𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 - 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗢𝗗𝗞𝗔 𝗘𝗬𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗦

•••

It had started raining the moment I left the house, but it was only a trickle and I thought I'd be able to make it to school before it'd start to properly rain. But oh boy was I wrong, the heavens had opened up five minutes later and I was already late so the option of turning around and grabbing a coat or hoodie was a no.

My shirt was starting to become see-through and my hair sticking to my face. I'm positive I resembled a drowned rat, and it was NOT a good look.

The sound of a car honking caught my attention as it cut through the blaring sound of music from my earphones.

It was charlie and he had pulled over, popping the passenger door open for me to hop in.

"You're a life saver" I smiled at him, whilst pulling off the hair that was stuck to my face. He sent me a heart warming smile as his blue eyes looked even more electrifying than usual.

"Geez, you look like shit"

"Oh wow, thanks" i mutter sarcastically "i feel it too"

"Whats up? Did you get sick? I told you to put a hoodie on the other night"

It was true, when we had got in the car to leave Ihop, i had began shaking but i was positive that it was from the sugar and I didn't even feel cold so i refused to put on my hoodie. We didn't get home til four am and Charlie had offered to stay over but I insisted that i was okay for the couple of hours before i had to get up for school.

"No no, I'm fine, it's just I've had literally two hours sleep and haven't slept off my sleeping pills plus they react with my migraine medication so I'm kind of tripping balls right now" i said, resting my head back on the seat and almost instantly falling asleep, my statement earning a light-hearted chuckle from Charlie.

"Wow, are you sure you want to go to school? I can drop you back off home"

"No it's okay, need to keep my attendance up anyway"

"Okay well just text me if you feel like you need to go and I'll drive you" he offers me a small smile which I had barely seen through my half closed eyelids.

I hadn't even realised we was already parked in the school car park.

"Come on munchkin, here, put this on" he tossed me his hoodie from the back seat, for which i was grateful for because my shirt was still transparent.

Pulling it over my head, I was engulfed with Charlies scent, a scent I thoroughly enjoyed. It was warm and musky with notes of dry cedar and if you paid close enough attention, weed too since he probably smoked it sometime whilst wearing this hoodie.

Charlie got out the car, walked around and opened the door for me and grabbed my backpack too, causing even more people to stare at us.

This isn't going to help my situation at all.

Walking through the school's entrance, Charlie shot me a warm smile which could make any girl weak in the knees, handing me my backpack back, we went our separate ways.

Walking to my locker was slightly awkward, people were still gawking at me and it was getting tiresome.

"What!?" I turned out, snapping at those who were yet to resume what they were doing before I entered. This seemed to snap them out of whatever Charlie induced trance they were in.

The bell had just went but I was in no rush to get to class as of right now.

My attention was caught when I heard someone clearing their throat from behind me, turning around I was greeted by Scarlet.

My least favourite girl in school.

"Can I help you?" I asked in a clipped tone, making it clear from the get-go that I wasn't interested in whatever bullshit she was about to spew.

"Yeah you can actually" she gave me a sickly sweet smile, making me roll my eyes. "You can stop whoring around with Charlie, he doesn't even know your name, I'm just looking out for you, you're embarrassing yourself"

Taking a deep intake of hair, I fought the urge to roll my eyes again "You're actually delusional, you know that right?" I sigh at her pathetic high school drama.

"Don't call me delusional, I'm just telling you what everyones thinking"

"Scarlet, babe. I'm not whoring around with anyone, I'm not like you"

"Excuse me? Well can you at least stop telling everyone you're sleeping with him, he wants me!" Her shrill voice starting to get on my nerves as she stepped toe to toe with me. "He wouldn't want a girl like you" she spat.

Was she really brave enough to try something? Probably not, but she did have a psychotic side.

"Are you actually that dense? You're the one who told everyone that we was sleeping together and don't flatter yourself. He wouldn't even want to breathe the same air as you let alone bed you" I say, as i walk past her nudging her in the shoulder.

Just as she was about to say something, I cut her off " And don't tell me to stay away from Charlie"

What a bitch.

She's always been absolutely obsessed with Charlie since she first set eyes on him on the first day of ninth grade.

I remember the moment she went over to him and he looked around for his right hand man, Noah to help shake off Scarlet.

It was actually kind of funny to watch him look around in horror and anyone with eyes could tell he wasn't even remotely into her. Apparently she didn't get the memo though.

The day had flew by and nothing interesting had happened despite my little run in with Scarlet. The fact that she had the nerve to pretend I was the one telling everyone I was sleeping with him when it was in fact her who told everyone he came to my house one night, it was actually laughable.

I wasn't exactly bothered about everyone believing I was sleeping with Charlie, quite frankly because none of the girls in that school had come close to doing so.

And I couldn't be bothered to fight the rumours, it was just unnecessary drama.

Although I did occasionally wish that I didn't have to keep my friendship with Charlie a secret. I wish that we didn't always have to drive an hour or more out of town for fries and I wish that we didn't have to look away after we briefly made eye contact in the hallways and keep our smiles directed at one another small.

It's emotionally draining.

I wish we could be together more in and outside of school.

Speak of devil and he shall appear, I guess.

There was only one place we'd be going on a Friday night.

The tracks.

I threw on a pair of mom jeans, an oversized vintage flannel over my Calvin Klein bralet, leaving my hair like it was, quickly re-powdering my face because I still had my makeup on from school, brushing on a coat of lipgloss and sliding on my airforce.

The tracks was one of my favourite places to go with Charlie. Everyone knew us there and unless you was new or thick in the head you knew not to cause trouble, especially were it concerned Charlie or I.

The races have been happening since the ninties, they were created by our parents, my dad and his friends in particular and unless you were talented or had close family or friends who took part in the races you probably didn't know about them.

Charlies horn cut through my thoughts, grabbing my phone off the bed, I ran down the steps, giving Romeo and Prince a treat before leaving.

Sliding into Charlies Chevrolet I gave him a grin, seeing that he was wearing an outfit that I had previously told him would look good. It was a simple outfit, a white Guess X a$ap rocky crewneck with black ripped skinny jeans and old skool vans but his tall build and tattoos made the outfit look good.

"Taking fashion advice from the best i see" i said, playfully cocking an eyebrow up at him.

"It's mediocre at best" he practically drifted off my front drive and around the corner, speeding his way to the tracks which were about thirty minutes away but from the way he's driving we could easily make it in less than twenty.

I grabbed the wheel and shook it, swerving the car side to side. Charlie swerved the car back into a straight line and gave me a "really" look before laughing with me.

The tracks was truly like a scene from The fast and The furious. Nine times out of ten it took place out in open desert fields, with wooded areas that provided sharp corners but occasionally it took place in the river basin because the river was mostly dried up, it made a perfect track for drag races.

Tonight we was heading to the fields, and you could hear the music already.

I had been to the tracks quite a few times, Charlie didn't take me every time he went. Before we got out the car he grabbed my arm stopping me.

"What?" I ask, quickly, eager to get out and feel the buzz that courses through the air.

"Just so you know, some of my friends, my team are here."

"Okay? And?" I knew he had a team, a couple of people who he hustled on the side with, Ive never personally met them but I knew of them.

"One of thems Noah, from school"

"Makes sense, he is your best friend"

"You're not mad? You're taking this better than I thought you would" he looked confused almost, and i knew why, he thought I'd freak out about Noah knowing about our friendship.

"Why would I be mad? It's just Noah and whoever, I'm really not that bothered about him or anyone for that matter knowing about our friendship anymore" I shrugged, getting out the car.

"You're positive?" He said, looking over the roof of the car to me.

"Positive, now come on" raising my voice a little and running around to grab his hand, tugging him along with smiles gracing both of our faces.

I could spot Noah from a mile away, he was tall and broad, not Charlie level of tall but still tall. He had ginger hair and soft brown eyes, his boyish looks definitely made him popular but it was definitely his build and aura that attracted the girls. The boy next to him was possibly the complete opposite of him, he was pale, tall and slender with white blonde hair, it wasn't until we was closer that I could tell his eyes were a piercing blue colour.

Charlie gave Noah a bro hug and then the same with the other guy. That weird handshake hug thing guys did was always interesting to watch.

"Noah, you know Nyx"

"Yeah, nice to see you here" he stuck his fist out for me to to do the same, giving him a curt nod.

"Nyx, this is Harvey"

"Hey" Harvey smiled at me so I returned the favour.

"Harveys the mechanic and the dealer, Noah dabbles in dealing too"

"Go figures" I mumbled, smirking at Noah as he stared at me, obviously still shocked to see me here. "Stop looking at me like that, this isn't my first time here Noah" I laughed

"What?" He sounded shocked almost, turning to Charlie.

Harvey had started conversation with me whilst he looked over Charlies car. Whilst I was multitasking to keep the conversation with Harvey and listen to Charlie and Noahs conversation.

So far I could make out that Charlie was explaining we've be best friends since way back, and that he's come here with me loads of times and that I was in fact that girl who everyone knew around here.

Noah looked shocked to say the least.

"So you and Charlie huh?" Harvey asked, leaning against the hood of the car whilst I pulled myself up onto it to sit down.

"Just friends" I muttered.

"I wouldn't be so sure, you two are quite the dynamic duo from what I hear around the tracks"

"Believe me, according to most people at school, he would never go for someone like me"

"Yikes, I take it that you're not a fan favourite" he chuckles.

"Clearly not, not as if any of them have gotten within a 1 mile radius of his bed anyway" I roll my eyes.

"And you have?" He quirked an eyebrow up at me.

"Babe, I chose that bed for him, it's more my bed than it is his" it was true, I helped him redesign and decorate his room at fifteen when he finally outgrew the boyish blue walls and footballs stacked up on the walls.

"Put the claws away tiger" he laughed.

"Sorry, I'm just tired"

"Tired of people assuming that he would never go for someone like you because he's everything everyones ever wanted and well you? You're just dull?"

I stared at him shocked for a minute. "Okay, ouch"

"but yes, how'd you know?"

"Well considering how much you two have come here, from what I've heard, yet he's never introduced me to you himself, I assumed no one else knew" he looked over to a confused looking Noah and a annoyed Charlie "clearly Noah didn't"

"He obviously didn't expect it either" i said rolling rolling my eyes before letting out a light laugh.

I shouldn't be surprised that he's surprised really.

A few minutes later Noah and Charlie came back over to us and gave me an awkward hug, telling thank-you for keeping Charlie sane and alive over the last ten years. It wasn't as sentimental as it sounds, trust me. He said it with a sarcastic voice and a playful smile.

Watching the three of them during the races was like watching an operation. Tedious and well thought out. Charlie drove and won, Noah would hassle people to up their betting money, and he would sell with Harvey.

Charlie only raced a handful of times tonight, earning a couple grand give or take a few, still remaining the undefeated champion of the tracks.

It's been a 2 year old tradition that everytime he defends his "title" we'd drink to celebrate. Sometimes if I weren't there at the races with him when he did win, he'd come over later that night with a bottle of liquor or two and we'd share it.

And tonight was no exception, with Harvey and Noah in tow we drove back to Charlies house.

Charlies room was one you'd see on someones pinterest board for bedroom designs. With an exposed brick wall behind his king sized black suede ambassador bedframe, grey, white and black bedding and pillows, there was a small bedside table either side and a large Banksy canvas print above the bed on the wall. He had industrial black metal lamps and lighting fixtures, with black curtains that covered the huge double doors that opened out onto his balcony.

Like I said, they definitely don't struggle with money.

My favourite part of his room was the large bookshelf and storage unit with the tv encased in the centre. He didn't have many books but there was framed photos and photo albums, on the shelves. A whole photo album made by the two of us.

Opening one of the cupboards in the storage unit, which was actually a mini fridge, Charlie pulled out a bottle of jack daniels, some vodka, coke and apple juice.

He handed me the vodka and apple juice, knowing that it was one of my favourite combinations if we was drinking at home.

Noah gave me a funny look which i just cocked an eyebrow up at him, challenging him.

In returned he just laughed

"Didn't picture you as a drinker"

Before i could even comprehend what he had said, Charlie busted out into a fit of laughter " you have no idea" he said, choking it out between laughs.

"I am not that bad" i demand, crossing my arms and stomping my foot like a child

"Oh yeah? What about the vodka eye-baths"

Noah and Harvey gawk at me whilst i go in red in embarrassment as Charlie laughs ever harder.

"Its not as bad as it sounds" i say to them both as they start laughing at me, joining in with Charlie.

Charlie slung his arm over my shoulders, pulling me close to him, "and don't think I've forgotten about your little fight over me in the hallway" he whispered into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

•••

Nyx's outfit without the flannel.

A/N: Lmao how the fuck do you deal with heartbreak???