Chapter Text
Charlie POV
It was Monday again. The weekend went by so quickly that I had forgotten to tell Nick how I truly felt. We are officially boyfriends, but I need to let him know that my feelings for him go beyond just 'liking' someone. Surely it won't make a difference. Nick is willing to come out for me, so that means he has deeper feelings for me as well, doesn't it? I just need to be patient, and when the right time comes where I can express my true feelings, I'll know.
"Charlie!" Tao races across the road, coming to a dead stop when he sees how much I am smiling. "What's got you so happy this early in the morning?"
"Oh. Nothing. Just had a good weekend," I told him.
Tao's eyes narrowed slightly. "Mmhmm. Okay. Well, it's Elle's birthday next week, so the planning officially starts today. Issac wants to do a beach trip-."
"Not the beach," I cut in before thinking.
"Why?"
How do I explain to him that I want to keep my memory of the beach between Nick and I? That I don't want it ruined by another memory of me with my friends? Would that be selfish? I know I can't explain it to Tao until Nick comes out. All my friends know we are together, but they don't know the extent of it. Anything I tell them could be overheard by anyone and then used against Nick. It feels like I'm back where I started; Nick and I together, but keeping it a secret until he is ready.
So I had to think of another reason. "Elle and her friends won't want to get their hair and makeup wrecked. It's Elle's special day. Let's plan something even better for her."
"I hadn't thought of that," Tao admitted with a dejected look.
"We should wait until lunch time and talk to Issac," I suggested.
"Yeah, okay." Tao shrugged his bag higher on his shoulder. "As long as you promise not to ditch me for your new boyfriend."
I instantly glanced around, thankful that we were still on the path in front of the school, meaning less people who could've accidently heard Tao. As my eyes wondered, a figure standing by the school gate caught my attention. He was looking directly at me, an annoyed expression on his face.
Ben.
"I, uh, no. I'll be there," I promised, turning back to Tao.
If he noticed how stiff I suddenly was, he didn't say anything. "Great. I gotta go find Mr. Tunner for an English assignment I am contesting."
"Contesting?"
"He graded it wrong, and I'm going to prove it," he explained in a hurry, already rushing off in the direction of the school gate. "See you later!"
One minute later the first school bell rang. All the students lingering outside of the school fence started disappearing one by one until only I was standing on the footpath. I was hoping Ben would also head to Form, but he remained next to the school gate, waiting for me to pass through the only entrance so he could trap me. I didn't want to talk to him, or have anything to do with him.
I hitched my bag higher onto my shoulder and began walking forward, staring straight ahead, refusing to look at him. Whatever used to be between us is long over, and it wasn't because of me. Ben's hand gripped my forearm as I strolled past, stopping me in my tracks. It felt wrong having someone other than Nick touch me, so I quickly shook his hand off.
"I'm going to be late for Form," I muttered.
Ben moved to stand in front of me, blocking my entrance to the school. "Look, I - I wanted to say sorry for the other night at the movies. Seeing you and Nick being so close and holding hands... It made me angry."
"What?"
"I'm not sure what's going on with you two, but-."
"He's my boyfriend," I blurted out.
Ben's eyes widened in shock before his usual scowl returned, his brow coming down low over his eyes. "Are you just assuming that? Like you did with us?"
"No. He wanted too, because he isn't afraid of his feelings," I shot back in irritation.
"Yeah right. Of all the people in this school, Nick Nelson is not afraid of coming out as gay? I'll believe it when I see it," he scoffed.
Letting my anger get the better of me, I took a step towards Ben, barely half a meter away from his face as I said, "You were the only one who was ever afraid. You were the only coward. Now," - side stepping him so I could head to Form - ,"leave me the hell alone."
It felt good to finally stand up to Ben, though I know the only reason I can is because of Nick. I can't let anyone insult him like that. What sort of boyfriend would I be if I didn't defend him against homophobes and bullies? I'm used to it. Ever since I came out, the bullying has been a constant part of my life, to the point where I barely even notice it anymore. However, Nick is on the rugby team and is one of the most popular boys in school. He isn't used to any of this, so until he is, I need to protect him.
Form room was louder than usual. I could hear everyone from down the hall, and was surprised the teacher wasn't yelling at them all to quiet down. I hurriedly rounded the corner, excited to see Nick, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw what was happening. Nick was standing by our usual table, phone in hand, visibly shaking as he read whatever was on the screen. Everyone else had their phones out as well, laughing and pointing - at Nick. The teacher was absent today.
One of the boys from the rugby team shouted my name along with some other words I couldn't hear. My heart was pounding in my ears as I continued to stare at Nick from the doorway. He had yet to look at me, eyes glued to his phone.
"Charlie, there you are you little rascal!" Harry skipped to my side, shoving his phone under my nose so I could read the message there. "How did you do it?"
My eyes skimmed over the poorly constructed text. It was brief, but that was all that was needed. Nick had been ousted, and I knew it was my fault. Ben must have sent a message through to the entire school via social media as a way to get back at me. I should have kept my head down like I always do. Why did I think having Nick as my boyfriend made any difference? I just made things worse for him.
"You turned Nick gay," another boy shouted from their desk.
"No, I-." My eyes flickered to Nick, who still refused to look at me. "It's a lie. The person who wrote that message is lying. Nick and I aren't... we're not together. Nick isn't gay."
At my words, Nick finally glanced up at me. His blue eyes were filled with betrayal, an expression I hadn't seen on his face before. It froze me to the spot, and I realised then just how badly I had screwed up. Even if it was Ben who told everyone, he only knew because I had said so. I should've known he would use the information to get back at me. I was just so irritated at the time and wanted him to know just how insignificant to me he was.
Harry turned to Nick. "Is that right?"
Without missing a beat, Nick nodded, eyes still glued to me. "Yeah, mate. It's just some sort of bad joke."
"Well, what is it then, Charlie?" Harry threw an arm around my shoulders, pulling me down so he could rub my head like some sort of dog. "Do you have a crush on Nick? Is that why you're always hanging around the rugby team?"
"I-."
"Leave him alone!" Charlie exclaimed.
Harry laughed, but still kept his hold on me. "It's all a bit of fun, Nick. Calm down."
I attempted to struggle out of his grip, but Harry was stronger than me. "Let me-."
There was a crunching sound, like bones shattering, and then the arm that was across my shoulders disappeared. Nick was standing beside me, our hands almost touching, but his eyes were narrowed at Harry, who was now sprawled across the floor. His hand was covering his nose as he cried, blood dripping down his chin. I glanced down at Nick's hands, still balled into fists, and saw blood splattered across his knuckles.
One of the boys broke the silence that followed. "What the hell, Nick?"
"Charlie is my boyfriend," he muttered, still glaring down at Harry.
"What?" another boy asked.
Nick finally glanced at me, and I stopped breathing when I saw tears threatening to spill from his eyes. He wasn't angry or annoyed; Nick smiled at me as his eyes shimmered. His hand slowly touched mine, leading me as he laced our fingers together in front of the while Form room.
"Charlie is my boyfriend," he said louder, making sure everyone heard him. "I'm bisexual."
"What are you doing?" I whispered in disbelief.
"Defending my boyfriend obviously," Nick replied with an expression that dared me to question him.
My heart hadn't restarted yet, so all I did was nod and smile like an idiot. I would never argue against Nick defending me.