My Teenage Dream' Chapter 5
Breathe, Charles. Just breathe.
Charles knew he was hyperventilating. He was also aware of all the eyes on him, so, instead of going to his usual Math class, he ran to the men's washroom. Luckily, he found it empty. He walked to the mirrors, hands resting on the sink.
He just walked into Erik Lehnsherr. Again. But Erik felt nice, all carved and hard against his chest. And he smelt nice too, some spicy, exotic taste that he didn't recognise. And the way he was looking at him! Charles remembered, blushing again, as he replayed the morning.
He had walked into school, reciting Emma's tips like a mantra.
Ignore everyone, and move like you know a big secret.
So he had stayed quiet, even when he knew everyone was looking at him.
Keep your head high, and walk slowly. Or else you'd trip and fall, Charles.
Charles swallowed, doing his best to follow her instructions. But it was hard to ignore everyone's gazes when he knew they were looking at him. And pointing at him. And talking about him. By the time he reached his locker, he was aware of the small group of girls that had gathered behind him.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to face them.
"Hi, there," one of them said, and Charles recognised the blonde from his English class. He could see her heavy makeup and cleavage because of her low cut top, and Charles raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this against the dress code?
"I'm Stacey," she said, and before she could say anything else, "and I'm Mia," said another Brunette. Then there were more introductions, and Charles struggled to maintain a straight face.
Don't talk much, and when you do, talk like you're...talking to puppies and kittens. Or even books. Yes! Books! I know you love your books, Charles. So talk like you're talking to an age old book, yes?
"Nice to meet all of you, sweethearts," Charles said, and okay. Maybe that sounded too much like Emma, so he'd have to think about new endearments.
One of the girls gave a strangled whimper, and Charles caught a girl with short dyed bangs mouthing 'he's British, OMG!' to one of her friends.
"So... Are you new here?" The brunette asked. Charles wasn't sure what to say. If he said no, then that meant he'd have to reveal that he was the boring, old Charles, the one with glasses and sweaters, and he had a feeling that Emma wouldn't be happy about it. But if he said no, he'd be lying.
Fortunately, the blonde, Stacey, was it? Stacey interrupted her, saying, "Duh, have you seen him before, doofus? That obviously means he's new!"
Charles tilted his head. Okay, that was acceptable, currently.
Remember, books and puppies.
"Excuse me, ladies. But I have to go now. Maybe we could chat later?" He said, and without waiting for their replies, fled from the small group. He heard someone say, "wait, we didn't catch your name," but Charles had no intention of staying. He ignored them, hurrying away.
Woah. They didn't recognise him? They couldn't recognise him! Would no one regonise him? He saw Hank in front of him. As soon as their eyes met, Charles opened his mouth to call out to him, but Hank's eyes widened and he turned away, moving in the opposite direction.
Ok. Great. Did he not recognise him? Not even his best friend recognised him? What was he supposed to do? Would the teachers recognise him? And then, a strange thought occurred to him.
Would Erik recognise him?
Gripping his bag tightly, which he still wasn't accustomed to, he walked to his class, trying to maintain his postures and confidence. He tried to ignore the way some people were staring at him with their mouths wide open. The way some people did double take.
Keep calm Charles. I don't know, recite the Periodic table if you're tensed, okay?
Okay. Charles thought. He knew it was ridiculous...but, periodic table, yes?
Hydrogen -Helium -Lithium -Beryllium -Boron -
Good, just keep getting distracted. Charles started to calm down. And that's when he walked into Erik.
Erik's body was a nice weight on top of him. It was the smouldering gaze of his, that made Charles very self-aware. And then, even after pulling him up, Erik was gaping at Charles, and Charles wasn't sure what to do.
But then, there was this small, warm feeling in his chest. Erik had recognised him! Of all people, Erik Lehnsherr recognised him!
Erik apologised, and that gave Charles something to talk about. Oh, that's when he called Erik darling, and maybe it was too much(?) But it just felt right, and he wanted to do it again.
The bell rang, and was that disappointment or relief on Erik's face? Charles didn't know that, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to take it anymore. No more in the piercing gaze of Erik Lehnsherr, the way he grey eyes seemed to pierce straight through Charles' soul! And so, giving a weak goodbye, he ran away.
And here he was, alone in the washroom.
Collecting himself, Charles looked at his watch. Great, he was already ten minutes late for the first class.
Inspite of all that, a stupid smile remained on his face for the rest of the day. Erik had recognised him. And maybe even appreciated him.