𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 - 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗫𝗧

•••

It didn't take me too long to realise the bed was empty and slightly colder when I woke up. Charlie was long gone.

Not even opening my eyes, I slap my hand around the bed side table trying to find my phone to text him.

It wasn't until I nearly knocked something over that I actually bothered looking at all, seeing a flask and a post it note attached.

Charlie's boyish handwriting wrote:

"Sorry I had to leave, work called.

help yourself to food or anything and i'll see you tonight munch x

- CK"

Charlie signed his initials at the bottom in his messy cursive, something he's done on every single note he's ever given me.

I planned on staying in bed a little longer even though it was well past noon.

Relishing in the warmth and comfort of Charlie's expensive bed, i was pulled out my thoughts as a text came through, disturbing the comfortable silence that I've allowed to form.

I wholeheartedly expected it to be Charlie.

I really wanted to ask how he even got my number but i guess not knowing is for the best. I just hope he got it from Molly. Nevertheless, i saved his number to my contacts.

Maybe it was a choice that I'd soon come to regret, but right now I needed to get ready.

I quickly showered, the entire time my mind was flooded with small flashbacks of my time with Charlie last night.

His personality around me is so polarising compared to how he acts around everyone else, sometimes I really do wonder how he feels about me, surely just friends don't act like this.

Even going though we're going on dates, we've never officially said we're anything more.

We're just stuck in some kind of limbo between less than lovers but more than friends and it's driving me crazy not knowing where we truly stand.

But I couldn't think about that as I made my way to meet Parker at the mall.

I can't wrap my head around why he would ask me, Molly was popular, very popular, surely theres better people to ask what to get her for Christmas? He's her brother for Christ's sake.

I could spot him a mile off, leaning against the pole of a street light at the entrance of the mall.

Parker looks up directly at me, giving me a small wave and smile.

What the fuck am I doing here?

Nevertheless, I smile a small smile back and clear my throat to say hey.

Parker wore a crewneck sweater with baggy 90's style jeans and vans, it wasn't how I expected him to dress if I'm being honest.

"Theres my favourite blonde"

"Don't let Charlie hear you say that" I laugh, even though it was more than true, Charlie would have a field day on Parker.

We make our way into the mall, and despite it being only a few days into December, it was packed with shoppers trying to snag last minute cyber Monday deals that were bound to end in the next day or two.

"How is that delinquent anyway? I heard he almost killed someone last night?"

Trying to keep my face as neutral as possible but I was surprised to hear that Parker even knew about what had happened last night. I suppose gossip around here spreads quicker than the plague, I've experienced it first hand.

"Nothing a pack of peas on the knuckles can't fix" I laugh awkwardly, not wanting to divulge into the topic too much.

Parker quirks an eyebrow "and the other guy?"

"Deserved it" i reply coldly, still holding my resentment for my ex.

"Seems personal" he pushes.

"I suppose you could say that" Before Parker could press more into the matter, I change the subject, not wanting to talk about the events of last night. "So, do you not know your own sister well enough that you had to ask me? Because i can promise you i know even less"

"Come on, you have to know something. You go to school with her five days a week"

"And you live with her seven days a week!" I mention incredulously.

He's lucky he's above average good looking because he's not sounding too smart right about now.

Parker and I spent the next four or so hours looking around the mall. Everytime we'd find something she'd like he'd decide against it at the last minute, moving onto the next shop.

I thought guys were supposed to hate shopping at the mall, but not Parker, because all he wanted to do was spend more time here.

I check the time on my phone before saying, "I'm going to have to leave you to solve this on your own, I have other shit to do"

"No!" Parker says rather abruptly before covering up awkwardly, "i mean we haven't gotten her anything"

"Because you're indecisive!" I quip.

I check the time on my phone again, eager to leave, i begin to say something about needing to leave when I get a text from another unknown number. This time theres no text, just three photos.

I don't open them.

An uneasy feeling settles in my stomach, my anxiety already telling me that the worst is yet to come.

My stomach drops when I finally do open it.

I whisper a string of obscenities.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me" i almost shout, by-passers giving me an odd look as the anxiety bubbles into anger.

Parker gives me a curious look, "What is it?"

I show him the photos on my phone.

"Oh, shit"

I finally tear my eyes from the screen looking at Parker in disbelief.

"I don't know if I want to laugh or cry right now" i say with a humourless chuckle.

"Wait show the pictures again"

So I do, I show Parker the first photo which is Charlie whispering in scarlet's ear in a busy room, i swipe to the second; Charlie and Scarlet walking up a set of stairs, Scarlet leading the way and finally the third, which captured Charlie just about closing a bedroom door behind him.

"That's at this party happening downtown, i was going to go once we're done here"

"Well it looks like we're done here and we're going downtown" I smile cynically at him.

Luckily for me, Parker drove here in his blue Subaru, not one I recognise from the races but theres tens of cars there at all times, and quite frankly I don't pay attention to other people's cars when Im there.

The entire drive I was picking apart the photos, digging myself into a deeper hole. Wondering how I missed the signs, because they were clearly there. I had just been blindsided and missed them all this time.

Charlie and Scarlet was never something I'd pictured.

"Are you ready?" Parker turns to look at me with an emotion that I couldn't decipher hiding behind his eyes. Guilt maybe?

I hadn't realised we had reached the house party until I could hear the screaming laughter of s group of girls, who were all sharing the same cigarette, passing it between the four of them, taking turns inhaling it's smoke.

"No" but I got out the car anyway and weaved my way through the sweaty, alcohol scented bodies, leaving Parker behind in my search of a certain boy.

After I was certain he wasn't downstairs, I made my way up the same stairs seen in the photo, and found what I think is also the same door. I take a deep breath, preparing myself what I might see.

I push the door open on to find Charlie sat on the edge of a bed with his head in his heads, his arms propped up on his knees

"So where is she?" I bite out.

"Nyx? Who?" Charlie stutters out, looking as confused as I felt.

"Scarlet, I know you've been with her Charlie"

His confusion soon turns into realisation, "That? That wasn't what it looks like"

"I bet it wasn't, do you think I'm fucking stupid? You know in all my time of knowing you, I never thought you were the type to play girls, let alone play me"

"Nyx you know me better than that" he shouts back, hurt evident in his voice.

"Thought, I thought I knew you better than that Charlie"

"I can give you an explanation, I'm here for.." he starts, but I cut him off.

"I don't want an explanation Charlie, I'm not going to let you play me, you fooled me the first time"

"Fooled you the first time? Are you fucking crazy?" He snaps.

I look at him with a daring look, "what?"

"Come on Nyx" Parker says from behind me, how long he's been standing there for, I have no idea.

"You're here with him?" Charlie asks with a seething tone.

"Nyx come on, he beat Connor into a pulp, you deserve someone better, someone in control of their emotions"

"How'd you know their name was Connor?" I ask suspiciously.

"You told me"

"No, I didn't"

Parker was looking more guilty by the second.

"Because Parker is Connor's best bud, his little lackey at the races" Charlie reveals, venom lacing his words as he stares down Parker from across the room.

"Is this true?" I ask, looking Parker in the eyes, all my anger crumbling away into betrayal

"Nyx I'm sorry" he pleads

"Don't, just don't" i almost whisper, i turn my back on them and leave, walking away without a goodbye, hearing both of their pathetic pleas to hear them out as if anything in the world could stop me from feeling as hurt as I do.

Charlie halts me in my place, his slender fingers delicately wrapped around my wrist.

"Nyx, please" Charlie begs me.

"Go to hell Charlie"

•••

AN:

I'm so upset, I'm halfway done with writing the final chapter.

Once thats done I'm going to publish the last few chapters all at once and then its on to the next book i have in the works.

I have a few, i just don't which one to finish next lmao.

Maybe i'll tell you all their titles and you can just vote based off of that?