Chapter 10: Faint
Charlie put his arms around Connie and helped her up. They all walked, Charlie skated, back to the school. Then they went their separate ways. Charlie was skating to the diner where his mom worked at. He was not feeling well. He opened the door to the diner and waved to his mom, who was behind the counter cleaning up. "How was school today, honey?" Charlie nodded his head. He was tired and worried. He sat in a booth next to a window. He pulled out his homework, but didn't feel like working. He looked outside the window and watched the people and the cars passing by. He saw a girl running down the street, and fall. He stood up and peered closer at the figure. It was Terra! He bolted out the door and ran to where Terra was lying. She was unconscious, ane breathing deeply. He picked up her head and put it in his lap.
"Charlie? Charlie, what are you doing?" He looked up to see his mom in the door of the diner. He waved to her and said, "This is a friend from school. It's okay. I am going to take her home, okay? Thanks!" Charlie saw his mom walk back into the diner. He held her head and slid his hands underneath her legs, so he could pick her up. She rolled her head to the side, so it was resting on his chest. He moved his arm behind her neck and stood up on one knee, then pushed up and was standing on his legs. He walked down the street to his house. He had to set her down, so he could get his keys out, and open the door to his apartment. He set her on the couch in the living room. He went into his bedroom and cleared of his bed. He picked Terra up once again, and set her in his bed. He reached down to take off her socks and shoes. They were muddy and dirty. He pulled the overs up over her. He went into the bathroom to get a wet washcloth. He wrung out the excess water and placed it atop her forehead. He went into the kitchen and made a sandwich. He had his homework to do, but he couldn't leave her in his house all alone, if she woke up alone she would freak out. He heard the door open and got up. His step-dad help his backpack in his hands. "Your mother said that you would be here. She wanted you to finish your homework. Get to it!" He handed over the bag to Charlie, and Charlie retreated back to his room.
He sat sown on his makeshift pallet. And spread his homework out on it. Occasionally he got up to re-wet Terra's washcloth, but other than that he was beside the bed all night. He was getting tired, it was 2 a.m. He closed his eyes for a second, and fell asleep.
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Terra opened her eyes slowly. She was exhausted, and felt weak. She raised her arms to her head, and looked around. Nice room...! This is not my room! Where am I? She sat up quickly, folded the covers back and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She set them on the ground, and stood up. She made a dash for the door, but tripped on something hard. What the..? She looked back and found a drowsy Charlie staring back at her. "Charlie?" She heard her quivering voice say. Charlie sat up and rubbed his elbow. "I think you bruised my elbow. What were you doing?" Terra was speechless, and didn't know what to say. She sat down, and crossed her legs. She found it hard to sit up, so she leaned back until she touched the ground. "I did..do..not know where I am. I supposed I am in your house..?" She lifted her head up, saw him nod, and set her head back down. She looked at her watch; 3:00 a.m. She had to get home, but she was so weak.
"Charlie? I have to go home, but.." Charlie understood. He stood up, and held his arms down to her to help her up. She took them, and they walked out of Charlie's room. They had to sneak out and down the street to Terra's house, without being caught.