Chapter Text
Nick fastened the last button on his shirt and glanced at the mirror, chuckling to himself as he pulled on his waistcoat. Tonight was Harry Greene’s so-called “Epic Hallowscream Bash.”
Nick had been skeptical from the start. It was no secret Harry was a complete bellend. Nick didn’t have much time for him—especially after how he treated Charlie last term—but Harry was popular. Which meant the entire school would probably be there. And if Nick didn’t show up, he risked being branded a loser.
Which he definitely didn’t want.
Besides, Charlie wanted to go—something that had surprised him at first. But all their friends were going, and it had been Darcy’s idea to do themed costumes. They each wrote down a movie, tossed it into a bowl, and agreed to dress up as characters from whichever one got picked.
Toy Story won.
Nick wasn’t too mad about it. His costume could’ve been worse. Woody the cowboy wasn’t the worst thing in the world—especially with Charlie going as Buzz Lightyear. Tara was Jessie, Darcy went all-in as Bullseye, Imogen was Bo Peep… the list went on. He chuckled to himself as he adjusted the cowboy hat on his head, just as his mum, Sarah, poked her head around the door.
“All set, Nicky?” she asked with a smile. “Great costume!” She clapped her hands together, beaming.
Amazon Prime had saved the day when Nick left everything to the last minute.
“Thanks, Mum,” he said, grabbing his phone and wallet from the side table. “Yeah, just about.”
“You need to eat something first.”
“Mum, it’s a party. There’ll be food,” Nick groaned, rolling his eyes. “Nick.” Sarah crossed her arms. “That’s non-negotiable. I’ve popped a pizza in the oven. You’ve got plenty of time before we pick Charlie up anyway.” Nick sighed but nodded. “Fine,” he muttered, splashing on some aftershave before heading downstairs. He gave Nellie a quick scratch behind the ears as he passed.
Turned out, he was hungry. He polished off four slices of pizza in minutes while Sarah watched with a fond smile. “All your friends going to this party?” she asked casually. Nick wiped his mouth and nodded. “Yeah, most of them.”
“The rugby boys?”
“I know Sai, Otis, and Chris will be there,” he said, reaching for another slice.
“Will there be alcohol?”
Nick shrugged. “It’s a sixth-form party, Mum. Probably.”
“Nicky…”
“I’m seventeen,” Nick sighed. “And the legal drinking age is eighteen in this country,” Sarah pointed out with a smirk. “Muuum…” Sarah Gave him a serious look “I’m sure I can trust you to be responsible?” Nick nodded. She didn’t really mind him having the odd beer now and then, but she always liked to remind him who was boss.
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“Your costume is so good,” Charlie said with a smile from the backseat of Sarah’s car. “Not as good as yours,” Nick smirked, glancing at his boyfriend’s outfit. “I still can’t believe we let Darcy talk us into this,” Nick chuckled.
“I know. It’s going to be so embarrassing,” Charlie groaned, hiding his face in his hands. “I’m sure we won’t be the worst-dressed there.”
Harry’s house was massive—not surprising, considering his parents were loaded. They were the kind of rich snobs who let their kid throw a party just to get him out of their hair.
“Oh my God, you’re here!” Darcy shrieked when she spotted them, practically tackling both of them in a bone-crushing hug. “Hey!” Charlie laughed, pulling back. “Okay, hands down—you win best costume,” he said, admiring her Bullseye getup. “Wait till you see Tao’s Mr. Potato Head,” Darcy grinned.
“Howdy, partners!” Tara skipped over, her Jessie costume almost matching Nick’s. “You guys look amazing!” she beamed.
Sahar bounced up behind her, dressed as one of the three-eyed aliens. “I say we all drop to the floor every time Harry walks in,” she giggled. “That’s an amazing idea!” Darcy whooped, punching the air.
Nick laughed. “I think we might get some weird looks.” “Who cares? It’s Halloween,” Darcy shrugged.
“True,” Nick nodded, glancing at Charlie, who had suddenly gone quiet, his eyes locked on something in the distance.
“Char? You okay?”
Charlie blinked, breaking out of his daze. He took a deep breath and looked at Nick.
“Ben’s here.”
Nick felt his heart plummet into his boots. He whipped his head round to see Ben in the corner of the large room. He wasn’t in a costume, obviously far too cool to make a fool of himself, he was dressed in black with a leather jacket. His hair was a little longer than Nick remembered. He was currently talking to a group of girls, his charming smile seeming to be working wonders on them all. Before Nick had a chance to comment, bens gaze snapped over to his and they locked eyes. Nick glared, Ben took a swig of his drink, his eyes not leaving Nicks.
Nick looked over to Charlie who had gone pale. He grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Hey, you want to leave?”
Charlie shook his head, a determined but nervous look in his eyes. “No. I said all I wanted to say to that waste of space at Elle’s exhibition. Let’s just have fun together.” Nick searched his face, “are you sure? I’m more than happy to go home and watch a movie or something.” Darcy and Tara nodded, “definitely. So long as we all hang out I don’t care what we do.” Tara answered for the group. Charlie smiled, he was so lucky to have found such an amazing group of people. There was no way he was going to be the reason they didn’t get to enjoy the party. “I’m sure.” He said, “it’s a big house I’m sure we can just stay out of his way.”
Nick wasn’t convinced but he trusted Charlie.
They made their way through the maze of rooms to the kitchen where there was a huge selection of drinks laid out on the large island in the middle. Nick grabbed a cider for him and Charlie and handed him the bottle. They clinked them together and cheers’d before both taking a long drink. Alcohol was still quite new to them both and Nick had no intention of getting wasted tonight, but seeing Ben had thrown him and he felt he needed to take the edge off his nerves. He drained the bottle and reached for another. “Hey,” Charlie touched his shoulder, “you ok? You drank that quickly.” He had barely taken his first mouthful and was surprised to see Nick reaching for a second already. “Yeah I’m fine. Just thirsty. Shall we go find the others?” He pushed off from the worktop and made his way out of the room. Charlie followed behind him. He felt on edge too, so he understood how Nick was feeling. Seeing Ben again after so long brought back a lot of feelings. He scanned the room, relieved when he couldn’t see him anywhere.
Tara and Darcy were dancing chaotically in the middle, beaming at each other and looking like they were having the time of their lives. Tao and Elle were in a corner, heads close together as they chatted. Charlie turned to Nick, “shall we dance?”
Nick grimaced, “Charlie, I’m so crap at dancing.” He whined. “You go join them, I’ll be just over there,” he gestured to the wall where a few of the rugby lads were chatting. Charlie knew Nick felt self conscious about dancing so he didn’t push it. He made his way through the throng of people towards his friends in the middle. “Charlie warlie!” Screeched Darcy, pulling him close and jumping around him. Charlie laughed and joined in.
Nick watched from the side. He couldn’t relax knowing Ben was here. He drained his second bottle and set off in search of both the bathroom, and then a third drink. He was starting to feel a little buzzed. Being a 6 foot tall, rugby lad, it took a few drinks to get him actually wasted. But he was drinking them very quickly so could feel the effects beginning. After eventually finding the toilet, and grabbing a drink he went back to his spot at the wall, his eyes searching for Charlie amongst the dancers. He couldn’t see him. Tara and Darcy were still there, shrieking with laughter. But Charlie wasn’t there. He looked over to Tao and Elle, he wasn’t there either. Downing his drink and leaving it on the floor he went quickly over to Tara. “Where’s Charlie?” He shouted, trying to be heard over the thumping music. “He went looking for you,” Tara replied, eyeing Nick warily. “You ok Nick? You look a bit……”
“ I’m fine,” he said quickly and headed off to look for Charlie.
He searched upstairs bedrooms with no luck. He tried all the different bathrooms, but he was nowhere. Eventually he made his way into the garden, where the terrace area had been decked out in fairy lights. It was quieter out here and a few people were hanging out, smoking, chatting. Nicks eyes searched for Charlie but he couldn’t see him.
Until he did.
He watched in disbelief as he saw Ben, up in Charlie’s face. They were talking. He couldn’t make out what they were saying. Ben was gesturing with his hands, which were far too close to Charlie for Nicks liking. He stumbled quickly over. “Hey,” he shouted, causing both Ben and Charlie to look over. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Nick, it’s ok,” Charlie tried to take his hand. He could see how angry he was. “I was handling it.” Nick wasn’t listening though. He was staring at Ben, anger coursing through his veins. “What the fuck are you doing talking to Charlie?”
Ben scoffed. “Here comes caveman Nick. I’m allowed to talk to him you know. You don’t own him.” He sneered, “we were just catching up. I was telling him how I came out at my new sixth form.” He looked over at Charlie, “Charlie you could do so much better than this brain dead rugby lad, who…” he wrinkled his nose in mock disgust, “is wasted.”
“I’m not drunk you dick. I know I don’t own him, but you need to stay the hell away from him.”
“Or what?” Ben laughed. He swung his arm around Charlie’s shoulder who immediately shrugged it off. “Ben, what the fuck.” He watched Ben’s smug face, realising that everything they’d been chatting about was a lie.
Charlie had actually been stupid enough to think Ben had changed. When he’d found him in the garden while he was looking for Nick he’d been worried. But Ben had sounded so sincere. He was making an effort to live his life truthfully, Charlie was pleased for him. He didn’t want to be his friend, he’d never forgive him for what he did but he was genuinely pleased to know that Ben wanted to atone for his past behaviours. That he had changed. But obviously that was just a lie to try and get back in Charlie’s good books again. “Ben, just leave us alone ok? We want to enjoy our night. I’m glad you are happier now, but it doesn’t need to involve us.” Charlie tried to grab Nicks hand to leave the area. He had an uneasy feeling about it. Nick looked angrier than he’d ever seen him. As he turned to leave he felt Ben pulling his shoulder back. “Come on Charlie, after everything I’ve told you. You are going to just walk away?”
“Take your hands off him.” Nick hissed. He was so angry he saw red. He pushed Ben square in the chest, causing him to let go of Charlie and stumble back into the table behind him. Nick squared up to him again, fist raised, ready to punch. “Babe no!” Charlie shrieked. “He’s not worth it.”
Nick took a breath, and focused on Charlie. He was right, of course he was. Ben just made him so angry. He gave him a small nod and lowered his arm. Charlie breathed a sigh of relief. He took hold of his hand and started to lead him away.
“Oi. Nick.” Nick turned towards Ben.
To Charlie, it happened in slow motion.
Nick turned towards Ben.
Ben’ sneering face as his fist collided with Nick’s cheek.
The look of surprise on Nicks face as he registered too late what was happening.
Charlie watched him stumble backwards, arms flailing as he crashed down to the ground, his head hitting the side of the table. Hard. He landed with a thud on the hard tiles.
“Oh my god Ben what the fuck!” Charlie was on his knees next to Nick, who was laid down, cradling his face. Ben shook out his fingers. “You two deserve each other,” he grumbled as he walked away quickly. A few other party goers who had witnessed the altercation came over to check on Nick.
Charlie was searching Nicks face. He had managed to sit himself up and was gingerly poking his cheek. “You ok?” He whispered.
Nick did not feel ok. The three drinks in his system were threatening to make a reappearance. He felt sick, dizzy and his head was pounding. He looked up at Charlie, why were there 3 of him? How hard had Ben punched him?” Slowly he felt the back of his head, where he had hit the table on the way down. His fingers felt the wetness of blood. Shit. “Charlie?” He slurred as he tried to speak. He could see that Charlie was talking to him but he sounded like he was underwater. A garbled weird distorted sound. He tried to reach him but his hands and arms weren’t cooperating.
Charlie saw the blood coating Nicks fingertips. He could see Nick was trying to talk but his words were coming out slurred. His eyes were unfocused and his arms were flailing. This was bad. Really bad. “Nick, I’m here sweetheart. Just stay still ok, I’m going to sit you up on this chair.” He tried to lift Nick up but he was a dead weight. “Someone help me?” One of the lads nearby tried to lift Nick. He grabbed him under the arm pits and tried to haul him up. “Fuck he’s heavy.” They couldn’t move him.
Nick felt like his head was about to split open. He was aware people were trying to move him but the pain was just too much to move. He could feel his vision blackening around the edges. Something was really wrong. He’d been punched before, by Harry that infamous night at the cinema. It was nothing like this. His last thoughts as the blackness claimed him and his eyes closed were that Charlie looked terrified. He hated that he was the cause of that.
Charlie watched in horror as nicks eyes closed and he slumped down to the floor in a heap. There was blood pooling behind him which he hadn’t really noticed before.
“Oh my god,” he screamed. “Someone call an ambulance. Please!”
“Nick open your eyes sweetheart……please open your eyes.” He begged, tears streaming down his face. He brushed the hair out of Nicks eyes. “Please baby,” he whispered, “please wake up.”