Chapter 2

Authors note: Oh way is it always so hard to say goodbye? Here is chapter 2. I hope you like it

15th September - morning

Charlie

I wake up before the alarm goes off and I turn around on the bed to face Nick. He's still sleeping, his mouth slightly open, one leg out of the duvet. I prop myself up on my elbow to look at him better. His skin is tanned from all the days we spent outside at the beach, the park or just in the garden.I can see the scar on his left arm he got from quite a vicious tackle at rugby and the one on his knee from playing with his brother when he was little. I start tracing soft shapes on his skin. I still get shivers of electricity when I touch him, even after 2 years of being together. How did I get so lucky?

I rest my head on his chest and his arm automatically wraps around me. He's not awake, his body just reacting to mine.

How is this the last time we get to wake up together in who knows how long? I can feel the panic starting to take over so I gently wriggle out of Nick's embrace, I sit up in bed and start doing the breathing exercises that Geoff showed me. I can feel my heartbeat slow down, a sigh of relief escaping my mouth.

I glance back and see Nick is starting to wake up.

'Heey.. you're.. staring' His voice is groggy with sleep.

'I'm allowed. Boyfriend's privileges'

'Mmm.. in that case' Nick pushes away the covers and I can now see his whole body, naked

'There, now you can look at everything!'

I don't know why I still get embarrassed at these "displays".. sometimes I think I'm still dreaming! I can feel my cheeks turning red and I bring the duvet up to hide my face. But.. I can't help but peek, I'm only human and my rugby player of a boyfriend is currently naked next to me.

'Hey, no hiding' he pulls the covers away.

'You just like to see me flustered!'

'Maybe.. But can you blame me ? You look so adorable. C'mon I need a shower!'

Nick jumps out of bed and picks me up in his arms and carries me to the bathroom..

'I can walk you know..?'

'But what's the fun in that?'

Nick

I really need a shower now, a cold one! But with Charlie in the cubicle with me, even that's not going to work.

He moves behind me and starts to soap my back, his hands moving in circular motions to cover the whole area. When that's done I can feel his hands moving down towards my buttocks and squeeze. I struggle to hold back a moan, shivers running through my body. I turn around and kiss him hard.

My shower is definitely not the most practical place to have sex, as we can barely fit together in the cubicle - note to self, when Charlie and I will get our place we need one of those walk-in showers - but you can definitely do other things and it sure helps with the mess afterwards ahahah.

We go downstairs for breakfast and I prepare our coffees and toast.

'So what are you up to today?'

'Mmm.. I've got band practice at Sahar's house this evening, after my shift at the café'

Charlie has played for the band last year on a couple of occasions but since their old drummer had moved away abroad he took on the role permanently. They usually have a couple of gigs a month and they try to squeeze in a practice every week at least.

I'm so glad Charlie joined them as a) playing on stage has been such a confidence booster and b) it's so hot to have a boyfriend who plays drums for a rock band. I always try to go to his gigs, I just love to see him playing!

'Are you guys learning new songs?'

'Yes, we have a gig in a couple of weeks and we are still trying to get a few songs right..
So er.. You knowI'm not very good at goodbyes.. So I thought maybe it's better if I take the bus today and we can just say bye here. The only thing is the bus is coming in like 3 minutes..'

'Oh..' I don't know what else to say. I'm just taken by surprise as I thought I was going to drive him like I did since the new term started. I'm a bit choked up, I just want to spend as much time with Charlie as possible before his day at school starts, and I drive up to uni with mum. I'm not ready to say bye now. But before I can even say anything Charlie stands up, he gives me a quick hug and a kiss and shoots for the door.

'Call me later, OK?'

'Char..? hey.. WAIT!'

I run after him but by the time I get outside he is already by the bus, he turns and waves before getting on.

"MUUUM! I'm getting the car, I just need to… I'll be back soon' I get in the car and by this point I can't hold back the tears.

Charlie

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Why do I always mess it up? I spot Tao on the bus, the same gloomy expression I have.

'Oh hi.. what are you doing here?'

'.. Coming to school?'

' Wasn't Nick supposed to drive you? I thought he wasn't leaving for Leeds until after lunch..?'

'yeah.. I just wasn't sure I could handle the goodbye so I just kinda shot for the door and took the bus.. stupid, SO stupid!'

'Yep Stupid! Why did you do that?'

'Yes we have already established that I'm an idiot. What shall I do? Help me!'

Omg omg omg! I ruined everything again! I'm the worst boyfriend ever!

'Did you try and call him?'

I take out my phone and dial but there is no answer. I try a couple of more times but after the initial rings it just goes to voicemail… I'll just have to run back to Nick's once I get to school and say a proper not-goodbye. Yes, I'll just explain to him that I panicked and everything will be fine. Fine. Fine.

'How are you? How did it go with Elle?' I just need a distraction and Tao really seems in the same boat with me. Elle has also left for uni, so now it's me and Tao against Truham grammar.. well to be honest it hasn't been so bad in the last couple of years but that was when I could sneak into some classroom in between periods and make out with Nick.

'Oh it was shit, she left yesterday afternoon and I ended up watching Moonrise Kingdom.. I could just hear her voice commenting on the scenes, I'm so pathetic.. but I still don't get why she likes that film!

I'm going to go to Bristol in a couple of weeks though'

I wish I knew when I'm going to see Nick after today.. There are rugby tryouts the first two weekends he's there so I guess I'll go up after that as he'll have more time.

We are finally approaching school so I stand in front of the doors ready to jump out and run back to Nickst. The bus stops and before the doors are fully open I dash out and, ouch, I bump into a guy.

'S-sorry.. Nick?! How.. you- You're here!'

'Yeah.. Why did you leave like that? And where are you going now?'

'I was running back to yours..? I'm SORRY! I shouldn't have left like that! I was just getting a bit upset and didn't want to make a scene.. Guess I did that anyway now.'

I look at him and I can see he's crying as well.

'I wasn't ready to say goodbye then. I'm not ready to go.. I don't think I can go to uni, maybe I can just take a sabbatical and then I can go next year'

I step forward and I hug him.

'Hey, hey. It's going to be ok. University will be great. I know change can be scary, believe me but you'll do Great! You're ready for this and I'll be there to cheer you on. Oh Nick, I'm sorry.. I didn't realise you were also feeling anxious about this'

'Mmmm..yeah.. but please no more running away, promise me! You know I'm going to miss you like mad too'

'Promise. I love you!'

We kiss and I feel better already. I guess I didn't realise how much Nick was worried about leaving as well.

'You know you're right.. dating a sixth former is hot' Nick's holding my tie, like I did with him last year when I saw him in his new uniform.

'Oh I don't know.. my boyfriend is now at Uni, that's way cooler!'

'Hem hem.. Have you two finished? You're corrupting my innocent mind with all your lovey-dovey scene.'

'You haven't been innocent one day in your life Tao, ahaha' comes Nick's reply

'RUUUUDE!'

'Call me later, yeah? I want to know all about your day and your new place!'

I'm still hugging him so I finally step back. And follow him back to his car.

'Ok.. er bye. I love you, Char'

I wave at Nick whilst he pulls out of the car park and drives off. I can hear the bell signaling the start of class and when I look around I can't see anyone around. I'm going to be so late but I don't care. It's going to be a long day, I just wish it could be evening already so I can FaceTime with Nick.