CHASING CHARLIE GRAY

9

Sometimes I forget that Charlie Gray was sick, like when she randomly showed up to class or when we talked instead of doing the project that brought us together in the first place.

"What?" She asked.

I knew I had been staring but I couldn't help myself.

"You're okay"

I was relieved.

She laughed "Yeah, I'm good"

I had joined her at the window seat and we were watching the rain that had started pouring outside.

"I think I've put off telling you this for long enough" she hummed, following the trail of a droplet of water on the window with her finger tip.

" I have cfs" she spoke after an entire minute of silence.

"Oh"

Dumbass, I'm a dumbass. She tells me something so important and all I say is 'oh', Jesus.

"Yeah oh" She cracked a small smile.

"I don't know how to describe it other than being constantly exhausted, I've had it since I was small but it got worse last year"

I decided it was best if I just let her speak since all I ever did was embarrass myself.

"It could be years before I ever get back the level of energy I had when I was swimming or... I might never be able to swim again" She frowned at the last part.

"But that's okay, I've made my peace with it" The way she said it told me that wasn't completely true if at all.

"I'm sorry" I tried.

"It's cool just thought you should know" She grimaced.

"Sorry for wasting your time this week, we're kinda behind now" She reached behind her and pulled out the book and a new lilac colored hoodie before passing both to me.

"The other one's in the wash, I think I got my sweat all over it sometime when I was.. You know" She grimaced, pointing towards the bed.

"Ah"

"Anyway, let's get started shall we"

"Right"

I read while Charlie sat facing me and listening. After finishing off a chapter I looked out the window to see it was now pitch black outside and after checking my phone I realized it was 9pm.

"Oh shit!" I cursed startling Charlie who sat up in worry.

"What?"

"I've gotta go, my mom's gonna kill me" I groaned, peeling the hoodie off and getting up to leave.

"Wait!"

"Why don't you just stay the night, I mean it's already late and it's pouring outside, you shouldn't drive now anyway" She shrugged.

"Are you okay with that?"

"If I wasn't I wouldn't have suggested it" Charlie Gray rolled her eyes at me.

"Okay, I'm gonna call her" I dialed my mom's number and held the phone to my ear.

"Hey this is Lisa, I'm probably flying a plane right now you know, since it's-" I fumbled to shut my phone off which I hadn't realized was on speaker until it was much to late.

"Your mom's a pilot?" Charlie asked.

"Yeah... She actually left for a route this morning after I went to school and I forgot"

"So... Is that a yes to sleeping over?" she asked.

"Yeah"

"Cool" She smiled.

***
Is this going too fast? Most definitely

Do I care to fix it? Certainly not 😀