Hearstopper from the edit room floor

Homecoming surprise

Charlie's POV

"Have a good evening, everyone, and we'll see each other after the Easter break," Mr North, my English teacher, says brightly, as the end of day bell tolls. "have a good break, sir!" I say as brightly as I can as I pack up my stuff and get ready to get home.

It's finally 3:30 pm on another Friday afternoon. It's finally the end of term, and Nick will be home on Monday to start a new school placement at a local social emotional mental health needs school, and it couldn't come soon enough. I scoop up my things and just as I am wrapping myself in my scarf and pulling on my rucksack to leave Mr North breaks the silence "have a good one Charlie" he offers brightly as I leave the classroom, he has always been one of the most likeable teachers in the school and always just seemed to get it. I smile at him, nod as a gesture of thanks, and leave the classroom. The sun is slowly setting as I finally take my first steps out of the building.

Without even thinking, I pull out my phone and text Nick.

Charlie Spring: I miss you so much. Today has felt like actual torture. Are you sure you can't come home any sooner? I might actually die if you don't xxx

Nick replies almost instantly.

Nick Nelson: sounds like someone's had a fairly dramatic day, I really wish I could come back sooner but we are in back to back rugby until I come home and Miles and Chase might actually kill me if I leave them any earlier then I have done already xx

Charlie Spring: You are very, very rude, but I love you xx

Nick Nelson: Someone has to :P
Nick Nelson: Fancy a call while you walk home. I can't do facetime as I'm in the library xx

Charlie Spring: You in the library wow - impressive
Charlie Spring: Some company would be great xx

As soon as I send that last text, my phone starts ringing, and Nicks number flashes on the screen, "Hey you! I miss you!" Nick says brightly on the other end of the phone "hey!" I say trying to sound the same level of bright and enthusiastic as Nick "well someone sounds thrilled to speak to me, has this Friday really been that terrible its usually your favourite day of the week?" he asks suddenly a note of concern in his voice. I sigh again, shoving a hand in my coat pocket "it usually is! but I just really miss you, and I wish you were here and we were walking home from school together, I just really miss you, we're usually walking hand in hand by now and you've shoved your hand in my pocket as we walk and - did I mention that I really miss you - like a lot?" I ask, feeling my cheeks flush.

Nicks boyish, warm, sexy, confident laugh breaks the sound barrier, and I feel my heart warm. god, I really needed a hug right now! "I really miss you like a lot as well baby.... I can't wait until I'm home, and I'll be home before you know it practically knocking your door down to let me in!" he jokes "okay stalker jeez calm down anyone would think you love me or something" I deadpan "maybe a little bit" he quirks I gasp trying to fain offence "only a little bit that's very very rude!" I tease Nick laughs again. This time, it's more of a giggle

The walk home doesn't take long but today I decided to take the long route through the park, but its helped greatly by the fact that Nick has stayed on the phone the whole entire time and I arrive at our doorstep at 4:00pm, we talked, we laughed we joked Nick told me about how the rugby team was getting on I filled him in on Tao still buying Elle's apple juice and how everyday this week he'd managed to spill every bottle every day he had

As I reach the door Nick speaks again and my heart sinks my bubble was about to pop "hey look I have to go I have a rugby social tonight and Devon and Vaughn are coming over for dinner before we go out for pre drinks and stuff and I really shouldn't be talking in this bit of the library" he says theres a slight sadness in his voice and I clear my throat to stop welling up I loosen my tie with one hand while I assertively borderline aggressively put my key in the lock to open the door "yeah you go! Go get ready and have fun, I've just got home and I want to play some mario Kart and maybe watch a movie with Oliver. He's been bugging me to watch James and the giant peach with him !" I tell him Nick hums approvingly "alrighty my love, well, have fun and tell Oli I say hi, okay? and tell him I'll watch something with him next time okay" Nick asks "yeah will do, have fun tonight and say hi to Devon for me?" I ask, I liked Devon. He was in Nick's year and Nick's vice captain for the season Vaughn hadn't been on the team long as I hadn't had many chances to get to know him "alright baby I will do!" the line falls silent "hey Char?" he asks "yes Nick" I reply "I love you" he says, and my cheeks burn "I love you too! you goof" I say and end the call