SPLIT

Chapter 10

"This is delicious Linus! What is it called again ?"

"Ice cream" he said through a laugh while I felt silly for asking so many questions.

"Well I think it's my new favourite thing. " I said with a goofy smile looking over at Charlie finishing his.

"I'm glad. Would you want to see the city lights from the best spot in town ?"

"City lights? Wow, how late is your curfew ?" I said laughing while he did the same.

"Curfew ? What curfew ? Around here we do as we please. There's minimal rules no one cares what the other does it's like... every man for themselves. "

"Wow that's... great. Would you like to see the lights Char ?"

"No. I'd like to go home. "He said sounding upset but I also knew he must be tired from the day's activities .

"Oh... I really wanted to stay. But it's okay we can always watch it from the rooftop again when we get home." I said kind of disappointed but trying to be a supporting friend.

"You don't have to. I mean if it's okay with Charlie I can get a cab to take him home and we can watch the lights. It won't take long I promise. We'll be back home in a jiffy.  " he said sounding so sincere I had no idea how Charlie was going to get out of this one.

"If you think I trust you alone with her you must be -"

"No strings attached. I promise. It's literally 30 minutes. Go home , take a shower and eat whatever you like. She's safe with me." I could see that he felt something was still off about this situation so I needed to put his mind at ease.

"I can take care of myself Char. He seems like a nice guy and we're just watching the lights like you and I watch the wall. I'll be okay. Promise. " I said while he blew out a breath before agreeing and getting into another car. 

"You hungry?" Linus asked while we took a seat on a little bench over looking the city lights below. It was so breathtaking, illuminating every inch of this place. It was much better than watching it from over the wall.

"I , uh , it can wait. Thank you."

"Nonsense. I'll get us some burgers Uber eated . " I've come to learn not to try and understand what he was saying nor kept hassling him with brooding questions every five minutes. So instead, we sat in silence - watching the lights - while eating some of the best bread and potatoes I've ever had .

"Do you like it here ?"

"I mean , it's really great and interesting but it's not home. " I said uncomfortable while the cold wind nipped on my bare arms. 

"Here ," he said taking his jacket off and throwing it over my shoulders - like Charlie usually did - " then why don't you stay a little longer and see the place before you have to go back home? I mean I'm not judging or anything but from what I can gather it doesn't sound all that great. "

"It's not. But it's my home and my mom's there so . "

"I get it. Family's important. But like I said ; stay a few more days , a week if you want and I can show you the other side of life. And when the week's over and you still wanna go home , I'll personally escort you back." I couldn't deny that this sounded like such an amazing opportunity. I always wanted to see and experiences different places , but how do I tell Charlie that ?

"I wish I could. I really do. But I don't think this is something Charlie would be too happy about right now."

"Excuse me if I'm overstepping but what is his deal with you anyway ? He never lets you do anything. " I smiled at that thinking about how right he was. I found that in times where it mattered, Charlie was just a little more over protective than usual.

"We've been best friends since basically birth. He's a year older than I am and somehow likes to think he's my older brother and I'm this little girl that needs protecting. I love that about him but sometimes I feel like he'll never see me as a grown up. His opinion matters most to me. I can't imagine NOT having him with me. "

"He sounds like a pretty great friend, but he has to allow you to grow up and move on with your life. He can't keep you locked up forever. Are you catching on to what I'm saying?"

"Not really."

"I'm saying stay with me Vera. Have an adventure.  I can make it worth your while I promise. "

"I don't know..." I said uncertain , the whole idea of breaking away from Charlie sounding scary but yet intriguing. We've never been apart before who knows what that'll look like.

"Okay uh, I assume you must've told your parents you would be away. What time line did you give them ?"

"It's just me and mom. And I told her a few weeks , atleast a week. "

"I'm so sorry Vera I didn't know..." he said sounding as sorry and pitiful as the people did the day my dad died.

"It's okay. So you really think I should do this ?"

"Vera , if I were you I'd take this chance. You never know when and if you'd get it ever again. " When he said that, I knew he had a point. This was something I'd have to do or I'd regret it for the rest of my life, I just had no idea how I was going to break the news to Charlie.

That's it ! Thank you so much for reading. Remember to leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Until next time keep howling my wolves ❤🐺