nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter thirty four

Tw: shouting, screaming, arguing

Charlie felt a gnawing sense of urgency all morning. The text from his mum had been a harsh reminder of his responsibilities at home, but his mind was preoccupied with Nick. The emotional state Nick had been in when Charlie left was unbearable to think about.

As Charlie walked to the front door, he saw his mum, Jane, pacing back and forth in the hallway. Her face was a mixture of frustration and impatience, clearly displeased with the delay.

"Charlie, where are you going now?" Jane demanded as he reached for the doorknob.

Charlie turned to face her, his voice tight with frustration. "Mum, I need to get back to Nick. He's having a really hard time, and I want to be there for him."

Jane’s face flushed with anger. “You’re not going anywhere. I’ve had enough of you running off every time someone needs you. You have responsibilities here, Charlie.”

“I know, but Nick needs me more right now!” Charlie’s voice rose in protest. “You don’t understand what he’s going through. He’s been struggling with so much, and I can’t just leave him alone.”

Jane crossed her arms and glared at him. “And what about your responsibilities here? You’ve been neglecting them for weeks. I’m not going to let you drop everything for him. You have a life here too.”

“I’m not dropping everything,” Charlie snapped. “I just want to make sure he’s okay. If you can’t understand that, then I don’t know what to say.”

Jane’s anger flared. “I understand perfectly. What I don’t understand is why you’re so willing to put someone else’s needs above your own family. This is becoming ridiculous, Charlie!”

The argument escalated quickly, with both of them shouting over each other. Charlie’s frustration bubbled over as he raised his voice. “You don’t get it! He’s been through so much, and he’s hurting. I need to be there for him. I’m not just going to abandon him because it’s inconvenient!”

Jane’s face turned red with fury. “And I’m supposed to just let you go without a care for the impact it has on our family? You need to get your priorities straight.”

The shouting grew louder, the tension thick in the air. Charlie was on the brink of breaking down, his emotions frayed from the constant battle between his need to support Nick and his responsibilities at home.

“I’m done arguing!” Charlie shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. “I’m going to see Nick, and you can either support me or stay out of my way!”

Jane’s eyes widened with shock and anger. “You’re grounded, Charlie! You’re not going anywhere until you’ve learned to respect your family and your responsibilities!”

Charlie’s hands were shaking as he gripped the doorknob, his eyes burning with frustration and hurt. “You don’t understand what it’s like for him. You don’t get how much he needs me right now. I need to go!”

Before Jane could respond, Charlie yanked the door open and stormed out of the house, his heart pounding. He felt a deep sense of guilt and anger, both towards his mum and the situation he found himself in. The distance between him and Nick seemed insurmountable, and the arguments with Jane only added to his emotional turmoil.

As Charlie walked towards Nick’s house, his thoughts raced. The intensity of the argument left him feeling shaken and overwhelmed. He knew he needed to be there for Nick, but the conflict with his mum had left him feeling emotionally drained.

When Charlie arrived at Nick’s house, he barely registered the familiar surroundings. His mind was consumed with worry and frustration. He rushed inside, hoping that he could make things right and be there for Nick, despite the mess of emotions that had clouded his day.

But as he walked up the stairs and approached Nick’s room, the sense of urgency was overshadowed by the heavy silence. The arguments with his mum had left him feeling raw and vulnerable, and he wasn’t sure what he’d find when he saw Nick.

Charlie took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He needed to focus on Nick now. The confrontation with his mum was behind him, and all that mattered was being there for the person who needed him most.

He knocked gently on Nick’s door before opening it, his heart aching with the hope that he could still mend the rift caused by the argument and be the support that Nick so desperately needed.