CHASING CHARLIE GRAY

10

Ms.Gray had come to check on us at which point Charlie Gray had informed her mother that I would be staying over by way of hand signs which she seemed to understand and responded with a thumbs up.

She'd brought us dinner in the form of Chinese takeout which came with fortune cookies.

"You can get clothes in there and the bathroom is there" Charlie Gray said, pointing out the two separate rooms.

I nodded before going into the closet. There was alot in here, so much that I didn't even know what to pick and after spending maybe 3 minutes in silence I heard Charlie Gray call out to me.

"Just take something, it's not rocket science genius" She laughed.

My cheeks warmed and I hurried to grab a random shirt and shorts combo.

"Can I shower" I scratched my arm awkwardly walking back out to meet her.

"Relax Gia , you're acting as if you've never had a sleepover" She mumbled, rolling over to face me from her spot on the bed.

I haven't.

"Yeah" I chuckled, trying to cover up the fact that she was right but Charlie Gray noticed. She always noticed.

"Wait you have had a sleepover before right ? " She rose onto her elbows to inspect me.

The longer I stayed silent the brighter her smile got before she exploded into a fit of laughter.

"You're adorable you know that?" She ran her hand down her face.

"So this is really gonna be your first?"

I nodded.

"I'll make it worth your while then"

"There's fresh towels and brand new undies in the first draw under the sink" She continued, laying back down on the bed on her back.

I spent five minutes in the shower letting the water bring me to a state of peace and just thinking.

I'd never seen Charlie Gray like this, teasing and laughing. It was new and I quite liked it.

"Alright, we've got face masks, nail polish, henna and scissors for bad decisions later on"

We stayed up late into the night watching movies and laughing.

I don't remember exactly when I fell asleep but when I woke again Charlie Gray was gone.

3:20 am

I checked the bathroom before quietly going down the stairs to look for her.

A quick peep through the back door was all it took. She was sat at the edge of the pool with her legs dangling in the water and her head down.

"Hey" I said softly sitting next to her.

"Hi" She sniffled, wiping her tears away hastily.

"What's up?" She tried for a smile but it wavered before falling completely.

She turned away and brought her hands up to her face as she cried quietly.

I grabbed her in a side hug and she laid her head on my shoulder, her face turning in towards my neck.

" It's okay, you're okay" I glided my hand down her head gently.

"Sorry" She groaned into the silence.

"It's cool, I get it"

"You know my dad taught me how to swim?"

I didn't know that.

" It was the last thing he ever did for me, and then he died" Her frown worsened.

"I feel like I'm letting him down"

"You're not"

I tried to squash every trace of doubt she had about her situation.

"But I feel like I am"

I didn't know how else to help so I just held her until she was too tired to cry and then I helped her back upstairs and into bed before settling in after her and wrapping my arms around her in a gentle embrace.