The Book Of Us

13. Midnight Compromises

I wake up with a sharp pain in my back and an ache in my neck that feels dangerously close to a cramp. Sleeping upright against a wall was clearly not one of my best decisions. I stretch slightly, groaning at the stiffness, when I glance down and see... Charlotte's head resting on my lap.

Without a second thought, I shove her head off me and get to my feet, watching as her head hits the floor with a dull thud. She lets out a small yelp, grimacing as she looks up at me, rubbing the side of her head.

"What the hell was that for?" she asks, her face twisted in irritation.

Ignoring her, I walk over to the door, peering out to see if there's any sign of someone who might let us out. But the hall is quiet, and it's still too early for anyone to be wandering around. Just my luck.

"Did you really have to be so aggressive?" Charlotte mutters behind me, the annoyance clear in her tone.

I roll my eyes, still not looking at her. "Well, maybe don't fall asleep on me next time."

She scoffs, crossing her arms. "Yeah, because I totally planned that. Like I wanted to fall asleep on you."

I let out a dry laugh, fishing a cigarette out of my pocket and lighting it up, turning to face the window as I exhale slowly. I can feel her watching me, her glare practically burning a hole in the back of my head.

She finally stands, dusting herself off, still looking at me with that same annoyed expression. "For the record, you're the one who was holding onto my hand all night," she says, crossing her arms more tightly. "I tried to get up, but you wouldn't let go."

I turn around, raising an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

She huffs, clearly enjoying the chance to throw it back at me. "Yeah, you had my hand locked in some kind of death grip. I tried to pull away, but you wouldn't let go. So don't act like I was just... clinging to you or something."

I shake my head, exhaling another puff of smoke, feeling the irritation rise again. "You're imagining things."

Charlotte crosses her arms, a smirk pulling at the corners of her lips. "Our fingers were practically intertwined, Engfa. You seemed pretty cozy."

"Shut up," I snap, turning to glare at her. "Why the hell would I ever hold your hand? Don't start pissing me off this early in the morning." My voice is sharper than I mean it to be, but I'm already on edge. The last thing I need is Charlotte adding fuel to the fire with her smug grin.

But, of course, she doesn't let it go. She tilts her head, that damn smirk still in place. "Why so defensive? You look like you're about to explode over something as harmless as holding my hand."

I scoff, rolling my eyes and taking a long drag from my cigarette, forcing myself to look anywhere but at her. "Defensive? You wish. I just don't have time for your little fantasies this morning."

She laughs softly, and the sound grates on my nerves. "You're acting like I'm accusing you of something serious. It was just... I don't know, maybe a little clinginess in your sleep?" She raises an eyebrow, clearly enjoying how much this is getting under my skin.

I shake my head, unable to believe the nerve she has. "Listen, if I'm clingy in my sleep, it's definitely not going to be over you. Got it?"

Charlotte steps closer, stopping right by the window where I'm leaning, her usual smirk firmly in place. She's too close, her eyes glinting with amusement as she watches me, like she's daring me to react.

I take another drag from my cigarette, doing my best to ignore her, but she doesn't back off. "What's got you so worked up this morning?" she asks, her tone teasing, light. "Relax a little, Engfa. It's not the end of the world if you held my hand."