Being Charlie

"Uh-oh." Charlie's alarm didn't go off. Again. Fifth day in a row.

His school started sharp at 8 AM and it was 7:30 AM.

Well, I guess I need to do some buttering again today, in order for mom to drop me to school, he thought, already rehearsing his most innocent expression in his head.

"Charlie! Charlie! Are you up yet?" Mom was banging furiously at his door.

He quickly got out of bed and opened it, putting on his best apologetic smile—the one where his eyes went wide and his eyebrows lifted just a little. "Yes mom, I'm up and late. Can you please give me a ride again? I can fetch you some groceries on the way back, you know?"

His mom narrowed her eyes at him, clearly not buying the sweet act. "Hurry, you have five minutes. And from next week, you're walking to school."

Charlie nodded enthusiastically, trying not to grin. He'd deal with next week when next week came.

Seventh grade was hard by itself, and waking up every morning was harder.

Charlie dragged himself to school, walking at snail's speed through the hallways. His backpack felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, and his eyelids kept trying to shut.

"Why god, why do you torture us tiny beings with school?" he muttered under his breath as he slumped into his desk.

The school day went by as usual—boring math class, even more boring history class, and a pop quiz in science that Charlie definitely wasn't prepared for. He spent most of it doodling in the margins and hoping for the best.

Finally, the bell rang. Freedom.

Charlie walked back home with his buddy Sam. They were particularly fond of ringing bells of neighbors and running away. The sound of neighbors yelling was fun to them. Today, they hit two houses where old people lived—Charlie and Sam knew that—giggling like maniacs as they sprinted down the street.

"Did you see Mrs. Nolan's face?" Sam wheezed, doubled over with laughter.

"Priceless!" Charlie grinned, high-fiving his friend.

As soon as Charlie got home, still catching his breath from all the running, he realized he had forgotten to buy milk and a few other things his mom had asked him to.

"Arghhhh, I am not going back in this heat again," said Charlie to himself, flopping onto the couch. His face was flushed, his shirt was sticking to his back, and the last thing he wanted to do was walk back out into the blazing sun.

And then, an idea struck him. A brilliant, foolproof idea.

A few hours later, his mom got back from work and looked for him. "Charlie, my love, are you home?"

She knocked on his room and entered. Charlie was lying in bed, looking absolutely miserable. He'd messed up his hair, pulled the blanket up to his chin, and was doing his best impression of someone on their deathbed. His face was pale—well, as pale as he could make it—and he let out a small, pitiful groan as she walked in.

"Oh Charlie! What happened?" she said, rushing over with genuine concern in her voice.

Charlie made his voice sound weak and raspy. "Mom, I think the heat got to me. I don't feel very well and walked straight home. I'm sorry I couldn't get the milk and other things."

His mom placed a hand on his forehead, checking for a fever. Charlie made sure to look extra droopy, letting his eyelids flutter like he could barely keep them open.

"Oh, my child, that's alright, don't worry about it. You get some rest. I will make you some lemonade, that should help!"

Charlie managed a small, brave thank you with eyes fluttering weakly. As soon as his mom shut the door behind her, he waited exactly three seconds to make sure she was gone.

Then he threw off the blanket, jumped out of bed, and did a victory dance around his room. "Wohooooo, go Charlie! Go Charlie!" He pumped his fists in the air and did a little spin.

The next day was no school day—it was the weekend. The plan was to go to the zoo with mom and dad, and Charlie had been looking forward to it all week. He loved the zoo. The monkeys, the lions, the reptile house—it was the best.

At breakfast, mom said, "I think we should not go to the zoo today. Charlie, you weren't feeling well yesterday because of the heat. I think we should stay indoors. It's too hot outside."

Charlie's heart sank. His face fell so fast it was like someone had pulled a plug. "NO ZOOOOO!!! WHAT???" he said to himself, trying desperately to keep the panic off his face. "No, that cannot happen! I've been waiting for this day!"

"I agree with mom," his dad continued, sipping his coffee casually like he wasn't destroying Charlie's entire weekend.

Charlie felt his stomach drop. Think, Charlie, think!

"But mom and dad, I am feeling good today," Charlie said with the brightest, most energetic smile he could muster. He even sat up extra straight to prove how healthy he was.

"I know that, son, but we must take precautions, just for a day, you know?" his dad said.

Charlie's brain was working overtime. Then it hit him—the perfect excuse.

He leaned forward, putting on his most serious, responsible face. "You know my science teacher? She said she would be giving extra credit to kids who go to the zoo this summer. We have a whole chapter on reptiles to cover. You surely don't want me to miss out on that, do you?"

He made his eyes go wide and innocent, like this was a matter of his entire academic future.

His mom and dad looked at each other and exchanged looks. Charlie held his breath, keeping his face perfectly sincere.

Finally, his dad sighed. "Alright, I guess we can make it quick."

Charlie wanted to jump up and cheer, but he kept it together, nodding solemnly like a very serious student. "Thank you. Education is important."

WHOOOOOOOO! Charlie, pat yourself on the back, he said to himself, fighting to keep the grin off his face.

Monday morning, Charlie was eating cereal and feeling pretty good about life when his mom got a call from a neighbor.

He watched her face change as she listened. Uh-oh.

"Your son has been ringing our bell and running away. He was there Friday."

Charlie's spoon stopped halfway to his mouth. Think fast, Charlie.

Mom found Charlie and asked, "Were you really sick on Friday?"

"Yes!" he said immediately, his eyes going wide with innocence.

"Mrs. Nolan called and said you've been ringing her doorbell or knocking on her door and running."

Charlie shook his head vigorously, putting on his most shocked expression. "Oooooh, that must be Sam. I won't do such a thing. I will let him know." He paused for effect, then added with a concerned frown, "Mrs. Nolan is so old, mom. She cannot tell one boy from another."

He looked up at his mom with big, trustworthy eyes. "Do you think I have the energy to go and ring somebody's bell in so much heat? No way!"

His mom's face softened. She believed him and hugged him tight. "You're right, sweetheart."

Charlie hugged her back, and over her shoulder, he winked at absolutely no one and mouthed "yes!" to himself.

Another perfect escape. Charlie was on a roll.