Mission “avoid Charlie until further notice” failed… 

Last week, I told myself to avoid or at least lessen interactions with him. But here he is. In my house. Though honestly, how could I ever stay away from him? As I tried to avoid him, I found myself seeking him. Charlie’s seriously messing with my head. 

But one thing’s for sure. I do not have feelings for Charlie. There’s just no way. I tried working out again to get that through my head, but it wasn’t as convincing as I wanted it to be. 

My stupid heart won’t even calm down as I roam over Charlie’s features in this moment. His soft lips, his pale skin and those god forsaken eyes of his. 

When he asked me to stop ignoring him, I swear it almost broke me. His eyes get so wide and round when he pleads. If I’d known that avoiding him would bother him this much, then maybe I would’ve reconsidered before doing so. I really didn’t think Charlie would regard it like this, thinking I was angry with him when all he did was be adorably drunk and provoke a few reactions out of me. Other than that, he really wasn’t a hassle to deal with.

Charlie needs to stop thinking like that. My heart nearly broke seeing him wait in front of my door like that earlier. Well, maybe it’s my fault for not checking my phone. I was scared I‘d end up doing something stupid, like text him first, so I just put my phone on the “do not disturb” mode. 

Which obviously backfired. Immensely. 

“So, I‘m guessing you’re here to work on the Web Comic?” I ask, and for some reason, my stomach drops. I mean, that’s what he came here for, right? Surely, Charlie wouldn’t be here otherwise. He tried so hard to reconcile right away because he was afraid I wouldn’t work with him anymore. 

Right?

To my utter surprise, Charlie shakes his head. “No. I didn’t bring my stuff. How about we watch a movie instead? You said you weren’t busy, right?”

I repeat. “A movie?”

“Yeah. If you prefer, we can go out to the cinema, but I figured you’d already be tired, and I truthfully don’t like crowded places. So, we can just watch a movie on your TV. If you’re okay with that, of course.”

I slowly nod. “Yeah, for sure. Just let me go get changed into something more comfortable.”

I don’t wait for his answer and sprint to my bedroom, my heart pounding. Charlie just asked me out on a date. No, wait. I‘m getting ahead of myself. For him, it’s probably just two friends hanging out and watching a movie. Of course, it is. What am I thinking? I place a hand on my chest, trying to calm the storm in my pounding heart.

I return to the living room a few minutes later to find Charlie already comfortably sitting on the couch with his legs crossed and gaze fixated on the flat screen. I take the seat next to him, watching him closely. 

I scoot closer. “What movie do you want to watch?”

He turns to me. “How about a romance movie?”

My eyes widen a little. Charlie wants to watch a romance movie with me? 

I shrug nonchalantly. “Sure. What do you have in mind?”

Charlie takes the remote from the coffee table and turns the TV on, scrolling down the feed of movies before answering. “There’s a new animated movie that just came out. I’ve been meaning to watch it.”

I nod. “Ah, so it’s an anime movie”

“Yeah. Does it bother you?” Charlie asks and rips his gaze off the screen to face me.

I shake my head. “Not at all. We can watch it.”

Charlie’s eyes light up, and his gummy smile appears. And my heart does a stupid flip! My dumb organ settles down when the movie finally begins. I take a glance at Charlie, who is already focused and filled with excitement, his eyes wide and his mouth parted. Letting out a little chuckle, I turn my gaze to the screen as well and try my best to actually watch the movie. But I know I won’t really be paying much attention to it. Not when he is right next to me. 

I don’t know what happened or what I was thinking, but I actually dozed off. The movie started and then blank. When I come back to my senses, I find myself lying on the couch, using Charlie’s thighs as a pillow. 

“Did you sleep well?” Charlie asks, the black orbs of his eyes staring directly at me. 

I slowly sit up and get my head off his lap, embarrassed and confused. “Yeah. Sorry, I fell asleep.”

God, I hope he can’t hear how loud my heart is beating right now. But Charlie only makes it worse by chuckling softly. 

“It’s okay. I should’ve known you’d pass out the second the movie started.”

I turn to him, feigning mock. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Charlie chuckles again. “I just mean you were tired and it was a given possibility that you’d fall asleep.”

I nod, smiling at him. “I guess I must have felt relaxed and comfortable then.”

I swear it’s getting warm in here. Because that would be the only explanation as to why Charlie’s cheek reddened. But before I can ask him what’s up, he abruptly gets up from the couch with his back facing me. 

“I should go, it’s already really late. Thanks for having me over,” he mutters. 

“Oh, yeah. Sure.” I say and follow him as he makes his way towards the door. A sudden, random thought came to my mind. “Do you want to stay the night?”

Charlie’s movement comes to a halt, and so does my heart for a moment. I don’t usually offer people to spend the night at my place. My space was private and usually reserved for me alone at night, but for some reason, I don’t mind sharing it with Charlie. 

I clear my throat in an attempt to sound casual. “I mean, your place isn’t exactly that close to here and it is pretty late. Buses might not even run anymore. I think it would be easier if you just spent the night here. Only if you want to, of course.”

Just as I think Charlie is going the refuse, he sets his bag back down and nods with the faintest smile ever. “Yeah. That’d be really nice.”

For a moment, I forget how to breathe, and I just nod. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I got the chills when I imagined Charlie was going to refuse. But he didn’t. And now my heart won’t stop leaping…  with joy. 

I make my way to my bedroom only to realize I have a slight problem. 

I don’t have an extra bed, only a flimsy mattress in my storage room. And my couch isn’t exactly comfortable. I can’t send Charlie away after just offering him to stay the night. 

Fine. The mattress will have to do. I grab it and plop it down on the floor next to my bedframe. It definitely looks cosy, but I still won’t let Charlie sleep on it. I will. 

I return to the living room and chuckle, seeing Charlie stand there, obviously clueless as he fidgets with his hands.

“Here, I got a pair of sweatpants and a shirt you can change into. And there should be a spare toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet.”

Charlie nods, swiftly taking the clothes from me and off he goes to the bathroom. 

He is actually flustered. Don’t tell me this is his first sleepover? That fact alone does something to my stupid heart. I resist the urge to follow Charlie inside the bathroom and head back to my room and patiently wait for my turn. 

In what feels like a blink of an eye, Charlie’s done getting ready for bed, and he comes to the room. I sit up straight and watch him march inside, wearing my clothes. My clothes are definitely a little too big for him. It looks snug and loose, not that big of a deal. My heart’s definitely not somersaulting right now. Absolutely not. 

I really don’t notice the way Charlie’s holding up his sweatpants until he speaks softly. “Do you have something else? Something smaller? They’re really loose around my waist.”

“Sorry. They’re the smallest pair I own.” I say without really giving it a thought. He looks quite adorable like that. Sue me. 

And luckily for me, Charlie nods and heads for the mattress on the floor. I quickly but gently grab his wrist and lead him to my bed. 

“You’re not sleeping on the floor, Charlie.”

He tries to wriggle his arm free as a protest. “But that’s your bed. I don’t want to steal your own bed from you!”

I laugh. “Charlie, it’s just a bed. Relax and just lie down while I get ready for bed.”

Before he can say anything else, I’m already out the door and freshening up. I come to finish a little faster than usual and go back, only to find Charlie still awkwardly sitting on the edge of my bed. 

I can't contain a laugh. “Are you seriously going to stay seated like that? Because I assure you that that position is not really comfortable to sleep in.” 

“No. I mean. I was just waiting for you.” He stammers. “But are you really sure I can take the bed? I don't mind…”

“Charlie.” I cut him off. “I told you it's fine. But if you keep that up, I might grow annoyed.”

That was a lie, but my heart immediately aches as I see Charlie's expression shift, his head lowered.

I lower down to one knee and now look up at him, my voice growing softer. “I was obviously just kidding. But really, please take the bed.”

Charlie finally nods and settles himself down into my bed. He looks so small right now, covered in my blanket, and his cheek is nuzzled against my pillow. 

I follow suit after I turn off the lights and make myself comfortable on the mattress. It isn't as bad as I thought, but sleeping on the floor isn't really pleasant. 

“Are you comfortable?” Charlie asks. I can feel him staring at me. 

“Yeah. How about you?”

“Me too. Your bed is really comfortable.”

I chuckle. “Glad you like it.” 

There is a moment of silence, and just as I thought Charlie had fallen asleep, he speaks again in a soft tone. “Are you excited for next week?”

I rack my brain. “Is there anything special happening next week?”

“Yeah!” Charlie's voice booms through the room. “Our Web Comic will finally be released next Saturday!”

Oh, yeah. How could I forget? “Already next week, huh? Sure, I'm excited.” 

“You don't really sound excited.”

I laugh. “I am, though. Or well, I mean, I definitely get more excited creating the Web Comics together with you.”

There is silence at first before I hear Charlie's voice again. “You do?” 

“Yeah. You don’t?”

“Of course I do.”

I smile. “That's good then.”

Silence fills the room again before a slight rustling noise comes from the covers. Charlie keeps tossing and turning. 

“Can’t sleep?” I ask, and the sounds stop momentarily. 

“No,” Charlie sighs. “I want you in here.”

Those words make me get up in an instant. “What?”

Charlie sighs again. “I can’t do this after all, Blake. I don’t want you sleeping on the ground. Can you just take the bed? I don’t think I will be able to sleep otherwise.”

I release a breath. So, that’s what he meant. 

“Charlie, I don’t want you to sleep on the floor either,” I say honestly. 

A beat of silence stretches out before Charlie speaks, his voice a tad quieter this time. “Then let's just sleep in here together. The bed’s big enough anyway. Unless you don’t want to.”

It takes me a moment to realize what he said, and I don’t think too much about it, or at least try not to, and just respond. “Sure. We can sleep together.”

Be cool, be nonchalant.  

“Scoot over,” I breathe out as I rise to my feet. 

Charlie watches me, moving towards the wall to make space for me. He was right. The bed is big enough for the both of us. Yet, I’m awfully aware of Charlie’s presence next to me. His breathing is subtle, but I notice every breath he takes and every little movement he makes. It’s getting too warm in here. 

“Comfortable enough?” Charlie asks, shifting his weight as he turns to face me. 

“Yeah, I’m good,” I answer a little too breathily for my liking and turn away. “Good night.”

“Good night, Blake.” Charlie hums, and I feel him settling down behind me.

His breathing evens out a few minutes later, soft snores filling the room. I move slowly, making sure that Charlie doesn’t wake up and turn to look at him. My chest stills for a moment. I’ve never really observed someone sleep before until this very moment, and I can’t deny the warm feeling stirring in my chest. The longer I stare at Charlie’s sleeping face, the faster my heart races. I reach out slowly and remove a piece of hair from his face. My hand lingers a little too long and he suddenly shifts. I pull my hand back abruptly, freezing as Charlie scoots closer to me. His face gets so close to mine, but I don’t make an effort to move. I sigh softly… realizing that it’s going to be a long night.