HEARTBEAT

2. Help

"Hi.." Charlie said shyly but hopefully. He hoped Nick had forgotten all about their yesterday's fight and the last thing he remembered was the last conversation they'd had in form. Charlie was wrong. Nick ignored him. Charlie doesn't blame him. He told Nick to leave him alone, so that's what he's doing right?

"Nick... I- I'm sorry. I was just angry I-I took it out on you when I shouldn't have. I'm sorry," Charlie paused before saying, "I'm so... so sorry." Nick looked at him, and sighed.

"It's fine. I know Harry can be a dick, and honestly, I don't know why I'm friends with him, honestly all my friends are annoying, but" Nick took a deep breath from all his rambling before continuing. "I'm not like him. I promise." Charlie was relieved he forgave him, even though he knew he didn't deserve Nick's forgiveness.

"I know you're not. All that nonsense I said wasn't true." I assured him. Nick gave Charlie an affectionate smile. 'That goddam smile', Charlie thought.

"Friends?" Nick offered. Though Charlie wished they could be more, this was a beautiful start.

"Friends." Charlie agreed. Returning a smile back to him. Nick could stare into those
ocean-blue eyes for hours, which confused him.

"Maybe... you should eat lunch with my friends and I, if you need a break from yours." Charlie laughed. "They're nice I promise." Charlie offered. He's mostly worried about Tao, he can be a bit harsh, but that's because he's overprotective with Charlie.

"Yeah... okay" Nick chuckled softly. Nick felt like he could just honestly relax around Charlie.

xx

"So I kind of invited Nick to hang out with us at lunch." Charlie mentioned. Tao choked on his Apple juice that he was drinking.

"Like rugby king Nick Nelson?!" Tao gasped after c As calming himself down from choking so much.

"Doesn't he look like a golden retriever?!" Isaac asked smiling innocently, as he sits there eating a sandwich.

"Yes?" Charlie confirmed, confused about why they're acting like Charlie mentioned their going out. Nick then starts walking up to them.

"Charlie what the hell what are we even supposed to talk about!!" Tao whispered freaking out. Finally, when Nick got over there, he cleared his throat making them jump as they went silent.

"Um... hi," Nick said shyly, taking a seat by Charlie, shifting uncomfortably.

"Hi," Charlie replied awkwardly also clearing his throat.

"Wow he is more golden retriever looking up close!" Tao just blurted out lingering. Charlie kicked Tao's chin making him yelp into, "Uh- I mean how was you day today!"

"Um... Good" Nick chuckled  awkwardly. He looked uncomfortable, not really sure what to say.

"How is rugby?" Isaac asks, trying to relax him.

"It's- it's good." Nick stuttered, he honestly wanted to leave before this got too awkward.

"So tell me more about you?" Tao asks.

"Um I guess... I have a brother, I live we with just my mom, I have a dog, and-

"Wait you have a dog!?" Isaac exclaimed, interrupting Nick. They all state at him stunned, even Charlie.