Chapter 24: I can't do this anymore

Charlie:

"So what time should you pick me up for the dance?" asked Madeline over the phone.

"I don't know," I responded annoyed, she's acting like we're a couple and it's only been two days. Running a hand over my face waiting for the phone call to end so I can hopefully talk to Hannah.

"We should plan so I can get prepared properly when the day arrives. I'm thinking of green for us to match instead of orange and black, because it totally clashes. Is that good?" Madeline asked on the other line. Why did I give her my number?

"Whatever," I said bored.

"Charlie!" She whined in my ear, making me distance the phone from my ear, "you have to cooperate. This is the Autumn dance, it's like prom for juniors until our real prom. We have to look impressionable."

"Fine, we'll wear green." I agreed reluctantly.

She yelped "yay! See you then at eight!" Hanging up, I rolled my eyes tiredly getting up from my couch and into the kitchen for something to eat. Hannah and I have only about Jane Eyre and nothing else for the past two days while meeting in the library for our project. Us avoiding talking about our relationship and that damn dance it has put a rift between us. I shouldn't have said yes to Madeline, now she won't let go of me she's so irritating.

Thinking back to Hannah and how her face looked when I told her broke my heart a little. Feeling guilty I dialed her number and hoped that she will pick up. After four rings, she answered in a low voice, "hello?"

"Hi," I answered grinning.

"What's wrong?" she questioned in the same tone alarmed me.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you. Why is your voice low?" I asked suspicious.

"I can't talk right now, bye."

"Wait, meet me at our place in ten minutes." I said quickly.

"Fine," she hung up so quickly without saying bye. Why was she in such a hurry and why was she whispering? What is this girl doing to me?

***

I went to the shack, anticipating for her. Ten minutes passed and still no sign of her, I don't think she's gonna show up.

"Hi." I heard her angelic voice from behind me but it sounded so cold.

"Hi," I gave her a small smile, she reciprocated but it was tight. Both of us stood in silence, the wind blowing both of our hair.

"What's up?" She asked breaking the silence.

"Come on." I grabbed her wrist as we made our way inside.. "Why aren't you talking to me?"

"What?" She frowned.

"Obviously you're mad at me, because I'm taking Madeline to the dance. You were whispering when I called you earlier."

"I was with Linda at the mall; I didn't want to give anything away of who I was talking to. And why would I be mad? I'm going with Louis so we're even."

"It's not about being even, Hannah. It's about trust."

"Trust?! This isn't trust; this is insecurity, especially with you."

"How am I insecure?"

"You transferred in my class to be close to me. And I'm so afraid you might find another girl that's better than me.!"

"Hannah, stop," I pleaded, moving closer but she pushed me away.

"NO!" Her tone rising with anger, "Charlie, I'm in with love you. I can't do this anymore; being your little secret is tiring if we can't even get over the social hierarchy. I want to show the school that an amazing guy is with me but we have to go to so many lengths to hide ourselves."

"And we will but I can't risk it with my friends right now." She scoffed, bumping into my shoulder lightly and moved to the other side of the room turned her back to me with crossed arms.

I followed her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She just stood unmoving but eventually took hold of my arms and held tight, laying her head on my shoulder. I sighed deeply, maybe she's right. Knowing that I would be ostracized and Hannah would be humiliated in front of the entire school because she wasn't popular. Shaking my head I kissed her cheek gently and began to regret the words that are about to come out my mouth: "I'm in love with you too, Han. I really am. I think we should take a break."

"What?" She questioned in shock, removing my arms from her and turned to face me fast. Her eyes began pooling with tears and face turning red.

"I'm sorry but like you said before, and I can't do this either. I thought this could be a good idea but it's not. I love you so much and as the quote goes 'if you love someone, you should set them free.'" My chest caving in, wanting to take the words back but it's for the best, it's exhausting and I hate seeing her rejected and disappointed by me everyday. The tears running down her face, bottom lip quivering standing in front of me. Her hand coming across my face for an open palm slap, turning sideways and the burning sensation engraved on my cheek.

"Go to hell, Charlie" she choked out and ran out of the shack, leaving me alone dumbfounded. Tears brim in my eyes, dropping down my cheeks for the first girl I ever loved. 

:'( :'( :'( 

not the end, more of the rewritten chapters coming soon!