Work Text:
CHARLIE
I stood timidly in the corner, watching how everyone around me was having such a good time. I never felt like I fitted in normally, never mind in parties hosted by one of the boys who picks on me – Harry Greene. But Nick asked me to come, Nick asked me! I couldn’t say no.
I shuffled over to the drinks table, the thrum of the heavy dance music blasting from every speaker.
Harry had ordered some pizza, enough to feed the whole street, but I felt anxious and just looking at the pizza made my stomach recoil. So I just grabbed a plastic cup of something and I headed back to the corner I was hiding in.
I know Nick’s here somewhere, but I’m far too awkward to go and look for him.
He wanted me to come, he’ll find me.
-
It was a long 40 minutes before Nick finally came into view, wearing an unmissable patterned shirt. He looked boyish in a way, but also completely mature. It was strange. I felt myself walking towards him.
“Hey!” He shouted over the noise, a smile grew on his face instantly, “I’ve been looking for you!” His hands were hot on my shoulders and I was glad for the raging lights as a blush covered my face.
“Hey.” I shouted back and Nick’s arms dropped from my shoulders.
“It’s very loud in here, should we go somewhere quieter?” Nick suggested and I didn’t say no, I Charlie Spring was never going to say no to golden retriever Nick Nelson.
I nodded and he tugged my arm forward.
-
We sat on a table in the kitchen. Nick had grabbed some pizza, he offered me some but I told him I’d eaten before. He seemed happy with my answer and happily ate his pizza, his head moving to the song currently playing.
He looked so soft, so gentle. It’s hard to explain. He has this small smile on his face and his golden hair keeps slipping into his face and he keeps pushing it back. A little battle that I could watch forever.
It’s so strange because I’ve only known Nick Nelson, the king of rugby, for a couple of weeks, but it feels like I’ve known him forever, like he’s always been in my life. He has this ability to make my heart skip a beat – every time he says ‘hi’ to me in form I can barely contain my smile.
God, I just wish that he wasn’t straight.
And no, I don’t just fall for any boy who’s nice to me. But Nick’s different, he’s made me feel important and like I don’t just ruin his life.
“Oi Nick mate.” Harry Greene walked into the room and I broke my gaze from Nick, suddenly feeling the uneasiness in my stomach grow.
“What?” Nick asked, eating the last slice of his pepperoni pizza.
“Tara Jones has just got here, now’s your big chance mate.” I felt my heart sink in my chest, Tao had warned me about this, but he’ll never know how hard it is to just forget about the pretty straight boy you sit next to in form.
“I’m alright, I’d rather just stay in here with Charlie.” He tossed me a quick glance and I offered him a small smile. My body tingled, he’d rather spend time with me.
“This is boringggg mate, we’re taking you to go and see Tara. Charlie thinks you should, don’t you Spring?” I just shrugged and Nick was pulled to his feet by Harry.
“I really don’t want to~” Nick said awkwardly, trying to move out of Harry’s grip.
“Didn’t you like kiss when you were thirteen?” Nick threw me an apologetic glance and I just wanted to die right there, I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
“Come on mate.” Harry kept pushing and soon they disappeared into the crowd of drunk dancing people.
I still find Harry Greene terrifying. I find all Year 11’s terrifying. Except for Nick. He’s different. He’s nice.
I’m alone again in the kitchen.
And I get this terrible sense of dread that Nick really is straight.
And it makes me want to go home.
So I text my dad and I ask him to pick me up, he replies instantly with a thumbs up.
I navigate through the streams of dancing drunk teenagers, never feeling more anxious in my life. Everyone around me seemed to be buzzing, everyone but me.
I was by the door when I spotted Nick. He was laughing, joking, smiling. I felt my stomach sink. Ha, he really does like this girl then.
-
NICK
“Yeah that’s my girlfriend over there, Darcy.” My eyebrows shot up a shock, but my expression soon melted into a smile.
“I’m really sorry about my mates, they’re all dickheads.” I said in a laugh and Tara shrugged.
“It’s alright. I’m used to straight boys being dicks.” I swallowed at that, suddenly feeling awkward, “I love Darcy, I didn’t realise at first, I just thought she was annoying and that’s why I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Silly now I know I’m a lesbian.” Her voice sounded so happy and a part of my very confused mind twisted.
“I only know one openly gay person. Do you know Charlie Spring?” There was a flash of something in her eyes before she smiled and nodded.
“Yes I do and he’s currently leaving the party looking pretty dejected.” I spun on my heels almost instantly, catching the last of Charlie as he left. I thought he wasn’t leaving until 10? I swear to god if any of my friends have said anything to him I’m going to kill them~
“Go and check on him.” Tara told me and I walked off without another word, gently barging every one of the way.
I got to the door and I saw him sitting on the steps outside.
I sat down next to him, not saying anything for a moment.
And then “Hi,” Charlie turned to face me, a twinge of sadness in his eyes.
“You okay?” He nodded, paused and nodded again.
“I’m fine, I’m just waiting for my dad that’s all.” I let my van tap his converse and he looked up from the pavement.
“I’m really sorry about my friends, well about Harry really.”
“It’s alright – I’m used to it by now.” I felt my heart sink in my chest, I felt awful.
“Charlie?”
“yeah.”
“Thanks for coming, I know most of the year 11’s are dicks.” Charlie smiled an honest smile as his yellow family car pulled up.
“I had fun.” He lied, “You made this a little more bearable.” He admitted, turning away before Nick saw the blush flood his cheeks.
“I’ve got to go.” Charlie told me and I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold him there for just a second. Hugging Charlie is the only thing my mind makes sense of. But instead I let him walk down the steps.
“I’ll see you on Monday!” I called as he climbed into his car, when all I wanted to do was shout that I wanted him to stay.
“see you Nick!” The car door shut with a slam and soon the yellow car was out of sight.
I don’t know what’s going on in my head. But it’s definitely got something to do with Charlie Spring.
There’s just something about him that makes me feel instantly happy when I see him, that makes me want to spend every waking moment with him, that makes me want to hold him as physically close as possible and never let go.
Every thought is just Charlie Spring.
His hair, how it flops and how he doesn’t like it short because he has a “weird head shape”
His eyes and how they sparkle when he’s talking about things he likes.
How kindhearted he his.
How happy he makes me.
How much he makes me laugh.
How much time I want to spend with him.
Charlies probably the best friend I’ve ever had.
And there’s something in the back of my head that keeps telling me I want something more.
But it hurts to think about, I don’t understand it.
I feel electric when I’m with Charlie and I never want it to end.
“Nick mate why are you out there, the parties in here!” Harry obnoxiously yelled, his voice sounding sloshed. I picked myself up from the step, glancing back to the road for a second before heading back into the party.
“I was just catching some fresh air.” Harry pushed a drink into my hand and I accepted it.
The Birthday boy started dancing and I would much rather be with Charlie.
I’d always much rather be with Charlie.
But I just push that thought to the back of my head and I try to enjoy the party.
Besides Charlie went home.
And my head felt fuzzy so I just stopped thinking at all.