The Runaway

Chapter 22

Charlie's POV

As soon as I left Matt's room, I bolted to my own. If I am really leaving with Taylor, then I have to pack all my stuff quickly and get to his room before he leaves. I slid the key into the lock and turned the knob. I'm somewhat confused as to why Bri isn't here, I didn't think she would have anywhere to go. I let the thought of her drift aside as I started throwing clothes into my duffle bag. I didn't bring too much with me to the hotel so re-packing shouldn't take that long. After I huddled my clothes together, I grabbed all my stuff out of the bathroom and shoved it on top of my clothes. I zipped my bag shut and put it beside the door. After looking over the room one last time before leaving, I placed my eyes on my charger still plugged into the wall. I quickly grabbed it and jammed it into a side pocket of my bag. I put my key in my front pocket and wrapped my fingers around the handle of my old bag. Before I could reach for the knob, I heard a knock. I whipped the door open and became face to face with Matt. "Can we talk, please?" His face sagged and his lips were in a gentle curve that faced down. "There's nothing to talk about Matthew." I slipped past him and closed the door behind me. I began to walk down the hall, ignoring Matt, but he continued to follow me. "Charlie please. I'm sorry I got so angry before, you should have never seen that side of me. I just can't handle the thought of you being with Taylor instead of me. It breaks my heart." I turn around and my face is only centimeters away from his. "You know what breaks my heart? The fact that you want me to go back to my family and get abused everyday. It breaks my heart you want me to see them do drugs and not give a shit about me. I have a once in a lifetime opportunity and you don't want me taking it." His eyes trail from mine to the floor. He keeps them there for what feels like forever, but then he looks back up. Whenever he stares at me, I feel like he can look through my soul and rip out my heart. "I don't want you to go back to your family Charlie. I know how hard your life has been and I don't expect you to want to deal with that any longer. I just really don't want you near Taylor either. I wish you could move in with me but I would have to talk to my parents and they can be tough. Look you don't have to choose between me and Taylor. You can go with him, I know that you have no other choice. I want to visit you though as much as possible and take you on dates. You also have to keep me updated on everything that happens okay?" My whole body is tingling with excitement. The recurrence of Matt in my life makes it so much better. I drop my bag on the floor and run into his arms. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. "Thank you so much for understanding. I love you so so much, I would never do this to break us apart trust me. I promise I will call you every day and tell you every detail about what is happening in my life. I would love for you to visit and take me on dates." My eyes begin watering and soon enough tears are rolling down my cheeks and landing on his shoulder. "I would do anything for you Charlie. I'll visit as much as possible. I'll talk to you for hours on the phone. I'm so sorry I yelled at you it will never happen again. I will do anything in my power to make us work, no matter how hard it gets." I squeeze him harder, and then release my arms enough to be face to face with him. "I love you more than anything Matthew" I lean into kiss him, and he meets me halfway. It was a shorter kiss, but it was completely fulfilling. "I love you more than anything too Charlie" He leans in to kiss my nose and then puts me down. I let go of his neck and instead take his hand in my own. I grab the handle of my bag and begin walking down the hallway. "Can you please come with me to Taylor's to tell him I am coming with him? I know it will be awkward, but I really want you there." I look up at him and he smiles. "Of course." We continue to walk down the hall until we reach Taylor's door. I knock heavily twice and he opens within the next minute. "Hey Charlie." He opens the door a little wider and realizes that Matt is attached to my right side. "Oh, hey Matt." His smile turns into a frown as he lets us in. "I decided that I'm coming with you!" I tell him happily. "Are you kidding, that's great!" Matt steps in between us before Taylor can lean in for a hug. "There are some rules Taylor." Matt says. "What would those be?" I can tell Taylor isn't taking him seriously, which makes Matt more uncomfortable. "I am coming to visit her as often as I can. Whenever I'm there, I will be taking her out on dates and stuff. She will be calling me every day and if she doesn't, I will call her. I want you to take her to my place to visit some times as well. You are not allowed to make moves on her, which I know will be hard for you. Don't overwhelm her with everything at once, let her get used to the new surroundings. Please take care of my princess and get her a job and apartment like you promised her before." Butterflies erupt in my stomach as Matt's protective side comes out. I lean into his side and his arm automatically wraps around my waist. I tuck my head into his chest and smile deeply. "All that couple crap is fine with me bro. I promise I won't overwhelm her or anything. I'll take her out job hunting as soon as possible and once she has enough money we will look for apartments. No promises on the making moves though, It comes naturally." A small smirk rises on Taylor's face, which was expected after his last remark. "Fine, Charlie is smart enough to ignore you anyway." He was right, which makes me silently chuckle into his side. "Well I hate to break up your love fest, but we have a flight to catch." I release from Matt and look up at him, a smile appearing on my face. "I love you" I whisper. "I love you so much more." He leans down to kiss me and I close my eyes. After a minute or so, I feel his tongue trace my bottom lip. I happily let him in and enjoy the sparks I feel between us. "Look, I know this is hard for you guys but we really have to go Charlie. We're gonna miss our flight." I let go of Matt and grab my bag from the floor. I hand it over to Taylor so he can put it with his own. All three of us walk out of the room and I watch Taylor close the door behind us. Since Matt has to go back to his room and get his bags for his flight, this will be my last time seeing him. "Goodbye Matthew, I hope I see you soon. I'll call you as soon as our plane lands." I hold his hand for a mere second before letting go. "Goodbye Charlie, I miss you already." He turns around and I watched him walk down the hallway and turn right. "Are you ready now?" Taylor says in an annoyed tone. "As ready as I'll ever be."