Nick and Charlie

Chapter 37

I wake up to my phone ringing. Five minutes before my alarm. What has the world come to?

"I hope you realise it's a Monday," I say, answering the call and propping myself up on my elbows.

"I can see right through your little façade, Charlie. I know that Nick really hurt you and you're still upset," May says, matter-of-factly. I take a moment before answering.

"So?"

"So, I was thinking about what makes me happy when I'm down, and I realized it was wearing something nice! Why don't you wear that green dress we bought ages ago to school today?" May says, and I laugh.

"May, I can wear a nice outfit without looking like I'm going to a wedding," I say, and she huffs.

"I'm trying to help!" she complains, and I hold in my giggles.

"Okay, okay. I'll wear something nice today. Thank you for cheering me up, May," I say, and I can nearly hear her smile.

"See you at school!" she says, and I hang up, going to my wardrobe and looking for an outfit. I was thinking of wearing the usual sweatpants and a big jumper, but I thought I should at least try for May.

She was right; I had been moping around ever since prom, which was now 3 weeks ago, might I add, and it was time I got a grip on my life.

I fish out my light blue skirt that has criss crossed straps, my cream three quarter sleeve t-shirt, my light brown boots with 4-inch heels, grey tights and my burgundy scarf.

I put on my clothes, walking into the bathroom and brushing my hair, running water through it to try and tame it, and then walking out to the kitchen and making myself some tea and toast. I finish getting ready for school, before heading out to the car to see Aug sitting in the driver's seat.

"Sup, little brother," I say, getting into the back seat.

"Hey big sis," he says, scrolling through his Instagram feed. Dad comes out two minutes later and Aug starts the car, and we drive to school.

I walk through the doors of school and head to the library foyer.

"Char! You look HOT!" May says, walking over to me.

"I took your advice," I say, twirling around.

"Good on you!" she says, and I see Hannah and wave her over.

"Did you guys hear?" Hannah says, wining.

"What?" I ask, and Hannah pouts.

"We have a whole school assembly," she says, and May groans. Whole school assemblies mean that the middle school walks across to the high school and we sit there for about an hour listening to boring news that we already know.

"Why? What could they possibly have to tell us?" I ask. I hate whole school assemblies, and this was turning out to be a pretty bad day.

"I think the basketball team won a final or something," May says, huffing.

"Could all students please head to the auditorium for a whole school assembly," the loudspeaker blares, and I drag my feet towards the auditorium.

"Where are Jane and Grace?" I ask.

"Jane texted me just then to tell me she was going to be late, and Grace is working on the slideshow projector in the auditorium," May says, rolling her eyes.

We get into the auditorium, and head towards the middle of the masses of chairs.

We sit down, and I see Jane across the room, looking around. I stand up and wave her over, and she spots me and walks over.