Chapter 6
The morning after the party was an interesting one, to say the least. Neil woke up with a massive headache to the birds chirping outside his dorm window, Knox was nowhere to be seen. Todd and Pitts woke up in their dorm, Pitts gave a small pity smile over to Todd who hated it more than anything. Charlie didn’t get much sleep, just tossed and turned the whole night. The two redheads in the Ravenclaw dorm woke up with the sun and were already finished with their breakfast and made their way to the greenhouse for a quiet study session.
Neil had decided to hangout with his housemates today because they were still riding their high from yesterday’s win. Unfortunately, for the rest of the boys, the Slytherins weren’t a quiet group and Todd and Pitts watched from their table as Neil was being praised.
“So annoying.” Knox mumbled as he threw himself down next to the shy blonde.
“Hey Knox.” Pitts smiled as he reached for the waffles that were in front of him. “Not up for celebrating?”
“No,” he shook his head as he piled food onto his plates. “Unfortunately for me, my friends are idiots.” He looked up to see Pitts and Todd looking at him. “Not you guys, obviously.”
“Geez, thanks.” Pitts rolled his eyes.
“Who are you talking about?” Todd managed to ask.
“Neil and Charlie.” Knox rolled his eyes and before the other two could ask why, Knox began explaining himself. “I just don’t get it, Neil lashing out at us last night was so unnecessary.”
You mean me, Todd thought.
And god forbid Knox for mentioning the red lipstick on Neil’s cheek last night.
“Yeah, but maybe he just had a little too much to drink.” Pitts shrugged.
“I don’t care, Pittsie.” Knox rolled his eyes again. “And then Charlie, how stupid could he be? To let Gloria of all people drag him away when he’s repeatedly told me he’s in love with someone else!”
“Wait, you know?” Todd snapped his head up to look at Knox who’s eyes squinted a little.
“Well, I mean he’s told me he’s in love with someone but knowing Charlie, it could be anyone.” He said carefully. “Why, what do you know Anderson?”
“I don’t know anything.” Todd shrugged and turned his attention back to his food.
“Have you guys seen Cameron?” Charlie threw himself down next to Knox, even bumping his arm slightly sending his food back down onto his plate. It took everything for Knox to not lash out at Charlie but he did not hide his annoyance at all.
“No, I haven’t.” Knox snapped back.
“I do believe he and Meeks are having a quiet study morning but I was instructed to not tell anyone where at.” Pitts smiled and Charlie groaned.
“Pitts!” Charlie threw a small piece of bread at the taller laughing boy.
“I’m not allowed to say!”
“By the lake?” Charlie asked even though he knew Richard would not want to be outside while everyone else would be.
“No.”
“The astronomy tower?”
“No.”
“The green house?”
“No.”
“Yes they are!” Charlie smiled.
“What? No they aren’t!” Pitts threw his hands up and managed to say with a mouth full of food. Charlie was always good at picking up when his friends were lying, they each had their little quirks.
“Your eyes went wide for a split second, you’re lying to me!”
“Okay and even if you were right, which you aren’t. Meeks specifically asked me to not tell you and who am I to go against my boyfriend’s wishes?” Pitts smiled snuggly, a small groan could be heard from both Charlie and Knox.
“Well, I have to speak with Cameron-“
“Cam doesn’t want to talk to anyone-“
“Well I’m not just anyone-“
“But to Cameron, you are.” Knox shrugged, stabbing at his food.
It stung Charlie hearing Knox say that. And he knew what Knox meant, Richard Cameron did not want to see anyone, no exceptions. Charlie Dalton was also not just anyone to Cameron but the boys didn’t know that.
“Well I’m sure you can talk to him in a bit.” Todd gave Charlie a small smile.
“Or have you considered doing your own homework?” Knox asked.
“This is about homework dumbass.” Charlie shoved him a bit. “I need to talk to him about the party.” Charlie said quickly before Knox could shove him back.
“What about the party idiot?”
“That’s none of your concern moron!”
“You guys make it my concern dummy!”
“Guys, stop, please?” Pitts laughed a little. “Cam wasn’t feeling the best this morning so a little quiet study sesh would be great for him!”
“But I need to talk to him.” Charlie sighed. The boys looked up at him, he never looked so serious. He was not smiling and his eyes looked sad. Charlie just moved the food around on his plate from one side to the other, he seemed almost sad.
“Fine.” Pitts reluctantly agreed. “But you didn’t hear it from me.”
“Thanks Pitts.”
The boys finished their breakfast and, without Neil, headed over to the greenhouse. It was bright outside, too bright and a lot of people were out too, just hanging out. It was warm. Laughter could be heard around the castle and people reading their books underneath the tall trees.
The boys opened the glass door quietly and made their way in, causing both red headed boys to snap their necks to see who it was. A small groan escaped from both of them but nobody else heard it.
“Pitts, I thought I told you-“
“I didn’t tell anyone, hun.” Pitts smiled, walking over before pulling Meeks into a hug.
“I figured it out.” Charlie shrugged, he still stood by the door, hands in his pockets as his attention shifted to Cameron. The two just looked at each other for a moment, it seemed like nobody else was in the room.
“Yeah Charlie wanted to talk to Cam.” Knox looked over to Cameron before taking a seat.
“Oh, screw me then.” Meeks shook his head before turning his attention back to his homework, Pitts let out a small laugh before pulling up a chair.
“Oh, okay.” Cameron stood up. All of his anger had melted off of him, he looked more confused than anything. But nonetheless he made his way over to Charlie, standing in front of the door. “We’ll be back.”
“So weird.” Knox muttered as the door shut.
“Charlie better not start any issues-“
“He won’t.” Todd told Meeks.
“Mm.”
“Are you mad at me?” Charlie asked the minute the two of them were outside the greenhouse. Cameron couldn’t ignore how shaky his voice was.
“No babe, I’m not mad. It was just hard for me to see you talking to her.” Cameron reached out to rub his shoulder.
“Nothing happened, you gotta believe me.”
“Charlie, I believe you. But it’s not easy when more than half the school is in love with you.”
That made Charlie laugh. “Yeah, but Cam, you know I wouldn’t do anything to harm our relationship. I literally can’t live without you anymore, I-“
“I know Charlie, I believe you. I’m not mad.” Cameron smiled. “Thank you for telling me.” The two of them continued walking.
It was easy between them, it was so nice when it was easy. Jealousy always visited like an old friend but loyalty never left their side. Charlie knew how anxious Cameron could get, and for good reason. Everyone did love Charlie Dalton, how could they not? The outspoken, confident, cute wizard was just so great.
Not that Richard Cameron didn’t have other admirers, Charlie just doesn’t talk about it.
“I just wish people knew about us, I hate hiding our relationship and I want to avoid jealousy between us.” Charlie whined, he repeated it like a broken record.
“We will, just gotta wait for the right moment.”
“I know.” Charlie shrugged.
“Also, what’s this plan of yours? Becoming animagi?” Cameron laughed, softly elbowing his boyfriend.
“It’s a great idea!”
“It is, it is.” Cameron laughed, slowly nodding.
“I would definitely be some type of dog.”
“I’d be a cat.”
“Also, did you feel the tension?”
“Between Neil and Todd? Yeah, definitely.”
“It’s gross.”
“Well, if only everyone can be as perfect as we are.” Cameron laughed loudly.
“Oh whatever.” Charlie smiled, gently shoving him.
“Let’s head back, I need to study.”