nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter fourty eight

Tw: minor smut

The sun filtered through the classroom windows, casting a warm glow on the desks filled with students buzzing with excitement and anxiety. It was a pivotal day at school—exam results day. Nick sat at his desk, a mix of anticipation and dread swirling in his stomach as he glanced at the clock. Time seemed to crawl, each tick amplifying the weight of the envelope crumpled in his hand.

Charlie sat beside him, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the whirlwind of emotions. “Are you ready for this?” he asked, a reassuring smile gracing his lips.

Nick nodded, but his heart raced. “I don’t know. What if I didn’t do well? What if… what if I let everyone down?”

“Hey,” Charlie said gently, turning to face him fully. “No matter what those results say, you’ve worked so hard. You’ve come a long way, and I’m proud of you. Just remember that.”

Nick took a deep breath, appreciating Charlie’s support. “Thanks. I just wish I could feel more confident.”

The classroom door swung open, and Mr. Ajayi stepped in, carrying a stack of envelopes. A hush fell over the room as students sat up straighter, the air thick with anticipation. Mr. Ajayi called out names one by one, handing out envelopes with a mixture of pride and caution. Each time he called a name, Nick felt his stomach twist tighter.

Finally, the moment came. “Nicholas Nelson,” Mr. Ajayi announced, holding out the envelope with a warm smile.

Nick stood up, his palms sweaty as he walked to the front of the room. He took the envelope, feeling the weight of it as if it were a boulder. Returning to his desk, he sat down next to Charlie, who was looking at him with wide, encouraging eyes.

“Open it,” Charlie urged, his voice barely above a whisper.

With trembling hands, Nick pulled the flap open and unfolded the paper. His eyes scanned the results, and a rush of emotions flooded him—relief, joy, and disbelief. He had done better than he ever imagined.

“I can’t believe it,” he breathed, his voice barely a whisper. “I actually passed everything! I did well!”

Charlie’s face lit up with excitement. “Nick, that’s amazing! I knew you could do it! You deserve this!”

Nick grinned, his heart swelling with pride. “I can’t believe it! I really did it!” He felt like he could burst with happiness.

They embraced tightly, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room. Charlie pulled back, a mischievous glint in his eye. “So, what’s the celebration? Ice cream? A movie night?”

“Definitely ice cream,” Nick laughed, still trying to process the surge of joy coursing through him. “And maybe we can watch that new superhero movie you wanted to see?”

“Perfect!” Charlie grinned, his enthusiasm infectious. “Let’s do it after school! You deserve a proper celebration.”

As the rest of the class continued to receive their results, Nick felt a sense of relief wash over him. He had faced his fears, and now he was ready to embrace the future—whatever that might hold. With Charlie by his side, he felt invincible.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur, with Nick and Charlie exchanging excited whispers about their plans. When the final bell rang, they made their way out of the school, Nick’s spirits soaring higher with each step.

Once they reached the local ice cream shop, Nick treated himself to a huge scoop of his favorite flavor—bubblegum—while Charlie opted for strawberry. They settled into a booth, laughing and reminiscing about the ups and downs of the past few weeks.