Turning pages ~ Charlie Jones (stereo kicks)

Chapter 23

Charlie's P.O.V

The moment Annabelle got the slightest bit upset when she was on the phone was the moment I realized how much I cared about her. Just hearing her anxious and worried made me feel like I wanted to comfort her; to make sure she never had to feel like that again. From the one side of the conversation I heard I knew that Annabelle's Grandma was at the hospital. I'm being genuinely honest here, if my grandma was at the hospital I would be worried and upset. In fact I would have reacted the way Annabelle did. So I wanted to try to comfort her on the way to the hospital, which is what I did.

My hand drifted to Annabelle's and I squeezed it tightly. "Don't worry, please." I pleaded, not wanting to see her upset. I noticed the way she reacted towards me when we were coming out to the car. Was it because I held her hand?

"I don't want to loose her, Charlie," Annabelle let out and immediately my heart sunk in my chest. She sounded so alone, so... What's the word? Doubtful. She made you feel so sorry for her, I did feel sorry for her. The reason being because she's lost both of her parents and her loosing her grandma also wouldn't help.

"You're not going to loose her," I tried to persuade, even though I didn't know anything about what had happened to her grandma. "It's going to be alright. You'll have me."

Annabelle looked up at me then, her dark green eyes shining with confusion. I wanted to keep eye-contact with her but I was driving. "Do you really mean that?" She questioned. "You are really going to waste time with me?"

I nodded. "Of course," I tapped my finger on the top of the wheel. "Why wouldn't I?"

"It's just..." Annabelle paused for a moment. "You're like the most popular guy in school and I'm just... Well, me."

"That's why I like you," I stated, turning into the hospital car-park. "You're a genuine person and you aren't like some of the more popular girls who act like someone they're not."

"What about all of Leoni's friends, like Willow and Elsa?"

I shrugged. "They're nice but they just aren't my type." I ran my tongue across my bottom lip as I pulled the car to a halt. "You're one of those people who are beautiful but people take you for-granted because you don't flaunt it and you stay in the shadows. I know how much I regret not noticing you because now that I have, I feel like I'm a lot happier."

Annabelle looked at me and gave me a shy smile, something she did quite often when she didn't know exactly what to say. I unlocked the car and the both of us climbed out. Hastily we made it into the building, reaching the front desk. The woman looked up and gave us one of those fake smiles you always get from receptionists at a hospital.

"Can I help you?" The woman asked, her diamond studded glasses framed her small pig-like eyes and her nose had scrunched up in disgust.

"Where is Margaret Groads staying?" Annabelle asked, her voice sweet and innocent, it made anyone react kindly to her. Even the receptionist's face softened and she gave a genuine smile, the disgusted expression leaving her face quickly.

"She's in ward 8, room 57." The woman said. "Have a good day." She shouted after us.

If someone you know is in hospital, how is it a good day? I thought to myself as we walked to the elevator. I mean, you're not going to be happy that they could have almost died.

On the way up in the elevator, we stood in silence. I could tell that Annabelle was trying her hardest not to cry, which really made me wonder what had happened to her grandma. It must have been pretty serious if she thought she might loose her.

Ding.

The lift stopped on floor eight and we both stepped out. My hand found Annabelle's again and I was almost expecting her to pull her hand awkwardly out of mine, but she didn't. Her fingers entwined with my own, sending a rush of wave up my arm and through my body. I looked at her smooth and clear skin that had a glow in her rosy cheeks. Her eyes were big, but not too big. They were big enough so you could take in the beauty of them.

"Charlie, you don't have to do this," Annabelle stated once we'd reached the door of room fifty-seven. I locked gazes with her and shook my head in protest.

"No, I want you to know that I'm going to be there for you," I ran a hand through my hair, another habit of mine. "That I'll be there to be confided in and trusted. I want you to trust me Annabelle, I really do."

"I don't want to feel like I'm being a burden for you," Annabelle tucked her blouse into her maroon skirt nervously. "I feel like I'm forcing you to be here, that you'd much rather be with your friends."

"Annabelle, I'm with you now for a reason," I brought her hand up to my lips and pecked her fingers, she looked at me curiously and anxiously. What the hell did I do that for? We're not even dating.

You're an idiot.

So are you then, because you're me.

I don't go around kissing girl's hands when I'm not dating them.

Pushing that irritating voice out of mind I noticed I was still holding Annabelle's delicate hand to my mouth and she was looking at me like I'd gone mad. Hastily I dropped it, but still kept her hand in my grip. "Do you want to go in?" I questioned.

Annabelle nodded slowly and her hand pushed on the silver handle of the door. Her grandpa was sat by the bed, holding her grandma's hand. Annabelle's hand slipped out of mine and she rushed forwards to the bed. She placed her hand on her grandmother's cheek and pecked her forehead.

"Is she alright?" Annabelle asked, looked up at her grandpa for a split second. The older man gazed down at what probably was his wife as he had a wedding right on his ring finger.

"I hope so," He replied, holding onto Margaret's limp hand. "The doctors and nurses say that she'll probably be okay, because I contacted them earlier. If I'd done it any later they might not have gotten there in time."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there," Annabelle apologized. "I was doing a project with Charlie for school." She looked up at me and gave me a soft smile.

Her grandpa looked round and his gaze fell on me stood by the door. "Charlie, what are you doing here?"

"I, um, came to bring Annabelle." I stated truthfully. "I should probably get back though, just in case my mom is wondering where I am."

"That was kind of you," He gave me a smile that would have been genuine if I hadn't seen the sadness in his grey eyes. I nodded in response.

"Well, I'm gonna go now," I said. "Bye." I nodded my head and was about to turn around when I was engulfed into a hug. I staggered back from the sudden weight before wrapping my arms back around Annabelle's waist. Her arms were tightly wrapped around my neck, pulling her body closer to mine. I closed my eyes and smiled to myself before she pulled out of the hug.

"Thank-you, Charlie." Annabelle whispered. "For everything."

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