Never Alone || Carchelle

Michelle

I watch over my book as Carla legs it to the bathroom, hand over her mouth for the third time today and sigh. I wish she would just talk to me instead of shutting me out. But I suppose that's the way Carla deals with things. Inconclusive I shake my head, why doesn't she just take another one, at least then she'd know. I mean it's not like she'd have to keep it, god knows I thought of going down that route before in my life and it hardly like I'd be judging her for making a choice she's entitled to make. Her body, her choice. But she's burying her head in the sand in typical Carla Connor type fashion. I watch outta the corner of my eye as Carla re-enters the room, looking white as a sheet and a palish green and gently get up to guide her to the sofa. "Darling... I really think you should take another test..." I trail off gingerly as she stares at me, fury burning in her eyes. "You what?" Carla snarls and I wince "Surely it's better to know?" I mutter and she scoffs "Like you'd know" before she turns away from me. Well I tried I thought trying to make myself feel better. But it wasn't really doing much for me to pretend she was ok, when she very clearly wasn't.  I turn back to book, turning the pages aimlessly, my thoughts scattered like leaves on an autumnal breeze and let out a frustrated sigh. Carla shuffles on the sofa next to me, nudging me with her cold foot, I shriek and she flinches, pulling her foot away from me and balls herself up as far away from me as she could get. I turn back to my book again and before long I sense Carla falling asleep, her movements becoming slower, her breathing less tense. I glance over at her, my heart breaking. "I wish you'd just talk to me" I whisper at my now half asleep best friend as I gently tuck her in. I kiss her on the forehead and go to leave the room. Carla snuffles in her sleep and I smile sadly as I turn out the lights and fall into bed. 

 I wake to the sound of a piercing cry echoing through the flat and my tired brain fumbles for a second, wondering who's broken into my neighbours flat. And then it hits me... Carla! SHIT! I stumble out of bed, slamming my foot into the door frame in the pitch darkness of the flat "fuck!" I mutter as I limp towards the living room where Carla once lay sleeping peacefully. I flick on the light and see her wrestling with the blanket on the sofa. I dash over to her "Carla?" I say gently, "Carla? It's me Chelle... Can you hear me?" I ask but the only response I get is a half sob. I know from last time touching any part of her when she's in this state, won't work and I struggle to think of another way to help her wake up from the nightmare she's forced to relive every time she closes her eyes. And then it hits me. Perfume... I think that's what got her to calm down last time. I grab my perfume and spray it on Carla's wrist. Tim passes and gradually Carla stops thrashing around like a woman possessed and she sits bolt upright, eyes wide open and her terrified eyes meet mine and she looses it. Her wails echo through the night air, muffled only when I pull her into my arms. Time crawls slowly for a while and when she finally feels ok, Carla lifts her head up and looks at me "Sorry" she croaks and I shake my head "You dappy mare, you dun-need to say that" I murmur. Carla clings to me and I stroke her hair gently. She nestles into my chest, sniffing slightly and I breathe the sent of her shampoo in through my nose. "You smelling me Chelle?" Carla chuckles and I breathe out "You always smell so nice, y'know that?", to which I just get a huff and head shake as a response. "I'm scared Chelle" Carla mutters after a few seconds of silence and I look down at her "I've got you" I say gently "I don't want to be alone" she whispers and my heart shatters "You don't have to be, come sleep with me" I state and Carla looks at me "Sleep with you?" she giggles and I flick her "You know what I mean". Carla looks at me "You sure?" And I nod. "Come on, we need our beauty sleep" I reply, standing up and moving us into my bedroom. Carla snuggles into my shoulder as I pull her gently towards my, now slightly cold and very empty, bed. I huddle under the covers, shivering slightly and Carla lies about as far away from me as she can, her back turned. I lie there staring at the wall, until I feel a pair of arms encase me like a koala bear and turn my head around to see my best friend hugging my waist, half asleep. I grasp her cold hands gently and watch as sleep takes over her. I feel her relax into me and smile. She's safe I think to myself as sleep takes over my body She's safe...