Charlie Gyid 2 by Anysia Eaton (book club books .TXT) 📕

I wanted to have this talk a few weeks ago, but we never really had the right moment. So... You and Brad, sleeping in the same room, and the same bed...”
This had just gone to the top of my most embarrassing moments list. I had to stop him there. It was bad enough that we were even having this conversation, let alone having it in a classroom, in the middle of class – even if nobody was listening to us.
“Dad! Please don’t do this. Are we really going to have this conversation? I’m nineteen. Had you brought it up three years ago when I first met Brad I probably could understand, but now, I think...no, I know that I am old enough to know what I am doing” I blurted out in a rush.
He nodded, proud about the obvious success of his distraction. He turned and walked off leaving me stood absolutely embarrassed.
I had to admit the distraction worked until lunch time. I had been thinking why Jeff had suddenly started the sex talk when I walked into the food hall, next to Brad. As soon as I saw him – the vampire – the questions in my head – about his question – started swirling about in my head.
Brad and I joined Gabby and Alison, who were – unbelievably – still talking animatedly about the wedding and their Bridesmaids duties. They had split the list into two; one for Gabby, and one for Alison.
“Charlie, which one of us should walk with Brad’s best man and which one should walk with Geska?” Asked Alison.
“Flip a coin” I replied.
“Gabby, you know you absolutely hate Billy. Perhaps you should walk with Geska” suggested Brad.
“Good point” Gabby said scribbling on her notepad.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“My wedding book. Everything is in here; the flower, dress, and decoration receipts and invitation reply list.” She replied.
“Can I have a look?” I asked.
“After the wedding and everything is finished” she replied pulling the notebook off the table so I couldn’t steal it off of her.
The wedding held my attention for the whole of Battle. But as the lesson ended, butterflies started flying about in my stomach. I kissed Brad goodbye and then headed to Sir Malice’s room. The walk had never ever seemed longer. It was only a ten minutes walk but it felt like I was walking for over half an hour.
I paused at the door, trying to decided whether or not to turn and run. From what everybody was hinting at, I should have, but the knowledge of the consequence held me in place.
I knocked once and the door opened.
He was now stood directly in front of me. He took my hand and lead me inside, shutting the door behind me.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Is that your question?” I asked. I knew it wasn’t but I couldn’t help but feel disappointed when he shook his head “No”
“My day was... good” I said.
“Anything interesting?” he asked leading me to his grand chair. He sat me down.
“Not really. Just getting ready for our exams” I replied. I wanted him to get the question over and done with so the butterflies would leave my stomach so I prompted him. “So... what was this thing you were going to ask me?”
“Well... there was one question that I have wanted to ask you since I arrived. It was the only reason I came. I wanted to ask you at the ball but my nerves got the better of me. And then every other time where I have met up with you, I planned to ask you, but I kept chickening out.” He explained.
I nodded for him to continue. He knelt down in front of me. He took my left hand. It was then that he saw the engagement ring on my finger. He frowned. He looked up at me and asked, “For the purpose of what I’m about to do, can you take off your ring?”
I hesitated but I slipped it off and placed it in my right pocket. He re-took my left hand. He changed his position so he was only knelt on one knee.
“Charlie Gyid, will you do me the amazing honour of becoming my wife?” he asked.
My breath caught. That, I wasn’t expecting. After only meeting me three days again he wanted me to be his wife. Why on earth would I marry a vampire, three days after first meeting him. I was about to rip my hand out of his and slap him when I remembered what would happen if I said no. I was trapped. Either way lead to disaster. If I said ‘no’, War would break out, but if I said ‘yes’ I would have to give up everything and spend eternity with Sir Malice.
“You want me to marry you?” I asked him in less than a whisper.
“Yes, and I can’t wait any longer. I want you and I want you now” he replied.
“But you hardly know me” I argued.
“I know you well enough for this”
“And would I have to become a...” I started but he finished off my question and answered “Vampire? Yes. I wouldn’t want to risk hurting you”
“Don’t you think I’m a little young to end my life?” I asked him, trying to find a loophole somewhere.
“You’re nineteen. You’re a legal adult. And it’s not the end of your life. It’s the beginning of an eternity.” He replied standing so he could look me directly in the eyes.
“And my family and friend?” I asked starting to get desperate.
“Time to say goodbye” he replied.
“Can I have time to think?” I asked as a final resort.
He almost looked confused so I continued, “You’ve asked for a lot. To give up my friends and family, by choice”
He nodded in understanding.
“I’ll be waiting for your answer. Try not to keep me waiting too long.” He nodded.
I walked out of the room in a daze like fashion. How could I make this decision? I walked to Gabby and Alison’s room. I knew Brad, Jeff, Sir Mallot and Mistress Halsente would be waiting in mine and Brad’s.
When I entered I broke down on Alison’s shoulder, explaining everything to the pair of them. Neither of them knew what to say so they called the others. I didn’t even know they had done it until the four of them appeared in the door frame. I was sat on Alison’s bed, still crying when they headed in. Brad came and sat on the bed so I could cry on his shoulder.
Gabby repeated my story to them. They must have been expecting this question because they didn’t seem in the slightest surprised.
“What do I do?” I blubbered.
I didn’t have to look up at Brad to know he was in deep pain from this, just the way he was cuddling me to his chest gave it away.
“Say no” answered Gabby.
“And whatever happens happens” continued Mistress Halsente.
“Sir?” I asked towards Sir Mallot.
“I agree with them. We will not let you become a vampire for the sake of avoiding a war” he replied.
“Do you think War will be the outcome?” I asked.
“Undoubtedly” replied Sir Mallot.
That didn’t help at all. In fact it only made the decision harder. How could I let a war happen when I could stop it? If war breaks out so many Wiccan could die. But could I leave Brad? No. But what if Brad got hurt in the war? Would I be able to cope with that? These questions, thoughts and worries loitered in my mind for the rest of the day. I told Brad to go to Dinner without me – I knew Sir Malice would be there – but Brad wouldn’t leave me I our room on my own. I didn’t want to leave me.
For the whole evening Brad was sat on leant up against the back wall, while I was lay in his arms. Lying my head on his chest. His grip around me was tight.
It wasn’t until late at night when we finally spoke.
“Charlie...” Brad started,
“Yes” I whispered.
He loosened his grip and placed his hands on my cheeks. He lifted my head up to look him in the eyes. I couldn’t look directly in his eyes. They were filled with tears that were ready and waiting to pour out at the first sign of weakness.
“Charlie, please don’t leave me” he cried as the first tear broke out. I quickly wiped it away.
“I don’t want to Brad” I whispered. “But I don’t want to start a war either”
“Charlie” he moaned. “For once in your life be selfish. Keep me”
I didn’t know what to say. How can I let him go? I can’t. But how could I let a war start because of me? I can’t. I can’t do either.
Life without Brad. War. Life without Brad. War. Life without war. War.
How could anybody make this decision? I needed to look at it from a different direction. Either way I will be unhappy, but if I say ‘no’ I will be with my friends and family so I would be happier. But I would have started a war that anybody could die in; Brad, Gabby, Alison, Mistress Halsente, Sir Mallot, Jeff or Geska. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to any of them, especially Geska. Geska was becoming more like a daughter than anything else. But how could I leave her behind if I became a vampire. I couldn’t do it at all. I couldn’t even think about it without being upset.
And then there was the argument of being selfish and unselfish. By being selfish I would be happy but everybody I loved and cared about would be in danger. If I was unselfish they would be safe but I – and possibly them – would be unhappy. But they’d be safe. Isn’t that the most important thing? All of us would be safe.
Should I do that? Say yes? Everybody would be safe and it would most defiantly be the most unselfish and right thing to do.
I looked about. It was night time. Brad was asleep, his back facing me. I was lay facing him, my right arm placed over his body so my fingers could be locked with his. I slowly pried my hand from his. As I sat up I watched for any sign that he had woken up. He hadn’t.
I quickly grabbed a piece of paper, and scribbled – the best I could in the dark –
I’m sorry. I love you brad and I always will. But the thought that any of you – Gabby, Alison, Mistress Halsente, Sir Mallot, Jeff, Geska or you – could get hurt or killed in a war that started because of me outride’s the thought of me being happy. I love you. Charlie. xXx.
I placed the note and my engagement ring on my pillow and headed out of the room, closing the door as quietly as possible.
The work to his door felt like I was walking to the gallows. I suppose, it should feel that way. After all I was – in a way – walking to my death. I was about to become a Vampire. Become one of the undead. I was about to leave everything I loved behind.
I stopped and stood outside the door for a few moments. I took a deep breath and knocked. He opened the door seconds after my hand left the door.
“Have you decided?” he asked shocked.
I nodded.
“Well?” he asked taking my hand.
“I’ll marry you” I whispered.
He pulled me to him and locked his lips with mine. His kiss was nothing like