Chapter 11

Mike had only been looking forward to school because of Charlie. Other than that, he hated the place. Once again he had to spend a night in the library tutoring Louise in science. Not because he wanted to, though it didn't appear Louise had that idea. Mike cringed at the smell of cigarettes that Louise had attempted to cover up with deoderant. A part of him wanted to throw up.

"Listen, I don't even know if you're actually bad at science or if you're just doing this to annoy me, but please make an effort." Mike sighed in frustration.

Louise placed her hand over his. "Listen, forget this for a second. Why don't you like me? Or atleast why do you pretend not to like me?"

"I don't like you in that way and with what you're doing you can never expect my friendship." Mike snapped at her. "Please just concentrate on the problem at hand. A retard could figure it out."

"I've been listening to everything you've been saying." She replied. "Though you look tense, let me give you a shoulder rub. I give the best shoulder rubs."

Mike stood up. "Why must you continue doing this? I don't know how many times I have to tell you and how many different ways I have to say it. I don't like you, I never have and never will. Don't touch me and stop whatever plans you have in your head."

"Didn't seem like that when you kissed me last year. Remember, before Christmas break?" Louise purred, smiling at him.

Before Mike could protest, Charlie walked over carrying a load of books which Mike knew had nothing to do with any of his homework. "Hello, Mike. Louise. Would you mind if I studied with you? I could really use your help Mike."

Louise smirked at the books. "He's a smart guy, but I don't think he would know anything about what you need. Besides, he's helping me with Science."

Mike wanted to jump on his boyfriend and smother him in kisses right there in the library, but he simply smiled. "I promised Charlie I would help him with an art project." He read the front of one of the books. "He's decided to construct a model of an Elizabethan theatre."

"Didn't it figure you'd be a sweetie and help out your friends." Louise bent down to his ear. "I'm going to go now. Have a smoke. If you care to join me, please do." With that, she left, swaying her hips in an exaggerated fashion.

"Thanks Charlie. I owe you a million for that." Mike told him, shutting his science books. "How can she not get the hint? I guess it's all these preppies. Never been told no, so they assume they can get people on command. Is that what I'd be attracted to if I didn't love you?"

"Love can make us do stupid things, but you Mike Teavee would never be that stupid." Charlie smiled, looking around before giving his boyfriend a peck on the cheek.

"Well, I'm craving chocolate right now. So maybe I would be that stupid." Mike teased, laughing as Charlie shoved him playfully for once again mocking his profession.
------

Charlie and Mike both sat on the night train on their way to the factory. Mike let Charlie rest on his shoulder the whole trip and since the carriage was next to empty he could hold Charlie's soft hand. He knew that Charlie really needed him, even though he had been expecting this very situation. Grandma Georgina had passed on and for some reason it affected Mike aswell. He didn't know why, after all he had never met the woman. Though since he had been with his boyfriend, it was like Charlie's family was his own. He could feel Charlie sobbing and stroked his back in an attempt to ease both of their pain.

"Come on, just let it out." Mike whispered. "Get it out of your system."

"I'm sorry to get all emotional on you. I know this has been a long time coming." Charlie sighed.

Mike stroked his hair. "Doesn't mean you wanted it to happen. Come here." Mike pulled Charlie into his lap, cradling him gentley. "I'll be there for you, the funeral the before and after. Everything. Just vent to me okay?"

"I just don't know if I can handle another one so soon." Charlie whispered.

"I know it sounds like a stupid thing to say, but you will be alright. There are still people that love you, like me for instance." Mike nuzzled the top of Charlie's head.

"I just hate the fact that my last memories of her were when she gave me a bruise on my arm." Charlie looked up at Mike, his eyes now tear free. "I don't want that to happen again."

"I understand, but try and remember the good times and not the last times okay?" Mike gave Charlie's hand another squeeze.

"I just want to forget about it now. I'm so tired." Charlie yawned, resting his eyes as he leaned in Mike's chest.

After what seemed like an age, Mike and Charlie hopped off the train. They didn't speak until they reached the big doors of the Chocolate Factory. Mike stared up at it, covered in snow, just as he remembered it. "It's been awhile." Were the only words that came out of his mouth.

"Over two years Mike." Charlie grabbed his hand and gave it a nice squeeze. "Don't worry, we won't go to the Taffy Puller or the Television room. Actually there's only one place I want to take you."

That place just happened to be the Love Room. The purpose of it being to make Valentine's Day candy. Mike looked around at all the lovey dovey and down right fluffy surroundings. He wondered why Charlie had brought him here as he thought it was such a corny room. Charlie just kept leading him by the hand all the way to the back of the room. Finally he opened a door and pulled Mike inside.

Before Mike could ask what the deal was, Charlie kissed him. The kiss was so hungry and hot that Mike wondered if his lips were being bruised with the intensity. Mike felt himself falling backwards, and was surprised when a soft surface broke his fall. Breaking from the kiss, Mike was able to look at his surroundings. He realised the soft surface was a bed and the room was a nice change from the pink and red fluff that he had just witnessed.

"This room is private. I think it was built to make sure there would be an heir to the factory after me. Though I don't want to be with anyone else. I don't care if that means I have to go through the whole Golden Ticket ordeal to find one. I brought you here for the privacy. Mike, I just want to be with you." Charlie confessed all in one breath. "Please don't ever leave me. I want to be with you forever."

Mike was overcome by the extremity of Charlie's emotions. "I love you, but you're talking about a life long commitment here. Come on, do you really think it's going to last that long, realistically?"

"Why does everything have to have a point? Seriously Mike. Do you think I haven't thought about you going? Of course I have! Everyone's leaving me! I just don't want you to be one of them." Charlie threw his arms up in frustration.

Mike lead Charlie back to the bed. He just hugged him, pulling him close and smelling his hair. "I don't want to leave you either. Seriously."

"Let me share this with you then. If you have to go then I want to you remember me." Charlie pulled Mike into a long warm kiss. Roaming his hands up his back.

"I know Georgina's death has shocked you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go anywhere soon." Mike whispered. "Even if I do, I will always think of you with love. You're so perfect Charlie and nothing could soil my memories of you."

"I love you Mike. Just don't..." Charlie kissed Mike again to emphasise his point. "Don't let me go"
-------

Charlie was unable to concentrate during English. Knowing at that very moment his boyfriend was in Science, with her. He hated her with everything he had, but wasn't prepared to sink to her level of pure stupidy and vengeful behaviour. What cheered him was knowing that he was meeting Mike after class. The bush behind the dorms provided the perfect amount of privacy, which was good as the dorms were just getting too loud and annoying. Since it was still a little snowy and cold, no-one would be hanging outside too much which would give them even more alone time. They both loved the snow and cold weather and liked sharing it together.

Running to what they had madetheir spot in the bushesafter class, a huge smile was plastered on Charlie's face. He couldn't wait to meet his boyfriend, as he wanted to savour every moment. Everything between them was so perfect, and since Charlie's parents liked what they had seen of Mike and knew that he had been there for Charlie at both the funerals, it made things a lot easier and better for the two. Most of all, he needed Mike to make him feel happy in such a horrible place. The school was draining and he didn't like the people as everyone was so ingenuine, with only money on their brains. He knew Mike felt the same way about him. Like coming to the school had cursed their lives, yet brought a blessing that could wipe out all the negativity.

Mike was already there, waiting for Charlie. The moment they saw each other, they embraced in a kiss. Charlie could tell Mike had another bad Science class by the way he grabbed the back of Charlie's jacket. It was obvious that Mike was home sick to an extent because everything at school had just been getting more tough. He raised an eyebrow at Mike, wondering what went wrong this particular time.

"It's just frustrating. That's all it is." Mike explained. "Not much I can do about it though. Can't get rid of her. Even when I tell the teacher that she likes me and is an absolute psycho, he thinks I'm a narcisist with an attitude problem. Honestly I hate everything about this school except you. Why are we the only sane people here. I should get used to it, but it's so hard. I have to go through all this just to be with you. It's okay, you're worth it."

Charlie was about to reply when he heard rustling in the bushes behind him. Mike was looking shocked and when Charlie turned around he could see why. A million thoughts ran through his head, what could happen, what most likely would happen as a result of this moment. He felt his heart beating faster than ever.

"Well well." The silence was broken. Charlie and Mike stood there staring at Louise's "friend" Mark, who had been harrasing them before. Mike wanted to speak, not caring what came out, but just wanting the ability to say something. Mark stood there, staring back at the two of them. No matter how the two teenagers played it out in their minds, it was obvious that Mark had seen too much.

A/N: So what do you think of the new twist in my story? What will Mark do with his new found information? What will become of Charlie and Mike? Find out in Chapter 12!