Giving Into Temptation

Getting over Charlie

As soon as Charlie left, Nick began to sob. He felt broken. In the few days that he believed Charlie was his, he'd allowed himself to fall completely in love with him. Nick was besotted with Charlie and his heart was shattered.

After a month of not seeing or speaking to Charlie, he was still completely miserable. He needed to get over him, he needed a distraction and that's when it all started.

Nick had decided to go out one Saturday, he sat in the pub, nursing his pint when a woman with dark brown hair and striking green eyes came and sat next to him.
"Why so sad?" She asked, obviously quite drunk.

Nick ignored her, he wasn't in the mood for conversation.
"Lucky for you, I like the brooding, moody type." She said seductively, placing her hand on Nick's bicep.

It suddenly registered with Nick that she was trying to get in his pants. He could do this, play Charlie at his own game.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked, smirking at her and standing up to head to the bar.
"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled, following him.

Nick stood with the woman at the bar and flirted his arse off, the occasional touch on her arm or waist, lustful eye contact and his cheeky smirk. It obviously did the trick because he ended up going home with her that night.

This led Nick into a cycle of going out most weekends and going home with any man or woman who was willing. During the week he was miserable, the weekend was his only release, and he was good at it.

It was empty, hollow, but that was how Nick was feeling anyway so what difference did it make.

🍂🍂🍂

"Nicky, this isn't you." Sarah said as he came home after a night in a strangers bed.
"I'm just trying to get over Charlie." Nick said as he headed towards the stairs.
"And are you over him?" She asked.
"Not yet." Nick said bluntly as he started to climb the stairs.
"Nick, I barely recognise you." Sarah said, sounding upset.

Nick ignored her and carried on to his bedroom. He couldn't deal with that conversation or the fact he was hurting his mum. Nick barely recognised himself anymore.

He laid on his bed, his head was pounding. He was beginning to question if any of this was even worth it. Despite his desperate attempt to get over Charlie, it wasn't working.

He never stopped thinking about him, even having to imagine it was him he was with just so he could perform. Nick didn't want anyone else, he wanted Charlie. He loved Charlie. He tried to forgive him but he was struggling because he didn't know how.

🍂🍂🍂

Nick was getting ready for one of his nights out when there was a knock at the door. He answered it and was surprised to see Tao standing there.
"What do you want?" He asked coldly.
"I need your help with Charlie." Tao replied.
"He isn't my responsibility." Nick said as he went to close the door but Tao put his foot in the doorway.
"Please Nick, I know you care about him."

Tao was right, Nick did still care about Charlie. Too much. There was obviously something seriously wrong if Tao was seeking his help.

"Come in." Nick said flatly, opening the door.

Nick went through to the kitchen and Tao followed him.
"He's completely lost himself. I barely recognise him. Last year he went into hospital with an eating disorder and now he's not eating again. He's drinking all the time, not coming to school. I'm so worried about him. He won't listen to me but he might listen to you."