Work Text:
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Ellie sighed, not looking up at Charlotte. She could tell she wasn’t happy - probably had her arms crossed with that same look on her face her dad has whenever she’s out late. Clutching the bottle resting beside her and swinging it to her mouth, Ellie used her free hand to pat the hard concrete next to her. Her legs were swinging off the car parks roof, it was shitty and run down so there were never many cars there.
Charlotte stared at her for a moment before sitting beside her, pulling Simon’s green jacket closer around her body as smoke escaped her mouth. She pulled a box of cigarettes from her jackets pocket and placed them between herself and Ellie, who took the box eagerly. She took a lighter from her own pocket and pressed both to her lips. Charlotte watched her fiddle with her brows furrowed until it finally sparked a flame.
“What’s up?” Charlotte spoke up. Her eyes fixed on Ellie, who was sat twisting the cigarette between her fingers. Charlotte had noticed that Ellie’s eye bags were darker, she was wearing baggier clothes recently and hadn’t been speaking to anyone much.
Ellie just scoffed “I should be the one asking you that,” she looked over to Charlotte, who looked away quickly. “You must think I’m a shitty friend.”
Charlotte looked down at the ground beneath them, she always hated heights. She pulled the jacket closer around herself, a tear swelled in her eye but she wiped it away almost immediately.
“I don’t think that.” Charlotte whispered “I just wish you’d talk to me.”
Ellie took another drag of the cigarette in her hand, offering it to Charlotte (who refused it). Running a hand through her hair with a sigh, Ellie looked down at the ground too.
“I don’t want to worry you, I’m fine.” She paused, glancing to Charlotte who was still trying to wipe away her tears. “I’m just tired.”
Charlotte dug her fingers into the side of her tights, trying to stifle her tears. Her eyes were still fixed on the floor below as she spoke.
“That’s what Simon said.”
Ellie paused, unsure what to say. They both sat in silence for a minute, neither looking at the other.
“His funeral was on Tuesday.” Charlotte told her, bringing her knees to her chest. She was staring into the distance, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I kept waiting for you.”
Ellie sighed, resting her head in her hands. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled under her breath, “I was trying to talk to Blake about-“
“You missed his funeral for your fucking nonce boyfriend??” Charlotte hissed, glaring at her.
Silence.
“I’m sorry.” Ellie’s voice cracked as she said it “I really am. He just…” she stopped, digging her nails into her fists. Her eyes started stinging as tears welled up. “It’s been difficult with him lately, I didn’t know what to do.”
Charlotte stared at her for a moment, sighing. “You could’ve at least said goodbye.” The words barely came out. “You could’ve come to the wake.”
They were both crying quietly, neither saying a word.
After a few minutes of silence Charlotte pulled a necklace from her pocket, she held it out for Ellie.
“Simon wanted you to have this.”
Ellie took it in her hands gently, as if it would break at the slightest touch.
“He was going to save it for your birthday but…” Charlotte trailed off, swallowing her words like they would hurt to say. She watched Ellie run her fingers along it gently, staring intently at the intricate gold locket. She opened it gently to a picture of her as a child, cuddled up on the sofa with her father.
“He had to do a lot of digging for that.” Charlotte laughed lightly, wiping the tears from her face.
Ellie stared at it silently, her thumb lingering over Drew’s face.
“Thank you.”
She turned to Charlotte, who pulled her into a gentle hug. They held each other in silence, tears running from Ellie’s cheeks onto Charlottes jacket.
“We’re gonna let him rest.” Charlotte muttered calmly “Me and my dad.”
Ellie pulled away, looking at Charlotte with slight confusion. “What?” Ellie chuckled, a
hint of confusion in her voice.
Clutching Ellie’s hands in hers, Charlotte stared up with a look of determination. “I can’t tell you.” Charlotte told her, “But it’s gonna be worth it.”
She stood up with a soft smile, turning to leave.
Ellie stared down at her arms, bandaged poking through her sleeves. She ran her fingers over her wrist silently, gentle droplets of rain pooled onto her hoodie.
“Hold on.” Ellie shouted after Charlotte, who turned around as she was pulling her hood over her head. Ellie ran over to her, wrapping her arms around charlottes body again and hold her tight. The two stood holding eachother for a moment before pulling away.
“Just in case I don’t see you again.”
Charlotte smiled softly, nodding her head.
“Of course you will.” She told her, giving her a quick but gentle hug before walking away.
Ellie stayed stood still until Charlotte was gone. She pulled her phone from her jeans pockets, opening her messages and staring blankly at the screen. She wasn’t sure who she was planning to actually message, she hadn’t spoken to her dad in a few months by now and Blake had blocked her last week. Standing silently, unsure if it was raindrops or tears dropping on the screen,
Ellie turned it off and shoved it into her pocket.
Sitting back down on the ledge and staring at the ground beneath her.