Secrets Are Only Skin Deep

Chapter 4 - Tired Frights

It was now 5:57. Still, neither was tired. At least, because they had both taken short naps. Charolette's was like Patrick's, with him holding and gently rubbing the arm of the unmoving girl. Neither of them wanted to move, so there they stayed.

"You should really start your own band," Patrick said as he played with Charolette's hair.

"Mmm, really?" Charolette smiled. "I could sing and sometimes do violin or cello, but what about everything else?"

"I thought Mariana could play guitar? And sing as well?"

"Well, yeah, but that still leaves rhythm guitar, bass, drums, keyboard...."

"I could do drums. My uncle's teaching me. He's in a band."

Charolette laid on her side, facing her triumphant faced friend. "Really?" She paused. "I don't feel so well...."

"What do you-?" He gasped as Charolette fell halfway over the bed, knocked out cold. "Shit!" he said. "Not again!"

Patrick got up, then picked up and laid Charolette on the couch-bed. He put her feet up, in hope that blood would go to her head and help. Patrick began to pace. "Okay, stay calm....First....first I gotta get Uncle Clay." He ran downstairs and tried to wake Clayton, but all he did in his drunken slumber was re-position in his chair and make odd noises. "Mother Hell...."

Running back upstairs, Patrick's heart began to beat uncomfortably fast. Trying to stop from panicking only made it worse.

He got to Charolette's side and checked her pulse on her neck. It wasn't too fast or too slow, but also wasn't consistent. "Now what...." Patrick got on his knees, by Charolette's ear. "Come on, Char, wake up....please, wake up...." He paused, grabbing her hand. " Charolette, please....you have to wake up...." When she still didn't move, Patrick's eyes began to water uncontrollably. "I'm begging you Charolette ....I love you damn it....I have for nine fucking years....since I fucking met you...." Her hand twitched a little, and tears rolled down Patrick's cheeks. He kissed her, long and hard, then cried hard on her chest.

✖✖✖✖✖✖✖

Patrick cried on Charolette's chest for a good five minutes, clutching her hand for dear life. Once her breast was soaked with tears, he kissed her again and put her palm on his cheek, closing his eyes.

Charolette began to squirm. Patrick immediately looked up, carefully helping he weak girl sit up. "P..Patrick?...." she said slowly, trying to grip his hand.

"Yes.." Tears of relief and joy fell from his eyes. "Yes, love, I'm right here...."

"I...." She tried to find her voice. "I heard..all the stuff you..said to me...."

Patrick blushed bad. "You did?"

Charolette nodded. "Everything was a nightmare..your words helped get rid of it...your...your sugar-sweet kisses made it vanish...it was keeping me from waking up...but you saved me." She smiled weakly. "Sugar Sweet Nightmare."

Patrick smiled back. "The perfect name for the band." Charolette nodded, Patrick kissed her again. "It's almost six thirty..Let's sleep, love...."

Patrick helped Charolette into her bed in the next room, then laid with her, his arms around her lovingly. "Don't worry, my sweet," he whispered in her ear as they laid there. "I'll keep the monsters away so you can sleep..."