CHARLOTTE'S POV
MONDAY

The sole of my foot was soaking wet. Split ends were held together by water and once again, my cell phone was put to death. Clouds were gray and the street was sad. Even the people wandering the pavement seemed upset. Everyone and everything seemed gloomy today. Liz was always the one to make all the noise when things were too quiet but she hasn't seen or spoken to me since that terrible Saturday night.

I know she came back home in the middle of the night because I found my purse ripped and everything except my paycheck on the living room floor. When I called the companies and told them I couldn't find the money in time to pay bills, the electricity and water was immediately shut of. This meant no disgusting morning shower and no morning news that I never liked to watch anyway.

My fingers punched in the code since I couldn't find time to find my ID. This was because the electricity was gone and my alarm couldn't go off, also making me an hour late for work. When I walked in, Liz was at her post. She looked worse than Saturday night. Her hair was nice but that's all. Her face was clumped with more makeup, hiding dark circles and what could be a bruise or two. Her nose was still red and irritated and face losing life. "You're late," she stated it like Harry had the day I was late to our session. "Ms. Hannigan needs to see you."

I sighed and threw my things behind the desk. There's no money left so no need to worry about her stealing it. The walk to Ms. Hannigan's office was nerve wracking and left my hands sweaty, forcing me to pull my coat jacket sleeves over my hands. I knocked on the door as she was in mid-sentence talking with Preston. She waved him off and he touched my waist before leaving, mentally praying I made it out alive. "Ms. Huntington. Take a seat." A breath escaped my parted lips before I pulled one of the hard, plastic chairs from in front of her desk and sat. Glasses rested on the bridge of her nose and she looked down at some papers before looking up at me, "What is this I hear about you and a... drug problem?"

"E-excuse me?" My baffled confession amused her slightly and a smile spread on her chapped pair of lips before regaining her posture and putting a frown back on.

"An employee has told me that you have lately had a problem with different substances and worries about you. I hoped these accusations are not true but you aren't proving right when you're showing up an hour late to work," she explained and looked back down at her stack of papers.

"I'm sorry, money has been tight lately and the electricity and water was turned off. I-my alarm clock wouldn't go o-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses, Ms. Huntington. Just don't let it happen again and if I find that you are in possession of drugs, I will have no choice but to either suspend without pay or fire you." Her voice was stern but I knew she was giving me the easy way out. I nodded and fiddled with the pocket of my jacket, "You are dismissed."

---

Harry sat in his corner of the lunchroom and read his book quietly. Every once in a while he would drag his fingers through his long hair and furrow his eyebrows. A deep breath was taken before I walked over and took my place next to him, "Why weren't you here?"

He didn't look up from his book but he was obviously talking to me, "Some things are going wrong. My alarm clock didn't go off," I tried to keep it simple but I still felt as if I'd given away too much. He nodded afterwards and put the same lighter back into place into the book.

"So what really happened?" He waited but noticed I wasn't going to speak, "Come on! I know your life story, you know mine. Might as well tell me."

Might as well. "Well, Liz-" Before I could explain, lunch was over and session was about to start. Great, even more time to explain, my conscious sarcastically told me. Harry trailed close behind me and stopped when I did at the front desk. "Liz, can you hand me my bag?" She looked up from her nail file at Harry and I and then looked back down, raising her eyebrows. "Or not."

Harry lifted me so I could sit on the counter and reach behind to get my things. Her snide comments burned my ears. Hearing the things that came from her mouth questioned why I ever called her my best friend. Harry noticed the awkward moment and decided to speak up, "You look a bit under dressed, Liz. Need help in the morning?" The evil in her eyes flashed towards Harry and after grabbing my necessities, I pulled Harry along to our session.

---

We didn't do much and I couldn't be bothered to do my job. All we did was talk. And talk. And talk. Honestly, when he wasn't being rude or dark, Harry was a good listener and good company. He'd told me childhood stories and I told a few of mine when things were okay, which weren't many. We shared laughs and sad silences but all in all, it was a great time. "So, same time tomorrow?" I asked as Harry walked out. He put up a thumbs up and walked out. Samuel walked in and closed the door behind him. My work day was over, and he knew this. "Hi, Samuel."

"Hello, Charlotte. Lovely day today." I nodded awkwardly, "How have you been?"

"Currently, pretty bad. It's cool though. I'll actually like to take up your offer on that date, I'll let you know when I'm free," I assured. He nodded and I could hear his excitement from all the way down the hall while I pulled my coat on and gathered my things without taking a single glance at Liz. It was fine, I'm pretty sure she's not coming back tonight anyway.

The weather hadn't changed, only thing that did was that the rain stopped shortly. Christmas was nearing and the thought of visiting home was pushed aside and erased from my plans but are slowly being rewritten with all the problems I have. Upon arriving home, I used a borrowed cell phone to call Frankie, "Frank Huntington," he answered, very posh.

"Frankie, it's me."

"Oh, it's you. What do you need, Squirm?" His nicknames had always been cute but it wasn't the time.

"I want to visit for the holidays. There's some things going on and I can't deal with them right now. Need time to think I guess. Can I come? Liz won't be coming."

"Of course, just tell me when you need a ticket and I'll pay for it." Good. I don't have the money anyway. We spoke for a few minutes longer but I decided to explain my dilemma in person instead of over the phone. After returning the cell phone to the noisy man downstairs, I laid in bed thinking about when I should leave and whether or not I should tell Liz.

I'd decided the twenty-second would be a good date. Great, I have four days. Ms. Hannigan obviously allows holidays but if you're leaving early, she needs at least a week's notice. Doing this three days before leaving would add onto her irritation over me being late and my apparent drug use. Jesus, how will I get out of this one?

Notes

only five chapters in and already nearly twenty subs?

I can see that the rating has gone down, mind telling me what you do and don't like so I can fix it?

Sorry for the short chapter but school is canceled tomorrow so maybe an extra long update..? I don't know yet, I have other stories :L

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