Days to Insanity

Chapter Six

Nate

I wake up to my alarm going off. It's only understandable. I went to sleep after Pete had left, too shocked to tell me off or do anything, actually. I put a hand to my knuckles where a bruise had started to form.

There's no bruise now.

I clutch my phone after turning the alarm off. There's this hollow, dark, feeling in my chest. It makes me want to either cry or punch someone. Well, I did already punch someone. Something's telling me it'll take a lot more than that to make me feel better.

I go back to sleep. Today, I'm giving up on running away. I have a million questions - such as, why I'm reliving the same day even though I wasn't killed? Is Charlie also reliving the same day again? Am I dead? Or in Hell? Or...

I quickly crush a painkiller because my head is pounding. I'm not going to cry. Not today. I'm not weak. I'm...

I am weak.

Sighing, I lay still, slowly falling back asleep, thankful that I'm able to drown out my thoughts even for a little while.

Charlie

"Wake up, Charlie," My mom's shaking me awake.

"Can I stay at home?" I blurt. My mother looks at me as if she's surprised. I don't want to deal with Finn. I don't want to deal with Rye. Or Syl. Or...

Well, whether I like it not, I have to go check in on Nate. Just to make sure he's also still reliving the same day as me. The last thing I want is the feeling of the fact that I'm alone in this to come back.

The feeling of loneliness, however, remains. It lingers like the smell of something burnt; I would get used to it in a while - but today, it's fresh. Maybe because last night, I confessed to my best friend, who's dating my other best friend, and today, I've woken up, and he has no memory of it.

"You can't possibly stay home, Charlie! It's Rye's birthday, and- Charlotte! You didn't wrap her present?"

"Forget it," I mutter. "She doesn't need a gift."

"Did you two fight?" Mom asks, not letting me get out of bed by sitting down beside me. "You know that's not an excuse to not go to school. Besides, it's her birthday, alright? I'm sure you two will be fine once you see each other. Now, you go get ready. I'll wrap the present."

"Thanks, Mom," I say, and she smiles at me. It's a sympathetic smile. I don't like it. I quickly get out of bed, and instead of wearing the outfit I had picked out four days ago, I take a normal pair of jeans and a hoodie, because that'll suffice. I'm not in the mood to wear a skirt.

I quickly text Finn saying that I don't need a ride after entering the bathroom before Casper can. He curses at me again, and my mom scolds him. Just like the first day. I glance down at my phone. Finn has replied almost instantly.

Finn: No ride? Are you sure?
Charlie: Yup
Finn: Is your mom dropping you?
Charlie: Yeah.

I quickly put my phone to the side and get ready.

Nate

I realize I don't have Charlie's number as I get onto the bus today - without my duffle bag. Just my plain old school bag this time. I stare down at my phone, almost about to go to Snapchat and just ask Rye for Charlie's number, but then someone slides into the seat beside me.

"Julian-" I stop talking when I notice Charlie looking at me, her wide, gray eyes hiding more emotions than yesterday. She's also wearing a different outfit this time. Just plain jeans and a hoodie. I don't know her well to tell if the skirt and stockings fit her personality more or not. "Charlotte. I wasn't expecting you to take the bus."