nick and charlie: love is the strongest force

chapter ten

Tw: tyler, sa

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Nick's bedroom as he stirred awake.

He blinked groggily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he turned to the figure beside him. Charlie lay beside him, his tousled hair and peaceful expression making Nick's heart flutter with affection.

"Morning, char," Nick whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Charlie's forehead.

Charlie stirred, a sleepy smile spreading across his face as he opened his eyes. "Morning, baby."

Nick nodded, a sense of contentment washing over him as he reached for Charlie's hand, their fingers intertwining effortlessly.

With a shared grin, Nick and Charlie got out of bed and began their morning routine, moving around the room with an easy familiarity that spoke volumes of their deep connection.

They laughed and joked as they got dressed, the playful banter filling the air with a sense of joy and warmth.

As they made their way downstairs, the smell of breakfast wafted through the air, courtesy of sarah who always made sure they had a hearty meal before starting their day. They sat at the kitchen table, chatting animatedly as they ate, the sound of their laughter mingling with the clinking of cutlery.

After breakfast, they gathered their bags and headed out the door, hand in hand, the crisp morning air invigorating their spirits. They walked to school together, their steps light and carefree, the world around them fading into the background as they lost themselves in each other's company.

Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his playlist until he found their favorite song. With a grin, he pressed play, the familiar melody of One Direction filling the air.

As they approached the school gates, Nick felt a pang of sadness knowing that soon they would have to part ways for the day. He squeezed Charlie's hand a little tighter, silently dreading the moment when they would have to say goodbye.

Form time passed in a blur, the minutes ticking by agonizingly slow as Nick's anxiety began to creep in. He fidgeted in his seat, his mind racing with worry about being separated from Charlie, the thought of being alone filling him with dread.

Sensing Nick's unease, Charlie reached out and gently squeezed his hand, a reassuring smile on his lips. "Hey, Nick. It's going to be okay. I'll see you at lunch, alright?"

Nick nodded, grateful for Charlie's comforting words. "Yeah, okay. I'll see you at lunch."

With a final squeeze of their hands, Charlie headed off to his next lesson, leaving Nick feeling a little lighter knowing that they would be reunited soon.

As he watched Charlie disappear down the hallway, Nick took a deep breath, reminding himself that he wasn't alone, that Charlie would always be there for him, no matter what.

🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂

The hallway stretched endlessly before Nick, its sterile, white walls closing in around him like a suffocating embrace. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a harsh glare that illuminated the empty corridor.

With each step, Nick's heart hammered against his chest, a relentless rhythm that echoed in the silence.

It had been weeks since he last laid eyes on Tyler, well before he got suspended, but the memories of their tumultuous relationship still lingered like a dark cloud, threatening to engulf him at any moment.

As Nick turned the corner, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of Tyler leaning against the lockers, his presence sending a jolt of fear coursing through Nick's veins. Tyler's posture exuded arrogance, his smirk a chilling reminder of the power he once held over Nick.

"Nick," Tyler's voice sliced through the air like a razor blade, drawing Nick's attention like a moth to a flame. "Fancy seeing you here."

Nick's pulse quickened as he tried to ignore the knot forming in his stomach, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

He knew he should turn and walk away, but something kept him rooted to the spot, unable to tear his gaze away from Tyler's piercing stare.

"What do you want, Tyler?" Nick's voice was barely above a whisper, betraying the fear that threatened to consume him.

Tyler pushed himself off the lockers with a predatory grin, his steps deliberate as he closed the distance between them. "Just a little chat, Nick. Catch up on old times, you know?"

Nick's grip tightened on his backpack strap, his palms slick with sweat. He knew he should keep his distance, but there was something about Tyler's presence that made it hard to think straight.

"I have nothing to say to you, Tyler," Nick replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of anger and resignation. "Leave me alone."

But Tyler only chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down Nick's spine. "Come on, Nick. Don't be like that. We used to be so good together."

Nick's stomach churned at the memory of their toxic relationship, the scars both physical and emotional still fresh in his mind. "That's not how I remember it, Tyler. You were controlling, manipulative..."

Tyler's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "Is that what you think? That I was the bad guy? You're the one who walked away, Nick. You're the one who broke my heart."

Nick's pulse quickened as Tyler's tone turned icy, a cold reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath his charming facade. "I had to leave, Tyler. You were hurting me."

Tyler's laughter filled the air, chilling Nick to the bone. "You think you can just walk away from me, Nick? You're mine, and you'll always be mine."

Before Nick could react, Tyler's hand shot out, grabbing his arm with a force that made him wince.

"Let go of me, Tyler," Nick snapped, trying to pull away, but Tyler's grip was like a vice, unyielding and relentless.

"Where do you think you're going, Nick?" Tyler sneered, his grip tightening as he dragged Nick towards the nearby restroom. "We're not finished here."

Nick's heart raced as he struggled against Tyler's hold, his mind racing with fear and desperation. He knew he had to escape, but Tyler's strength was overpowering, his fingers digging into Nick's skin like talons.

"Please, Tyler," Nick pleaded, his voice trembling with panic. "Let me go."

But Tyler only laughed, his hold on Nick unrelenting as he pushed him into the dimly lit restroom, the door slamming shut behind them with a deafening echo.

Inside the suffocating confines of the restroom, Nick felt a wave of nausea wash over him as Tyler advanced, his expression twisted with rage and contempt. "You think you can defy me, Nick? You're mine."

Tears stung Nick's eyes as he backed away, his heart pounding in his chest with a sense of impending doom. "Not anymore, Tyler. I won't let you control me."

But Tyler only sneered, his eyes gleaming with a sadistic hunger that sent a shiver down Nick's spine. "We'll see about that, won't we?"

With a surge of adrenaline, Nick fought against Tyler with all his strength, but it was futile. Tyler's grip was unyielding, his hold on Nick like a vice that squeezed the air from his lungs.

As Tyler's lips crashed against his own, Nick's mind raced with a cacophony of emotions – fear, disgust, and a deep-seated sense of shame.