This feels like I'm rushing into Chaggie a little too quickly but I love these two so much that I can't help it lol
I hope you guys enjoy though! Much love to ya!
In all my life, I never met someone that I didn't think I could read like a book.
Being the way that I am and how I was raised, I learned rather quickly to analyze those around me as quickly as possible to know who would be a threat to myself. I could read by someone's body language and how they presented themselves if they were being true to their image or if they were just another asshole hiding behind a smiling mask.
Was I always right? Fuck no. Spending time with Lute and Adam has taught me that much. But I was rather accurate in most cases. I was able to keep myself safe with this strength of mine and it's been something I could rely on for the most part.
I looked over toward the tall blonde-haired girl as she rambled about the importance of a statue that stood in the center of the high school's quad. I knew it was of a woman with a book held high in her left hand and a guitar in the other, but I couldn't take my eyes off the uniform suit-wearing teenager.
But Charlie? She's something different.
From the moment I saw her, I could just tell she oozed this sense of safety and security. She seemed to have the same presence as that of a safety bear. Like one of those teddy bears little kids in the programs I've been too were given to make them feel safer around others.
She just feels so kind and welcoming. Two things that I never saw blend so beautifully together within a person before despite our circumstances and the most unique thing about her when it comes to this?
She turned toward me with a sheepish smile as she gestured down to a plaque before the statue before she whipped her head back toward the information piece. I could see a slight blush brushing her already rosy cheeks as she continued to ramble about the monument.
I can tell it's genuine. Truly and beautifully genuine.
"This is honestly one of my favorite parts of the school." I snapped out of my thoughts as I noticed a soft tone in Charlie's voice as she now looked up toward the statue with a look that seemed to have unwavering admiration toward the figure. "It makes me feel closer to her in a way. It's been a while since Mom's been gone, but it keeps her memory and goals alive. In my opinion at least." I turned my attention back toward the large statue and finally took in the details of the woman depicted. The carving of the statue was in marble, but her long flowing hair was depicted beautifully as it went behind her shoulders and flowed all the way down toward the back of her thighs. A thin smile was on her face as she held up the guitar and book equally high, but her face was turned toward the musical instrument as if she preferred it from the very beginning. That is when I looked toward the info plate that Charlie was gesturing to before and finally read the large words engraved on it.
In memory of Lilith Morningstar, the loving wife of Lucifer Morningstar and mother to Charlotte Morningstar. Mother of our program and teacher of the ways of redemption. May her presence and knowledge be a guiding light to all.
Shit.
"I don't tell this to anyone, but I think I can trust you with this," Charlie whispered as I turned my attention back to her as she was still staring up toward her mother's statue as if it was truly her. "I come here sometimes and speak with her. I'll sit right there on the little ledge of the statue and tell her about my day and what's going on in my life. I know it's stupid, but I think it keeps her presence alive to me in a way. You know?" I caught her eye as she turned her head toward me which seemingly caused her to regret her words. "I feel like it's stupid of me to release that kind of baggage on you, I'm so sorry. It just felt like a good kind of moment and I was taught that saying those things can make people feel more comfortable with each other but I forgot that you just got here and I-."
"It wasn't stupid." I couldn't help but smile as I cut the girl off in her panic ramble. "I thank you for telling me that, anyway. It must be hard to not have her around." Charlie relaxed into herself once more as a soft smile now took over her face.
"It is. Seven years doesn't make it any better."
"It's been that long since she died?"
"Yeah. But I think she would be proud of how my dad and I got this place going." She smiled wide and puffed out her chest a little which reminded me of a bird puffing up their feathers. "We've got more students and programs than ever before! More kids are graduating and we even have been given letter updates from previous students who are working in the real world without any issues! We're doing good work here and I'm sure of it!" I couldn't help but smile at her as she seemingly swelled with joyous pride at her statement.
What am I doing? I promised I wouldn't allow this shit to happen. I wouldn't let someone in just to fuck me up all over again.
"Let's head to the dorms! I bet you're feeling tired. It must have been a long day and Sera already put your luggage and everything into the hands of some of the RA staff there so it should be all in your room already." My mind battled against me as Charlie turned on her heels and gestured out toward the tall building off in the distance. The voices hushed to a whisper as my body followed her without a second thought. It was as if it knew that this girl wouldn't harm a fly, let alone me.
And despite my scars and my promises, she makes them seem forgettable.
"It looks like your dorm number isn't too far away from mine so I can even lead you up to your door!" I entered through the main door as Charlie held it happily for me. I stopped shortly before her so she could enter on her own as well before taking the lead once more. "Do you prefer stairs or the elevator because we're on floor three and I'm not sure if your legs are up for much more walking today or not so it's your choice." I gave a small yawn in response which Charlie just smiled out before leading me toward the elevator. "Lift it is." She giggled to herself as she pressed the button on the wall. "I forget sometimes just how much walking it can be the first few days to get around everywhere. Luckily if you want to use something to move around campus better, it's allowed! I used to bike between classes when mine were in separate buildings each hour."
"So if I used a skateboard or something, no one is going to stop me?" I questioned her and she just gave me a smirk.
"I can tell where that sentence is going and no you cannot do tricks on railings or anything. Anthony and Husk have tried pushing that rule in the past and it did not end well for either of them."
"Well, shit." Charlie chuckled at me as the doors opened before opening her arm out.
"After you." I got onto the elevator without a second thought as she followed after. "But yeah, most of the rules are pretty simple though. Don't harm others, don't start fights, do your best, and keep yourself on the right path. Our disciplinary actions here are also not what people would think as instead of taking things away or detention, we have students do community service and therapy sessions. That's the normal course of action at least. Normally sending a teenager to a soup kitchen for a few afternoons makes them realize how good a chance they have here and snap out of it pretty quickly." I gave her a surprised look as the elevator lurched into motion.
"That's-." I stopped for a second as I remembered what I was put through in the name of discipline at Golden Gates.
This is for your own good, Vagatha.
I rubbed the faded scars on the back of my knuckles as the echo of a loud smack played in my mind. My skin tingled where a ruler had been brought down roughly on my hands in retaliation to me not following therapy actions in the sanctuary.
That's a nice change.
At least.
"I can tell you're thinking of something and it's bothering you, but it's okay to have these memories and everything." The elevator dinged as Charlie spoke softly. "Things are different here and I promise you that whatever caused you to be sent to us will be addressed at some point, but only if you're willing and wanting to. If not, we're more than willing to aid you on your silent journey to recovery nonetheless. Someone's scars don't mean they cannot heal past them, you know? And that's what we're here for." She stepped out of the elevator and held out a hand toward me with a soft smile. "And I'll be here for you too, if you want me to be. These paths to recovery are quite lonely, after all. It's always good to have a friend."
Friend.
I looked down toward Charlie's hand and before I could even think about it, I reached out toward it. I hesitated for a second as I looked over the details of her pale hand for a moment. She had long fingers that reminded me of a pianist but had the calluses of a guitar player. Her fingertips were scarred in lines as if she had played for hours till her finger bled at least more than a few times. But beyond that, there was no damage or scarred history to her skin. No lines on her knuckles and no cuts hidden away from all to see.
A real friend.
It took me a second, but I placed my contrasting hand in hers and allowed her to lead me out of the elevator. Her blinding smile and warm hand caused me to forget about the lingering tingles that danced across my knuckles.
That would be nice.
Charlie kept her hand in mine as she brought me toward the main hallway and led me to her door. I remember her saying something about how hers was one down to the right and that I could stop by whenever I wanted, but my mind was preoccupied with how her thumb placed itself over the faded scars of my knuckles without a second thought and never retreated once it felt the valleys that were on full display.
I kept a good solid armor up to protect myself from others since I was little and having my history now with Golden Gates would make anyone think that no one could slip under that metal and make a place for themselves.
I instantly missed Charlie's hand as she released me to give me a small wave goodbye and a promise to meet up in the morning for breakfast. I watched her move toward her door not too far from mine and give me a wave goodnight before saying I could knock whenever I wanted at her door once more.
But with someone like Charlie around? Someone who truly wants to be a friend?
I stood there like a fool as her door closed with a soft click. My hand that was holding hers was now cradled as I looked down at where the soft and gentle skin was once in mine. I haven't had direct contact like that since the accident and it was the first time in a long time that someone's touch other than a medical provider's was gentle with me.
I think that armor may have been faulty to begin with.