Alex's POV:
My eyelids flutter open to the sight of Charlie's chestnut hair. I snuggle closer to him, not yet ready to wake. He welcomes my body next to his. After a few minutes, Charlie pulls away.
"Hey," I protest.
"We've got work to do before we go see Tom," he explains.
"You're right," I agree, flopping over to get out of bed.
We spend the morning filming, moving at a sluggish pace. It feels nice, just to be here with Charlie, not having to worry about the world around us.
He catches me staring at him. My eyes are fixed on him, the sun shining on his face. He is so beautiful. I just want to hold him and forget the world forever.
I brush back a stray hair and tuck it behind his ear. His hand wraps around mine. I caress his cheek, lightly, before tipping up his chin and joining his lips with mine.
"Do you think we can go see Tom now?" Charlie asks me.
I nod. It's time to stop pretending; Time to stop ignoring the outside world. Our friend is in trouble, and we need to help him.
My stomach starts to growl once we hit the street.
"Do you think we could make a quick stop for some nosh?"
"Sure," Charlie replies, nonchalantly.
We stop at the corner store and leave with plastic wrapped sandwiches and cans of soda.
We eat on our way to Tom's house.
"What are we going to do?" Charlie asks, breaking the silence.
"About what?" I answer, between bites.
"Tom"
"Be his mates. I'm not sure there's anything else we can do at this point".
Charlie just nods and walks on.
I knock on the door to Tom's house. Edd answers it.
"We've come to collect Tom" I state, brightly, my best smile on.
Edd's face disappears from the doorway, and then returns shortly there after.
"He's not in," Edd states, plainly.
"When will he be back?" Charlie pipes up.
"Not sure," says Edd, scratching at his head, giving off a small yawn.
"Have we woken you?" I ask.
He nods, tiredly, "I was up late last night, had a gig all the way in Edenbrough".
"Well, thank you," I say, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
"Yup," replies Edd, "have a nice day"
I turn to Charlie, the door closing not too long afterward.
"Guess we should have called first," I say apologetically.
He only nods and starts back toward our flat. I follow him in silence.
Charlie doesn't even bother to slow up for me. He just walks in iterated silence. By the time I close and lock the door, Charlie is placed on the couch, Iphone to his ear.
I ease myself on to the couch next to him.
"Hey, Tom. Yeah, I was just wondering if you wanted to do something today?… Oh. Oh, well if you say so… Yeah he's here. Sure, here you go," Charlie hands his phone to me in one swift motion.
I take it from him and press it up to my ear, "Hello?"
"Hey, Alex," comes Tom's light voice from the other end of the line, "I just wanted to apologize for last night. I shouldn't have walked out on you. But Kathrin's really better now. She's been to rehab-"
"Tom, you need to listen to me now, okay? You are one of my best mates. I will not just stand by and watch you get killed by some temptress who's got you under his spell, you understand me?"
There is a long silence. I almost think he's hung up when I hear a light rustling on the other end, and then his voice, saying, "I know after what happened last time, I should stay away. I know I should be angry, and afraid, and I shouldn't love her, but I do, Alex, I do love her and I can't stop, no matter how much it hurt, I just can't".
He choked out the last words before muffled sobs.
"I know, Tom, I know it's hard, but if you know what's best for you, you will stay away".
"That's the problem," his voice cracks, "I don't know what's best for me anymore".
There stay silent for a while, letting him cry.
"Would you like to come over?" I say, finally.
"I'll be there in an hour"
"Where are you?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll be there in an hour".
"Alright," I answer, but the line already dead.