The Arabella Conundrum

Part Seventeen- The Language Mystification

"Earth to Arabella." Charlie said whilst waving his hand in front of my face.

"Huh?" I turned to face Charlie to my right.

"You've been staring into space for literally the last five minutes."

"We're in lesson, we're not meant to talk." I said stating the obvious.

"The lesson finished three minutes ago." He said in the same deadpan tone.

"Oh," I exclaimed and went to stand up. Charlie stopped me moving my chair and gently turned my face towards his.

"Bells..." he sighed, clearly thinking of what to say next. "You've been really distant since I've been back from my holiday."

"I know, I don't mean to be." I whispered. "It's just.."

"Yeah I know." He gave me a sympathetic look and then added. "If you ever want to talk about it you can. I know you don't like talking about it but I'm here no matter what."

I nodded in response.

"Although at 3.17 in the morning I might draw the line." He cheekily added.

"It was actually 3.16 am." I said referring to a time when I had called him up.

"Alright smarty pants!" He stuck his tongue out at me. "Anyway..." He looked directly into my eyes and looked deadly serious. He paused for dramatic effect and I began to worry what he might say.

"Daddy needs himself some pizza!" he grabbed my hand and practically yanked me out of the chair I was in.

"Alright, wait up." I said as I struggled to get up fast enough.

"I'm hungry," he whined.

"Yeah and the disgusting pizza will still be there if we're a minute later and go slowly."

"But Ollie will get the best slice."

"How do you know that?" I quizzed him as I walked out of the classroom.

"Ollie has an agreement with the dinner lady." Charlie said, being deliberately vague.

"I'm sorry, what?" I stopped walking and grabbed Charlie's arm to stop him from walking.

"He's just got a way of getting more pizza."

"Not good enough." I said bluntly.

"Bella... we need to get moving!" He yanked on my arm to get me to move.

"Nope!"

"Arabella..."

"Charlie.." I mocked back smiling at him. I sighed and looked at my watch. "I've got all day. I'm not hungry at all!"

"Arabella Lieselotte Amiya Van Der Patel!" He exclaimed as he enclosed his arms around my body and flung me over his shoulder. We walked in silence as he made his way to the lunch hall, I was used to being carried around like a sack of potatoes by Charlie. I knew better than to complain and protest as he would never let me down until he wanted to.

"Alright Arabella?" Ollie said with laughter in his tone.

"I will hurt you if you make any inappropriate jokes about my current position or if you are looking up my skirt!" I warned Ollie.

"Don't worry babe, only I can see up your skirt." Charlie said casually.

"Ow!" Charlie complained when I hit him. "If you wanted kinky you should have just asked," he playfully slapped my bum. In return I hit his bum.

"I walk innocently into the cafeteria to get myself the lovely culinary delight of frozen mouldy pizza but instead I'm welcomed by the sight of kinky butt slapping rituals." Spoke a new voice.