Steps {Sequel to Patience} | Charlie Jones

0.7

* Autumns *

Ludicrously, I woke up at 6am. Wide awake, and sat upright in my bed - I looked around the room, the other girls peacefully cocooned in their blankets, still absorbed in their dreams. I waited a while, purposefully coughing loudly, and making subtle noises, in hope that just one of them would awake, but sadly my plan had failed. 

There was absolutely nothing to do, especially not this early in the morning. I struggled out of bed, heaving one foot in front of the other, in motion of walking. I sat down by our window, which over-looked campus, and a mass of foliage. Birds tweeting was refreshing, looking up into the sky, and cloud gazing was also fun. Just simply having time alone, in silence, well that too, I found enjoyable, just being left alone with my feelings, and thoughts. 
Of course, one thought popped right into my head. Not necessarily a thought, but more a past memory; more specifically a person, someone who had a major effect on my life, previously and currently. Charlie. 
Yesterday, I spent a morning with him, and then we separated to our own dorms. I had little idea in what Charlie did, though I knew it can't have been much. 
I wasn't annoyed at him, how could I possibly be annoyed at him? He did nothing wrong, like usual, it was me who had made things dramatically awkward. I remained silent, whilst he was playing Romeo, announcing his undying love for me. Instead of playing Juliet and taking his compliments, I stayed mute. After all of it, it was Charlie I felt sorry for, because I could only imagine the pain he was going through. It would've taken a heck of a lot of courage for me to say that to him, like I mean if he would've just stayed quiet afterwards, I would've burst out into tears. 

I wonder if Charlie was thinking of me. I wonder if he had trouble sleeping last night too.I wanted to message him and ask him to talk, but at the same time it was 6 in the morning, and in reality he was probably fast asleep.
I refused to listen to myself, and grabbed my phone off of my painted white bedside cabinet, finding Charlie's name in my contacts. I changed all the names back, after Casey had changed them all as a joke. Charlie was "my sexy baby boi" with completely irrelevant emoji's tagging along afterwards. But now he was just simply, Charlie.
"Are you awake?" I messaged him quickly, fumbling around with my phone, waiting for a reply which I expected instantly, but no.

 Five or so minutes passed, and still no reply from Charlie. He replies instantly, you can always count on him for replying back instantly. It made me wonder, was he asleep, or annoyed at me. If he was annoyed he wouldn't reply, that was something else I knew about Charlie.
"we need to find our own special place, where we can talk alone" he replied back, a smiled forming on my lips.
I quickly changed into my jeans and over-sized hoodie, which I believe I stole from one of the boys.I felt rough. I felt dirty, I didn't want Charlie seeing me in the state I was in, but I didn't want to make him wait. My hair was a tangle and my face was bare. 

I was unsure where I was arranged to meet Charlie, but hopefully he'd have the same idea as me and meet me in the main lobby.
Being lazy, I took the lift and jammed my finger into the button that would guide me to the ground floor. Lifts like these scare me. It was an old one, only held by an old, rusted, wire. You have to pull the metal fence close, behind you, in order for the lift to work. It was darkened inside, with a bulb attempting to illuminate the lift. Behind me was a murky, cracked mirror; the types you see in horror films where there's usually a face behind you. The noises it made when it was in action, scared me. But thankfully I made it out alive.  

The main lobby was empty. The usual, pencil-thin, mannequin like woman, wasn't here - and neither was Charlie. I placed myself down on the tan, leather chair, waiting patiently for Charlie. A large grandfather clock, stood proudly, opposite me, I watched the handle strike past every second.

"Autumn." A voice spoke, close to a whisper, but loud enough for me to hear. 

"Charlie." I replied, in the same monotone voice, trying my best to impersonate him. He chuckled slightly at my attempt, smiling and gazing down at me.

I heaved myself out of the chair, and stood a few inches away from Charlie, his large masculine figure, towering over my small and fragile one. "There's a field to the back of here, I guess we could talk there." He shrugged, his voice low. I nodded, and walked along by his side, as he guided me outside. 

The vast field was unwrapped in front of us - the same field I was previously looking across this morning. A abundance of trees were lined at the back, possibly a few hundred metres away from us. It was so quiet here, nothing was to be heard. Places like this made me especially happy, I loved being outdoors. The field just seem to extend, and I just felt like running in the crisp air. I was a few paces in front of Charlie, I looked behind to see him looking right at me, a smile on his face. 
The slight breeze, made his usual blond quiff flop a little, the coldness in the air made his plump cheeks seem more rosy, the sunlight that was just appearing shone right in his eyes, brightening them up. 

"What?" He questioned me, moving a few steps towards me, closing up the gap.

"Nothing." I shrugged, shoving my hands inside the pocket of my hoodie, to warm them up. My hair was blowing in Charlie's face, but he didn't mind. He stood there, expressionless, just looking at me.
His hand tucked my hair behind my ear, as he caressed my face. His warm breath, trickled across my face, his lips slightly parted as he tilted his head in closer. 

"Let's race!" I smirked, turning away from him, and running as fast as I possibly could, through the vast green field. 
I looked behind me, to see Charlie, jogging slowly, smiling competitively, as he quickened his pace. 
I paused by the fir trees, stopping to regain my breath. Charlie running up behind me. 

"We need to talk." He spoke, puffing.