Phoebe only just caught side of her older brother as he practically flew into the bathroom after her. The sight made her a giggle a little as she swiveled around to see the bathroom door almost closing. Charlie had this habit of making a fool of himself more times than not, and it was simply adorable. Phoebe knew that if Charlie only felt more comfortable around other people, he would not be single. He was too sweet, caring and thoughtful. These traits were the main reason she loved him as much as she did; he was among the very most important people in her life. Especially lately when heâd become a shoulder for her to cry on. She was so grateful to him, because if she had to be honest, she knew Charlie hadnât been entirely comfortable with this at first. Even Phoebe could tell as much.
Her eyes, however, widened when he stuck his head back out, commenting on her pajamas. She gasped, horrified. âOops, sorry!â She immediately squeaked, running over to take her nightwear from Charlie. Her pajamas were silk, and therefore rather slippery. She wouldâve felt so bad if something had happened to Charlie because of her. Sheâd simply forgotten about them because sheâd been so busy, not wanting to take too much time from Charlie; it was his home, after all. She was only a guest. Not that she wouldnât have hurried as much if itâd been her bathroom. She wouldâve felt exactly the same; the wish to not take up too much time and space.
She bit her lower lip as he shut the door and she sighed, looking down at her attire. She needed a new hair colour. Surely that would make her feel better? She shook her head, smiling mournfully as she put her pyjamas on the side of the bed she usually slept in. She would probably come get it later and take it to her own room, only to spend hours trying to fall asleep⊠and then sheâd once more sneak into Charlieâs cabin. She then took the hairbrush sheâd left at his place from the bedside table and began brushing through her blue, thick locks. She wasnât too sure she actually wanted to do much of anything today. She had classes, yeah, but maybe sheâd just go find Christian and Nolee afterwards. Fortunately she had classes with Christian this year. The thought made her smile genuinely. Sheâd missed her friends so much over the summer.
Then again, she could go find Ness and ask to play with Ellie. Her smile widened at the thought of the little girl. She could hardly believe Ness had a little girl now, and that was with Mr. Hensleigh. It was all so unreal, but amazing at the same time. As long as her Latina friend was happy, so was Pheebs. She threw the hairbrush onto the pyjamas once she was done and then she ran her hands through it, making it a little messy and slightly puffed. Itâd have to do. She didnât want to keep Charlie waiting, so there was that. Plus, theyâd be late for class if she did anything much with her hair, so it remained slightly wavy, stretching to her mid back. She needed a haircut.
Sheâd packed her bag the other night, so when Charlie hurried out of the bathroom, practically bursting through the door, Phoebe laughed and went to pick up her own bag. She paused when he spoke to her, standing with a grin plastered on his face. âCharliiieee,â she tskâed, giggling before she threw her bag over her shoulder and went to stand in from of him. She reached up, skilfully brushing her hands through his hair to make his curls fall down a little. Then she stood back, watching him for a little bit before running into the bathroom. âJust a second!â She squealed over her shoulder, coming back with a bit of soft wax in her hands which she massaged between her palms.
âYou canât go to class looking like you just got out of bed, Mr. Teacher.â She laughed softly, glancing at the clock. Yep they still had four minutes. She hurriedly styled his locks in a matter of second, the look messy still, but now really cute at the same time. It was very⊠Charlie. And it looked good. Happy with her work, Phoebe smiled up at him, not saying a word until she was back from the bathroom once more, having washed off the remaining stickiness.
âThere, ready,â she quickly chirped as she took his hand and hurried out the door, running down the halls with the mythology teacher in tow. No one even quirked a brow â after all, it was just Phoebe.
Nathan Hensleigh was a rather complicated man at times, he would admit that much. In fact, he rarely even knew what he felt himself, and as he looked at his girlfriend, rousing from sleep, he felt that little kick again. It was part fear, part love. Because he did love Vanessa, but then⊠he couldnât quite shake the feeling that he was in someone elseâs life, like he didnât belong here, in this family life this way. Like he wasnât supposed to have been a father, like being in a committed relationship was as wrong for someone like him, as it was for a wish to breathe above water. He didnât show it, but rather just smiled.
That didnât mean it wasnât there though, but as the son of Poseidon looked down at his daughter, the love he felt for her over shadowed everything. She was the gem of his eye, and he could no longer imagine life without her, no matter how many times heâd considering leaving Ness during her pregnancy. Now, however, he was thankful that heâd pulled through, because his little girl was worth it. She really was. Little Noelle was nothing but smiles and giggles, and somehow she always managed to chase away the doubts. They still popped up regularly, however, not that heâd ever let it show, nor would he ever tell anyone. It would remain his own little secret.
It wasnât like he would act on those doubts anyways. He didnât want his daughter to live with parents being apart. It wasnât that children were torn apart by it, but rather that he was worried she wouldnât see both of them equal amounts of time. Besides, he didnât want Ellie to have that image of him when got older; that he was just a charmer who slept around. His daughter deserved better than that. Frankly, she deserved better than him, and so did Ness. Still, however, Nate plastered on a smile when Ness greeted him. âLook Ellie â you woke up mommy,â he chuckled, kissing the girlâs forehead as Ness called out to the little creature.
As Ellieâs head flew up, her back straightening to look in the direction her motherâs voice had come from, Nate couldnât help smiling â genuinely. The girl had her trademark grin glued to her face and she squealed, jumping in Nateâs arms. He laughed at her, looking over at Ness. âI definitely think Ellie would like a morning cuddle,â he noted, another laugh emitting from him when Ellie bent forward, trying to get to the bed. He held her firmly in his arms though, not wanting her to fall over and hurt himself. As he neared Ness, Ellieâs smile widened and the history teacher let the girl into the bed, placing her by Nessâ side.
He smiled to himself, watching the two girls who defined his life, Ellie squealing in delight, her legs kicking into the air, arms stretching out for her mother to pick her up. Only once Ellie was safely in Vanessâs arms, did Nate lay down next to the couple, putting an arm around his girlfriend to pull her close, smiling at her and Ellie. âHowâre you feeling?â He asked her, a little concerned, âyou didnât get much sleep. Are you sure you wouldnât like to sleep another hour? We donât have to be in class until ten oâclock, and itâs only eight.â He brushed a couple of strands of messy morning hair out of her face.
Nathan Hensleigh was indeed a man of contradictions, but what could he do except let events unfold? He knew this place, however, and drama always found its way into his life. Especially since heâd found Jules was back there too. He didnât particularly like the thought of that, if he had to be entirely honest.