Half a heart

Chapter 73

Harry's POV

The drive to the therapist's office was quiet, the hum of the car's engine filling the silence. Charlie sat in the backseat with Jacob, his gaze fixed out the window, lost in his thoughts. I could see the tension in his posture, the way his hands gripped the strap of his bag a little too tightly. He hadn't said much since we left the house, and I knew he was anxious about the upcoming session.

Jacob caught my eye in the rearview mirror and gave me a reassuring nod. He'd been a rock for Charlie, always there to provide support and protection, and today was no different. But even with Jacob's presence, I could tell that Charlie was struggling to keep it together.

When we finally pulled into the parking lot, I parked the car and turned to face Charlie. "You ready, bud?" I asked softly.

Charlie glanced at me, his expression conflicted. "I guess so," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jacob gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We're right here with you, Charlie. Just take it one step at a time."

We stepped out of the car and made our way into the building. The waiting room was quiet, the soft lighting and soothing music doing little to ease the knot of anxiety in my chest. Charlie took a seat, his eyes flicking nervously around the room.

After a few minutes, Dr. Thompson, Charlie's therapist, emerged from her office. She was a kind woman with a warm smile and a calm presence that always seemed to put Charlie at ease. "Hi, Charlie. Hi, Harry. Jacob," she greeted us, her tone gentle.

"Hi, Dr. Thompson," Charlie replied, his voice wavering slightly as he stood up.

She led us into her office, a cozy space filled with comfortable chairs and shelves lined with books. Charlie settled into his usual spot on the couch, while Jacob and I took seats nearby. Dr. Thompson sat across from us, her expression attentive as she began the session.

"So, Charlie, I know it's been a tough few weeks for you," she started, her voice calm and understanding. "How are you feeling today?"

Charlie hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I don't know," he admitted. "I'm just...tired, I guess. Everything feels really overwhelming."

Dr. Thompson nodded, her expression empathetic. "That's completely understandable, Charlie. You've been through a lot lately, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Let's talk about what's been going on. I know you've had some difficult experiences at school, and the attention from the public has been intense. How has that been affecting you?"

Charlie glanced at me, as if seeking reassurance. I gave him an encouraging nod, and he took a deep breath before speaking. "It's been really hard. Everyone at school knows who I am now, and they keep asking questions and trying to take pictures. It feels like I can't escape it. And then there's the stuff online...people saying things about me, about us. I don't know how to deal with it all."

As he spoke, I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. Charlie had been thrust into this world because of us, and it was clear that he was struggling under the weight of it all. I wished there was more I could do to protect him from the harshness of the spotlight.

Dr. Thompson listened carefully, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like you're carrying a lot right now, Charlie. The pressure of being in the public eye, combined with the challenges at school, is a lot for anyone to handle. Have you thought about taking a break from school for a while, just to give yourself some space to breathe?"

Charlie looked down at his hands, his brows furrowing in thought. "I don't know. I don't want to fall behind, but...I don't think I can keep going like this."

I spoke up, trying to keep my voice steady. "We've been talking about it, too. The boys and I are really worried about him. Maybe it's best if he takes some time off until things calm down. We were also wondering if it might be better for him to come back on tour with us instead of staying here, at least until things settle down online."

Dr. Thompson considered this, her gaze shifting between Charlie and me. "That could be a good idea. Taking a break from school might give you some relief from the stress you're feeling, Charlie. And being with Harry and the others on tour could provide you with a support system while you're dealing with all of this. But ultimately, it's your decision. How do you feel about the idea?"

Charlie was quiet for a long moment, his expression pensive. "I think...I think taking a break might help. I don't want to, but I don't know how much more I can handle right now. And being with Harry and the others...it makes me feel safe."

Jacob spoke up, his voice gentle. "We'll make sure you're taken care of, Charlie. Whatever you need, we'll be there."

Dr. Thompson nodded in agreement. "It's important that you feel supported, Charlie. If taking a break and going on tour with the boys feels like the right choice, then we can work together to make sure you're getting the care you need. We can set up regular therapy sessions online, and you can continue to check in with me while you're away."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me at her words. It felt like the right decision, giving Charlie the space he needed while keeping him close to the people who cared about him. I looked over at Charlie, hoping he felt the same.

He nodded slowly, his expression resolute. "Okay. Let's do that."

Dr. Thompson smiled warmly. "We'll take it one step at a time, Charlie. You're not alone in this. We're all here to help you through it."

The session continued, with Dr. Thompson helping Charlie work through his feelings and offering strategies to cope with the anxiety and stress he'd been experiencing. By the time we left the office, I could see that some of the tension had lifted from Charlie's shoulders.

As we walked back to the car, I placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did great in there, Charlie. I'm proud of you."

He looked up at me, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thanks, Harry. I just want things to get better."

"They will," I promised, feeling more determined than ever to protect him from the pressures of our world. "We're going to figure this out together."

With Jacob walking beside us, we climbed into the car and started the drive home. Charlie was quiet, but there was a sense of resolve in his eyes that hadn't been there before. I knew we had a long road ahead of us, but for now, it felt like we were taking the right steps toward helping him find his way through the darkness. And as long as we were all together, I knew we'd get through it.