Wild (Cherik Book One)

What Do I Do Now?

"I'm addicted to being broken."

_____________CHARLIE______TW: Implied Abuse_______

Charlie pulled into the airport pick up with the most serene smile on his soft features. The rumble of music played on the radio as he waited patiently for the sight of blazing red hair and the girl it belonged to. He knew he had to pull out all the stops to distract her from his mess of a life. She could pick him apart better than anyone. She knew every bad habit, impulse and nervous tick Charles possessed. And if anything was true it was that he couldn't lie to his sister, especially if she ever asked him questions. So, he would just have to hide it, suppress it all until those lonely midnight hours. And who knows? Even then Raven might find her way into his room from a nightmare of her own. Charlie refused to let whatever he had going on with Jack interfere with his sister's happiness. Her being gone for two weeks brings lots of stories and experiences. It's the longest the two have been apart in their lives. A new independence in the realization that they are growing up. They usually did everything together but recently things changed. Charlie wasn't mad about it; he had been preparing for it for a long time. What he didn't prepare for was how much he would miss her. And it begged the question? What happens if Raven changes her mind about leaving with Charlie next year? Would he still be able to leave or would he find himself anchored to her comfort? Her familiarity?

Charlie shook from his thoughts and future to resume his focus on the present. With one final mirror check, Charlie got out of the yellow vehicle and stood patiently waiting. He adjusted his hoodie and tapped on the metal exterior of the car.

"Heyo, Xavier!" her voice came out shrill and somewhere between a laugh and a scream. Her hair was thrown in a bun with thousands of strands flying around her speckled face and over her sunglasses. Raven still sported her shirt from camp and a pair of Charlie's own sweatpants she had stolen. There was a brightness evident that made Charlie smile. Raven normally held everyone at a distance, a habit both Xavier children possess. Some were held farther than others of course. It was a safety measure, a preliminary precaution to new relationships. That's why the siblings normally came off a little mysterious and cold when you first meet them. Right now though, all that was gone. No hard exterior or anxieties. Both siblings simultaneously forgot about their troubles as they embraced.

"Raven, my God it feels like it's been ages!" Charlie exclaimed while choking down tears. He felt so much relief in that moment. Relief to have her there and with him again. He hated how the house echoed horribly when he was alone. There was a chill he couldn't chase off, a void of mocking silent screams. He wanted to say his relief originated purely from missing her but deep down his brain echoed the truth. As long as she was around, being unpredictable in her actions and antics, Jack wouldn't do anything. She was the much needed tourniquet. He just hoped she stayed for a couple days before going for her inevitable stay at Marina's. He didn't blame her, she couldn't really be affectionate towards Marina when their parents were around. And she hated the mansion just as much as he did. She had a life too, he couldn't expect her to stick around all the time.

Raven's embrace tightened momentarily before she released him. Charles tried not to let out a cry as Raven sent him a smile.

"I'll take your bags, go ahead and pick the music," Charlie turned away as he leveled his breathing while Raven obliged happily. When she was safely in the car, undoubtedly texting everyone, Charlie let out a long sigh that ended in a shaky breath as the bruising on his ribs intensified in small waves.

"Come on," he mumbled before putting her bags in the trunk and getting in the car.

~~~~~~~~~

"So, what have you been up to while I was gone? I mean it's been two weeks," Raven had her boots off and feet on the dash. All the windows were down and the music was a cloudy white noise to their conversations.