In Charlotte's Eyes

It's a Start

The little party was incredible. Catching up and seeing everyone again was surreal. After the party was over, she cried happy tears, the feeling of being back taking her over. The next day, she spent all of it texting all of her friends. Explaining everything that happened to her to everyone. Getting excited to go spelunking again with Kylee, Parker, and Leon. Asking Rebecca and Aaron about how their relationship came to be. Seeing the art Rebecca made, learning how to draw from Aaron. Having general fun with her original boys in the group chat.

Suzuki had asked her if she was on good terms with Audrey yet. Of course, she said that she was, even though that didn't necessarily feel true. Whenever she thought about their encounter at the jail, she cringed. Then she'd think about all the other times she brushed her sister off. She needed to do something to quell that anxiety.

She spent the next day trying to build up courage to apologize to Audrey. She knew she needed to do it. She needed to explain herself further. She was lucky that her sister was still going out of her way to help her out. A less patient person—like Charlotte herself—would’ve stopped caring.

Time passed in the day, the scenario lingering in the back of her mind constantly. It was now late evening. After getting Austin to bed for school tomorrow, Charlotte stopped Audrey as she was going downstairs to do the laundry.

“Hey, Audrey,” She began. Her sister looked her in the eyes. “I've been meaning to talk to you about something.”

“Can I do the laundry really quick first?”

She shook her head. “Uh- yeah, sure.”

“Thanks.” She smiled.

“I'll wait for you up here.”

“Alright.”

Charlotte went and sat on the couch as Audrey trudged down the stairs. She took a deep breath, looking up, considering what words to open with. A few minutes of silence passed. She could hear the washing machine start going off. She began to take a deep breath through her nose, but a sharp pain suddenly stabbed into her, and she stopped. It only lasted for a moment, Charlotte briefly going lightheaded.

Right.

She recovered, shaking her head as she heard footsteps coming from the stairs.

Audrey walked up the stairs and into the living room. “Hey, Charlotte.” She sat beside her. “What'd you need to say?”

“Okay.” She looked down, fists tense. “I've wanted to.. say sorry. To you.” She glanced at her sister, not gaining anything important from her expression. “Uh..”

As she tried to gather more words to say, Audrey interrupted her. “What do you mean? Sorry for what?” Despite it being a question, Charlotte could sense the expectancy from her.

She looked her sister in the eye with a crooked lip. “For-..” She looked away. “Treating you,” The next word didn't feel right. “Unfairly.” She paused, looking her sister in the eyes again. “I've been thinking about it since I got kidnapped.”

Another pause. Audrey smiled. “..I’m glad you're opening your eyes.” Her voice was calm.

That response felt familiar, but not in a good way. She couldn't put her finger on why, though. “Yeah.” She looked away, a bit uncomfortable. “You're supporting me, and.. helping me get through all this complicated stuff with reintegrating into society, so.. I thought I should apologize.” She promised Parker she would.

“Can I ask why, Charlotte?” She glanced at her sister. “I mean, we used to be close. One day, you kind of just.. grew distant.”

The old, stubborn, defiant part of Charlotte wanted to end the conversation. She scowled, turning away. She knew she couldn't do that, though. “It started when Jackson died.” She admitted.

“But-,” Audrey shook her head. “How does that have to do with me? It wasn't like I was the one who killed him.”

“I know.” The statement forced itself aggressively. She took a deep breath, knowing she couldn't break and snap. “It's what you said to me after he died.”

Audrey tried to recall what she said that could've sparked Charlotte’s hatefulness. She couldn't muster up anything. She was nothing but supportive, she thought. “What did I say?”

“That I'd get over him.”

Her initial internal reaction was disgusted shock, but she stopped and thought about it. On the surface, it wasn't bad. Thinking about it further, though, she could see why it could've hurt her. That made her feel guilty. “Well-..” She shook her head. “Why didn't you tell me then..?”

Charlotte’s eyes hung low, brows furrowed. “...” Her arms crossed.

Audrey didn't like the dark expression on her sister’s face. She couldn't screw up this chance to start over. She shook her head. “Whatever—thank you for apologizing, Charlotte. I forgive you. And.. I'm sorry what I said wasn't the right thing for you.” Charlotte looked at her with her good eye. “I would've apologized to you if I knew how it affected you.”

She sighed through her nose, her stern face softening. “..Yeah.”

Audrey brought her arms towards her. “Let's just start over. The past is in the past.”

She glanced at her sister's arms. She nodded. They shared a quick hug.

“Thank you.” She spoke, content. She stood up. “This made me feel very good.”

Charlotte stood up, eyes low. “Yeah. Same.”

“I'll make sure you return to a stable life.” She beamed then turned away.

Stable. An apprehensive feeling shot suddenly through the right side of her head. She shuddered silently, mouth falling open.