𐙚˙ ༘ ⋆｡ ˚( DECODE ! )
❛ WAKING UP ❜
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN !

WITH HER HEAD GENTLY RESTING ON THE TABLE, Charlie drifted in and out of sleep. Alyssa was sat beside her, allowing her friend to enjoy some much-needed rest while completing any un-finished work for her.

As the class finally came to an end, the two made their way towards their lockers. The blonde's was slightly further down so they agreed to meet up later.

When Charlie opened hers, her gaze fixated on the photograph of her, Eli, Demetri, and Miguel, a sigh escaping her lips.

Just as she was about to close her locker, a small letter caught her attention - tucked discreetly behind the tiny mirror she had glued inside. Her brows furrowed curiously as she grabbed and unfolded it, instantly recognizing the handwriting.

Can we talk, please?

Scanning her surroundings, she searched for any sign of the red Mohawk but she couldn't spot him. Charlie stole a final glance at the letter before tucking it away in her back pocket and shutting her locker.

As she began to walk, a vibration came from her pocket, prompting her to grab her phone. Carmen's name filled the screen, with an incoming call.

"Hey, Carmen," Charlie greeted. These calls had become a regular thing for them, usually checking in on her well-being and current state.

Charlie figured this one was to see how she was doing with school, especially since this was where the accident happened.

"Hey, Charlie," A smile danced across Carmen's lips as she spoke, "Guess what?"

Charlie's eyes widened, instantly knowing what the woman was talking about and stopping her movements in their tracks. "No."

On the other end of the line, Carmen nodded enthusiastically. "Yep," she confirmed.

Charlie let out a loud giggle, quickly composing herself when she saw the people around her staring.

"I'm on my way."

【☆】★【☆】

CHARLIE HAD SPENT LONG AND HARD ON WHAT TO BUY AS A SMALL GIFT. She'd settled on a box of Reese's, knowing it was one of Miguel's favorites. And to make sure he had more than just a tv for entertainment, she even brought along her old iPad.

Now, she waited anxiously outside his hospital door, watching him talking with Carmen. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but when Carmen turned her head to the window, she knew it was okay to enter.

She used her back to open the door and a wave of relief washed over her when she saw the happy expression on Miguel's face.

"I'll leave you to it," Carmen squeezed Charlie's shoulder before making her exit.

Charlie stared at Miguel, unsure of what to do or say in this moment.

"You just gonna stand there all day, or are you actually gonna hug me?" Miguel let out a small laugh making Charlie physically relax.

Placing the gifts on his bed, she leaned down and gently wrapped her arms around him. Once they pulled away, he patted the side of the bed, gesturing for her to sit beside him, so she did.

Miguel's eyes fell onto her cast, a simple white canvas with only two signatures – one from Demetri and one from Alyssa. He studied it for a moment before meeting her gaze, "I-I had no idea."

"Dude, you were in a coma. How could you know?" Charlie chuckled softly, playfully ruffling his hair with her free hand.

Miguel leaned over, reaching for a pen on his table. Gently, he guided her arm onto his lap and proceeded to write temporarily out of service with stars around it. Then he signed off with get well soon, love miggy below it.

Charlie smiled as he returned her arm, sarcastically holding it up like a prize.

"So, what's it like being in a coma?" Charlie asked, curiosity got the better of her sometimes but she knew Miguel didn't mind.

Miguel shrugged, searching for the right words, "Weird. It's like I could hear everyone, but I couldn't feel them. It was like I was in this fight and I couldn't wake up until I won, you know?"

The girl nodded before leaning forward to grab the gifts she had got for him. "Well, coma boy, I have a little 'welcome back to consciousness' present for you. Reese's, because I know hospital food is pure torture. And my spare iPad, so you won't get bored."

Smiling down at her, Miguel switched on the iPad, his grin widening upon seeing a picture of him, Eli, and Charlie.

"You can keep it," Charlie offered, gesturing toward the device. "I don't need it anymore."

Resting his head against Charlie's, Miguel finally brought up the question that had been wanting to ask her since she got there, "How have you been?"

Charlie sat up slightly, her head dropping onto her lap as she thought on how to respond without burdening him with too much. "Okay, I guess," she began cautiously. "It hurt to see you not waking up, but I think I've been managing."

She didn't include the drinking, the countless tears, the nights she'd spent awake to avoid that hollow feeling she'd get when she remembered what happened.

Miguel seemed hesitant to accept her answer, knowing that wasn't all to it, but he decided to let it go. "And how's everyone else?"

"Well, Meat is thriving, getting a lot of popularity recently. Alyssa seems to be doing alright; she's been a great support for me. Aisha moved away, and I'm not sure where Tory has disappeared to. I haven't spoken to Sam much, she seemed to be struggling at first. But, I saw her standing up for herself today, so I think things are improving for her. And as for Robby . . . " Charlie glanced at Miguel, seeking permission to mention his name, ". . . he's still on the run."

Miguel nodded, realizing she had forgotten someone. He raised an eyebrow, "And . . . Hawk?"

Charlie stayed silent for a few seconds, it finally dawned on her. She had failed to check on him even once, despite him not being the one responsible for Miguel's fall. Ignoring his calls and trying to call Robby instead, she had been so selfish.

She was selfish. She was so insanely selfish. All that boy wanted to do was make sure she was okay and instead, she turned him away every single time.

After a few seconds she realised a tear had left her eye and she quickly wiped it away, replacing it with a smile, "uhm, he's good. Very, he's- he's good."

Miguel gave her a sympathetic smile and rubbed her back before she shook her head and turned her full attention to him.

"Okay enough about everyone else, how are you." She asked and the boy opened up to her, occasionally muffled by the reese's.

But she let him speak, she let him go on and on because hearing his voice was a relief. She'd gotten her Miguel back.

【☆】★【☆】

ON THE SECOND VISIT TO HER MOTHER, Charlie noticed a real change in her. Her mother's bloodshot eyes had cleared up, the slurred words were now clear. Monique was truly doing better.

As they sat together, Monique began to share about her experiences in addiction recovery meetings. She explained how she had made a new friend named Eliza.

Charlie couldn't help but smile at her mother's progress. "That's great, Mom. I'd love to meet her someday,"

Monique nodded, her excitement making her giggle, "Of course. I've also been talking with Shannon a lot. Seeming as we both have children with Johnny Lawrence."

Charlie chuckled before noticing her mother's concerned expression, "speaking of Shannon, why does she look so upset?" Monique asked.

Following her gaze, Charlie turned around in her seat and saw the blonde talking with none other than Daniel LaRusso.

Her eyebrows furrowed in surprise. "Daniel?" she muttered to herself.

Her eyes then landed on a figure sitting nearby, his back facing her. Though she couldn't see his face, something about his build seemed familiar. Suddenly, he tilted his head and she knew exactly who it was.

It was Robby.

Charlie's breath caught in her throat as she turned back to her mother. "It's Robby," she whispered.

Monique smiled and gently took Charlie's hands. "Go on, Charls. You can speak to him. We still have half an hour."

With her mother's encouragement, Charlie slowly stood up from her seat. Shannon and Daniel were still talking, giving her the perfect opportunity.

Her feet dragged beneath her, torn between staying true to Miguel and not interacting with the boy that literally put him in a coma, and the little girl inside her wanting nothing more than to see her brother.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Charlie cleared her throat, "Robby?"

He immediately spun around, his expression shifting from guarded to melancholic when he saw her. In an instant, he rushed towards her and enveloped her in a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder.

She we taken aback at first, but Charlie couldn't resist hugging him back. She squeezed him tightly, fearing that he might vanish if she let go. She could hear his muffled sniffling, which only made her hold on tighter.

When they finally pulled away, both of them had red eyes from crying. Charlie cupped Robby's cheeks, her gaze fixated on him. "You're here."

He nodded, and her eyes drifted to his hair, which looked different. She gently tugged at a strand, "Your hair . . ."

"I had to change my appearance somehow." Suddenly, the gravity of the situation hit Charlie. If Robby were caught, he would be sent to prison.

"Charlie?" a voice called from behind, and when she turned, it was Daniel LaRusso. She allowed Robby to spend a few more minutes with Shannon while she approached Daniel.

"What are you doing here? How did you know Robby was here?" Daniel's words spilled out rapidly, but Charlie simply shook her head.

"I didn't. I was here with my mom, and I saw him," she explained, "Why are you here?"

Daniel looked down, and Charlie could already guessed the reason. He was sending Robby off to prison.

Charlie nodded, and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you want to be here when it happens?"

She hesitated, stealing a glance at her brother before meeting Daniel's gaze. "Yes, I want to. It'll be the last time I see him for a while."

"Okay," Daniel replied with a gentle smile before returning to the table.

Shannon stood by Charlie's side, wrapping her arm around her shoulder, knowing that she was aware of what was about to happen.

Taking comfort in the blonde, Charlie rested her head on top of Shannon's. Shannon had always been good to her, even though she wasn't her biological child. She had shown Charlie the same love and care she gave Robby.

Suddenly, the sound of sirens filled the air, and Charlie's head shot up. She knew Robby had heard it too, as his guard went up once again. The look of betrayal on his face broke Charlie's heart, and it was enough to make more tears leave her eyes.

"You just kept me talking so I wouldn't leave." Robby scoffed, his eyes fixed on the officers approaching.

Daniel shook his head. "No, I was trying to help you."

Robby tried to make a run for it, causing Charlie to gasp, her hand flying to cover her mouth. The officers caught up to him and grabbed the boy with a firm grip.

They wrapped the handcuffs around his wrists and his eyes locked with Charlie's, a defeated look on his face. She slowly lowered her hands, offering him an apologetic look.

"I will visit you every day, I promise." Daniel pledged, as the police officers began escorting Robby out.

"Don't bother," Robby muttered, shaking his head, as he was forcibly dragged away.

As Robby passed by Charlie, she pulled him into one last hug, ignoring when the officers tried to separate them. She held him tightly for what felt like the last time, because maybe it was - she didn't know how long Robby would be put away for.

"Ma'am." one of the police officer warned, causing Charlie to reluctantly release her hold. She pressed a gentle kiss on Robby's forehead, allowing them to lead him away.

With Robby disappearing from her sight, Charlie exhaled deeply, her eyes tightly shut, and a tear falling down her cheek.

✧ • • 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 • • ✧ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

okay long one but I wanted to get the second episode all into one chapter

hope your enjoying so far

please comment and vote !