“Home or library?” Trent’s voice breaks through my silent musings.
“Library,” I confirm, glancing out of the window as he parks down the street from it, at the only available spot. “Thanks!” With that, I hop out.
“There you are!” Abby calls out as I walk up to the front entrance. I’m glad she’s here. I don’t really have much to study, but I like spending time with Charlie. Plus, I hate the idea of her being alone here. As long as I make it home to read my brothers a story before bedtime, Mom doesn’t mind. Though, I doubt any mom really minds when her kid asks to go study every day after school.
“Hang on, Adam’s parking,” she says, and I groan at the thought of all of us crashing the study session. I’m not jealous, but having them there does ruin any chances of flirting I had.
“I’m here!” we hear as Adam jogs toward us.
“Come on, we’re late,” I urge, turning and hurrying inside, not even holding the door for them.
“Hey,” Adam greets, stepping around me to take the spot next to Charlie, leaving me and Abby on the opposite side. Jerk. Charlie appears startled for a second but beams up at us, meeting each of our eyes for a second before blushing and looking down.
“What are you studying tonight?” I ask as I eye her huge stack of books. The poor girl started school between tests in most of our classes, so she has to play catch up in half the time. Brutal.
‘Picking my history topic,’ she writes down in her notebook. I wrinkle my nose. History is the worst. She makes a small noise that sounds like the start of a laugh, but she cuts it off almost as quickly as it started. I can’t help but wonder what it would sound like for her to laugh freely or if she even could.
“History is the worst,” Abby agrees. “You need help picking, Sweets?”
Charlie shakes her head and smiles and we all fall silent as we jump back into our own assignments. Even Abby who doesn’t usually study, focuses for once.
We study in silence, writing the occasional note back and forth before Charlie does the same dramatic sigh and rests her head on her arms like she did last night. That’s our cue to pack up and call it a night. Before I can start gathering my stuff, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to see a text from Abby. I glance up at her but she’s avoiding my eyes, but I don’t miss the tiny smirk on her face.
Abby: You walking Charlie home again? ;)
Me: Yes…Shut it Abbs! We just live super close. Nothing more.
Abby: I’m sure it is, always the gentleman, Cole. I’d at least be flirting with her by now. Up your game man, I’m not blind.
Me: You tell her that you’re into her?
Abby: No, I’m afraid to. I’ve made it pretty obvious and she seems to flirt back? You know I question every time that happens though.
Me: I know you do, but give her a chance. She’s not most people.
Abby: She’s definitely not. Do you think Adam likes her too?
Me: Would it bug you if he did?
Abby: Oddly enough, no. If it was anyone else but you guys, yes. Lol
Charlie stands and starts putting her backpack on, ending the text exchange as the rest of us follow. Adam is narrowing his eyes at us, and I know Abby is going to have some things to explain on the way home.
“Cole, if you’re walking with Charlie, I’m heading out with Adam,” Abby says, pulling Charlie in for a hug. They both freeze, but it’s a total Abby move, she’s the touchy feely type but we’ve all had time to get used to it. Honestly I’m shocked it took this long. “Shit, sorry, Sweets.”
Charlie waves her off and smiles, but the way she fidgets and her cheeks stain red, I know she feels something for Abby too, and the thought makes me happy. Abby deserves just as much love as Charlie. She’s not had the best luck with other girls and she’s a good person.
We manage to make it quietly out of the front door and wave goodbye to Abby and Adam, leaving us in the usual companionable silence. Walking next to her is definitely different but it’s more because I’m hyper aware of her. Being around her is a nice change.
I find myself sneaking glances at her every few minutes. When she thinks no one is looking, she has that oddly blank look on her face. Apparently she’s skilled in hiding her emotions because you don’t see them very often, the breakdown she had in music class was clearly out of the norm for her, or she locks them so tight inside that she’s just numb. I can’t say I know how it is, but I’ve had my own version of it before. Depression’s a bitch.
When we reach her house she gives me a shy smile and waves before walking up the sidewalk.
“Have a good night, Charlie girl. See you tomorrow.” I wave as she opens her door casting me one last look before I continue my way down the street.
That broken look of hers haunts me. The possibilities of what could have happened to Charlie eat at me, but I try not to focus on it because I can’t help but think of the worst ones.
Was it abuse or worse?