For his next classes, Mike sat and worried. He wasn't listening and didn't care becausehe knew everything they were saying already.He had no idea where Charlie was, or what he was thinking. He was hoping that it wasn't the end of their relationship, because he really loved Charlie. His anger towards Louise grew with each minute he wondered.It became even worse, realising that the disgusting after taste of her cigarettes was in his mouth. Didn't it figure that tryhard would be a smoker instead of killing herself she kills me, Mike sat in angerthinking. Though soon enough, his worried pushed the anger right out of his mind and he hoped Charlie was okay.
Charlie had been walking around the area. His mind was full of questions, yet it all came up blank. For the first time in his life he wanted to hurt someone, really bad. People used to tease him all the time, but he never cared about them and so the things were nothing compared to the betrayed by someone he loved. As Charlie walked around the shops all he could think was how he hated Mike and Louise, but mostly he hated himself. Mentally slapping himself for allowing the two to make a fool of him. He grabbed a chocolate bar from his bag, making a promise to himself not to trust people. He didn't want to have faith if it hurt so much.
Later that day, Mike walked into their room. He found Charlie, sulking on his bed. It was obvious that he had been crying, even though he hadn't looked at Mike once. Mike walked over and sat down at the foot of Charlie's bed. "Come on, you have to talk to me about it sometime."
"Why should I? You betrayed me. I hate you." Charlie felt guilty as soon as he said the words. It had been the first time he had ever said them. Though he knew they were justified.
"Please. Let me explain. Why don't you listen to me. Please." Mike asked. "Atleast look at me. You know this is really unfair. You won't even let me explain. Aren't you always the one telling me to have faith in people?"
"Unfair to you? Did I hear you correctly? Just leave me alone." Charlie buried his face in his pillow. "As for faith in people, you've proved yourself right. It's a stupid idea."
Mike sighed, lifting Charlie's legs into his lap and tracing circles around the knees. "You can't stay mad at me forever. I know you can't." When he was met with silence, he sighed. A tear fell down his cheek. Anger filled him and he went over to his own bed and stared at the wall. "Fine, be that way. I don't care." Though his sobs said otherwise. Charlie turned around to look at him, then quickly turned away. He didn't want to cave and go over to Mike's bed.
Half an hourpassed andMike felt the soft hand on his bare arm. No words had to be said, he just felt better. The way Charlie just sat there and stroked him was comforting. Finally he turned around to look at his boyfriend. Both of them had the identical tear tracks down their cheeks. Charlie touched Mike's face, knowing that no matter how angry and upset he was, he couldn't bare to see or hear Mike cry.
"Believe me. I didn't want to kiss her and I sure didn't enjoy it. I know it must have been hard to see, because if I saw you with anyone else I don't know what I'd do. I'm really sorry." Mike pulled Charlie to him, cuddling him close and leaning in so their foreheads touched. "Please tell me we're all good."
"Things have just been so hard lately. You run off all the time. It seems like you want to get away from me." Charlie confessed everything he had bottled up. "I know I should have believed you and I know what Louise is doing, but a part of me couldn't help but wonder."
"You just have to trust me Charlie." Mike whispered, snuggling up closer. "I have issues I know that. I'm smart in all areas except relationships."
"Not to mention modesty you're not getting top grades for that." Charlie smiled for the first time. "Don't be scared. I'm not going anywhere and whatever that smart little head of yours says is wrong. You don't have to be sorry, I should have listened to you."
Mike looked into Charlie's eyes, like he was looking into his soul. Feeling like nothing else existed outside that room they shared. "I love you." Mike told him, sighing with relief that he felt the weight lifted from his shoulders, he was unbelievably happy for saying the words finally.
"I love you, Mike. I always have, despite what I just said." Charlie replied, kissing Mike warmly and deeply. When they broke from the kiss, Charlie couldn't help but want to jump around with excitement. Though he just settled for playfully tickling Mike's sides, watching his boyfriends smile widen as he tried to hold in his laughter. Succeeding only a few seconds.
"Come on. Don't do that." Mike said, shoving him and smiling. "I want to hold you. After all, I didn't think I'd survive without all the electrical luxuries. Though now I would live an Amish existance to be with you." Mike blushed, as though he couldn't believe such words were coming from his mouth. He knew that before Charlie, he would have kept that bottled up inside, but he knew Charlie deserved to know it all. It was worth it, just to see the smile on his face.
----------
"How can it be Christmas holidays already?" Charlie asked as him and Mike were packing to go home. "It seems like just yesterday when you first told me you loved me."
Mike, who had finished packing his things went over to help Charlie. "I wish I could see you over Christmas. Make sure to e-mail me every day okay. You know I'll miss you."
"Awww Mike, come on. Don't say that." Charlie blushed and smiled.
Mike squeezed Charlie's hand. "It's kind ofsad that you still blush every time I say stuff like that to you." He cupped Charlie's face, returning the smile. "Though I don't care, I like you this way."
"Have you told your parents about us?" Charlie asked. "I told my family last weekend, well except Georgina since we weren't allowed to see her."
Mike turned to him, knowing how his parents would probably react if they found out. "How did they take it?"
Charlie explained the different reactions. "My parents said as long as I was happy it was okay. Mr Wonka remembers you and is quite surprised, same with Grandpa Joe. I just explained to them how much you've changed and that they don't know you like I do. Grandma Josephine was surprisingly pleased, she wasn't even shocked that it was a guy I had fallen for. Though I can't say the same for the rest of them."
Mike looked down, folding some clothes into Charlie suitcase. "My parents don't know. They wouldn't get it like your parents. They've never understood. Always wanting me to be like the other boys and dying inside knowing that I'm not. It's not my fault I like my video games and big screen and really am fed up with people. That is, except for you."
"I'm sure they'd understand." Charlie whispered, stroking Mike's back. "It's your life and our love. They should know."
"Though you just said it. It's my life, so therefore it's none of their business." Mike snapped. "Why are you pushing this?"
Charlie stepped back. "I'm sorry, but I don't know why you're so angry about it."
"Sorry. Don't think that I'm ashamed of you. I'm not." Mike told him, giving his boyfriend a peck on the cheek. "It's just very complicated. I don't want to be taken out of this school, okay?"
Charlie pulled Mike to him, holding him tightly. "Okay, I just didn't know."
"I know you live in a world where denial rules." Mike explained, rolling his eyes. "I have to accept that while my parents love me, their idea of love is attempting to control me."
"On the plus side. We don't have to deal with Louise for awhile." Charlie said, changing the subject. "You may also be getting that laptop you've wanted aswell."
"What makes you say that?" Mike raised an eyebrow. "Did my parents ask you what to buy me or something?"
Charlie reached under his bed and pulled out a package. "Actually, I bought you something. Now that I can finally show my appreciation to people, I went a little overboard."
Mike unwrapped Charlie's present, finding the laptop inside. He looked at his boyfriend in disbelief. "No way, this is too much."
Charlie smiled at him. "You know you love it. Don't try and hide that fact, I know you too well." He leaned over and gave Mike a kiss. When Mike was about to protest being given something so expensive, Charlie put a finger to his lips. "I insist that you have it. It's my money to spend my way and I bought that present for you."
"Well, I haven't got you anything nearly as good." Mike confessed, worried he may look cheap. "Here it is. I may even get you a digital camera, now that I don't have to buy a laptop anymore."
Charlie unwrapped the present Mike handed him to find an Ipod. "This is cool. Thank you." He slipped the box into his suitcase. "Though, you're going to have to show me how to use it with all the cool features and stuff."
"No problem." Mike helped Charlie shut his suitcase. "Look, I have to go now. Flight leaves really soon."
They threw there arms around each other. "Merry Christmas. I love you." Charlie whispered to Mike, before they shared a passionate kiss.
"I love you too. Remember that. Merry Christmas." Mike walked out the door, knowing that not even Louise could ruin his spirit at that moment.