Boundless Love

The Gala

Levi's POV...

Charlotte thankfully returned the next afternoon like she said she would. One less thing for me to feel pessimistic about. Thanks to jake for pointing that out for me.

 Charlotte's smile instantly lights up my mood when I see her walk into the gym.  But her smile quickly fades slightly, and she looks worried for me. I think she's more worried to know if I behaved or not while she was away.

" I'm ok Charlotte, I was actually nicer than usual to everyone while you were gone," I try to amuse her.

"Oh, that's good to hear! I thought I'd come back to hear that you made Sarah cry again from your cruel antics," she chuckles.

"I would never do that," I smirk.

I'm relieved to see that we're still acting like our normal selves, bantering back and forth and laughing. I was worried things would be awkward between us.

" I should help you get packed since were leaving tomorrow," Charlotte reminds me.

She pushes me back to my room and quickly goes from one bureau to the next then to the bathroom collecting things I might need. She hasn't let me do anything, so I just sit on my bed and watch her run her fingers through her hair, looking around one more time to make sure she didn't forget anything.

 " Is this how stressful packing is supposed to be?" I tease her, and she hisses back at me.

"What's wrong Charlotte?"

"I'm nervous, that's all," she tells me.

I grab her wrist when she tries to walk past me. "Stop, you didn't forget anything, you packed everything I'm sure, now sit down and relax for a minute," I command her.

She sits down beside me then takes a deep breath in followed by a long sigh. "Sorry, I'm worried about not finding a dress when we get there," she says softly.

I can't help but start laughing, " That's what you're worried about? A dress?"

Charlotte scowls and hits me on the shoulder. " Not every girl is lucky enough to have their dress tailored to them by a famous designer," she snips at me.

"Charlotte, you'll look perfect in any dress," I try to convince her.

She gets up off the bed, looks through my bag one more time then tells me she has to go home and pack her things. This time things did feel awkward between us when we both pause and stare at each other, contemplating our next move. Charlotte acts first and decides to kiss my cheek and says she'll see me in the morning. Wow, I really screwed up that moment! I think to myself.

Nate brings his car around the back side of the building the next morning, hoping the photographers out front won't spot us when he drives us to the airport. Charlotte gives me a baseball cap to wear, hoping it will help hide my face. She attaches both leg braces on my legs but only locks the left one straight. I wish the cap would hide my face better because Charlotte catches me wince in pain and instinctively reach towards my left leg. Shit! What now?

I'm learning that my left side spasms become more frequent when I work those muscles too much or when I'm overly anxious. This morning I'm definitely anxious. How is she going to get all of our luggage and me around the airport? I know we're flying first class, but It's still going to be difficult for me to get onto the plane, and anyone who recognizes me will be snapping photos of it all.