Meant to Be

Chapter 2

I was walking towards the front gate, still zipping my bag.

"Going home for the holidays, Charlie?"

Oh, no. Not now!

"Yes." I turned around and forced a smile. "How about you, April?"

"Oh, I'm staying. Don't really have anywhere to be." If she is indicating that I should take her with me, she has got to be joking.

John was right, should've never slept with her.

"Well, a lot of our mates are staying, I'm sure you'll be fine." I didn't want to be rude, but I am not bringing her home.

My mum would faint, me having a girlfriend after all these years and she wasn't a girl I imagined myself in a relationship with. She was too needy and wanted to be with me all the time.

First of all, I don't have time for that and second of all, sex wasn't that great either and we have nothing in common and...

"I just wanted to say goodbye." She took a step toward me and I took one backward.

Please, don't hug me!

"Bye!" I waved my hand, turned around, and ran for it.

The second I touch the portkey, I'm free!

I have to start being better at picking women. This one stalks my every move, the one before that still sends me letters and my friends are doing nothing but laughing in my face for it. Perhaps I should get better at picking friends too!

I finally reached the portkey and without turning around to see if April followed me, I touched the bottle and landed flat on my face in the forest near my family home. I dusted myself off and started towards the house.

I stopped walking about 20 meters from it. I just had to take it all in. I missed it. I missed my home, my parents, and all my siblings. I hope Bill will be able to get time off and come too, I miss him the most even though I saw him 2 months ago when he came to visit me.

I knocked on the door and slowly opened it.

"Charlie!" Before I could put my bag down, Ginny's hands were already around my waist. I hugged her back.

She grew so much and got stronger too.

"I missed you too, Gin." I chuckled.

"You're going to help me later." She grinned and ran away before I could ask her what she needs help with.

"Charlie, dear. Welcome home!" My mum crushed me with her hug but I didn't mind.

I might be 21 but I still loved to hug my mum as I did when I was a kid. Mum pulled away and started looking around behind me.

"I didn't bring anyone with me, mum." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, Charles. Don't tell me there aren't any pretty girls in that Sanctuary of yours." She scolded me.

"Mum, beauty isn't everything. I want someone I can connect with." She was the only one who got me to admit things like this out loud.

I know she only wants me to be happy but I'm still too young to think about settling down.

"What about that April girl? I was hoping to meet her." She sighed.

April? How did she know about April?

"How do you know about her?" I asked rather frightened.

I was afraid of her answer.

"She wrote to me a few months ago, telling me what a wonderful son I've raised. She seemed nice, did you break up with her already?" She narrowed her eyes, her hands on her hips.