Falling Again

8

**PAST**

Charlotte poured some milk on her glass and sat on the couch. Today her mom was not well so she’s staying in-home, and her dad went for work. Charlotte suggested that she will skip her school today to look after her mom but Frances doesn’t like that idea.

Munching the apple, Charlotte reminded about Jaxson, his eyes gave a feeling that she couldn’t put in words. Yesterday after seeing his attitude she felt it’s better to never cross his path thinking he might be a bully.

Taking her bag, Charlotte came out of the house. Her mom was sleeping after taking her medicines so she didn’t disturb her. Listening to her favorite songs, she made her way towards school carrying an umbrella over her head as it’s mildly raining.

When she entered her class, Charlotte felt surprised to see her unoccupied place where she usually sits and her eyes landed on the seat where she sat yesterday and found Jaxson is sitting there.

Why did he decide to give my desk back? She thought and hesitantly walked there.

Noticing her presence, Jaxson turned his head to see her.

“You won’t sit here?” she asked removing her bag from her shoulders.

“No,” he replied and turned his face to the other side. She noticed his knuckles were bruised and his face is dull today.

“Thanks,” Charlotte smiled and sat happily on her seat. Minutes passed, their math teacher entered the class. Though Charlotte tried to put all her attention on the subject she senses something strange. Like someone is looking at her, and she knows that someone is Jaxson.

She doesn’t have that courage to turn and check him. But she couldn’t continue with this thought. So grabbing all her courage she turned to see whether her intuition is right. His eyes which are looking at her all this time suddenly shifted away once she turned. But Charlotte caught him at the right moment.

Then she couldn’t concentrate anymore and blankly sat there until her teacher left the class. Next is the biology class, she got up picking her books like the rest of others. She made sure that she shouldn’t look at his side.

When she was about to step away, “Charlotte,” Jaxson called her for the time. She doesn't know why she feels this way. Hearing her name in his voice is so sweet.

She turned and looked at him through her thin-framed glasses, “I didn’t bring my textbook. Will you share yours with me, today?” he asked.

“S-Sure,” she nodded her head and walked before him.

They sat side by side, this time Jaxson placed the book in the middle. Charlotte looked at him and he gave a small smile. Charlotte's heart pulsated seeing that. When he smiles he looks so handsome.

The class continued and Charlotte was quite uncomfortable. She has this increasing urge to talk to him, yet she’s afraid whether he will take that in a different way. After the class, they have study periods, mostly all her class students go outside to hang out with their friends. But Charlotte usually goes to the library to study. So today she decided to do the same.

She closed the book and saw Jaxson, “Thanks,” he said.

“No problem,” Charlotte mumbled in surprise and proceeded to leave.

“Where are you going?” he asked curiously.

“To the library,” she answered.

“Can I come with you?” he asked and Charlotte gasped.

“You… ah. Okay,” she nodded.

They walked to the library and Charlotte can’t control her mouth anymore after knowing that he’s interested to hang out with her.

“Do you like this town?” she asked.

“Yup,” he nodded.

“What happened to your hand? Did you practiced heavily yesterday?” she questioned but the next moment she thought why she even asked that.

“Not yesterday, today morning,” he corrected with a smile.

“Oh, put some medicine. Don’t leave it like that.”

“Sure,” he nodded.

“Will you always come to the library?” he asked.

“Yeah, this place is less crowded and I hate disturbances,” she answered.

“Am I disturbing you?” he asked suddenly.

“No, no. I didn’t mean like that. Some people will annoy me and they won’t come to the library. That’s why I come here,”

“Do you have bullies?” Jaxson asked.

“Yes, Beverly used to do it all the time and she won't come here,”

Jaxson didn’t reply and just nodded hearing the name properly.

“You are going to study?”

“No, I am going to sleep.” Hearing that Charlotte smiled and blushed as well.

As he said, Jaxson took a place at the corner and laid his head on the desk looking at the rain. Charlotte picked a few books that she needed for the assignments and came to the same desk. Time passed and she decided to take a break. She closed the book and looked at Jaxson who’s resting so peacefully. His wavy black hair glittered in the lights.

Charlotte smiled and thought whether he remembers their first meeting in the park. He looked kind of sad and weary that day. But now he looks tired.

Staring at him for some time, Charlotte laid on the desk as well remembering her mom. All her worries were about her mother, she wants, wishes and prays is that her mom should be cured soon. It’s so hurting to see her suffering in pain every day. Charlotte’s eyes eventually welled with tears. She closed her eyes and let her tears to slide down.

Jaxson got up when he inhaled Charlotte’s scent close to him. He saw her lying on the desk and also noticed her silent tears. She wiped it off as soon as it came out but seeing that Jaxson felt sorry for her. He can feel that she’s deeply hurt by something and he wanted to ask what it is. But then this hesitation blocked his way.

Yesterday night again he thought about Charlotte while he’s on the bed. He recalled the way she’s terrified to talk to him. He wanted to thank her for sharing her book but his ego doesn’t let him. But today he decided to be normal instead of looking at her like he’s going to murder her. Though she’s not very attractive, something has greatly pulled him towards her. He couldn’t figure that out and he couldn’t stop his heart either.

Charlotte got up and looked at Jaxson who’s watching her. Awkwardness mixed in the air and she smiled to hide it.

“It’s lunchtime right?” she asked, “Do you want to join me?”

“Yes,” he nodded and they both went to the cafeteria.

They bought food and settled in the empty seat. Munching the food in silence, they both exchanged glances unable to start a conversation.

This time, Jaxson was the first one to start a conversation.

“You don’t sit with anyone?” he asked.

“No, I used to sit alone. I like that way.”

“In my previous school, I used to sit alone too. I don’t have friends there,” he said

“We both are same,” she smiled.

“Yeah, that’s true,” he agreed, nodding his head. But they don’t know they both were same in the way they were hurt inside.

“You’re good in academics, am I right?” he asked.

“Hmm, yes kind of,” Charlotte agreed.

“That’s great,”

“How long are practicing boxing?”

“It’s been a year now,” “But I need to practice a lot,” he added.

“Don’t worry, you will be the best one day,” Charlotte assured.

When they were conversing, Beverly saw them. She came to Charlotte and her, “Hey loser,”

Charlotte turned and was scared when Beverly took her glasses.

“Give it back,” Charlotte asked politely.

“Oh, you want this?” Beverly mocked her.

“Okay go and take it,” telling that she threw her spectacles near the dustbin. Charlotte's eyes welled in tears and walked there to get it.

“Why did you done that?” Jaxson got up pushing his plate aside. His eyes were clouded in rage and he glared at Beverly.

“Apologize to Charlotte,” he ordered.

“Wow. I thought that nerd doesn’t know anything. I am impressed,” Beverly asked, “Can’t you find any better girl to hang out with.”

“That’s none of your business. Now apologize to Charlotte or else I won’t think much to throw a punch on your pretty face,” he startled her.

Beverly gritted her teeth and found there’s no other option than doing what he has told. Because she found there’s a determination on his face and she doesn’t want anything to happen to her beautiful face.

“Alright, I am sorry nerd. You won this time,” Beverly told and walked away.

Charlotte agape seeing the entire thing that happened in front of her. No one ever defended her in this school and Jaxson was the first one and the unexpected one.

“Is it alright, your glasses?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Charlotte nodded and looked around to find everyone staring at them. She felt afraid by this sudden attention and thought what everyone is going to think about her and Jaxson.

In that confusion, she couldn’t thank Jaxson. They went back to their class and Charlotte found everyone’s eyes were on them. She doesn’t like this attention and stayed quiet by not turning to Jaxson’s side for the rest of the day.

Avoiding him won't give anything but at that moment she does that to escape from her growing feelings. At the end of the day, Charlotte walked out of the class without telling bye to Jaxson who gazed her in surprise.

Carrying the umbrella above her head, Charlotte made her way out of the school. But she stopped in the middle thinking that she shouldn’t act this way to someone who’s been nice to her. It’s not Charlotte’s fault because she felt afraid when someone takes her side like she’s carrying them in her shoulders, it’s like a burden. But she identified how great that was.

So she turned to find Jaxson. But to her surprise, he came in front of her riding his bike. “You left without telling anything,” he told. “You don’t want to talk with me?” he asked. Charlotte held the umbrella also for Jaxson.

“No, it’s not like that,” she nodded looking down.

“Then why you didn’t look at me?”

“Because I am scared,” she muttered.

“Why?”

“No one ever has done that to me, so I felt tough to accept it,” she answered honestly.

“You know what, I never have done that to anyone,” he confessed looking at her eyes.

Charlotte’s heart raced as she observed his eyes. “I am sorry.”

“No, don’t be. Even if I was in your place, I would have done the same,” he told and started walking along with Charlotte.

The beautiful rain, her pounding heart, and this good guy made Charlotte blush and as well as pushed her to break her first boundary for an everlasting relationship.

“Jaxson?”

He turned and looked at her.

“Shall we be friends?” she asked.

Jaxson was first taken aback but then his lips curled in a smile.

“Sure, I am honored to be your friend,” he made her smile with his statement. That’s the most genuine smile they both had after a long time and they can never forget that.