Chapter Five

  Charlie

  April’s ex stares back at me with a mix of defiance and hatred in her gaze as I press a kiss to the top of April’s head. April flushes furiously, making me chuckle. “Anyways, Sophia, is it? What are you doing here?”

  Sophie rolls her eyes. “Sophie, no ‘a’. And I came to talk to Ari.”

  April speaks up. “I told you, my name isn’t Ari, please stop calling me that.” Sophie rolls her eyes, ignoring

  her.

  She continues. “Ari and I have a lot of history and-”

  “She told you to stop calling her that. Call her April or leave.” I cut Sophie off, gring at her.

  I don’t know why I feel so much anger toward this dy, but I’m not going to dwell on it now. She obviously hurt April, and I’m not going to let that stand.

  Sophie sighs. “Fine,” she rolls her eyes. “Anyways. April and I have a lot of history and I thought she might want to relive the good times with me. Y’know when someone wanted her.”

  April doesn’t respond, but I can see the hurt in her eyes at the st comment and it makes my blood boil. “Excuse me?” I gre at Sophie, pulling April closer. “What was that st part?”

  Sophie blinks. “Oh, you didn’t hear me? I said back when somebody wanted her. I mean, you’re obviously just toying around with her. She even said it herself, you’re way out of her league.” She shrugs as if what she just said wasn’t entirely offending and incredibly toxic. And for some reason, other than the obvious; that it’s a terrible thing to say, it makes my blood boil and I

  take a step forward, my hand curled into a fist.

  Instead, I take a deep breath and point

  towards the exit calmly. “You can leave now.”

  Sophie blinks, shocked. “I’m sorry?”

  I just stare back at her with a serene expression. “You heard me. Or is your toxicity plugging your ears? You. Can. Leave. Now.”

  Sophie gres at me, but complies, walking out the door. She stops just before the exit though, turning around. “This isn’t over April. You will take me back. Just like you always do.” She disappears around the corner.

  April takes a step away from me, turning away from me as she walks to the other side of the room. I watch her, curious as to what she’s doing. She le

  ans down and grabs a pocket knife, something I hadn’t seen earlier. She doesn’t say anything, but I’ll be damned if I let her leave without making sure she’s okay. “Flower. Flower. Flower,” She finally looks over at me the third time I call to her.

  “You don’t have to keep calling me that. She’s gone.” April says, not looking me in the eyes.

  “Well, I like it,” I scoff. “April showers bring May flowers. Either I call you Flower or May, and Flower seems to fit you a bit better.”

  She rolls her eyes but doesn’t protest against the nickname again. “Whatever.”

  She starts walking towards the door, but I catch her wrist gently, pulling her closer to me. I wrap my arms around her, loose enough she can escape if needed. She doesn’t move, and I smile, burying my face into her hair. “Are you okay?” I murmur into her hair, not moving.

  She doesn’t answer for a few seconds, just standing there. Is she letting me smell her hair or just thinking? “Yeah….I will be.” I chuckle quietly into her hair, still not moving and she doesn’t move either. We stand there together for a few minutes before I let her go, taking a step back.

  “Okay.” I nod, not looking at her again, fidgeting with my hands for a bit.

  “Okay.” I hear her say quietly and by the time I look back up, she’s gone. All that’s left of her is a note on the sink, hastily folded and scrawled on; yet still that perfect cursive handwriting of hers.