Where is Louise Bauman? + Original, Book 1 ✔

29

- all my friends are fake; Tate McRae - 

It was silent as the five students stood in the hallway together, nobody knowing what to say. They needed to talk about what had just happened, but nobody knew how to start the conversation.

Finally, Tyler decided to be the one to initiate the conversation by looking between everyone and clearing his throat, catching everyone else's attention. "Okay, so clearly there's a shitload to talk about-" He started, before looking down at his phone to look at the time. "And we have three minutes left of lunch break which is nearly not enough time to talk about anything."

"You're right," Ren said, repeatedly taking glances at Charlie. She'd pushed him away after they stopped when they noticed Trystan in the hallway staring at them, and she distanced herself from everyone else. She just stood on her own, staring at her knuckle that was beginning to turn purple as she fought back tears, bouncing her foot up and down on the tile floor. "We should meet up, and talk about everything. All of us." He then glanced up at Trystan, indicating he meant the other boy too.

"Talk about what, exactly?" Charlie asked, finally looking up at the group as she let go of her throbbing hand. "Talk about how all of this has gone to shit? How we're not getting anywhere and we lost almost everyone?" She asked, "Jade was right, this is bullshit, guys, and clearly someone wants us to stop - so maybe we should."

"Charlie," Ren softly said, his eyebrows knitting together. "You don't mean that."

"And what if I do?" She quietly asked, looking back at him.

The bell ringing indicated that lunch was over and it was time for the next class, causing doors to open and students to begin flooding the hallway. Tyler glanced at Ren, who looked completely heartbroken, before looking at the others - who also looked genuinely upset that the one person who'd been so determined throughout this entire thing was so close to giving up. He then shook his head slightly, stepping toward Charlie.

"We'll all meet somewhere after school. Michael can get Kiya, I'll get Jade. We'll get the entire group, Trystan, you come too. We'll get everyone. We'll talk about this, as suggested. Charlie, if you're really serious about quitting, we'll know if you don't show up." He repeatedly stole glances at everyone else, "Hopefully you choose the right choice by showing up."

Instead of replying, Charlie just let out a sigh and looked down at her bruising knuckle, the sight of Nadia's sinister smile replaying in her mind like a memory she didn't want to remember. Tyler looked back at Mikey, motioning to him that it was time for them to leave. Mikey nodded, the two boys leaving the other three on their own.

Trystan stepped up to the two still standing there, taking one glance at Charlie before looking to Renfrow. "Look, man, I-"

"I know," Ren cut Trystan off. "There's a lot to talk about."

"Yeah," Trystan spoke with a deep breath. "There is. I'll just see you later then?" He asked, causing Ren to nod.

"Yeah, see you after school." Ren licked his lips, turning to look over at Charlie, who was beginning to turn and walk away. "I need to go talk to her."

Trystan nodded, understanding. He sent him one last glance before turning and going his own way, leaving Ren to rush after Charlie. Since Charlie barely got a head start, it didn't take long for the much taller boy to catch up to her, and once he did he pulled her to the side, looking down at her in concern.

"What's going on, Charlie?" He asked, ignoring the stares and whispers from people around them in the hallway.

Charlie, however, didn't ignore the stares and whispers and as soon as she heard one of the rumors - she turned and walked away from the boy. This upset him, causing him to follow her again and pull her toward him, looking at her with an upset expression.