No Pills

27. Act cool. Please

*Charlie's P.O.V*

The first person I see is Mia, but I shut my eyes immediately. She looks so scared - more than I'd expect of her. So much so that I thought my ribs indeed tore from running away from Leo.

A part of me even wants to hold her as I tell her everything. That may be dangerous for her.

When she leaves, the nurse assures me that I'll be fine, advising me to eat well and avoid stress. I leave the school on my own. It's a lengthy journey home, so I skateboard with the shortest routes from memory.

I reach my room in the dark. Sydney does not hear; she's entertaining Dan in her room. I slip off my clothes and massage my legs while a caller tune hums.

"Harry, thank you," I say immediately after he picks up.

"Oh please, the nurse herself did all the talking," he quips, " and Khadi was yapping about a certain song, so the call was brief."

"Khadi is there?!" I smile.

"Yes. Halima is staying over. She's yet to give me a tangible reason, though."

I should have gone to his place. I try to chirp, "Have fun, mate."

"What fun? I can't lose my voice for Dora the Explorer's sake, and I got tons of homework."

"Let me help."

There's a pause.

"No, you need rest."

"What's the subject?"

"Charlie ..." he sighs. I open my notebook and reiterate my question. When he gives in, we spend three hours on his homework. It's challenging for his level, but I draw from my class lessons to make him understand.

"...Mate, math is exhausting. Thanks though, oh, and guess what?" He lights up. "Halima thinks your pics are fantastic! She's sending it to the guy as we speak."

"Thank her for me."

"Sure," he says with a languidity akin to mine. I shut my eyes before he finally asks, " What happened?"

"Act cool..."

"What did Leo do?"

"Charlie?"

"Did ... he do something like -"

"No." My eyes open.

"Then what?!" Harry sounds frustrated.

"...Please."

"Charlie, nightmares?"

Agonising seconds pass, and he assures, "Hey, it's ok."

"I ... I scared them."

"That's not your fault."

"Goodnight, Harry."

"No," he seethes," my night won't be good if you hang up like this."

I shake my head. "Like what?"

"Like-" His frustration rises, " You want to scream!"

"I am just worried," I croak, "abou- what is wrong with me?"

There's a tiny yawn from Khadi. Harry hums a lullaby until he shuts a door and perks up, "Nothing is wrong with you. You've just been through bad stuff."

"Who hasn't?" I laugh bitterly. "B-but everyone moves on and argh ... eve-even Sil at least knows, ur, what-t she wants to do with herself ... I don't."

"What are you saying?!" he snaps.

I flinch.

"Silv -" It takes a deep breath to calm him. " Charlie, she doesn't want to die. She's just desperate to get out, and when that happens, everything will be fine. You'll be ok. Ok?"