Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If you ask charles Rowland about his love life the answer will be zero.

He doesn't have it.

it's maybe more like don't want it.

The only relationship he could call success is with Crystal.. But they both didn't seem into it so they move from it to be best friends.

That.. Did work actually.

So he just finish his assignment and deside to drink a cup of milk then go to sleep. He likes to wake up early to run and train on his cricket bat.

But his phone start ringing.

It was unknown number. And really who other have his number than Crystal and his mother and maybe a few teammates who will never call? So he assumed it was a stranger.

He pickup his phone and presses the answer button.

"I told you this was a bad Idea Niks. You said come on what the worst Can happen with a blind date? And it's the worst.. My blind date is the one who bullied me through the whole high school and some more and-"

"woh there mate" charles stopped the stranger. Seemed the boy will never stop talking if he didn't stop him.

A minute of silence and then"you are not my friend"the stranger said in a quite voice.

"sorry mate, wrong number"

"wait please.. Can you help me?"

"we don't know each other.." charles was struggling. He didn't like to leave someone who needs help.

"just.. Tell me how to get away from this date" the stranger looks really to want to run away desperately.

"OK..where are are you?!"

"In the restaurant's washroom..this is the first and the last time I am doing this"

"does your date know your there?"

"will I be hiding if he doesn't?!"

"my bad. Just tell him you have an emergency and but the phone on the speaker"

"Are you quite certain?!"

"trust me.. I've got you"

There was a long silence"alright"whispered the stranger. Charles can hear him opening the washroom door and taking a calming breath. And then more voices of the people in the restaurant.

"I am sorry to cut our date.. It seems my friend have a big problem and needs my help" said the stranger in a calm voice.

"Are you running away?!" there is somthing familiar about the date voice. He just couldn't but his finger on.

"No. Here you can make sure for your self" and Charles know that is his signal to start talking.

"hey mate.. Are you there?! I need you now please I don't get this-"

"I will be right there. Sorry one more time" and there was a lot of voices maybe his date trying to stop him and then there is running and a harsh breathing.

"That was a most wild thing I did in my life" said the stranger while laughing.

Charles couldn't imagine what a boring life it is.

"thank you for the help there"

"no worries.. Glad to help"

And the phone was cut off. That was a thing to tell Crystal tomorrow. To be honest charles life is no less boring but that night he goes to sleep with a smile.

What a phone call

Chapter Text

Fucking payne"Crystal grumbled throwing her bag on their table.startling Charles who was watching a game on his phone.she Sat with a sigh putting her cup of coffee and a half eaten sandwich.

"where Is the pain?" he scanned her.it seems there's nothing wrong with her physically.

"Not pain.. I'm talking about the number one bitch Edwin payne, he is likes the most irritating person I've ever met"

"come on Crys, you Can't say that just because the lad had highest grades than you" he smiled widely "and you know what they say.. He is totally a ghost, No one saw him out of the lectures before"

It's true, Charles never had the honor to meet the resident ghost of the college. Only heard about him from Crystal and sometimes the other students.

"I wish! The asshole keeps ruining my projects with his So perfect reasons and you know what The professor said? 'He has a point miss palace, your errors are taking much space. You need to fix it and your project will be one of the best this year' "

"it's a compliment.. You are going to be one of the best" He smiled again drinking his juice.

"one of the best!! But not the bestest.. It goes for that posh kid with the oldest insults ever"

"you're giving it much thought.. Let's talk about other things like How was your parents party last week?"the best thing is changing the subject.. For someone who claims to hate Edwin payne. Crystal is sure obsessed with him.

" it was boring but lovely.. Until the Paynes showed up with their high standards looking like everyone are beneath their-"

" do you haven anything not related to him Crystal? If I didn't know any better I will sure think you're talking about your parents favorite kid.. Like he is a brother"

"the jerk is my parents favorite.."

"I will talk then.." he waved his hands to shut her"last night some stranger called me"

She tilted her head. Her eyes for once focusing on him.. Waiting.

"So it was a wrong number-"

"Charles for fuck's sake.. It's not som-"

"Let me finish" he glared at her and she closed her mouth zipping it with her fingers "He had a problem.. Some blind date who turned out to be his bully In highschool or something like that"

"and?"

"I helped him, he was trying to call his friend and he almost pleaded for help."

"that's sweet,I'm sure he will remember you as the anonymous who saved his virginity" rolling her eyes.

"did you ask Niko for a date..?" he raised his eyebrow watching her frowning again.

"you know she's the stuck up prince's best friend. I was just turning to talk and he was dragging her out the door.. I don't relize how a lovely human being like Niko befriended that society disaster"

"again?"

"What?"

"Crystal, you know you're describing your self right? You two are much alike"

"So? What's your point?"

"I still befriended you. Didn't I?"

"and I'm grateful" she gave his hand a pat, her smile shining.. Crystal is a beautiful girl and a lot of times Charles asked him self if he truly got over her.

"So.. What's the project about?"

"oh yeah! It was going to be about-"

And Charles put his head on his fist listening to her circling back to Edwin payne but he is a good friend So he let her rants.. That's what friends do.

.

"Did you hear?" 

Charles is really not a nosy person, he was changeing his clothes after the end of the training in the lockers room . It just happen that he was late to leave. Really a thing makes Brad and Hunter waiting for everyone to leave before saying it is a thing worth listening to. 

"What?" 

"Some one told me that Simon has a Crush on Edwin payne for a long time" 

"What?!! That's like the joke of the year" 

"I didn't believe it either but a lot of people talking" 

For a ghost that was never seen in the hallway? Edwin payne is sure had a solid place as the most gossiping topic around the campus. 

"didn't that freak attacked his school mates and was sent to the Psychiatric hospital?" 

"that's the thing! They say his parents had payed a good amount of money to shut everything before reaching the media" 

"those Rich people Can do as hell as they want with just a little money" 

Charles closed his locker hard shutting them. Are they one to talk after what happened with shelby last year? 

"Rowland, you were eavesdropping again?" 

"No, all I heard is a couple of assholes talking about others when they should take a look their doings" 

"don't be like that" 

"shut up!" 

They knew better than challenge him, his reputation is every much precedes him.. 

. 

"Hi Charles!!" 

Niko was standing beside Crystal, exchanging a little talk about some show. This week Niko was all pinky and glittery. With hair dyed white recently.. The girl looked like she walked out of a magic show. Niko is one of the loveliest girls here and she gives such a high positive energy.. He can see why Crystal became dumb around her. 

"Hi Niko.." He gave her a high Five"What are you talking about? "

" oh, I was telling Crystal about the new show.. Edwin and I watched it some time ago, I thought it was great but he thinks it's over Dramatic"she pouted remembering Edwin's words"So I told Crystal to watch it and tell me her opinion"

Charles surly heard Edwin's name many times this day. What? Is this some kind of a sign? 

"Let me tell you that I will like everything you like.. I mean I know you like everything but I trust your words and sure the show must be magnificent because you are and.. What Am I saying?" Crystal cut her ramblings to look at Charles for help. 

"take a deep breath" he murmured to her. 

Niko looked lost between them. As soon as Crystal had the courage to ask for her number a cheery sounds Cut her off. Niko fished her phone from the rainbow purse and smiled. 

"It's Edwin.. He must be waiting for me, see you later guys" she waved and hurried away, disappearing in the crowdes. 

Crystal banged the locker with her head"Fucking Payne... "

" you will have another chance"he put his hand around her shoulders pulling her with him"let's go and watch that show.. Niko will be happy"

"I've already seen it,it IS over dramatic" 

"you? Sharing the same opinion as your nemesis? Is the Sun raising from the west today? " 

"eat shit Rowland" 

He laughed loudly. Taking his best friend to some comforting time.. There will be planty of days to ask for Niko's number. He is sure of that. 

. 

It was two weeks later, Crystal still didn't ask for Niko's number and all of her attempts flying over the white head. Well.. To be honest the Asian girl doesn't get it if it's not said in her face with a big obvious words. 

He sat in his room watching the show, he became hooked by it OK? 

His phone rings suddenly on this important scene So he ignored it first but then thought the better of it and pick it up. 

"I can't believe my parents are setting me a date with this man.. He talks only about him self and his work, did I tell you he was a decade older than me? And He is flirty.. Saying he was lost in my eyes? On the first freaking meeting?I am so-" 

"mate!" 

Charles cut him, He knew the voice.. The boy from two weeks ago. 

"ah, Sorry.. It's seems I dialed the wrong number again" 

"seriously? Who doesn't have their frindes numbers saved on their phones?" 

"the ones who does not feel safe enough for their friend's number to be on their phone" the boy said almost snapped but than a soft sigh was heard"I am sorry for that, it's my fault to call you.. "

" you have a problem with dating again? "

"It's my parents party,this man is some kind of royalty so my mother said not to ruin it with my odd behaviour" 

"that not a nice thing to say" 

"you don't know me so it's easy for you to say that.. I behave oddly. As All of the people I know say" 

"you need help again mate?" 

"How? I am sure I can't run from my house" 

"you Can hide" 

"No!!" The boy voice was full with panic "I don't like hiding" 

"it's alright, you can pretend to be sleepy" 

"it's not a good manner to sleep in a party" 

"They already say bad things about you.. I don't think they will put your sleeping At a boring party as some shocking news "

"may be, thank you for the advice"

"not at all" Charles smiled to himself ending the call.

So what if he liked the voice of this stranger? It's not like they know each other.