Mending a broken soul

N/B : Hey, guys. Sorry for not updating chapters as I promised. I've been busy lately. Thanks for over 20K views. I love you all. Levi and Charlotte will go premium next week.

Music recommendation : Pacify her by Melanie Martinez.

(Levi's POV)

I spent the rest of the afternoon hearing coach yell at the 11 of us that sunny afternoon. Nationals were up and all hands needed to be on deck.

He concluded his speech when Principal Atwood came along. 'Let's get the home, boys.'

'Yes, Sir.' The boys holler at coach and stand at ease for Atwood.

Atwood laughed. 'I'm no longer a soldier. Stand at attention.'

The boys laughed and so did I. Atwood was my favourite person in school after Little Layla.

'Jacob told me what happened. You okay?' asked Atwood.

'Yeah. I'm good.' I answered, looking away. That's when I found English. She was sheltered under an umbrella, watching another girl do jumping jacks. The other girl holds unto her and they collapse to the floor. I startle from my seat. What the actual fuck?

Atwood laughs and claps my shoulder. 'You've got 5 minutes to talk to your girlfriend.'

I watch him walk away before I run to where English was.

When I got there, she was laughing with the weird girl.

'What the hell are you doing?' I seem to have raised my voice at the other girl.

Charlotte stops laughing. 'What's your problem?'

I ignored her and caught her arm, pulling her up.

'Let go off me.' Charlotte pulled away from me. 'Come on, Josie. Let's go.' She didn't hesistate to pull Josie who gladly followed her. What the hell did I do?

****

(Charlotte's POV)

We both pulled to a stop and I let go off Josie's wrist. 'That jerk!'

'Charlotte, his girlfriend put your life in danger. I was there! How could he act like nothing happened?' Josie stands at akimbo and I heave a sigh.

What was I supposed to do now? Is there no one I can trust?

'Josie.' Adira hollered at Josie.

'Sorry. I've got practise for the nationals. Wanna come?' Josie asked.

'No, I'm good. Go without me.' I gave her a reassuring smile.

'You sure?' Josie reached out and caught my hands in hers.

'Yeah.' I pat her hand.

'Okay.' Josie leave with Adira.

I crumpled to the floor with my back to the wall. My face buried in my palm and I sobbed terribly.

Nothing ever goes my way, does it? Lin's got what she wanted. Sophie wants nothing to do with me. And now, I -

'Charlotte?' I hear a familiar voice call my name.

'Go away!' I yell at him.

'Please, talk to me.' He inched closer and I shake my head.

'Please, go away.' I sob more.

It's not use struggling. I let him pull my hand from my face. It's not Levi. It's Jacob.

'Are you okay, Char?' His brown eyes were filled with worry.

'I'm sorry.' Tears streamed down my face and I turn away but he pulled me into his arms.

'It's okay.'

I buried my face in his chest and wept. Leaving him to comfort me.

*****

(Levi's POV)

She keeps playing hard to get. What the hell's wrong with her?

'Yo Levi.' Andrew slaps my shoulder as he walked past me.

Something went wrong during Hide and Seek, didn't it? I know English avoids me on a regular basis but this time was different. She saw me like some disease. There was fear and anger in her eyes. What did Lenin tell her?

I heard sobbing sounds from the corridor and turn left. From where I stood, I could see Jacob embracing Charlotte. She was crying. What did he do?

'Yo Levi.' Andrew called back. 'You coming?'

'Yeah. Sure.' I followed him back.

Lenin is going to explain what the hell happened to Charlotte.

*****

(Jacob's POV)

In the history library upstairs Charlotte and I are having a conversation.

'A successful entrepreneur tired of the fast paced city life; takes on a secret identity as a chef by day, cooking up delectable dishes in a corner of town. One evening, his restaurant is discovered by a food critic, forcing the entrepreneur to confront his dual identity and fear of being loved. What do you think?' I had to grasp for breath. I had spoken so quickly.

A smile spread across her face. Charlotte is a good laugh. She knows how to laugh coz that's what she was doing.

'I can't believe you actually came up with that idea. You're surprisingly good.' She said.

'Thanks.' I feel heat creep to my face and neck.

'How will your novel end?' She picked up a stick of biscuit and took a bite, crushing it slowly. Now, I wish I was the biscuit.

I reply with a coy smile. 'Sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination.'

'Wow, look at you, Mr motivational speaker.' Humour sparkled in her eyes making her face more appealing and now, my heart is pounding in my chest. Blonde curls streak out from behind her ears and I fight the irresistible urge to put it back in place.

In the middle of our camaraderie, Levi interrupted.

'I hope you don't mind me barging in like this.' He said in his regular husky voice.

'Of course I mind!' Charlotte rolled her eyes at him. That's a first.

Levi said gently and I become scared. What happened? 'What did I do to you? If it's about the day I touched your lap, I'm sorry. You've borne a grudge with me ever since that day. Well, you always have.'

I looked between both of them. What's this tension I feel in the air? I'm definitely missing something, aren't I?

Charlotte shuffled away from him, casting him a glaring look.

'I want to talk to Charlotte.' Levi said. It sounded more like a command.

'I should go, Charlotte.' I tell her.

'No.' She refused.

Levi gave me a smug look and I turn to Charlotte. 'Yeah. Gotta run. I'll talk to you later.'

(Levi's POV)

'You're immature in so many ways.' Charlotte rolled her eyes at me again.

I take stock of the moment. Her expression might look stern but she was more cute than tough. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her eyes were red from crying.

'You're mad at me. Why?' I ask.

'Because you're so insignificant in the grandest scheme of things.' Charlotte retorts and turns to leave but I grab her wrist. 'Let me go.'

'No. You're my lover. You agreed, didn't you?' I guffaw, almost laughing. The thought of running my hand in her hair raked through me.

'Lover sounds a bit disconcerting. Don't you think, Levi?' Her accent becomes heavy this time but I love the sound of my name on her lips. Already desire was curling in my groin. Our gaze met and heat flushed through me.

Breaking out of the spell first, Charlotte pulls my hand off her wrist. 'I'm heading to class.'

'Do you hate me?' I didn't realise when I blurted out the question.

'God no! Who could hate such a person like you?' She began softly then her voice grew with rage. I knew she was being sarcastic. 'Hate you? I loathe you. Liking you is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.'

'Jesus Christ! Just tell me what I did dammit!' I yell.

Bold of her. She yells back. 'You're as cunny as a lawyer. And I hate lawyers. Those godforsaken criminals. It seems you'll grow up to be one.'

It was time for me to act blunt and American.

'Do you always yell? I hear it's bad for the heart.' I smiled to infuriate her and it worked. You could see her cute face redden.

'Yeah. I always yell. My father taught me to attack first and ask questions later.' Charlotte raised her voice. Before beating an unceremonious haste, she screamed at her. 'I hope you bake in the sun!'

That was a cute fit. Charlotte's the greatest mystery to solve. A hostile and an amusing young lady. I like my woman impossible to read. Makes me want to go after her more.