CHASING CHARLIE GRAY

7

I was sitting in World History the next day, a Wednesday when Charlie showed up to school.

The teacher Ms. Lockhart seemed genuinely surprised at her appearance in her first period class and could only tell her to find a seat.

I waved slightly to her, motioning for her to take the seat next to me and after she did she breathed deeply for a couple seconds before turning to me to say "hey"

" hey yourself, what're doing here?" i asked.

" i go to school here" she snorted.

" You know that's not what i mean" i complained.

" i felt up to it today" she said softly, trailing her finger across the desk.

" Well you don't look up to it, you're pale and you're breathing heavy"

" Aren't i always" she cracked another joke, trying to lighten the mood but i was  worried.

" Look don't worry about me, I'll be fine Gia" she tried to reassure me.

After World history i hadn't seen Charlie again-mostly because the only classes we shared were first period  world history and last period English- until the PA system chipped on just before lunch asking me to make my way to the nurse's office.

Charlie was laying on the bed with a hand thrown over her face. the nurse came over from her desk to talk to me.

"I've already informed the principal that the both of you will be absent for the rest of the day, make sure she rests and hydrates" i nodded, silently listening to her instructions.

I grabbed Charlie's bag from its place next to the bed and silently helped her out to my car. After opening the door for her, I threw our bags into the back before rounding to the driver's side.

The first few minutes on the road were silent and i didn't bother turning on the radio, choosing instead to sit in silence.

"I'm sorry that i got you pulled from class, Normally I'd call my mom to come get me but she's on a business trip until Wednesday" she mumbled, hands running up and down her face.

" does she know you even came to school today?" i asked.

" No"

"were you planning on telling her?"

"No" she mumbled lowly.

I glanced a quick look at her and her hands were still covering her face.

"And what about cara?" I asked.

"Fuck!" She swore.

"She's gonna tell your mom" I deduced.

" Yeah" 

"If I had a phone she'd probably be calling" She chuckled.

The drive from school to Charlie's was pretty short so she didn't look too surprised when i pulled into her neighborhood just five minutes later where her mother was standing on the curb waiting.

"Ah fuck, the school called her too, she shouldn't even be in the country" She huffed, dragging her hand lazily down her face.

"You're in for it huh" she flashed me a grin.

"Thanks for the help partner" She said, grabbing her bag slowly from the back.

"Anytime"

She opened the door and her mother stared at her as she went in the house before she made her way over to me.

"Thank you for taking care of her and for bringing her home" she said quietly , leaning down to see me through the passenger window.

"It's no big deal" I brushed it off and she smiled softly before replying.

"You're a good kid Gia, take care of yourself" She smiled at me once more before retreating inside of the house.