Evermore :||: Nick & Charlie

Chapter 9: I'll Blow Out the Candles, Happy Birthday to Me

Nick's POV
Saturday

It's officially my seventeenth birthday. I'm happy to say that Charlie has been doing better since Tuesday, but that's not to say that I'm not still worried about him. He's been falling asleep in class a lot lately, not to mention that he's just seemed kind of down these past few days.

As much as I hate to say it, I think today might be my perfect chance to talk to him about getting help. He'll be surrounded by friends, and people who care about him all day, and then later, he and I will be alone in my room.

I have to get this right, I can't mess it up.

For me, today is also somewhat of a test for my dad. He made a promise to me that he would try to be in my life more, but he's failed in that department. I have my hopes up that he'll actually show up this time, which is shocking, considering I usually tend to lower my expectations when it comes to my dad.

As I'm getting dressed, I hear my phone go off. I pick up my phone off the nightstand, expecting the text to be from Charlie because he's supposed to be over soon, but my heart sinks when I see that it's from my dad.

Dad: Nick, something came up and can't make it

Not even a happy birthday at the end of that...

Wow...

Tears start to sting my eyes, as I read the message over and over. He said he'd try to make an effort to be in my life, yet, here he is, making the same tired excuses that he always does, only this time, it hurts worse because it's my birthday.

I'm ripped away from thought when I hear the doorbell ring. I leave my room and go downstairs, opening the door to see Charlie standing there with a present in his hand and a smile on his face. His smile drops when he sees the look in my eyes.

"Hey." I say, my voice trembling a little.

"Hey...what's wrong? Are you okay?" He quickly asks, recognizing that something's wrong.

"My dad just texted and said he couldn't make it." More tears come to my eyes. It hurts worse saying those words out loud. Charlie drops the bag and quickly pulls me into a tight hug.

"Nick, I'm so sorry." He rubs small circles on my back.

"It's fine. I don't care anyway." I hold on to him as a tear runs down my cheek. I'm usually not one to cry, but this time, it feels like there's a good reason I am. Charlie pulls away as I sniffle. He cups my face with his hands and wipes my tears away.

"Hey, we're gonna have a fun day regardless. We're gonna go to the zoo with all our friends and celebrate you because that's what this day is all about." I smile.

"Thank you." I say, leaning my forehead against his. He stands on his tippy toes and gives my forehead a quick kiss.

"Come on, let's go." He says, holding out his hand.

"Don't you wanna put that inside first?" I ask, point at the gift bag.

"Right. Kinda forgot it was there." Charlie chuckles before picking the bag back up and taking it inside. He sets it next to the front door before walking back out. "Okay, now we can go." I laugh before taking his hand.

We walk down to the train station and take the train to the zoo. I'm half expecting Charlie and I to be the first ones there, but surprisingly, it's Tao and Elle that are first.

"Hey! Happy birthday!" Tao happily says before pulling me into a tight hug.

"Thanks." I say as we pull away.