C6 CHARLOTTE

I rubbed my wrist again as I left the washroom with Anna. On getting to the hall, we knew we had to split. She had Geometry classes while I had sciences. She put her hand on my shoulder in a comforting manner before walking off. Most times, I like the quiet Anna better.

The classes were noisy and i could only guess the topic of each conversation 'Reggie Whitlock'.

Bianca and her minions chattered excitedly as I slipped into the class. Everyone was clearly busy.

I sat at the back where no one would easily point me out —hell, most teachers had no idea that there's a Charlotte Katz in their class.

Bianca noticed me and sent a mocking smile my way.

“You look depressed dear, are you okay?” she asked feigning concern and placing her slender fingers on her chest.

Bianca never liked me neither did I like her, guess Reggie was the feud between us.

And this time —she won.

Her minions laughed while I just ignored her entirely.

Some of the students who knew about me and Reggie years back sent sorry glances my way and I for all hated it.

The only thing anyone ever felt for me was pity —fucking pity.

Before Bianca had another comeback Mrs. Elrod walked in —perfect.

But not before someone else walked in after her.

Bianca sneered at me before staring at Mrs. Elrod, her eyes darting towards Reggie who looked awfully calm.

She fixed her already fixed hair and adjusted her already short skirts. I swallowed nothing —here goes nothing.

“Most of us knows Reggie. He would be joining us for classes today” she said and a jaw splitting smile graced Bianca's face while I just looked on blankly. He wasn't even staring at my way, he'd taken off his glasses and the eyes i'd grown to love so much wasn't fixed on me.

Mrs. Elrod turned to Reggie.

“Go have a seat” she said and Bianca waved at Reggie while some girls mumbled.

His eyes finally found mine, I held his gaze for a second before dropping my eyes to the seat next to me, it was empty —fuck!

No. No. No

“Here baby, sit next to me” Bianca called and I prayed inwardly that he for once listens to Bianca and sit next to her, instead a shadow loomed over me before settling on the seat next to me —so much for praying.

I rummaged through my bag searching for nothing, just trying to get myself to do something.

“Are you really searching for something Charl or you just want to ignore me?” I froze.

He still called me Charl like he did before, he'd said everyone uses Charlie and he needed something —different.

His voice was husky and his scent manly, I knew if I moved closer I could get a good whiff.

My brain was overreacting again to just a sentence he said. I managed a tight smile and raised my eyes to meet his. From my peripheral vision I could see Bianca glaring at me.

Sorry sweetie, you kinda lost this time

“I don't think it's any of your business” I said before cursing myself inwardly. Shit. He chuckled looking away, he mumbled something under his breath like 'still so feisty'

Maybe I stared at him way much longer because Bianca hissed loudly dragging Mrs. Elrod's attention to herself. I met her gaze —accidentally of course.

“Ms. Caddel, is there a problem?” Mrs. Elrod asked, her neck already had a shade of red.

Bianca eyed me wearily before shaking her head and straightening her spine.

“I suppose not, Mrs. Elrod” she replied and someone snorted.

“You still have fights with Bianca, huh?” Reggie asked and it took all my willpower not to 'lash out at him.

He seriously should stop acting like we're okay, like he never left. He should stop acting like he still has a space in my life and trying to force himself in.

I looked away trying to focus on what Mrs. Elrod was saying but i knew it was futile with Reggie next to me. I wouldn't get anything into my head.

I was suddenly disgusted with myself, I still had feelings for him, he still had an effect on me.

Only him could make me go through series of emotions in just a space of 2 hours. Starting from nervousness to anger to hurt and disgust —Ain't that just perfect?

For the rest of the class, I pretended my bestfriend —then, was sitting next to me and toying with his fingers. He'd taken off the ring in his brows but that didn't help me feel better, he still look as devastatingly handsome.

The bell went off just as the students sighed appreciatively. The class was boring.

“You'll be doing group assignments, details with be conversed soon, have a nice day” Mrs. Elrod said before sending a glance my way and then leaving. That was —strange.

Bianca squealed rushing to Reggie and settling on his legs and throwing her arms around his neck.

That's my cue to leave even if my stomach churned.

I grabbed my bag stuffing my books inside hastily and making my way out of the classroom without a glance at the loving —couple.

I hurried to the locker room, it wasn't crowded here— lucky for me.

My phone beeped, I dug my hand inside my bag taking my phone. I stared at the screen numbly for a second or two.

Mum. She was calling and I had no idea why. The churning in my stomach got worst, looks like I'd be getting sick.

“Charlotte?” mum's voice piped through. Mum always had a nice accent.

“Hey —mum” i croaked and cleared my throat noisily. I could feel mum scrunch up her nose.

“Why does your voice sound that way?” she asked and I placed my head on my locker. Don't tell me she just called to ask why my voice sounded odd?

“I. We just finished classes so —” I left the reason dangling.

Mum laughed —a fake laugh precisely.

“I just called darling, to let you know I'd be having a visitor at home today and I want you to hangout with Anna” mum said and my stomach churned harder. She was trying to keep me away from her guest. My throat was closing up but I managed to force words past it.

“Would Jessy be home?” I asked and she cleared her throat uncomfortably.

“Yes of course, she would be —”

“Bye mum” I said ending the call before rushing to the waste bin by the wall and emptying the contents of my stomach.

I made ugly heaving sounds and felt someone behind me but made no move to turn around. Soon enough, my hair was being gathered into someone's hands. When I got a whiff of the scent, it wasn't just someone, it was Reggie.

Thinking about him seeing me in my most vulnerable stage, I threw up some more.

Oh God.