Charlie Williams

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, groaning, I slowly get up to turn off my alarm BEEP, BE- slowly I look around my room. I'm finally unpacked and my room looks exactly how I want it.
Today is the first day back from winter break and excited is an understatement. Don't get me wrong, I hate being the new kid but over the break, I was texting Olivia, she told me what school she goes to and surprise! We're in the same school which isn't that ironic if you think about it because we literally only have 2 high schools in this town and the other one is on the other side of it. Sadly we weren't able to compare schedules because I'll get mine today. I'm also kinda sad that we're going back because I got to hangout and talk to Olivia a lot over the break. So much so that my parents are starting to get a little bit worried that I'm not going to be able to actually focus on what I need to do which is crap because it makes me focus more because I can't be there for her if I'm not healthy. I'm hoping I can get her a little bit more comfortable with me because she's still nervous sometimes around me but she promised me that she'd show me around and help me out today.
I quickly get dressed, make my bed, make sure my room is tidy, brush my teeth, do my hair and check my glucose monitor to see what my levels are at this morning. 3.9 I better eat something so it gets up to at least 4.
Walking downstairs I see my mom and dad and Gwen all in the kitchen talking and eating. "Hey guys, good morning!" I said happily.
I loved going to school and now having a fresh new start, I loved it even more. And hopefully I could take Olivia to school today so she could explain how her school operates more. Ok and fine, so I could spend more time with her.
Grabbing the oatmeal from the pantry, I quickly send off a text to Olivia.

Charlie: Wanna ride 2 school today? :)

Olivia: Can't. I gotta take my siblings 2 the elemry today

Charlie: my car is big enough we can take them 2.

Charlie: I wanted to get some more tips & pointers

before we actually go 2 school ;)

Olivia: Ok. But u have to give me a ride back home

Charlie: Deal. Pick u up in 30 :)

I continue to make my breakfast which is oatmeal with strawberries and bananas on top and honey drizzled all over all of it. One of my go to breakfasts. I quickly eat and then start getting everything that I need to bring to school with me-my lunch, water, glucose pouches, glucose pen, and my emergency kit of all things high in natural sugar. I go find my parents in their room getting ready for the day. "I'm leaving." I say my mom comes over to me and gives me a hug. "Do you have everything? Lunch, water, glucose pouches and pens, and your emergency kit?" She asks
"Yes, I have everything." I reassure her. My dad comes over to me and gives me a hug too. "Have a good day son. Do you have the kit you're supposed to give to the nurse too?"
"No, I didn't know there was one. Where is it?" I ask
My mom rushes out of the room calling "I'll get it" a moment later she comes back with a bag with my name on it and lots more of everything I packed in my backpack too.
"You guys are such worry warts. I'll be fine. I promise. It's not like it's the first time I've ever had an episode." I say
"We know, we just want to make sure your prepared Charlie" my dad answers
"Ok, well I'm leaving now. I'll see you guys later, love you." I say while also giving both of them a kiss on the cheek before bolting out the door. I pull my car out of our driveway and drive it over to the front of her house and shoot her a quick text.

Charlie: I'm outside, come out when you're ready ;)

Olivia: BRT

Olivia's siblings all come out at once and get in the back leaving the front seat open for Olivia. Or they just don't want to sit with me. A few seconds later the passenger door opens and Olivia gets in. She's wearing a pair of black leggings that highlight how skinny and tiny she is and an oversized sweatshirt that has pointe shoes on the front and her name on the sleeve. I'm assuming there's a dance company name on the back of it. She has on gray boots that go to her ankles and her hair is in a messy bun on the top of her head with little strands falling out. She looks absolutely beautifully gorgeous.

"Good morning Ollie! You look very nice! How was your morning?" I ask cheerfully

"How are you so happy this early in the morning" she grumbles "I'm not even that happy in the middle of the day. Are you high?"

I started to laugh then realized she was actually serious which made me laugh even harder "I just love mornings, especially today." I respond after I stop laughing. Then I start the drive towards the elementary where her siblings go. "So what's so bad about today?"

"I have to go to school." she grumbles again

"You don't like school?" I ask mystified

"Would you like school if every single time the bell rings you get trampled to the floor, shoved to the walls, and elbows getting thrown in your face?"

I wince at her description "No probably not. Don't worry though, you have me now. I'll protect you." I say glancing over at her. I guess with her small little 5"2 frame that's probably bound to happen a lot. Unlike me with my 6"5 frame, I'm usually bumping into everyone else.

She looks at me dubiously "You'll protect me? How. Are you going to carry me?"

"If I need to. You shouldn't have to suffer just because everyone's taller than you," I say seriously "I'm not going to be one of those boys who pretends they don't know you just because other people are around Ollie. I like being around you and people are going to know it."
She stares at me with her mouth hanging open "Are you ok? Do you have a fever?"
I start to laugh "No, I'm fine. I promise." Arriving at the elementary school I pull into a parking spot close to the front. A the kids start clambering out of the car
"Bye, have a good day, love you, be nice!" Ollie yells after them. The. The back door shuts and we see all of them except Leo, who goes to the high school and is still in the car, running to the school. Then we pull out of the parking lot and make the short drive to the high school. We make it to the high school and we all get out. Leo goes over to find his group of friends but I ask Ollie if I can talk to her real quick. We're on the passenger side of the car standing face to face with each other. "I have something I want you to know just in case it happens at school" I tell her uncomfortably shifting from foot to foot I look down at the ground. I absolutely hate telling people about my diabetes because they always look at me different after. Like I'm going to collapse any second. But I want Ollie to know in case it ever happens. "You don't have to tell me if you're uncomfortable about it." she says softly.
"No, I want you to know.- I have diabetes type 1" I say quietly, still looking at the ground.
"Charlie, look at me" I don't look at her. I don't want to see the pity in her eyes. She gently wraps her fingers around my chin and lifts my head up. When I meet her eyes, all I see is pure adoration. "I'm proud of you for telling me and you're so brave for being so vulnerable with me. You're my little fighter" she says softly. Then she pulls me in for a hug and starts rubbing small circles on my back "I'm here for you. I won't let anything happen" she says. We finally pull apart and she starts to reach for my hand before hesitating, and asking, "Is this ok?" I nod and she takes my hand. I think she's doing it as a way of comfort. We start walking towards our school building in content silence. When we enter the building, all I see is chaos.my steps falter and Olivia sees and stops too. "Where do you need to go first?" She asks in my ear standing on her tippy toes, giving my hand a small squeeze. "The nurses office" I answer her. She takes the lead dragging my hand behind her leading me to the nurses office. Then she abruptly stops in front of an open doorway. "Do you want me to come in with you?" She asks quietly. Not really caring what others think, I nod my head. We walk inside to see a lady in her mid-thirties with deep brown wavy hair ending just after her shoulders. "Hello!" She greeted us happily. "What can I do for you?" Clearing my throat, I say, "I'm Charlie Williams and I'm just starting here at this school today and I'm diabetic. My mom wants me to drop this off." I hand her the bag of supplies. She grabs them and opens a cabinet and places them inside. "Can I ask what type of diabetic you are? And if you have a glucose monitor?"
"I'm type 1 and I do have a glucose monitor." I answer
"Good! Every morning before you go to class I want you to come here so I can check your levels. Does that work?" She asks
Sighing dejectedly I reply, "yeah that's fine."
"Awesome. Can I check right now?"
"Yeah, sure." I say
She tells me to sit on the chair next to my desk and then checks my monitor, which I give her. Olivia holding my hand as my silent supporter the whole time.
"You're at 4.2 so you're good for right now. I trust you know what to do if that changes too much?" She asks.
"Yes. I know what to do." I just want to get out of here.
"Ok you're free to go. Have a good first day Charlie!"
We finally leave her office. And Olivia asks me where we need to go next. "I think it's called like the student office or something?"
She laughs and says "I think you mean student services. c'mon I'll take you."
We get my schedule and compare. Turns out we have 4 classes together plus lunch.
Luckily, we have time to walk my schedule before class starts so I can know where everything is. If I forget I can always text Ollie.
The first bell rings and it's time for the first hour. We walk to my first hour class and she turns to me. "Will you be ok?" She asks
Smiling at her concern I answer, "I'll be OK, I'll see you in English ok?"
"Ok, text me if you need anything." She says, linking our hands together in a parting gesture. I give her hand a little squeeze then I walk into my class.