Chapter Text
„For real. Why do I have to wait for so long? Why does it take so much time until next month? It feels like ages. Why can’t time pass quicker and next month is… tomorrow?” Nick let out a desperate huff and pouted slightly before he turned around on his bed, leaning against the headboard, his legs tangled in the comforter. He held his phone tightly in his hand, pressing it close against his ear as if he could get closer to the other person on the line by doing so.
A small whine escaped his lips and Nick scrunched his nose, staring grumpily at the wall on the opposite side of the room while he heard a little chuckle on the other end. “Nick, please.” He could literally hear the other roll his eyes. “Don’t be silly. It is not that long, to be honest. Just three more weeks and we’ll see each other.” Charlie stated, a fond tone in his voice. He probably had a huge grin spread all over his face, from one side to the other.
“I didn’t agree to this beforehand. This was not in the contract. I mean… Being away from my wonderful and beloved boyfriend for that long? That was not the deal, Charlie. That was absolutely not the deal.” Nick stated, letting out a sigh.
For a second, he squeezed his eyes shut. “It’s just… I miss you. I really do. It feels as if video- and phone calls aren’t enough anymore. I want to be able to hold and kiss you. I miss… being with you, Charlie.” Nick added, his voice quieter and a lot gentler while he pushed his free hand through his hair, making it even messier than it had been before.
Charlie giggled softly at his boyfriend’s antics. “When did you become such a drama queen? Honestly, when did that happen? I thought we decided that this was Tao’s job, especially when someone’s questioning his movie choices. But you seem to be… even worse?” He asked teasingly.
Nick opened his mouth to reply but before he could say a word, Charlie added a soft “But well… for the record? I miss you, too, Nick.”
At these words, a wide smile spread over Nick’s face and he shuffled slightly to snuggle up against his cushion. His eyes darted towards the wall right next to him where he had pinned a lot of pictures, showing him with his friends, his mother, Nellie and Henry… even though most of them portrayed Charlie and him. His heart made a little jolt as his eyes followed the lines of Charlie’s features and he was barely able to resist the urge to raise his hand to trail his fingers along one of these pictures.
“I really hate this.” Nick sighed and shook his head. “Why does university have to be so far away from Kent? I wish you could be here with me, Charlie. I got so used to you being around all the time. Us being together, seeing each other every day. But right now? We have to be apart for so long. How should I manage to survive not being able to cuddle up with my boyfriend now? Instead, I have to wait three full weeks until I will be able to hold you in my arms again. It feels as if I haven’t seen you in months.”
For a stretched moment, Charlie was quiet on the other end. “Nick.” He then whispered with a certain warmth in his voice which Nick could feel spreading through his whole body, engulfing him, leaving a buzzing feeling in his veins.
“I cannot wait for you to visit me in a few weeks. I am already counting the days until I will be able to hold you in my arms again.” Nick admitted softly.
“I do, too. Count the days. Do you know what Tao did? He gifted me a little calendar so I could cross out every passing day. He said that he hoped this would make me shut up about telling him how much I miss you each and every day. He said that he didn’t want to hear me whining so much about being away from you.” Charlie stated and let out a little scoff. “He told me that I am turning… no… that I already am a lovesick fool.” Charlie then added which made Nick grin.
He chuckled at the thought of Tao standing in front of Charlie, shoving a little calendar into his boyfriend’s hands with a raised eyebrow and a roll of his eyes, trying to pretend to be annoyed by Charlie even though he was not. “Well, I don’t see something bad here. And after all, if you’re lovesick, so am I, I assume.”
Charlie giggled at Nick’s words. “We both are then.”
“You know… one of my roommates kind of told me the same.” Nick grinned sheepishly, remembering Patricia’s words which she had just said aloud that same morning. “She said that I am getting annoying because I just sit in my own four walls, brooding the whole time. She said that I should go out and have some fun. I should start to function like a normal person would. How did she say it? I need to get the whole and full university experience.”
Charlie laughed slightly at the other end. “Brooding? What are you doing, Nicholas? Sitting in your room staring at pictures of me? Are you obsessed with me or what?” He teased slightly and Nick rolled his eyes even though Charlie could not see it.
“Shut up. But yes, I might be in here a lot and… well, that’s why she kind of forced me to go out with some of our friends tonight. She stated that I had no choice. You know, there’s this new movie? I think I told you about it, didn’t I? She said that a friend of hers wants to watch it and they decided to go to the cinema all together. So, she signed me up as well. I think… I have to be at the cinema later on, meeting them there.” Nick slowly explained.
To be honest, at first, when Charlie had heard that Nick would share one of the little dorm apartments with a girl, he had not been really happy about it. Not that he did not trust his boyfriend. Because he did.
But he did not know about Patricia and her intentions. So, in the beginning, he had been a bit reluctant. Nick had tried to reassure him, telling him that he had made it abundantly clear that he was not interested at all and that he was absolutely off the market, being in a relationship already. Patricia had accepted this, Nick had told Charlie, stating that there was no need to fear her because she was not interested in him at all.
Charlie had still been a bit hesitant. Sometimes, Nick was really oblivious and too trusting when it came to other people. After all, Patricia could tell him everything and Nick would probably believe it.
It had taken around three long weeks until Charlie had slowly started to agree with Nick that Patricia really seemed to be no threat. Not once had she tried anything that would resemble something inappropriate. More or less, she had become one of Nick’s friends at university and Charlie had learnt to accept her.
In addition, Nick still told Charlie everything like since the first day they had met back in form. This had not even changed a bit even though the distance between them. So, albeit not having met her yet, Charlie felt as if he knew Patricia. Nick talked about her many times and Charlie thought that she might be a really nice person, always trying to pull Nick out of his shell. So that he would go out, dragging him with her to see other people. To have fun with them. She did not seem like Nick’s other friends back at home. But this was not a bad thing, right?
Somehow, Charlie appreciated her attempts because he knew how Nick could be. He needed a friend like that. Someone close by to look after him, to help him settle into his new life at Leeds. Yes, Charlie would have preferred to be the one to help Nick but due to the distance and their different schedules he could not. So, he had to accept that Patricia had to be the one in charge here for now.
Charlie had to admit that it could have been worse. Patricia seemed nice enough and as if she cared for Nick. So, as long as Nick and Charlie were separated, she would be Nick’s much needed friend. And Charlie started to be grateful for her, knowing that his boyfriend was in good hands.
“I think I should get ready then.” Nick interrupted Charlie’s thoughts as he sat up on the bed, shuffling towards the edge. His eyes darted towards the clock on his nightstand. He rubbed his face and let out a sigh before he got up to his feet, walking slowly to the closet to grab a fresh hoodie, pulling it over his head. “Even though I’d prefer to continue to talk to you, Charlie.”
“Nick.” Charlie chuckled as he heard the rustling noise the hoodie made over the phone. His voice was soft and Nick could literally hear the smile on his face. “I’d like that a lot, and you know that. But… I am meeting up with Tao and Isaac tonight as well. So, I won’t be home until later. Tao wants to introduce us to a new movie he had found god knows where.” Charlie let out a deep sigh. “But you know, I think he just doesn’t want to be alone tonight. Elle’s quite occupied lately and they haven’t been able to talk as much as they want to. So, I think he just needs the company, having someone to talk to. Or better, someone to threaten if they would talk during a ‘cinematic masterpiece’ – his phrasing.”
Nick snorted at the other’s words and shook his head. “And you say that I am a drama queen…” He muttered.
Charlie decided to ignore the comment. “I have to say that… I can relate to him. Being not able to talk to the person you love? To be close to them? It sucks.” He then admitted gently, causing Nick to smile again.
“It does.” Nick agreed, turning around to look for his wallet. “So, we both have some kind of date tonight then? Wow. We’re both socially functional human beings for once. I am proud of us. Nobody can blame us for being awkward anymore.” He then pointed out.
“You’re a dork. But yes. Absolutely. People should look out for us because sooner rather than later we become total social butterflies. They won’t recognize us anymore.” Charlie snickered. “Maybe we can talk after the movies? Although I am not sure how long I’ll stay at Tao’s or when I’ll be able to leave. Perhaps… you could text me when you’re on your way home? Or make a short call? I’d love to hear from you before going to sleep tonight.”
Nick nodded, reaching out for his wallet to put it into his pocket. “I will definitely call you. Until later then, darling. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Nick.”
For a moment there was a content silence between the two of them before they hung up. And while Charlie put his phone away to get ready for his visit at Tao’s, Nick stared at his own for a second before pushing it into the other pocket. He grabbed his keys to head out, on his way to the cinema, while his thoughts were still with his boyfriend.
Nick let out a muttered curse and quickened his pace. He had totally misjudged the distance between the dorm and the cinema and therefore the amount of time it would take him to get there. He glanced at his watch, cursing again, starting to jog towards the cinema, hoping he would not be too late, that he would still be on time somehow.
Hopefully, the others would wait for him outside because otherwise he was convinced that he would not hear the end of it by Patricia. She would complain about it, thinking that he had stood them up, too caught up in his boyfriend and ignoring his friends. And that was something he really did not want. Because if Patricia was in a mood like that, she was hardly bearable.
The moment he rounded the corner at the crossroads next to the cinema his heart almost stopped. Even though there were still a few people outside the building, obviously waiting for others, he did not recognize any of them as one of his friends. Another curse left Nick’s lips and he slowed down, taking a deep breath as he fished for his phone. He hoped that if he called Patricia now he could do some damage control, prevent her being mad or disappointed in him for not showing up. Because he did show up.
His eyes darted over the few faces out here while he tried to get the phone out that seemed to be stuck in his pocket. Nick blinked as he got closer, noticing a girl their age that was looking at him intently with a shy smile and wide eyes. As she noted him looking back, she raised her hand and started waving slowly, still smiling at him.
For a moment, Nick tilted his head and squinted his eyes, trying to figure out who she was. As he approached her, it dawned on him. Yes, he had met her once or twice. She was one of Patricia’s friends. Maybe Nick was still lucky then. Probably Patricia had invited her, too, and she was also waiting for the others to appear. This would mean that he was not too late. Nick let out a little chuckle because he would not be surprised if Patricia had told him a wrong time on purpose, knowing that he would be too late, being too engulfed in different stuff to leave on time.
“Hey. Hi. Are you also waiting for Patricia? Aren’t they here yet?” Nick asked as he stopped in front of the girl, not sure how to greet her. They did not know each other well enough for a hug but a handshake seemed to formal. He did not even remember her name although he tried really hard to remember it. Was it Regina? Ruby? All he knew was that it started with an R.
“Um… no. Obviously.” For a split second, there was a small frown on her face and she seemed a bit confused. But it was replaced instantly by another smile as she bit down on her lower lip and looked at him from under her lashes.
“Wow. I’m glad that I am not too late then. Probably Patricia tricked me by telling me to be here around seven thirty, knowing that I would not arrive on the dot.” Nick exhaled with a grin, relieved that he was still punctual even though Patricia had to lie to him. He glanced around to see if he could spot any of their other friends or at least his roommate to appear. Because if the movie started around eight, they should be here any minute because it was ten to eight already.
“Um… you are… you are not… too late, I mean.” The girl admitted, visibly blushing now. She fiddled with the hem of her shirt, fidgeting slightly. She was obviously quite nervous although Nick did not notice. He had raised his phone because it had just buzzed right now. Slowly, he read the message that had been sent.
“Oh, it’s Patricia. She says that she cannot make it. Something came up. But we could go and watch the movie together if we want to. She wouldn’t be mad if we went without her. And she also wishes us fun?” Nick read the message aloud, frowning slightly at the winking smiley Patricia had put at the end.
He was slightly confused. Not because Patricia could not make it. But where were the others? She had said something about a few of them meeting up. She did not just mean that it would have been the three of them, now minus her. That was a bit weird, especially as he looked up to notice the girl’s reaction.
She also seemed a bit confused, maybe she had expected something different as well? But before Nick could ask her about it, she replied. “I’d… I’d like that.” She whispered a bit breathy, chewing on her lower lip, hardly able to look at Nick. “To go and watch the movie with you.”
For a moment, Nick thought about what he should do. He could go back home but… usually he would have called Charlie. But he was with Tao and Isaac and not at home. And Nick did not want to interrupt their time together. So, with Charlie being occupied and not available and him already being at the cinema, he could use the opportunity and go see the movie like he had initially planned. And if he was joined by the other girl, he would be okay with it. The more, the merrier, right? It was always more fun not to go alone to the movies because then he would have somebody he could immediately talk to about the plot afterwards.
Even though he still had no clue about her name. But he did not dare to ask because it felt weird to do so now. He should know her. Patricia had introduced her, he was sure. However, this would not be the first time meeting up with somebody without knowing how to call them. Nick had to admit that he was really bad at remembering names.
“Well then… while we’re already here… would be a waste to go back home, right? Let’s get in and watch the movie.” Nick smiled at her and she nodded nervously.
“That… yeah, that would be nice, yes.” The blush on her cheeks deepened and she played with the small pendant at her handbag. “Patricia told me so much about you already… although you and I have barely talked yet. So, um… it’s… it’s really nice that we can spend some time together. I’d love to get to know you better, Nick.” She then stammered, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, I’d love to get to know you as well. New people in general. Patricia tells me all the time that I am really bad at it because I spend too much time in my room.” Nick chuckled and shook his head, not seeing how her eyes lightened up at his words about also wanting to get to know her because he had turned around to open the door to the cinema so that both of them could get in.
She muttered a small “thank you” while she glanced at him again with a wide smile, clutching her bag a bit tighter as she passed him, her shoulder brushing him softly.
Nick did not notice how her steps faltered for a second and how the tip of her ears turned pink at the small touch because he was already too deep into thinking about which size of popcorn he should get. Cinema without popcorn? That was usually a no go. Even though he remembered the first time he had been at the cinema with Charlie where they had not bought popcorn because his boyfriend had not wanted to get any, too uncomfortable, losing his appetite due to Ben and Harry being there with them.
Nick also did not notice the looks they got from the cashier who smiled at them suggestively and nodded at the girl next to him somehow encouragingly as Nick paid for their tickets.
Or how the girl behind the counter winked at them as she handed them their drinks and Nick’s popcorn.
He also overlooked the deepening blush on the girl’s face as they sat down next to each other in one of the love seats, too concentrated to put down his cup filled with coke properly that it would not tumble over and stain his pants. It would not be the first time that this had happened.
He did not see her flustered face due to the darkness after the movie had started as their hands touched a few times when he moved or how she bit down on her lip as he offered her some of his popcorn.
Nick did not notice the slight tremble every time he leant over to comment on something that was happening on the screen and how she inhaled sharply, glancing at his lips and completely ignoring his words.
He was clueless and did not see her inching closer to him even though she did not go through with it, obviously not brave enough to take his hand or lean against him.
“That… wow. This was really something.” Nick let out a deep sigh and stretched as the end credits showed on screen and the lights got turned on again. “I haven’t thought that this movie would be so intense. Totally did not expect that plot twist in the end. That was so confusing at first but then it made absolute sense, right?” He stated and leant down to grab his empty popcorn bowl he had placed onto the ground next to his feet before he got up to leave the cinema hall.
The girl followed immediately, her hand tight around her cup, just nodding at his words as he started to ramble about the story. She looked up at him, her eyes widened as he reached out with his hand towards her. But after he wordlessly just took her empty cup to throw it into the bin, she deflated slightly, probably because she had hoped that he would do something else.
Together, they left the cinema. Nick was still talking animatedly about the movie while she had not said that much, just hummed in agreement at his words from time to time, clinging to his lips while her eyes were fixed on his face. She had a hopeful look on her face as they walked next to each other along the pavement before they stopped at the next crossroads.
“So, thanks for your company. That was nice. I am glad that at least you were with me.” Nick stated and smiled at her.
“Yes, it was… um… really nice. I liked it. A lot. I mean…” She muttered, nodding slowly. She then swallowed and blinked up at Nick, still that hopeful look in her eyes.
“Maybe we can repeat that?” He asked. Her face lit up immediately and a soft blush was on her cheeks again.
“I’d love that.” She whispered and started to rub her hands down her skirt nervously.
“I’m sure that next time some of the others would join us as well. It would be nice to watch something together. This would be fun. It’s always better to be in a group than to come here on your own.” Nick did not see her smile freezing on her face for a second due to his words and their obvious meaning.
“Um… Okay? That would be… fine, I guess?” She licked her lips, looking at him through half-lidded eyes. And before Nick could think about it, she had gotten onto the tip of her feet and in a rush of bravery, she leant in, pecking his cheek. “Thanks for the… nice evening, Nick. Maybe you can… text me? Or give me a call? I’d love to repeat that. Just you and me. To… get to know each other better.”
Without saying something else she turned around and hurried away. Her cheeks were a deep shade of red and she had a little grin on her face. Nick could hear her giggle as she moved away.
“Um… sure… when I know who you are…” He mumbled with some delay, arching his eyebrow. He frowned for a second because of her strange behaviour. Sometimes, he had to admit, that other people weirded him out. That was why he preferred doing stuff with people he knew.
“Well, I hope that Charlie’s already home or at least has some time to talk.” Nick then muttered, shrugging his shoulders, brushing off what had just happened. He fished for his phone to text Charlie that he was on his way back to the dorm now, the girl and her behaviour already forgotten. Maybe he would be able to talk to Charlie before getting to bed. Because falling asleep with Charlie’s voice in his ear was always the best. No way he would miss that if there was a chance to do so.
“Call you in five.” Nick’s phone pinged ten seconds after he had sent his message and he smiled at Charlie’s quick reply, being happy that it was obviously not just him who missed his boyfriend that much even though they had just talked like four hours ago.
Nick yawned, rubbing his eyes. He sat on the big couch in the shared common room, holding a book in his hand. He had already tried to read the same passage for the third time in a row but he was hardly able to understand it. He was too tired. His phone call with Charlie last night had taken too long. Longer than expected. Maybe he should have said his goodbyes a bit earlier so that he would have gotten a proper sleep? Because he had to finish this chapter for one of his lectures the next day.
But, no matter what, if he had to decide between cutting his time with Charlie short or learning, Charlie would always win. Maybe he should take a quick nap and should try to finish his reading later on? This would probably be the best solution because right now he could barely concentrate.
“Nicholas.” He almost jumped in surprise as he heard a voice that close to him. He had not noticed the person who had fallen onto the couch right next to him.
“Bloody hell, Patricia. You could have given me a warning.” He muttered, clutching his chest with his free hand and turned to look at her.
She had a wide grin plastered all over her face as she sipped some coffee out of one of her silly mugs. “So, how was your date yesterday? Are you tired because of what has happened at the cinema or afterwards?” She asked and let out a snicker at Nick’s confused expression while he tried to stifle another yawn.
“My… date?” He blinked at her and lowered the book, placing his finger between the pages so that he would know where to continue later on.
“Your date. Yesterday. At the cinema. With Rachel.” Patricia wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, nudging his shoulder playfully.
“Rachel, ah, that’s her name. Couldn’t remember.” Nick nodded and exhaled with a little grin before he tilted his head, turning even more to stare at his roommate with a still confused frown on his face. She rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath he could not understand.
“Um, I think it was nice. You really missed a lot. That movie? It was awesome. You have to see it, for real. Maybe we could go and watch it again together. I wouldn’t mind to go and see it twice.” He explained slowly, still trying to decipher the look Patricia was giving him.
“Yeah, whatever. Don’t care about the movie.” She waved her hand dismissively. “What about Rachel? She’s nice, isn’t she? She is also pretty cute and such a wonderful person. I think you have a lot in common…” Patricia had a smirk on her face, taking another sip of her coffee.
“Well… What about her? She’s okay, I guess? I mean… I barely even know her. And she didn’t talk that much. After all, we were just watching a movie. Although I am not sure if she was interested in it at all. She hardly paid attention to the movie.” Nick shrugged his shoulders and Patricia let out a snort, mumbling something that sounded a lot like “definitely not interested in the movie”.
“Oh, what a pity.” She then said, her grin faltered slightly as she eyed him for a moment.
“Yeah, to be honest. She seemed a bit weird after all.” Nick admitted and scrunched his nose. Patricia just nodded.
“Well, maybe next time then.” She petted Nick’s cheek with a fond smile and before Nick could ask what she had meant with her words, she had leant over to grab the remote to turn on the tv.
Nick threw one last glance at her, letting out a sigh and shaking his head. Sometimes, it was better not to comment on her words or behaviour because trying to understand Patricia’s way of thinking? That was a riddle of his own that he really was not able to solve yet. Or wanted to solve.
So, instead he opened his book and tried to continue to read, hoping he would be able to get his work done as quick as possible. Maybe, if he was fast enough, he could squeeze in another phone call with Charlie?