One-hundred sleepless nights

CHAPTER SIXTEEN sorry, i'll stop

"So where are we headed?" Charlie asked after we walked a few minutes in silence.
"Down to the subway station. my friends should be there and they can take us back to where they usually stay." i replied.
"Cool. so uh, what are they like?" He asked.
"Well first of all there's Maurice, he's funny. also most of us see him as the leader. he plays guitar. then there's Peter, quiet, kind, he plays guitar too.
Catherine, she's a dear. she helps out at one of the homeless shelters downtown. she plays violin. and old Bill, loud, opinionated Bill, you gotta love him though. he plays bongo drums." i said.
"So are you guys like, a band?" Charlie asked.
"I guess." i shrugged. "i sing with them. we play most days down in the subway station. tips from passersby get us enough to at least stay alive." i explained.
"Cool." He nodded and we kept walking.
I realized though, that i'd not let go of Charlie's hand after dragging him out of the park.
"Sorry i'll stop." i said quickly and let go as i glanced down at our hands.
"Its fine." he smiled a little and grabbed my hand again.
I liked that.
Was it wrong of me to like that?
"Should we stop for food on our way to the subway station?" he asked, obviously trying to make conversation.
"I can go for a while without food but if you're hungry grab the cash jar i took from Tom and feed yourself." i shrugged.
"I'll be alright." Charlie replied and we kept walking the rest of the way without saying anything.
Except for cursing the occasional stupid stranger who got in our way on the sidewalk.
"This way." i said and still held onto his hand as we pushed our way down through the station until i found my friends at our usual bench.
"Hey guys!" i said and set my cart next to the bench then let go of Charlie.
"Who's this fine young man?" Catherine asked and gave me a tight bear hug.
"This is Charlie. Charlie meet Catherine," i pointed to the smiled grey haired woman who'd just hugged me. "and Bill," i pointed over to the skinny man with black hair. "And Maurice," i pointed to the shorter friendly looking grey haired fellow.
"And peter." i pointed to the bald guy who was clearly closer to my age than anyone else there besides Charlie.
"Its lovely to meet you Charlie!"
Catherine smiled and gave him a very tight hug as well.
Peter just nodded slowly and smiled.
"So you've got a boyfriend now Angie?" Maurice laughed.
"Oh, no no no. Charlie's just my friend. who also happens to be really good at saving my ass." i said and probably blushed bright red.
"Pffft! nonsense girl, you were holding hands and have you seen the way he looks at you? THERE! he just did it. and the way you look at him?" Bill laughed.
"Guys... enough. anyway uh, how much have you played today? i was wondering if we could head back to the makeshift shack or the homeless shelter. i'm not exactly in perfect shape right now." i said.
"Well we haven't played too much but the shelter is open by now i'll make lunch when i get there." Catherine said.
"What do you think?" i asked and looked up at Charlie.
"Honestly you're friends are great but i wouldn't mind going back to the shelter." he replied and smiled a little.
As i opened my mouth to speak Bill muttered "just kiss her!"
"Bill shut up!" Peter laughed quietly.
"Lets go back then. I'll see you guys later. i said and pretended to ignore Bill.

Once we were out of the station Charlie grabbed my hand again.
"You dont have to hold my hand you know." i smiled.
"Sorry i'll stop." he replied and quickly let go.
"No its okay i'm just telling you. we wont get separated. i dont mind it at all i..." i trailed off.
"Okay." he said quietly and nodded as he grabbed my hand again.
Was it wrong of me to like this boy so much?
Did he like me?
Probably not. hell, i didn't even like myself. how could somebody else like me?
Neither of us said anything as i led the way to the shelter.
Just as Catherine said, the door was unlocked and we went in.
"So, theres bathrooms that way," i let go of his hand and pointed to my left down the hall. "sleeping quarters that way." i pointed to the hall straight ahead. "and when there's food its in there." i added and pointed towards the room on my right past Charlie.
"I think i'm going to shower first then see whats happening." He replied.
"Okay. i'll just put my cart in a sleeping area then take a shower myself. beware though, the showers in this shelter are like school showers. a bunch of stalls with curtains. i'll be extra careful not to look at you." i laughed.
"Well okay then." Charlie smirked and headed for the showers.
I grabbed my cart and wheeled it into one of the curtained sleeping areas with a bunk bed.
"Why do i like him so much? is it his hair? his eyes? his smile? his personality? everything? ugh!" i muttered as i grabbed a different pair of clothes and headed for the showers making sure to keep my eyes on the floor until i was behind my own curtain and wouldn't end up making things awkward between Charlie and I.