TNN ONESHOTS

staff room - CV & C & MK & AFK

Carly sat alone in the staffroom, her thoughts heavy and dark. She was so lost that she hadn't noticed the pain of her own nails digging into her arm. It was her way of self soothing.

She just sat, so lost in thought that she didn't notice Charlotte enter the room and sit down across from her. It wasn't until she felt a hand on her own that she snapped out of it before looking up slowly at Charlotte.

"Char, what is wrong with me? Why can't i just be loved?" Carly mumbled as she looked back down at the table between them. "Carls, you are loved by all of us here. You might not be in a relationship, but you are still loved." Charlotte told her calmly as she reached her hand out to her. Carly gladly took them.

"Carls, if you feel the need to hurt yourself,  just squeeze my hands. Im here, " she hushed while keeping her breathing slow and steady for Carly to copy. The young girl sighed before squeezing both of Charlottes' hands before relaxing and taking a deep breath.

In the moment of pain and frustration earlier, where she had dug her nails into her arm, Carly had not realised the damage she was causing. As she sat holding Charlottes' hands, a wave of panic washed over her as she stared at her bloodied nails, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

Charlotte caught a glimpse of Carly's distressed expression. "Carly, what happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. As she noticed where Carly was looking, her eyes widened when she noticed the blood on Carly's nails. "Carls, it's okay. Roll up your sleeve, sweetie," she instructed gently, wanting to assess the situation.

With trembling hands, Carly complied, revealing the raw scratch on her arm. Charlotte quickly retrieved a clean cloth and some antiseptic from her bag, carefully cleaning the wound. "Shh, it's okay. You need to be more careful," she said softly, her focus entirely on Carly as she worked. Once the arm was clean, Charlotte applied a bandage, ensuring it was secure.

After finishing, Charlotte wrapped her arms around Carly, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes," she whispered, stroking Carly's hair gently. Carly leaned into the comfort, letting out a choked sob, burying her face in Charlotte's shoulder, feeling the comfort of her friend's presence. "It's okay, I've got you," Charlotte whispered, holding her tight as Carly cried, feeling safe and supported in that moment of vulnerability.

"Shall we go and call your mum to see if she can pick you up early today? Im spare today. " Charlotte spoke calmly, but Carly shook her head quickly. "I want to be here with my chosen family." She mumbled nervously. "Okay, sweetheart.  Maybe you could join Marjorie in the office.  I heard that Autumn is in a really good mood, so today might be the day you get a hug from her." Charlotte joked slightly as Carly rolled her eyes before agreeing.

Charlotte took Carly into the office, her heart heavy with concern for her friend. "Marjorie, as I'm spare today, I'm going to cover Carly because she needs some time," Charlotte spoke calmly, her voice steady despite the worry in her eyes. They walked into the office together, the atmosphere thick with unspoken emotions.

Marjorie looked up, her expression shifting from her usual work focus to one of understanding. She listened closely, her gaze softening as she approached them. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Carly, pulling her into a warm embrace. Carly melted into the comfort of Marjorie's hug, grateful for the support as she fought back tears.

Charlotte stood by, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that with friends like Marjorie, Carly would find the strength to face whatever was weighing her down. In that moment, the office felt less like a workplace and more like a sanctuary, where friendship and support could heal even the deepest wounds.

Carly sat on the edge of the couch, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to catch her breath. She was staring at her hands, lost in thought. The weight of the world felt heavy on her shoulders, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of isolation that had settled in.  The weight of everything felt unbearable, and she couldn't hold it in any longer. Autumn, who had been sitting nearby at her desk. noticed the distress in her friend's eyes. She felt a pang of concern, knowing how much Carly was hurting.

“Carly, what’s wrong?” Autumn asked, her voice steady but filled with worry. Carly shook her head, unable to articulate the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Instead, she let out a choked sob, and Autumn instinctively moved closer, even though she wasn’t comfortable with emotions or physical affection.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Autumn said softly, her heart aching for Carly. Without another word, Autumn moved to sit next to Carly, the couch creaking slightly under their combined weight. She hesitated for a moment, She reached out, resting her hand on Carly's back, providing a small gesture of support. “I’m here for you. Just let it out.” As Carly continued to cry, Autumn felt a mix of discomfort and determination. She might not know how to handle emotions, but she knew she could be a steady presence for her friend.

She hesitated for a moment, then gently moved draping an arm around Carly’s shoulders, pulling her closer. Carly looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes, and for a moment, the tension in the air shifted. Carly leaned into the support, grateful for Autumn’s unwavering presence. Though it was hard for Autumn to navigate this emotional moment, she stayed by Carly's side, offering the comfort she desperately needed. In that shared silence, a bond strengthened, reminding them both that sometimes, just being there was enough.