Jealousy - Charles

He’s not the jealous type. Or, at least, he never was before. Now it feels like acid in the basilisk’s veins to watch some other guy give you a coy smile as he leans next to you on the lab counter.

He already hated Intro to Alchemy, and now Charles finds himself hating it even more.

Everyone is still standing around, waiting for the Professor to show up as students slowly file in. The lab room is spacious, plenty of places to stand, yet this asshole had to plant himself right next to you.

Charlie hangs his bag on one of the hooks by the door, grabbing his notes and goggles before walking over. You’re his lab partner, after all, and he has his place at your side to reclaim.

As he approaches, he hears the guy blathering on about this new pizza place that opened up downtown. You nod, distracted, and glance up when you hear Charlie approach.

Your expression brightens instantly and he feels victorious when he sees the guy’s face fall.

“There you are!” You grin, “I was about to text you.”

“I was running late this morning,” He explains, “Also, tell your bestie he forgot to refill the Brita.”

You shake your head in mock disappointment, “Vik has committed a most heinous crime. I’ll inform the council.”

This so-called council only has two people on it; you and Theo. It’ll be fun to watch you both heckle Viktor at the very least. Not because Charlie dislikes Viktor, far from it actually. It’s just that you and Theo raising hell is always funny as long as he’s not the one on the receiving end.

“Um,” The guy cuts in, glancing between you both with narrowed eyes, “About the pizza place?”

“Pizza?” Your brows furrow in confusion before you realize what he’s referring to, “Oh, yeah, the pizza.”

Charlie is trying so desperately hard not to laugh right now.

The guy frowns, looking miffed, “Were you even paying attention?”

You blink, a bit taken aback, “Listen, I’m sorry, but-“

He reaches out, lightning quick, grabbing you around the forearm, “You know, at the very least, you could show some interest when people try and talk to you.”

Charlie’s eyes widen and he steps forward with both hands raised, “Hey, that’s not cool. Seriously, hands off.”

The idiot just kept on talking, “I mean, have you considered this is why people don’t like you? Because you have a snotty attitude despite being a literal pariah?”

“And have you considered you’re pathetic and can’t take a hint?” Charlie scoffs, moving close and slamming his heel down right on the guy’s exposed toes, “Oh, by the way, no sandals in lab. I think you might need to go change.”

The guy drops your arm and you frown, shoving him backward. He stumbles a bit, nursing his injured foot as he glances between the two of you with wide eyes. You glare, holding up your middle finger.

Charlie can’t help but snort, “Hey, since you’re so bad with subtlety, I think that’s about as clear a rejection as you’ll get.”

The asshole flushes red, storming to the front of the lab and grabbing his bag. He pushes out the door right as the Professor walks in.

The woman blinks, watching him go before she addresses the class, “Well, I suppose he forgot proper footwear. Is everyone else ready for lab?”

A mutter of assent goes through the student, and as you flip open the textbook you shoot Charlie a smile.

“Thanks,” You whisper lowly so you don’t interrupt the class, “That was…pretty funny, actually.”

Charlie shrugs, his smile lazy, “I’m not at you and Theo’s level yet, but I have my moments.”

Your muffled amusement is music to his ears. As lab goes on, the two of you stand closer than is strictly necessary, your hands grazing and shoulders brushing.

When class is finally over, you both trail outside. As soon as you turn to him with that smile and mischievous glint in your eyes, he knows something is up.

“Hey, Charlie, how do you feel about pizza?” You ask, you face dead serious, “This new place actually opened up downtown.”

The basilisk doesn’t even bother trying not to laugh.