Change | Heartstopper

Dread

Charlie stared at the unopened Fanta and sandwich. Half of the clingfilm was hanging off the side. Like it was waiting to be unwrapped and eaten.

He rested his cheek on his palm, drumming his fingers of his free hand on the material of the table.

By now, Nick had been gone for almost the entirety of lunch. Tao and Isaac had gone back to texting and reading and he was left to sit there, going half insane with possibilities rushing through his busy head.

His eyes lulled over to his own lunch. His sandwich sat half-eaten, looking more unappetizing by every second that passed them by.

What if Harry was taking Nick away to beat him up? What if Nick's in total danger and all I'm doing is sitting here, doing nothing but guarding his food? What if I'm the worst boyfriend ever?

Charlie squeezed his eyes shut, folded his arms over the tabletop and slammed his head down into them silently.

It didn't exactly go unnoticed by his friends, though.

"He's fine, Charlie. He can stick up for himself," Tao hissed, deep brown eyes connecting with Charlie's blues as he gently lifted his head until just his lower facial features were covered.

"I'd be more worried that Harry's trying to con him into a pyramid scheme or something equally as stupid."

Now, Isaac gradually shifted his eyes from the pages of his book to the side of Tao's head, raising a brow.

Noticing both of their bemused expressions, Tao stuck his arms up.

"What? I wouldn't put it past him! Would you!?"

"No, but that's so oddly specific?" Charlie muttered. His voice was muffled from his sleeves.

Tao straightened his blazer out with pizazz.

"Can't blame me for my advantageous imagination."

Charlie smirked a bit but all happiness was flushed out of his system and replaced by dread as the sound of the bell rang out.

Tao and Isaac each rolled their eyes and got up in due time, waiting for their friend--but Charlie was frozen in place, eyeing Nick's lunch. What was he supposed to do now?

"Guys, help, should I just take it back to my locker, or... what?"

Isaac gently placed his bookmark into where his finger had been and closed his book.

"I think so, yeah. It's not a big deal, you'll see him at the end of the day," he offered, grabbing his rubbish to throw away.

Charlie paused for a second, disheartened at the idea of only seeing Nick in the afternoon, but nodded in agreement and began gathering everything up in his arms.

As he clambered over to join the two on the walk back to the lockers, he noticed Tao standing tall with this estranged expression in the distance.

"What?" Charlie asked, trying to peek over in the direction. He couldn't see anything of concern but it made him all the more anxious not knowing.

"Nothing, it was probably nothing. We should go get our stuff or we'll be late."

Charlie felt a lump in his throat.

Nick chuckled a bit, kicking some dirt beneath his shoe.

Who'd have known Harry coming out would make things feel somewhat like old times between them?

"So, who is this extremely suave boy you tell me about, hm?" Nicholas queried. He gave the other lad a small jab with his elbow, causing Harry to rub the spot and become uncharacteristically bashful. 

"I don't think I can say mate, might be outing him or something."

"Uhh, not even a hint?" Nick prodded lightly.

Harry just shook his head, a huge smile on his face.

It was decidedly nice to see him like this. Not putting up a front and having more than just being rich, rude and full of attitude as a personality point.

Just as Nick was about to pry more, the bell echoed through the wind. Nick's heart sank. Charlie still has my lunch. I didn't make it back in time.

"Right well that's enough gay talk then. I'll see you at rugby practice, yeah?"

"Yeah," Nick agreed, beginning to trot away, "I'll see you then."

The two gave each other a brotherly nod. As Nick let his mind replay what just happened, he couldn't help but smirk a bit. An odd turn of events it sure was.

Even odder, Nick felt his shoulder collide with something and as he snapped back to reality, he realized it was a person--tall and lanky, clearly expecting something from him.

He spun around to apologize, still in a light jog, when his whole being went stiff.

Standing there was Ben, a mean scowl on his face and hands stuffed shiftily in his pockets.

"Watch it, Nick," he jeered, then narrowed his eyes and turned away, heading toward the field that he had just left.

Nicholas Nelson began to feel a burning pit of fear and dread well up inside of him. He stood there, panting softly, trying to think of any other alternative to the conclusion his brain jumped to.

Oh, no.