In Charlotte's Eyes

You Don't Care?

It was now New Year’s Eve. Both Charlotte and Parker remained awake to watch the ball drop.

The two remained snuggled up to each other on the couch. Parker loved feeling this feeling again. It made him feel a bit anxious, now that the new year was about to begin. Last year, he thought this would be just another normal year, but it ended up being the most stressful one of his life. “Hey, Charlotte.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you ever worry that you'll be taken back?”

She snickered. “Taken back to what?”

“To that place—that plain.”

“Oh.” Her expression didn't change. “No. I don't.”

“...” That wasn't what he was expecting. “..Really? Not at all?”

“No.” She responded without hesitance. “Airy is dead.”

“Yeah, but..” He looked down at her. “He might not be the only one out there that has the power to take you away.”

She giggled, amused by his worry. “You don't need to worry, Parker. I'll be here with you.”

He hummed lowly. “..What about the others that were trapped with you? Do you think about them?”

She hummed sadly. “Yeah. Sometimes. But I'm just glad to know that they're all probably safe.”

He was surprised how.. untraumatized she was by the experience. Maybe it was some sort of coping mechanism? He growled quietly on accident, trying to figure it out.

A few moments of silence passed.

“..Do you not feel any anxiety from what happened to you?”

Charlotte was beginning to understand what Parker was trying to say. “I was kind of unconscious for most of the time I was there. When I was conscious, I was just focused on competing or stuck thinking about how much of an asshole I was to you and everyone else. Everyone's..” She looked down at her hands. “Forgiven me now.” She slid her hand into his.

“Oh..” He looked down at their connected hands.

“I had good company up there. It made things easier.”

“Mm..” Parker should feel happy for Charlotte—and part of him was—but a majority of him was disappointed. Her disappearance really screwed him up. He kind of wished that he could relate with Charlotte in that way.

That was.. a selfish thought.

She rotated on the couch, facing him. He watched as she kissed the edge of his lip. “I promise I'll be here.” She whispered.

Something inside of him twinged. “Heh.” He smiled. “Thanks, Charlotte.”

…

The ball dropped.

“Happy New Year!” The pair shouted, beaming.

“Woo!” Charlotte pumped a fist.

“What's your resolution this year?” He asked.

She gave him a confident smile. “I'm gonna get rid of this bitch ass mold for good!”

He laughed, nodding. “Yeah!”