Broken

Chapter 17

Warning! Mentions of bullying, nothing too physical but it is in the chapter.

Charlie's POV

Peter an I have been together for three months today. Three. Whole. Months.

The time has flown by so quickly and it feels as if just yesterday I was looking at him longingly (I mean technically I was so...) and he wasn't able to get get his words out.

And yet here we are, on our way to school. Yup. You read that right.

Mom and Tony decided that I needed to be around more people my age and socialise more. Good idea, if I didn't have social anxiety.

We had gotten all my supplies last week and Peter has given me about twelve pep talks since the decision was made (like, two weeks ago). It's the first semester back and I am FREAKING OUT.

Happy is currently driving us there and Peter is subtly holding my hand. Happy put the divider up the second we got in the car and Peter has been whispering words of encouragement to me. "Hey, just breathe," his thumb lightly traces the back of my hand. "I get it, after May died, I was the exact same way when going back to school. But it won't kill you. Yes, you will feel uncomfortable. Yes, you don't want to be there, but who doesn't? It's school!" I giggle a little, trying not to let the tears that have gathered in my eyes overflow.

He brushes the hair that has fallen in front of my face aside, tucking it behind my ear. "I won't lie to you, there are some huge dicks at school, but we've both had worse. Just ignore them and everything will be okay," he gives me a soft smile which I manage to return, along with some deep breaths.

Suddenly the car pulls to a final stop and it's as if everything Peter just told me has flown away with the breeze. My mind is in panic mode again as I see the hoards of students entering through the school gates. "I can't do this," I breathe out, realisation finally hitting me that I'm going to be in a room of thirty people for six hours straight with crowded corridors and loud noises. "Oh God, Peter I can't do this!" He sees the panic in my eyes and instantly cups my cheek.

"Yes you can. I'm going to be by your side the whole time. Just- keep breathing, got it?" I nod hesitantly, a shaker breath escaping my lips. He opens the door and gets out and I reluctantly do the same. He holds out his hand to help me out of the car and I gratefully accept it. The second I step out I push myself into his side, the amount of students completely overwhelming me. I can hear so many thoughts and it's driving me to the brink of insanity.

"Breathe," he whispers into my ear, his arm protectively around my waist. Happy has already sped off, leaving us standing on the sidewalk.

Eventually, Peter guides me towards the looming gates to Hell and we make our way through the crowd of students and teachers. He doesn't let go of me the whole time and I'm glad he doesn't, because I definitely would have lost him if he didn't.

Tony sorted everything out so Peter and I would have the same schedules and our lockers are next to each other. I even have a fake name; Charlie Bradbury. Peter takes me over to what I can only assume is our lockers. "Now, we're gonna have to go to the office to get the combin-," before he can finish his sentence I already have my bobby pin in the keyhole and I've opened it up. "-or you could do that," he chuckles and I smirk at him, putting some stuff from my bag into the locker, making sure I have the correct equipment for first period.

"Hey, Penis Parker!" I see Peter sigh and he rests his head on the locker.

'Is he talking to you?' I ask him telepathically, trying to not let my anger show through. He nods slowly but continues to ignore the boy.