The Boy Next Door Is Not What He Seems

Chapter Four: Girlfriend?

Chapter Four: Girlfriend?

•.⌯.•River's POV•.⌯.•
Upon hearing the sound of a car pulling up in the driveway, I practically jumped up and gave out a bright smile, "Come on Charlotte!" I cooed as I picked her up, "Your ma is here."

Eagerly heading for the door, I hear Charlie's voice from the outside along with his mother's. It sounded like she had been scolding him from the bruises he acquired over the weekend, which I don't blame her for. When I saw Charlie this morning before he left to go to the airport, his swollen eye had gone down a bit, but the bruising had turned darker. In short, he looked really bad. 

He and I hadn't spoken properly since his drunken incident Friday night. Every time he made his way to speak to me, I made sure to keep the conversation short, which I didn't realize would bother him so much given that we hardly spoken prior to this arrangement. All I knew as both Charlie's and his mother's voices drew closer and closer to the front door, I was getting more and more eager to go back home to my mother and my bed and finally have time to myself after this hell of a weekend. 

Opening the front door, my smile brightens even more when I see Ms. Matthews standing on the front porch with her bags in tow.

"Hi Ms. Matthews!" I greet her as I bounce Charlotte up and down as she let out a big squeal.

"River!" She says matching my big smile as she caught sight of Charlotte in my clutch, "Charlotte!" She cooed as she caressed the cheek of her little girl with her free hand, "How was she? Was she good?"

"She was great." I answered with honestly.

I move out of the way and allow her inside to get settled back into her home. As she places her bags inside, she continues to tell me about her trip and complain about some rude people on the flight back over here. Listening to her, I don't realize that Charlie had made his way back inside until he was excusing himself to go put his mother's bags away in her room. My eyes followed Charlie as he made his way upstairs.

"River?" Ms. Matthews called out my name, "Do you know what happened to Charlie? He doesn't want to tell what happened with him and I was wondering if he told you?"

His mom seemed to notice my attention on her son and all I could do was offer her a smile, "I'm sorry Ms. Matthews. He never told me what happened." I answered truthfully, causing her to sigh.

"It's okay, hon." She sighed, "I'm just worried. He's been coming home with more and more bruises every week recently. I just thought he'd tell you something."

"I know what you mean, but he and I don't talk like that."

Not really knowing what else to say, I made an excuse myself to go to Charlotte's room to place her in her crib for her midday nap, I begin my way upstairs, humming quietly to ease her before she sleeps.

Upon getting to her room, I sit in the rocking chair and rock her until she is taken by slumber. Carefully getting up, I place her in her bed before I make my way back downstairs. However, as I quietly shut her bedroom door, I was suddenly yanked backwards causing me to stumble into the only person who would do that.

"Charlie." I snapped harshly with furrowed eyebrows, "You don't just pull a person to get their attention."

Before he could say anything, I pull my wrist from his grasp and go downstairs without looking back. I had my foot out the door as I called out to Ms. Matthews that I was leaving when she made me stop in my tracks with her calling my name. 

She peaked her head out from the kitchen, "Would you like to stay for lunch? Your mother from what I remember said she wouldn't be home until late at night." Mrs. Matthews offered.