dorm room and launched himself onto his bed with a loud groin. He tried to sleep on his way back home, but there was a 3-year-old boy refusing to do that exact same thing, which caused him to have a meltdown. Needless to say, it wasn't exactly the relaxed journey he'd hoped for.
But now that he was home, he could finally get a good night's sleep. Or so he thought, cause just as his head hit the pillow, his phone beeped.
"Ughh, what now," he whispered, slightly annoyed.
He opened his phone and saw that he had 14 new messages, an Instagram notification and a text from Tara. He opened Tara's text first. 'Did you get home safe? I already made us a group chat, hope you don't mind! 💛' it said.
That's right, the group chat! He'd totally forgotten about that. They hadn't spoken about it for the rest of the weekend after they said goodbye to Sarah. He quickly sent a reply to Tara and opened the group chat.
Nick's Cap and Gown Crew 🎓💛
you, Tara, Imogen, Tao, Isaac, Elle, Sarah & Darcy
Tara [23:36]: Hi everyone! Sorry to text you this late on your Sunday evenings. But me and Charlie ran into Sarah this weekend and she had such a great idea. She suggested that we should all surprise Nick and come to his graduation to watch and support him. His graduation takes place on the 28th of this month, if I'm correct. It would be such a great surprise! I know he'll love it! Are you guys in??
Imogen [23:37]: yeeees! count me in <3
Darcy [23:37]: WE SHOULD GET HIM A PRESENT!!
Imogen [23:38]: maybe we could get him some flowers? maybe those fake ones so they will never wilt
Elle [23:38]: we could make them ourselves!! out of like paper or fabrics
Tara [23:40]: OMG YES!! A paper bouquet! Love that!
Imogen [23:41]: aah yes, and we could write little notes on the petals or stems!
Elle [23:42]: yes, that would be so cute!
Elle [23:42]: Tao and I are in btw!
Tao [23:42]: UGHHH..do we really need to? 🙄
Elle [23:42]: TAO!!!
Tao [23:42]: just kidding
Elle [23:42]: 😒
Isaac [23:58]: Love the idea. I'll be there too 😁
Charlie scrolled through all the messages and fell asleep soon after, phone still in his hand.
🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂
He woke up the next morning to the sun seeping through his blinds. After a quick search, he picked up his phone off the ground, and checked the time: 10:21. It was a good thing he only had an afternoon class today, cause although he had fun with Tara, this weekend had absolutely destroyed him emotionally. So he was exhausted.
There were a couple of new messages in the group chat, Charlie quickly scrolled through them.
There was one from Sarah telling them she loved the idea of the paper flowers. And there were a couple from Tara, Elle and her discussing potential dates and times.
Elle [08:47]: when shall we meet up?
Tara [08:55]: I'm assuming most of us will be free on the weekend, so I think it's best to meet up during one of the following weekends
Elle [08:56]: we are free next Sunday!
Tara [08:56]: Great! Me and Darcy as well 😁
Tara [08:57]: What about the rest of you guys?
Sarah [08:47]: I'm free as well. Shall we meet up at 11? You're all welcome to come to our house if you'd like
Nick's house...It'd been such a long time since he'd been there.
Charlie felt a lump forming in his throat. The more he read, the bigger the lump got and the more the idea of attending felt like a chore rather than a celebration.
A pang of guilt shot through him.
He knew Nick deserved to be surrounded by his loved ones on such a special occasion. And a part of him desperately wanted to be there. To see Nick's face light up, laugh with their friends, and be a part of that special moment.
But another part of him was terrified. What if it would be too painful? Or worse, what if Nick didn't even want him there? And what if this was going to show him that they were really over? He wouldn't be able to handle that.
But he had to, for Nick. He had to support him, even if it would be the most painful thing that he'd ever done.
Charlie [10:28]: I'll be there ❤️
YOU ARE READING
When I Look Into Your Eyes (An AU Heartstopper Story)
RomanceNick and Charlie are both in university. Nick is in his last year and is about to graduate, while Charlie still has 1,5 years of uni left. Even though they're attending different schools in different cities, their relationship is still as strong as...
