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It hadn’t been long until Nick caught himself falling for Charlie.
Rather than believing the feelings were of brotherly love, deep down he knew them for what they really were. He just didn’t want to admit it to himself.
He’s not even homophobic, he just never thought he would be attracted to someone of the same gender; especially not Charlie Spring.
It made it especially difficult to meet Charlie's eyes without goosebumps trailing down his arms and neck, a blush blooming upon his cheeks. He could feel the pitter-patter of his heartbeat whenever they laughed together, or just talked casually. The overwhelming heat in his chest was suffocating him slowly, but he didn’t want to risk anything with Charlie.
It had only been a few weeks prior that he realized, even though he’d be risking their relationship, he couldn’t live in a constant cycle of wanting and admiration for the boy. He wanted to hold him close, cherish him. That’s only if the feelings were reciprocated, however; He’d never do anything to force Charlie into something, he’s gotten enough of that already.
Thus, Nick chose to text Charlie during his Maths class, inviting him over to his house. Thankfully, his mum was out of town at the time, so he could be as honest as he so wished with how he felt. He would try and confess.
Nick nervously tapped his pencil on the desk as he every so often glanced at his phone. Once it flashed, he fumbled to look at his screen again.
“sure!!! :) how bout we meet up outside when schools out?”
Nick quickly replied:
“ok! just wait, you can finally see my sweet ride!”
Charlie replied with an eye rolling emoji, and Nick could find himself smiling. When he caught himself smiling, he ran a hand through his hair and nervously returned to listening to the lecture.
Charlie particularly fancied Nick. He’s the star rugby captain, absolutely built and was the sweetest guy he’d ever met at Truham. He fit the crush ‘criteria’.
His heart grew fuller when Nick invited him over. At that time, he was listening to Tao rant on and on about some movie he and Elle saw while he was hanging out with Nick. Tao called Nick the ‘second’ token straight, but Charlie reassured him he never told him about his sexuality. Tao dismissed it entirely.
Charlie was more so focused on Nick though as he wandered in his mind, wondering what the spontaneous invitation was for. Tao seemed to catch on to his lack of interest but pressed on anyway, occasionally asking him “Right Charlie?”. Charlie only hummed in response.
When the time came, Nick came rushing out of the school, extremely late. He had been held back in his Science class to take a test he had missed a few days prior. He felt terrible, and didn’t have time to text Charlie he was in fact coming, and not dead.
To his surprise, the brunette was sitting near the entrance, invested in whatever he was listening to on his phone. Once Nick approached and poked his head, Charlie’s eyes lit up and he slipped his earbuds out.
“Where were you?” Charlie’s eyebrows knit together.
“Had to make up a test, I didn’t have time to tell you.”
Nick tilted his head, “You waited twenty minutes for me?”
Charlies stammered as he replied, “I… I actually just assumed you were messing with me, but I’m a good friend and decided to wait for you. Yeah.”
Nick smirked, “Mhmm, sure!”
Nick raised his eyebrows as he took a hold of Charlie’s hand, dragging him up and away from where he was sitting. Charlie repeatedly yelled “Stop!” as he slapped the blonde's arm.
“I won’t! You have to see my ride,” Nick glanced back at Charlie. Charlie’s face had gone red from laughter.
As Nick led them to the school lot, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Everyone had pretty much left already, only a few cars remaining. Nick suddenly began to giggle.
“What?” Charlie looked at him, a mix of confused and amused.
“I can’t drive yet, Charlie.”
Charlie looked dumbfounded. He had been entirely duped.
Nick found it insanely hilarious, doubling down as Charlie’s face went stone cold. They both knew Nick didn’t live far, but it would take them time to walk. Charlie gave him a death glare as payback.
“So you decided to be late by taking a test, and made us even later by lying?!”
When Nick let Charlie inside, he was still being bombarded with questions, and he found it very amusing. He thought Charlie would catch on earlier, but he had assumed wrong.
“Hey, look! I had no idea about the test thing, plus your reaction was pretty funny,” Nick slipped his shoes off, turning around to wait for Charlie to follow him upstairs.
He was met with quite the sight. Charlie had his arms crossed, shoes off already, and his backpack hanging from his elbow. Nick snorted.
“Hey! Whatever it is, it’s not funny!” Charlie exclaimed.
“You just look so authoritative,” Nick hid behind his hand as he grinned, “Come on, let’s just go to my room.”
Charlie obliged and followed him upstairs.
Quickly the subject shifted to inside jokes and playful banter. Charlie occasionally would reference the earlier incident but they both pretty much moved on.
“So I told him ‘Your beanie looks fine, maybe just pull your hair out of it? You look bald!’” Charlie laughed, Nick following.
They were now sitting on Nick’s bed, sprawled out next to each other.
“The same happened with the lads when we were younger, they all were practically hairless too so it made it ten times worse.”
Nick looked over, catching Charlie’s gaze.
“The fact is though, Tao isn’t hairless soo…” Charlie trailed off, smiling.
Nick stared at Charlie. His eyes bore into his own, he couldn’t see the end of them. His face was angular, but well rounded and defined. He was perfect.
Nick snapped out of it, shifting his eyes to peer at the ceiling. He hadn’t noticed how many little stained spots were up there.
“Nick?”
Charlie poked his arm. He turned his head.
“Are you okay?”
Not a question Nick wanted to think about again. He understands things about himself, but he just… he isn’t sure what it is entirely.
“Eh, just some stuff on my mind.”
He did think he’d say something about his feelings, didn’t he? Why? What is stopping him? It’s not that complicated. He’s the biggest liar of the century, to himself.
“You don’t have to tell me, but just remember there's no rush. The stuff I was saying earlier wasn’t serious, if that’s what you’re thinking of,” Charlie rubbed his thumb along Nick’s forearm.
Nick awkwardly chuckled, “No, no, I know that. It’s something else. You… would get it I just… I don’t know. It’s like having something lodged in your throat, I can’t spit it out yet.”
They look at each other for a bit longer, Nick’s face gradually growing hotter.
“Well, if you aren’t ready, not even I can force it out of you,” he laughed, “You have to do things at your own pace, even though in my case it’s sometimes out of my control,” Nick eased up a bit at that, laughing a little bit.
“You’re right. I’ll be able to say something eventually, just not yet.”
Charlie nodded, letting go of Nick’s arm.
“Now, what do you say we play some Mario Kart to lighten the mood?”
“Sure! Should I get some snacks?”
“Obviously, dork.”