Turning pages ~ Charlie Jones (stereo kicks)

Chapter 4

Charlie's p.o.v

"So, I heard you're working with Miss Innocent for the English project," Nolan stated as I sat down at the lunch table. My eyes flickered up from my lunch to the boy next to me. Nolan looked at me, hoping for a response and not just silence. So, being the great guy I am, I gave him one; A shrug of the shoulders and a nod.

"He's got to work with her for two whole months," Casey added, voluntarily giving Nolan extra information. Nolan raised his eyebrows at me and I scowled, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Yeah, if she talks to me." I said, picking up the chicken wrap which was on my plate. A few girls on the next table were watching us. I winked and that just sent them into a frenzy. I smirked to myself. I enjoyed the fact that I could have that effect on some people. Leoni West was sat next to Reece, smiling and giggling. Reece was grinning back at her, his eyes bright.

Sometimes I was jealous of Ryan's ability to have a girlfriend. Then again, I wasn't; Because I couldn't handle having one. I just hump and dump I guess. I don't lead them on, I'm not that heartless. Usually, whenever I do 'it' the girl knows I'm not interested in a relationship. That's probably why Kerene keeps trying to get to me, but I wouldn't go to her. She probably has STDs or something, the amount of guys she's fucked. I don't do sluts, I really can't stand them. If I was to have a girlfriend, she'd have to have dignity, not walking around with her boobs hanging out of her top.

"She will talk to you." Nolan said. I stopped chewing my wrap and the food almost fell out of my mouth. Casey gave me a disgusted look and shut my mouth for me.

"Close your mouth bro. I want to keep my dinner down thanks." Casey stated, sarcasm flowing out of his mouth. Swallowing my mouthful, I gulped, gave Casey an apologetic look, and turned my gaze to Nolan.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. Reece looked away from his girlfriend, Leoni watching us curiously.

"What he means is, it's Annabelle Smith. She doesn't want to get a bad grade, so she will talk to you." Reece butted in before Nolan could answer. "If talking to you and working with you means she'll get a good grade, she'll do it." I raised one of my eyebrows and Nolan nodded in confirmation.

"She's that into school?" I exclaimed quietly. Surely she wasn't that obsessed with school. I mean, sure she did all of her homework and classwork but I thought she was just a good girl.

"She wants to get into Oxford." Nolan informed us all. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

"Oxford?!" Casey cried out. A few heads turned to us and I just nodded to them, sending them back to their own business. Nolan nodded.

"But that's the best college in England! It's also really hard to get into!" I stated loudly, Nolan just rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I talked to her in my Biology class. I asked her why she wanted so many good grades and she told me." Nolan replied. "Well, she wrote it down, she didn't actually say anything to me."

I realized then that I've only seen her talk to the teachers and that blond boy that I don't think likes me very much. But who cares right? That's just one person out of the hundreds of students that go to the school that doesn't like me.

"Charlie, Kerene's coming over... again." Reece stated. My head lifted and I saw Kerene Roberts entering the cafeteria, searching around; probably for me. Ducking down, I swiftly got up from the table.

"Cover for me." I hissed, before shooting out of the cafeteria and down the corridor.

"Hey Charlie!" A few girls gushed as I speedily walked past them. I grinned in their direction and continued down the corridor quickly. Just as I was about to turn the corner, I collided with something. Or should I say someone. My eyes snapped down to the girl that was on the floor. Annabelle. She had a look of pain on her face and was rubbing her wrist.

"Shit!" I exclaimed, crouching down. "I'm sorry, did I break it?" I asked frantically. She looked at me, confusion filling her eyes. A red mark was forming on her wrist and it looked slightly bigger than the other. Her books were scattered all over the floor so I decided I would at least pick them up. Annabelle just crouched on the floor, holding her swollen wrist, watching me. Noticing this, I slowly handed her books back to her. She shot me a soft, small smile and stood up.

"Do you want me to take you to get your wrist checked out?" I asked, concern filling my face. Annabelle's eyes traced over my face, looking for any sign of emotion. Then she shook her head and made to walk around me. But, being the stubborn guy I am, I blocked her path. I heard her let out a quiet gasp and she looked up at me; Those big, sparkling green eyes peering into my own blue orbs.

"Let me take you to get your wrist checked out." I stated. Annabelle looked at me and slumped her shoulders. Then, she nodded. Smiling to myself, I walked down the corridor, Annabelle beside me. Maybe I could get her to talk to me now. I mean, it's better to get to know each other. I looked over to her, she was carrying her books in her right hand, her left wrist still swollen up.

"So, should we let your parents know about your wrist?" I asked. Annabelle stopped walking, her eyes glazing over. She shook her head and I sighed, wanting her to speak.

"Why not?" I questioned. Annabelle just continued walking, ignoring my question. I jogged to keep up with her fast pace. "Will you answer me please?" I said calmly. Annabelle looked at me and shook her head. Groaning in frustration, I walked forwards, leaving Annabelle behind me. I heard her footsteps pattering against the floor and looked to see her beside me.

Eventually, we reached the nurse's office. I stood by the door and watched Annabelle open it. But, before she did, she looked at me. She then opened her mouth to say something.

"Dead," Annabelle said quietly, the angelic sound filling my ears. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confusion showing clearly in my voice. Annabelle looked at me, probably wondering why I cared so much about what she was talking about. I mean, I am Charlie Jones.

"My parents are dead." She continued softly. A blob of guilt suddenly formed in my throat.

"I'm so-"

"It's okay, it's not your fault." She said, giving me a sad smile. I returned one.

"See you later then." I said. Annabelle nodded.

"Thanks, by the way." Annabelle said, "For walking here with me. It was nice." Then, she shot me one last smile before entering the nurse's office.

I smiled to myself and walked down the corridor. She'd talked to me. Finally. And I was glad too, her voice was so gentle. Sure, I'd heard her talk to the teachers in class but it was even better when she was talking to me personally. I continued down the hall, a big grin on my face. All because one girl said about three things to me.

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