Half a heart

Chapter 71

Charlie's POV

The school day had started out so slowly, each minute stretching into what felt like hours. I managed to keep myself together for the most part, thanks to the earplugs Harry had given me. The noise was muffled, but I could still hear snippets of conversations and laughter around me. I just tried to focus on getting through the day.

It was during lunch when everything started to unravel. I was sitting alone in the cafeteria, picking at my food, when I noticed a small group of students huddled together, glancing in my direction. At first, I thought nothing of it, but soon, I felt a growing unease as more and more eyes turned towards me.

I was halfway through my sandwich when someone came up to me, holding a phone with the camera app open. "Hey, are you really living with the boys?" the student asked, their voice filled with curiosity.

I blinked, my heart starting to race. "Uh, yeah," I mumbled, trying to ignore the feeling of panic rising in my chest.

Suddenly, more students began to gather around, pulling out their phones and snapping pictures. "Can we get a photo?" someone else asked, reaching out towards me.

I felt trapped, the room closing in on me. The buzz of cameras and the murmur of voices became overwhelming. I grabbed my bag and stood up, my hands shaking. "Sorry, I-I need to go," I stammered, pushing past the crowd.

I dashed out of the cafeteria, my breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. The hallways seemed endless, but I kept running until I found the old art classroom-the one I used to hide in whenever I needed a break from everything. I pushed open the door and slipped inside, closing it behind me and leaning against it as I tried to steady my breathing.

The room was quiet and dark, the only light coming from a small window. I sank down to the floor, my back against the door, and pulled out the earplugs from my ears. The silence was a relief, but the tears started to flow as the anxiety I'd been holding at bay finally broke through.

I heard the door creak open, and my heart leaped into my throat. I scrambled to my feet, but then I saw Mr. Ajayi, the art teacher, stepping into the room. His kind face softened when he saw me, and he immediately stepped closer.

"Charlie, what's wrong?" Mr. Ajayi asked gently, his voice soothing and calm.

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "Everyone-everyone is taking pictures of me and asking if I live with the boys. I just... I couldn't handle it."

Mr. Ajayi nodded understandingly and sat down next to me on the floor. "It's okay. You're safe here. Let's take a few deep breaths, alright?"

I took deep breaths as he suggested, feeling the tension in my chest start to ease. Mr. Ajayi's presence was calming, and his quiet reassurance helped ground me. After a few minutes, I felt a bit more in control, but I knew I couldn't stay here forever.

Mr. Ajayi pulled out his phone and made a call. "I'm going to call someone to come pick you up, okay? You don't need to worry about anything right now."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude. Mr. Ajayi stayed with me, talking softly and keeping me company until the door opened again, and I saw Zayn and Jacob step inside. Zayn's eyes were filled with concern, while Jacob looked ready to spring into action.

"There you are," Zayn said, his voice warm and reassuring. "Mr. Ajayi told us what happened. Are you okay?"

I nodded, feeling tears well up again. "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble."

Jacob came over and offered me a gentle smile. "No trouble at all, Charlie. We're just glad you're alright. Let's get you home."

I stood up, leaning on Jacob as he guided me towards the door. Zayn walked beside us, his presence a comforting shield. We made our way through the school, avoiding the stares and whispers of the students still lingering in the hallways.

When we finally reached the parking lot, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I climbed into the car, grateful to be away from the chaos and back in a space where I felt safe.

The drive home was quiet, but the comforting presence of Zayn and Jacob made the journey feel shorter. By the time we arrived, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I knew the boys would be waiting for me, ready to support me in any way they could.

As we walked into the house, I was met with warm hugs and concerned faces. The boys were there, surrounding me with love and understanding. I knew that even though the day had been overwhelming, I wasn't alone. Not anymore.