Code Of Life

Chapter 9

"Hey, you'll be fine. Don't worry about it".

"I know, but it's not that easy. Do you know how hard it is for me to do this. I'm falling really behind in English", I whined.

Henry looked at me and shook his head.

"Do you want me to tutor you? Would that help you?"

"If you want, but will you have enough time to?"

"Hey! Do you want me to or not?"

"Yes, please. Thank you".

I reached over and hugged him, but as I was letting him go one of my fingers caught one of my bracelets and broke it.

I watched as the beads rolled in every direction on the floor.

"Dang!", I called out then started crawling on the floor to retrieve them.

"Charlotte? Can I ask you something?"

"Yea, go ahead", I said while crawling on the floor to pick up the beads.

"Why do you wear so many bracelets on your arm?"

I immediately froze in place.

"Why not?"

"Well, for one you only wear them on one arm".

"So?"

"And two, you have about twenty to thirty bracelets on it".

"Still, so?", I said getting up and sitting back down on the chair.

"Can I see them?"

"No!", I replied to him, a little too quickly.

"Why not? I won't break or steal any of them".

I knew what he was trying to do and it worried me.

My bracelets were the only things that kept me sane. They stopped me from cutting at times. I don't know what I would do without them.

He quickly grabbed my hand and began rolling down my bracelets.

I yanked my hand away from him. "What's your problem! I told you no!", I yelled at him with rage.

"I'm sorry, but I think I saw tan stuff on your arm though".

I felt my vision blurring up as I stood up to leave.

Henry got up behind me and instantly, I knew that he had figured it out.

I turned towards him and he embraced me into a warm hug.

"It's okay. I won't tell or judge you", he cooed.

I stood there crying on his shoulder as I placed my hands on his chest.

I never wanted him to find out this way.

~•~

I woke up in tears with Henry by my side.

I breathed with relief, and realized that he never left.

We were laying on my bed, my head on his chest as he slept.

I looked over at my window and saw that it was dark out.

I tightened my grib around him as another tear escaped and a whimper was released.

I felt so safe in his arms and I never wanted to let go.

"Char? It's going to be okay", Henry said surprising me as he rubbed my back.