Normality

Charlie POV

My alarm buzzed noisily in the background as I woke up at seven AM sharp, ready for another day of work. I sighed quietly to myself, and rolled over in bed, catching the alarm with my hand and turning it off instantly.

I forced myself to sit up properly in bed, feeling a little woozy at first because of how fast I had managed to sit up straight. I ran my fingers through my thick, brown locks and tugging slightly as I pulled it back roughly with my hands.

For a second, I sat and thought to myself before I got up; pondering over last night's nightmares that I'd had again. It was the same nightmares as every single night of course; the ones with the monsters and the shadows, and the horror they brought me, and then also…The Doctor.

I sighed happily as I remembered the nightmare to myself now; remembering how he'd came and rescued me like my knight in shining armour. Because that's exactly what The Doctor was like; he was just like some amazing superhero I'd invented.

But of course I knew that he was real; I had met him once, a long, long time ago when I was just five years old, and I didn't care how many times people called me mad…I knew he was real. I knew deep inside my heart that he was real.

I forced my feet to move and pulled them from the bed, right onto my bedroom carpet. My feet automatically found my slippers from where I had thrown them off from the night before, and I lazily trudged off to take a shower.

I put on a casual tee with the perfect slogan on, jeans and white converses and made my way downstairs where I threw some pop tarts into the toaster and made a cup of tea whilst I waited in the kitchen.

I knew Aunt Marie would still be in bed at this time in the morning, so I hurried whilst easting my breakfast, feeling no need to wake her up as it was only another normal day and I'd see her later, after work.

I grabbed the house keys and my mobile from the kitchen counter after hurriedly brushing my teeth, and made my way out the front door to go to work.

I walked into the town centre as it was only about a five minutes walk from my house, and the town centre really wasn't that busy at all in small town Spalding. In fact, I wasn't even sure if people outside Leicestershire had heard of the city.

I looked up at the small toy shop on the corner; the place I worked every Saturday and Sunday for two, whole years now. I only worked weekends as I went to a college in Peterborough, studying a Performance Arts course.

The shop had remained the same, and it had always looked the same since it was first opened when I was just five years old. It was now a grand age of twelve years, but it was still the best toy shop in Spalding.

Tyler's Toy Store had a very original ring to it considering it was actually the only toy shop available in Spalding. Its brown wooden door and sign frame, with a creaky door and cobwebbed-edged windows gave a touch of classy, old-fashioned feel to the shop and I loved working here, even though my dreams wished I was somewhere else too.

I headed into the store then, knowing Tyler would be opening up the store already, as he had a very; 'he sooner we open, the keener we keep 'em!' sort of view on life, and Children and old sort of fashioned toys.

I was right about Tyler of course; he was there behind the counter, like every weekend morning, getting the till ready for another day of 'service to the community' as Taylor would like to call it himself.

I walked further into the small shop, taking in all the old fashioned toys that we had in here. Of course, not all the toys were old fashioned, but most of them was; Tyler liked to keep the old fashioned and traditional feel to the shop as much as possible.

"Hey Tyler," I smiled as I made my way round the till whilst he counted the money out in his hands, and put it back in the till again.

"Hey Charlie, and how are you on this wonderful, sunny morning?" He asked me joyfully and this wasn't exactly a surprise for Tyler. He was one of the happiest Person's I knew…not that I knew too many people, but still.

"I'm great thanks…what about yourself?"

"Oh you know me…as happy as ever." He grinned, winking at me before going back to putting the money back into the till.

I smiled in response, welcoming the happy feeling I got coming over me now that I was in Tyler's company. He had that effect on people, to make them feel happy and welcome in here and that was one of the reasons why I didn't mind working here for him.

I set my bag down in the back room of the shop behind the till, before making my way back out and preparing myself for yet another day of work. Of course I didn't mind being here because it was always such a laugh with me and Tyler, but…I had dreams too.

I wanted to travel the world one day; in fact…I wanted to do two things.

I hoped to see the whole of the World and I also hoped to become an actress. But I guess I had to pretty much choose one or the other as I couldn't actually do both and because I was on the Performing Arts course already and acting was my life...I guess I'd pretty much made up my mind anyway.

Of course the day started slowly as usual, it always did because it was such a small toy shop. But as the day got going, more customers came in, and Tyler and I served them with the winning smile that Tyler always used to make others feel a lot more cheerful.

It was just his smile actually; he was always so happy.

My heart pounded up a gear, soaring up in speed as the next customer came in…someone who I shouldn't have been so happy to see, not like that anyway. He'd made it perfectly obvious he just wanted to be my friend now, anyway.

"Hiya Callum," I smiled politely as he walked through the door.

He had his usual gear on; a grey sweatshirt with blue jeans and grey plimsolls and he really wasn't the best looking Guy in town either, even with the lack of population in Spalding.

But when I fell for him; I fell for him bad, but because we were on the same course and both needed to concentrate on our work…it fell through.

He had very light brown hair, almost with a touch of slight blonde to it, which he had been growing out for months now to look like a certain person on television. A certain person who happened to be in my dreams every night, and a certain person who only I knew was actually real.

I sighed contently as I thought about him again.

"Hello Charlie," Callum replied with the usual over-done happiness. The main thing was that he looked happy because I wouldn't have wanted him to be sad and down about us, and we were friends too which made it a lot easier, but…there was always that ounce of pain there whenever I thought about him too much.

"I take it you popped in for the usual sort's of toys? Anything in particular you're after today?" I asked him with a laugh, knowing exactly what toys he always got. I mean yes…he was eighteen I had to admit, but he was very much into the Doctor Who figurines and stuff.

Only I knew that he was real.

"Urm…I just have a couple more to collect…I also need to get the Cyberman one again. I can't seem to find the one I brought." He explained sadly, as though he had lost his most treasured item he had. And I knew to him, it was like that.

"Well you know where they're set out by now." I laughed, nodding my head to the corner of the shop.

He laughed too, because we both knew that that was very true. He came in here so often; almost every weekend actually, just to collect this memorabilia. I was so tempted to tell him the truth about The Doctor sometimes, to tell him what I knew, but I wasn't sure if he'd believe me.

It was funny to see people getting so into a series, into a Doctor who didn't even look anything like the one I remembered so clearly. Nothing like him at all; for starters he didn't have big ears, or a lack of hair, and he certainly didn't wear a leather jacket.

I tried to fight a smile in response to my thoughts, but Callum caught me smiling to myself before I could pretend that I wasn't doing it.

"Something funny?"

"You could say that…but don't worry, it's not you with your Doctor Who toys." I joked, making him laugh easily in response.

"I'd understand if it is…I mean, it's silly really; an eighteen year old Guy collecting Doctor Who figurines, but I don't care." He confessed with a shrug of his shoulders. Little did he know how un-silly it was, because of the due fact that the very Man was real.

"I don't think you should care either…not in my opinion anyway. If you like something, you like something…of course I stop at the twilight figurines with my obsession, but…" I trailed off, laughing as I said it.

"Yeah, I know I probably take it a step too far with collecting doctor who figurines too, but…I don't care!" He grinned triumphantly, his happiness shining through easily. He really was very happy, and I was glad but…

Yep, there was that shot of pain shooting through my heart due to the fact that I still wanted him to be happy with me. But I didn't much mind…love was painful and I'd rather forever love them and be a part of their life, facing the pain that goes with it, rather than not have it at all and be alone.

"Good." I replied simply, swallowing the rather large lump that had managed to get stuck in my throat.

Tyler came out from the back then, saving me any more embarrassment as Callum went to get his toy from the very back of the shop, where all the doctor who toys stood on shelves and stacks full of them.

"Morning Callum," Tyler boomed cheerfully to him as he searched through the rack of toys, to try and find the one he wanted.

"Morning Tyler and how are you on this wonderful day?" His happiness brought me so sorrow…not that I'd ever tell him that. Because I already knew how selfish that was; it was way too selfish, and I had no right feeling like it either.

"I'm very well thank you, and what about you, Mr. Pepper?" He asked back with the same enthusiasm as Callum could always muster up.

"I'm brilliant thank you; just brilliant! The sun is shining, the birds are singing in the trees, and…" he trailed off, picking up the Cyberman packet right at the end of the aisle and walking back to the till with a huge smile on his face. "I have my Cyberman figurine back."

My chest felt tighter, heavier with the exhaustion I was so used to feeling, but I blocked it all away, and smiled in response. At least it wasn't about a Girl yet; at least his excitement, his happiness was just about a toy.

It gave me time to deal with this pain, to try and get over him some more, and it also gave me time to be friends with him too.

Tyler laughed in response, nudging my elbow once, as Callum got to the till.

"Yes, it's a lovely day today…I'll let my co-worker scan that for you." Tyler announced proudly, making me smile as I scanned the packet and put it in a small, Tyler's Toy Store plastic bag to give to him.

"That will be…five pounds please."

Callum nodded, getting his money out to pay for the figurine.

"But…as you're our finest, and most long running customers, we're going to let you have it for three." Tyler interfered, surprising me. I looked at him confused, because we'd never done this with anyone else before and we didn't necessarily have that much money to the point that we could do that sort of thing.

"But-"

"But I'm sure we could make allowances seems as though Callum does shop in here nearly every single week." Tyler interrupted me.

"Are you sure? I don't mind paying full price."

"No, no…I insist." Tyler smiled.

I took the three pounds from Callum and put it in the till, putting the receipt in the bag too. "Receipt's in the bag…have a nice day." I forced an awkward smile, feeling the pain starting to wrap around me again.

"Charlie…I was wondering if…maybe we could go out some time…just for a drink…as friends? I just know that the college has a half term this week, and the whole of the Performing Arts group have got the week off-"

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea." I didn't mean to be rude and interrupt him, but the way he put it, even when he said as friends made it sound like there was something more in it. And I didn't want to go down that road again…

"Oh…I see."

"No, look…alright, it's not as if I don't want to, it's just that…I have assignments to finish off this week, I have them Shakespeare lines to learn too, and erm…well, I just have a lot on my plate at the minute………….maybe some other time."

Callum nodded, some sort of a hopeful smile lightening up his face. "Yeah alright then," he agreed easily, before turning with his bag and leaving the store.

I felt bad that I couldn't just say yes, but…it wouldn't be with me getting my hopes up. And we all knew he wanted to be just friends with me and if I still needed time…I didn't want to take a risk right now.

Of course Tyler didn't say anything in response to my conversation with Callum in the shop; he never would be rude and get involved like that. And he even let me finish half an hour earlier to go home, as the shop was empty again.

Of course…Aunt Marie had something to say about that though.

"You're going to end up pushing that Lad away, you know." She frowned at me in pity as we sat at the kitchen table, eating my favourite; spaghetti bolognaise. I had the meat-free version, as I was a Vegetarian.

I sighed heavily, because it was alike my Aunt Marie to get involved like she does, she always did get involved in everything. I knew it was only because she cared about me, but it was a little annoying nevertheless.

"I didn't dump him." I reminded her calmly, forking my spaghetti lazily as I waited for Marie's response to that. I knew she would only tell me to make an effort with him, make friends with him and see where things go, but it wasn't as if even just one of us weren't busy.

We were both busy now; both enjoying actually getting somewhere on our performing arts courses.

"Yes, but it seemed to me like he could be making all the effort with you. He's a nice Guy, and he often asks if you're alright whenever I bump into him in town."

"He's just being friendly Aunt Marie." I sighed, getting up with my plate and binning the last of the spaghetti so I could quickly get away from the questions and assumptions that Aunt Marie often made.

"No he isn't Charlie! The lad obviously still cares about you a lot…all I'm saying is don't push him away. I made the same mistake with Arthur all them years ago……just take it slow. You're both very busy people."

"Exactly, we are busy-"

"So why don't you just give him a chance? Just…agree to go out with him…talk it out…see how it goes." She begged me, desperate for me to say yes to the idea and come round to it. I sighed in response.

"Fine," I forced myself to agree, placing my plate in the bowl and heading off to my bedroom before she could stop me. "I'm going to bed, I feel really tired…speak to you in the morning……love you." I gasped out as I headed to my bedroom quickly.

"Night sweetheart," she replied quietly, not stopping me going to bed even though it was only about nine at night. Truth was that I did feel tired really though, so that wasn't technically a lie either.

Of course I knew I'd probably get the same nightmares tonight in my sleep; I was lucky if I didn't have the nightmares every single night, but as I got changed into my casual joggers to sleep in, I felt happy about that.

Because the same person would be in them nightmares; rescuing me, killing the monster, saving the day as he always did.

The Doctor.

***

I liked Sundays, I always enjoyed waking up and knowing it was a Sunday morning. Because Sunday's were peaceful, quiet, and it was always usually quite empty in the toy shop in Sunday's…apart from when Callum often popped in of course.

I got myself up and ready to work as usual, getting changed into a blue dress with leggings and a pair of black, flip on shoes before I hurried off to work, giving my Aunt Marie a kiss on the cheek as I hurried.

It was another quiet day in the shop, empty as usual and at the very same time as usual; Callum popped his head round the door, wearing similar clothes as yesterday and his hair looking even wilder than usual.

"Hey Charlie," he smiled and waved awkwardly at me first, like how he always did when he came in here before smiling at Tyler and saying hello to him. Tyler made easy chat with him like how Tyler always could, but then Callum was quick to get back to talking to me again.

"So how are you today?" He asked me, watching me warily; almost as though I might burst into tears or something at any second. It had been four months since me and Callum broke up, but I was done crying about small things like that.

"I'm good today actually," I smiled, remembering last night's nightmare loosely in my head. It was different this time, so much better than the other dreams. I dreamt that at the very end of it, I travelled with him, The Doctor of course.

"That's good."

"How are you?" I asked.

"I'm fine…….I was just wondering if maybe….look, no it don't matter-"

"I'd like to go for that drink……..if you were obviously going to ask that." I added, feeling like a bit of an idiot now that I had rushed that out. Because there wasn't even a guarantee that he was going to ask me that but I just genially presumed that he was going to.

A smile brightened up his face, a smile I hadn't seen on his face for ages….a very long time actually.

"Oh…are you sure? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to-"

"I'd love to." I interrupted him, before I could stop this from happening. I wanted to see him often, as a friend, so here was my chance.

"Okay, so erm…maybe…see you tomorrow?"

"Sounds good."

"Okay then…I'll see you tomorrow."

"You will." I replied with an easy smile, now that was done and all sorted with, out of the way. No more pressure from aunt Marie.

"He's a good lad, him." Tyler commented quietly from besides me after Callum headed out of the shop. It was unusual to him to make a comment about something and get involved in something, but I had to agree.

"Yeah…yeah, he's a good friend." I commented awkwardly, clearing my throat quietly as I grabbed a handful of toys to stack back onto the shelves, and headed round the other side of the counter.

"Just a friend?"

"Of course."

"Maybe he needs reminding of that…I've seen the way he looks at you." Tyler pressed on, making me feel a little surprised. Because he didn't usually make such comments as the ones he was making.

"Don't be silly." I laughed awkwardly, heading behind the shelves to put the latest hello kitty and superman toys back up on the shelves, thankful for it being in the way of my face so that Tyler couldn't see the awkwardness on my face.

"I'm serious: I've never seen him so happy as the way he was with you."

"Yeah, well that was then."

"Maybe, but you don't look at someone as if they're the very reason for your existence…….I mean, maybe I'm going a little overboard-"

"Yep, you are Tyler." I laughed awkwardly.

"But…Callum has never been so happy than when he was with you. He's looking a little….down lately." Tyler commented anxiously, pressing the subject of the matter on. I just placed the toys back onto the shelved quietly, and pressed on with my job without so much as another comment to that.

I went home at the usual time of six, making up a pasta bake for me and Aunt Marie, and telling her about my chat with Callum as we ate. Of course she was thrilled; she'd only met Callum once whilst we had been dating, but she instantly kept commenting about how nice he was.

I reminded her several times throughout our conversation about how it was just going to be two friends going for a drink, but of course she didn't listen to a word I said about that. Because she had seen how happy Callum originally had made me, and she had it in her head that he could do it again.

I just agreed to what she said with an awkward smile, and went to my bedroom to get an early night. It was no offence to my Aunt Mimi, but I wanted to escape to my dreams whenever she kept going on about Callum.

And escape to my dreams…well, I did just that.

Except……………..it wasn't like the other dreams again. My dreams had changed for the second time, changing to reality; a flashback of my fifth birthday, when my Mum and me were still together.

You see Aunt Mimi wasn't actually my Aunt, but I called her that because she was like my Aunt. My real Mother gave me up when I was six, because I kept hitting my Brother. He said The Doctor wasn't real and that I was crazy.

Of course I knew he was real, so three adoptive Parents later, and I had found Aunt Mimi. I decided it would be best if I didn't tell her about The Doctor, otherwise I would have been called insane again and sent to speak to yet another specialist.

So this time, my best friend was my little secret.

***