No Pills

25. Just do it

*Charlie's P.O.V*

My back stings a little. I exhale as Leo does same, looking down at me.

His hand of many rings shuts his mouth. I can't blink. His eyes; they are glowing.

An eternity of staring at each other lapses when I hear, "Oh my goodness."

"Yo, the fuck?! Is he dead?"

" Language."

"Guess not," Marvin sighs nervously.

I feel their hands roll me to the edge of the topmost mattress. They help me to my feet, despite their wobble.

"Are you ok?" Roon scans me for injuries while Marvin frowns. "W-was it for ... fun?"

"So it's fun?!"

I don't answer, but Nat considers my tight-lipped smile as confirmation.

"Then, I'm going next!"

"Nat, no," Marv scolds, yet his friend runs into the house. Roon facepalms, going after Nat. I nod for Marv to follow.

Chill air ruffles my pyjamas. I cuddle myself, staggering inside alone.

Before entering, I hold the door ajar for Marv to hurl another mattress out. As I shut it, Leo appears on the stairs. He breathes heavily, storming down to his bed. He doesn't even spare me a glance. Slowly, I kneel on the only other mattress right beside his.

"Don't sleep next to me." Leo mumbles, his back turned to me. I blink, and he adds, "Please."

"Ok." I scurry to the bedroom we keep our stuff in. I push everything to one side of the bed and cry.

In the morning, everywhere feels numb. I lay awake until muffled noises resonate. When I approach the living room, the mattresses are gone. Roon is sleeping on the couch while Marv and Nat ration food for their journey.

I am making them some breakfast when Leo struts by, his wet hair dripping on the towel hung over his neck. He knocks the slumber out of Roon, coercing him to lend me a hand.

Eventually, Leo and I kit them out with four-fifth of the snacks.

"Bye, guys!" The concert-goers wave, revving out of the compound. As they disappear, Leo mutters to the air, "We'll take the pictures early, so wear something nice." Then, he heads inside, listless.

My morning routine stops when it comes to picking what to wear. I want to be comfortable in my old clothes, but Sydney paid a lot for the new ones; I can't let that be in vain.

Spoiled for choice, I bite my nail until Leo knocks. I open the door, and he pulls out wide-legged trousers and a royal blue knitted polo shirt for me. No words still.

*

Once dressed, I assist Leo to carry a massive bouquet and some lighting equipment outside. He moves everything to the pier and stands on a chair, instructing me to stare at the lake. The fake flowers tickle my chin as I oblige.

"Lift your chin a little." He holds his camera up. I obey. Clicking sounds fills our tense silence. He jumps down and wipes the seat for me. As my arms ache from clutching so many flowers at once, the wrapper tears.

I am picking up the flowers when his camera snaps again. Our eyes meet. He glares.

"Leo."

"Charlie, focus." He snaps, then parts his mouth as though breathing through it.

I frown in concern. "Leo, can we talk."

"We are talking already. Your-" He ruffles one side of his hair. I imitate him, but his head shakes. "No." He points at a dozen areas on my head, and I huff in exasperation.