Replacement//chardre

4-thirty-nine

Charlie's pov
Half an hour. He's been out half an hour. I found him in that forest, by the beach. I drove him back to my place and cleaned his wounds. It happened before and I promised myself I wouldn't let it happen again. And he refused to go to hospital, he said it would get the shrinks back on his case. I wanted to help him but not upset him. So I taught myself how to clean and treat the cuts for him. Thirty-five minutes, if it goes past forty, I'm taking him to the hospital. I just don't want to upset him. Thirty-seven. Thirty-eight. Thirty-nine.
"That's it. Leo, I'm taking you to A&E." I say, not sure who to.
"No. No you're not. I'm not going anywhere." Leo! I wrap my arms around him, being careful of his. I've never felt so happy in my life. The golden buzzer, record contract, first single, first sold-out arena. Nothing could possibly compare. 
I know it was stupid to not immediately rush him to ER, but I just didn't want him to forever hate my miserable little being. But now he's awake, so it's all fine. Mostly. I guess that I just want him to be happy, and right now, he's not. I decide to ask him what makes him so upset.
"Leo, why did you do it? What was it? Why are you so unhappy?" The questions flow out and I don't know what to say, yet say so much.
"It's nothing." He mumbles. 
"Leo, you're my best mate, it matters. You did this to yourself," I indicate to his bandages, "and I think it's something. Something drove you to do it. Something isn't nothing."
"But that's all I am." Leo suddenly jumps up.
"I'm leaving. Now."
"You can't Leo, not in the state you're in at the moment. Someone needs to look after you." I try to dissuade him, but deep down, I know there's no chance. Once he's set his mind in something, it's gotta happen. How else would we have gotten where we are? His ability to always achieve his goals is one of the many things I lov-like about him.
"At least let me drop by tomorrow then. Please?" I beg him.
"Maybe." That's better than a straight no. I guess. Before I even register him leaving the room, I hear my front door close. 
He's so difficult sometimes.