Evermore :||: Nick & Charlie

Chapter 11: Don't Talk of the Past

Charlie's POV

After telling my parents about my mental health, and crying for a solid twenty minutes, Nick leaves. As much as I don't want him to go, I know that it's late and I know that his mom probably doesn't want him staying late round my house.

I sit with my parents for a little while longer as my mom rubs small circles on my back. Neither of my parents have ever been good at comforting me or Tori when we're upset, so I know that both of them are feeling a bit unsure about what to do.

"Do you want to tell Tori?" My dad asks, finally breaking the silence between us.

"Yeah." I say, sniffling. "I think it might be better coming from me." I stand up from the couch.

"I'm going to call the doctor tomorrow, Charlie. We're gonna get you help." I give them a weak smile before turning around and heading upstairs. I go to Tori's room and lightly knock on the door.

"Come in." I hear her say. I take in a deep breath before opening the door. She's sitting on her bed in the dark, her laptop illuminating her face. She pauses her video when she sees it's me. "Are you alright?" She asks me. I feel myself starting to shake as more tears start forming in my eyes.

I really thought I had calmed myself down, but I guess I was wrong about that.

Tori is quick to stand up from her bed and pull me into a tight hug. "What happened?" Her voice sounds surprised, concerned, and a mix of other emotions I can't even begin to describe.

I've never heard her sound like that before.

"I have-I need to-" I attempt to say through my sobs. I look down and see the paper still in my hand. I close my eyes tightly, letting the last of the tears fall from my eyes before pulling away from her. The hallway light makes me see her face in full. Her eyes are filled with tears as she looks at me, worried. My shaking hands hold out the piece of paper in my hand and she looks down, hearing the noise of the paper.

"Do you want me to read that?" She asks, looking back up at me. I slowly nod and she takes the paper out of my hand. Flipping on her light, she slowly begins to read the words I've written down on the page.

Her eyes scan my words over and over again as tears finally fall from her eyes. She's slowly walking around her room as she takes my words in. She looks back up at me, but at this point, I can't look her in the eyes.

I feel so ashamed.

She folds the paper back up and quickly pulls me into another hug. "How long have you been feeling like this?" She asks. I shrug my shoulders. Honestly, I'm not even sure the answer to that question.

"A long time." I tell her, feeling her arms wrap tighter around me. I hold onto her, crying into her shoulder.

Nick's POV
The Next Day

Charlie texted me and told me he wouldn't be coming to school until after lunch because his parents got him an appointment to see a doctor. I'm really glad he's finally getting the help he needs. I'm really not sure how much longer I could've carried this all on my shoulders.

After having that panic attack on my birthday, I've been thinking a lot about it. I've had something similar happen to me before, but Charlie was there to pull me out of it before it got too bad.

This though?

This felt like I was dying.

My chest was so tight, it felt like my heart was going to explode and to be honest, it was so terrifying. I'm still not wanting to talk to Charlie about it because I know just how his mind will twist it and make it seem like it's his fault.