Ilovedhis lap. It’s where I felt so safe.
Also, his dick was right there. And I loved that, too.
Oberi carried over the bag I’d dropped, and my heart leapt. How could I have forgotten? I took it from her and said, “I brought you presents!”
“Presents?” Charlie’s tone was hesitant.
“Yes! Open it!”
Charlie slowly took the bag. “How much did you spend?”
“It wasn’t a bipolar binge. I set myself a budget,” I said. “It only cost like, five-hundred dollars.”
“Five-hundred dollars?!” Charlie sputtered. “That was my rent back home!”
“Yes, but you’re myboyfriendnow, so you should be spoiled!”
I didn’t want to overwhelm him with gifts, but at the same time, how could Inot? He deserved them, and so much more.
Charlie pushed the bag back toward me. “You should send them back. I can’t accept this.”
“Nope! It’s all for you.” I giggled and swung my legs. “Consider it twenty-three years worth of Christmas presents from me.”
“You already made me the armband,” Charlie muttered.
“So twenty-two years. Go on, look inside!” I was fit to bursting with excitement.
Charlie still looked uncomfortable, but he did as I asked. His face frayed on the edge of becoming emotional as he removed items and placed them on top of the piano. I noticed he fingered each item carefully, taking in the shape and texture.
“I got you all kinds of soft new clothes, and new shoes, and a candle that smells likeme,and food you like— fuck the guards, they don’t need to know you have it— oh, and I made you this jacket,” I said, pulling it out. “It took me all week to sew. Try it on!”
Charlie slipped the jacket over his shoulders. I’d guessed the right measurements. It fit perfectly. His hands roamed over the fabric, feeling it as I said, “It looks so good. Now when we go into Shade Hills for our field trip, you’ll have something nice to wear.”
Charlie didn’t say anything, and my smile faltered. “Did I do something wrong?”
“I just… I feel bad I can’t give you the same,” he admitted. “No one’s ever done this for me before.”
I scoffed. “I have enoughstuff.What I didn’t have was you, and I do now, so that’s all it takes to make me happy!”
Charlie sniffed and wiped at his eyes. I swear, it touched my cold, dark heart.
“Thanks, pidge,” he said. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. If you’re happy, I’m happy!” I wiggled on his lap, and I felt his dick begin to press against my ass.
Charlie’s voice went low. “You keep doing that, we’re going to have a problem.”
“So?” I wiggled on his lap again, and felt him grow harder.
“We probably shouldn’t. Ez is gonna be here any minute.”
I let out a breath of disappointment, before I slid off his lap and started fiddling with the piano.
Charlie put his presents back in the bag. “I didn’t know you felt this way.”
“About what? You?” I asked. I played a medley on the piano, and it grew over the room. Oberi began to sway back and forth.
“Yeah.” Charlie nodded. “Before, it was hard for me to even tell if you liked me.”
