This chapter is only short, but the next one or two will be proper-ish ones.

Sorry for not working on Alvie's story lately- I've got a few ideas, but haven't quite got around to writing it down just yet.

I made plasticine Smurfs today.

To Guest 1- Charlie only knows what Muggle is, so he's safe. For now. But that's how fandoms insult people, right? I know I do. And I think I've got The Fault in Our Stars on my Kindle, but I haven't read it yet. As for Shadowhunters… I don't know- I had a few one-shot ideas for TMI meets PJ, as I do, but nothing serious. Would be pretty cool though :D

To Guest 2- I started Sage's story last night and I do have, like, one idea for Alokia's story and some for Elsie's- these might link together sometimes- but not enough just yet.

"OK, people!" Charlie called. He had to stand on a chair to stand at least half a foot taller than the rest of them, but they could all hear him. Everybody heard Charlie Valdez and he made sure of it. "We are gathered here today-"

"Charlie, don't be an idiot!" Phoenix cut across, standing tall with her hands on her hips and staring him out. Joe bit his lip to stop himself smiling at Charlie's cutely perplexed expression. He still couldn't believe that Charlie liked him. The mere thought of it always made him feel- if you pardon the cliché- warm and fuzzy inside.

"I am an idiot." Charlie declared, hand on his heart. "Deal with it." Phoenix glowered at him, but didn't get to retort as he had turned back to all the kids in their grade. "I know it's been difficult having the parents here, my bad. But they've done a good job, haven't they?" Murmurs of agreement rumbled through the crowd. "So, I thought we could thank them and raise a bit of money by putting on a show!" He threw his hands out with a flourish, grinning broadly at them all.

"What kind of play?" Somebody asked warily, waving their hand in the air to draw Charlie's attention.

"I have a few ideas, but I wanted to see what you lot thought."

"Disney!"

"Charlie can be a princess!"

"Hey! We all know I'm the queen!" Laughter burst out and Charlie mocked a curtsy to a round of applause and a few bows.

"Drama!"

"Murder!"

"Fairies!"

"What?" Ideas and arguments surged forward. Charlie watched the progress for a minute before picking up the megaphone he had between his feet.

"Oy!" He called. Silence fell hastily, those near him covering their ears and grumbling curses. "I'm going to break you into groups of seven and then one from each group can bring all the ideas to me in three days' time."

"Three days?!" Charlie hummed thoughtfully, running some quick calculations in his head. This is when he needed Sage, his calculator.

"Yeah. We'll put the play on at the end of the week. Can anybody paint or draw? We need scenery! And costumes! And music! Oh gods…" He trailed off, massaging his forehead with his fingertips and pulling faces at no-one in particular.

"Are you going to be in the play?" Sarah asked, pushing forward.

"I could if you lot want." There were cheers of settlement and encouragement. Charlie smirked. "OK, I will." He set the megaphone down at his feet and held his hands up. He started splitting them off into groups, giving them numbers one to seven and waving them away.

His four friends weren't put into any groups and neither, shockingly, was Kevin.

Charlie held his hands out to Joe and Phoenix. "My legs have gone numb." He told them, silently requesting to get down.

"Numb?" Phoenix quizzed concernedly, removing the megaphone as she and Joe helped their friend sit down. Charlie yawned into his hands, slouching in his seat. He seemed paler than usual, shadows under his eyes. "Are you OK?"

"I'm just tired." He assured, waving it off and smiling at them.

"You don't look well." Kara frowned, feeling his forehead. "Are you sleeping alright?"

"No, not really." In truth, Charlie wasn't sleeping at all. He hadn't slept a proper night's sleep for two weeks. Over the last five days, he hadn't slept at all. He didn't want to.

He forced himself to his feet and surprised them all by stumbling to Kevin and holding his hand out. A truce.

Kevin was equally shocked. "My uncle told me it's not good to hold grudges." Kevin stared at him, his mouth agape and looking more gormless than usual.

"I-I-I d-d… I don't- why?" Kevin's dumb looked twisted with controlled frustration and masked confusion.

"Why not?" Charlie shrugged. Kevin watched him carefully and Charlie started considering lowering his hand. He almost did, but Kevin briefly grasped his hand at the last second before stomping off and leaving the drama room.

Everyone stared at Charlie, silence dominant in the room. Charlie glanced around, looking individually at most of his fellow pupils. "I don't hear ideas, people! We're on a time limit!" He clapped his hands sharply and importantly and chatter broke out. Carly doubted it was about the play. She turned to Kara and struck up a conversation of Charlie's clearly deteriorating mental state.

I know it's not much, but the next chapter will hopefully be better and a bit longer.