Page 119 of Voices

“When I first met Charlie, we were these tiny freshmen in a huge high school that only cared about how much money your family had. He was easily one of the richest kids in the school but because he looked different from Benji and was quiet, everyone thought something was wrong with him, making him an easy target. Benji was actually a decent guy back then and would stand up for Charlie. But then something happened during junior year over Christmas break. I was at their house two days before I left and all was normal, I even got a small laugh out of him. But when I came home after the new year, he wouldn’t answer his phone. I went to their house, but his mom told me he was sick and that I would see him when school resumed. I called him a few more times over the next couple of days, but he never answered.

“When school started up again, I waited for him at his locker like I always did. But he never showed up. I searched all his usual hiding spots but still couldn’t find him, so I decided to find Benji instead.”

“Let me guess,” I give her a pointed look, “you walked right up to him regardless of what anyone said and demanded he talk to you.”

She smiles. “Something like that. Like I said he was still somewhat of a tolerable guy, so he stepped away from his group to talk to me. When I asked about Charlie, he shrugged and said they rode together and that he hadn’t seen him since. He then tried to flirt with me.” She rolls her eyes. “I wanted to punch him so bad, so I walked away before I convinced myself it wasthe right move. Anyway, after searching what felt like the whole school, I finally found him in the art room.” She shakes her head.“I had glanced in the room at least twice but hadn’t stepped inside the room. I don’t even know why I went back. I just had this feeling that I’d find him.”

She lets out a slow breath as she looks back outside. “I didn’t see him initially but...” she pauses as a tear falls. “He was tucked into the corner on the floor rocking back and forth yanking on his hair. When I stepped closer, he stopped. I tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t say anything. But then I…I put my hand on top of his and as soon as my skin touched his, he…he whimpered. He curled into a tighter ball, pulled his hair even more, and started saying, ‘no please don’t and I won’t do it again’, over and over. I had never seen him like that, and it scared the shit out of me.” She visibly swallows before looking back at me, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

“I didn’t know what to do so I sat as close as I could without touching him and just talked. I’m not sure how long it lasted until his body gave up and he fell asleep. When he woke up about an hour later, his eyes were bloodshot with purple bags under them. It looked like he hadn’t slept in days. When I asked him about the bruises on his hip and lower back that I saw when his shirt lifted, he wouldn’t look at me. I still don’t fully know what happened over that Christmas break. All I know is that he hasn’t been the same since and wants to get as far away from his parents as possible.” She purses her lips before continuing.

“His grandfather set up trust funds for him and Benji with the only stipulation being that they must graduate high school and college to receive it. They got a portion when they graduated high school and will get the rest once they graduate college. That’s why Charlie has next to nothing in his house. He pays for everything out of pocket and refuses to buy anything he sees as a waste of money…like food.”

I’m facing her by the time she’s finished. “He doesn’t get any help from his parents? I feel like Benji does nothingbuttalk about how much money he has. Plus, he’s living in one of the biggest houses right off campus.”

She shakes her head sadly. “Unfortunately, Charlie is seen as the black sheep of his family. He told me the house crew treats him more like their son than his parents ever have.”

“House crew?” I scrunch my brows in confusion.

She laughs at me. “You know the people who cook, clean, and take care of anything house related. You don’t have a house crew? I did my research, I know you come from money as well.”

“What the fuck?!” I can’t help but snort. “No, I don’t have a house crew, you stalker. My sisters and I helped our parents cook and clean.” I shake my head. “And aren’t they called housekeepers?”

“That explains all of the cooking,” she says under her breath. “And house crew just sounds better.” She shrugs. “But I’ve been trying to get Charlie to move in with me since the middle of freshmen year when his asshole of a brother decided he was going to treat Charlie like he didn’t exist anymore. But he said he didn’t want to lose out on all the added space his townhouse has for his art pieces.” She rolls her eyes while shaking her head. “I think he just prefers being alone. But he’s been scaring me lately and I don’t like not knowing if he’s ok.”

“I don’t think he’s okay, Lily,” I softly say turning away from her and looking at my bedroom door. “He’s been going through something for the last few months that’s taking a huge toll on him mentally…and now physically. I’ve tried talking to him to get him to open up about what’s going on in his head, but he won’t talk about it. He hasn’t had any good experiences with therapists in the past and I don’t want to cause him more stress by bringing up talking to one now. But I don’t know how much more he can take. I’m worried about him. I know he has a historyof depression, but I don’t know how to help him.” The back of my eyes starts to sting. I clear my throat and look back at her. “I’m going to do everything I can to help him through this.”

She smiles sadly with a small nod.

Ryder opens the front door with a mischievous smile followed by a beaming Matt holding up white carry-out bags and a grumpy Asher trailing behind him.

“What’s up short stack,” Ryder calls out to Lily. She sticks out her tongue and flips up her middle finger at him.

I hear him chuckle as we head for the kitchen. I quietly open my door and check on Charlie, relieved when I see he’s still asleep.

I make my way into the kitchen as the guys are setting out the Chinese takeout. Lily, Matt, and Ryder are sitting at the island so I stand next to Ash as we fill our plates.

“I got Charlie the veggie spring rolls he likes and a small box of veggie chow mein.” Ryder pushes two white containers over the counter to me.

“Thanks. He’ll probably be hungry when he’s finally awake for more than two minutes.” I pull out a sharpie from the drawer, write a C on each container before placing them in the fridge.

“Lee texted me a little while ago with this picture.” Ryder holds his phone up to show me.

Two guys are standing next to Benji’s cherry-red Aston Martin with another guy sprawled out on the hood. There are car tools and oil stains on the cement floor.

“And the best part,” Matt says around a mouth full of fried rice, “is that Benji doesn’t even know it’s missing.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because he keeps posting to his stories. He’s at some club getting wasted, posting about it every ten minutes. I bet he won’t even notice it’s gone until tomorrow when he needs to get towarmups.” Matt laughs before shoving half of an eggroll into his mouth.

Ryder fills Lily in on our plan to have a “friendly” conversation with Benji. “And if he doesn’t want to talk, I’ll drop a subtle hint that I know where his car is.”

She lets out a laugh and they start talking about how annoying Benji is.

I pick at my food, not really having much of an appetite. Ash nudges my arm to get my attention.

‘Is he doing any better?’ he signs.

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