In Another Universe

Monday 14:56 I'm A Mess

Closing his locker, Charlie swinged his bag back on his back. He turned around and saw Charlotte coming towards him, her blond hair tied in a tight ponytail. Her large, sweet smile showed she wasn't just in a good mood, she had something to ask him.

"Hi," he said first. "What's up?"

"Hey... I was wondering for the party on Friday..." she started.

Charlie nodded, pretending he didn't just remember this was something that was happening. He did talk to Evie about it, and she, of course, didn't see any problem. She loved to party so she wouldn't say no to an occasion like this. To be fair, she was also quite excited by the prospect of Charlie hosting a party. Charlie!

Not getting a negative response, Charlotte continued.

"So... I was thinking about making it a theme party. Do you have decorations?"

"Decorations? For what theme? You didn't give me the theme."

"Oh that's because I was expecting you would tell me you had some amazing themed decorations and then I'd have had a theme."

Charlie laughed and sent a text to Evie. After all, this was her appartement so maybe she had some kind of party stuffs.

"I'll tell you if I find something but I can't promise." He shrugged. "I'm already providing the location, you do the rest."

"I will, I will. Thanks!"

She left, seemingly quite happy but also more and more concerned about the upcoming party. Charlie turned towards his locker before remembering that he already did what he needed to here. He was about to leave the corridor when, at the end of this one, Lea appeared, quickly hidden behind her own locker. Now, all Charlie could see of her was the back of her bomber jacket and dark red, wavy hair. He decided to walk towards her while thinking of what to say, trying not to drag his feet too much.

"Hey..."

"No." She said, closing her locker and crossing eyes.

Her lips, bright red, disappeared into a thin line and she tilted her head slightly. Charlie didn't need to be a genius to guess that she was annoyed and probably asking herself why he still existed. That was understandable, but it was nonetheless scary. He discretly sighed to give himself courage.

He felt like he needed to apologise, he could have just told another version of the truth. Of course he wasn't going to say he was with Isaac, but he could have just said that he didn't feel so good. But it was too late now, the harm was already done.

"I could try to be smooth or whatever but I'm not. I'm just an idiot. I'm sorry, I really am, and I would get if you didn't want to talk to me ever again. But I... I just freaked out. I don't really know what to do around interesting people so I opted out. And I'm sorry."

He said that quite quickly, stumbling on most of his words and hold his breath unintentionally waiting for her answer. On her side, she rolled eyes when he opened his mouth but her shoulder dropped their tension pretty fast. She sighed, shaking her head.

"Fine, Hayes. But you're on fucking thin ice," she said with a slight laugh.

"I guess I'll test the ice next Friday. You're going to the party for the school play, right?"

"I haven't heard of that..."

"I think I just blew Charlotte's surprise, so don't tell her."

"I won't. But, yeah. See you then."

She disappeared around the corner, amused, and Charlie could now go back home, a little relieved.