Chapter 16
Charlotte
The Lovelace building was a tribute to the first woman to write an algorithm meant to be interpreted by a machine.
In other words, she was the world's first programmer, which fit really well, since it was mostly occupied by students in math and sciences fields, like computing and engineering.
It only had four floors, but it was home to eighty students, including me.
But that home was now nothing more than a pile of burned concrete, giving off so much smoke that the neighboring towns could have seen it if it were daytime.
I still couldn't believe it.
The moment I got the news, it was like my body went numb.
I don't really know how we got to the building's parking lot, I only remember trying to run there like an idiot, thinking about all my things going up in flames, but luckily I was stopped by Ethan and Logan.
I think I even scratched them, in my attempt to get away, but I'd apologize for that later.
Right now I only had the strength to cry and cry a little more.
We're sitting on the curb and I hug Maddie, not knowing which of us is more inconsolable.
It's past three in the morning and the professors finished counting everyone a little while ago.
Thank the heavens, no one was left behind and only four had minor injuries.
Another fifteen had to be sent to the hospital for heavy smoke inhalation.
A firefighter, who I imagine is the captain, comes over to the area where we're all gathered and asks for a moment of quiet.
"Everyone, the fire has been put out, and since we've confirmed there are no more injured or missing, I need you to organize yourselves to leave the site, because you need to stay away from this smoke as soon as possible," he explains, and I press Maddie harder against me when she lets a sob slip out in response.
"No one will be able to enter the building for now.
We think the fire started on the second floor, and it's the most damaged, but we'll only be able to assess the structural damage when the day breaks. "
A wave of crying starts up again hard, and the firefighter gives all of us a look of pity.
"I know it's really hard, but let's consider the win that it was only material damage, okay?
Anyone who truly has nowhere to go tonight will be able to take shelter at the fire station, where we have mats, blankets, and soon something hot for you to eat.
So anyone who needs to stay with us, please, gather over there with Lieutenant Brooks," he directs, pointing to his colleague who's closest to the truck, and people start moving and deciding.
"Oh, just one more detail: classes tomorrow through at least Wednesday are suspended for everyone.
The university needs some time to reorganize and you need some time to recover.
Rest, and we'll inform you of any other updates by email," a short blonde professor explains, with a loud voice I wasn't expecting from someone so small.
A minimum of relief runs through my body knowing that at least I don't have to worry about grades and assignments while I don't even have a bed to sleep in.
Maddie pulls out of my hug so she can look at me.
"What are we going to do? Where are we going to go?"
"I... I don't know."
"You can stay with us," three male voices say at the same time, surprising us.
Zac is sitting next to Maddie, who turns to look at him before the player repeats himself.
"You can stay at the Gamma with us. Maddie and Charlie can take my room and I'll take the couch," Zac offers, referring to the Gamma Delta Pi fraternity house he's been part of since he was a freshman, like Maddie had told me once.
I open my mouth to thank him for the generous offer, but I'm interrupted before I can.
"Charlie's staying with us," Ethan declares, standing up and holding his hand out to me.
"What?" I ask in confusion, but I take the hand and get up, ending up in front of the dark-haired guy.
"We have a spare room in the apartment. Logan and I even thought about renting it out at first, but we gave up on that.
It's yours for as long as you need," he offers with a light smile, and I blink repeatedly, trying to stop more tears from falling.
"Maddie too, of course! There's a double bed, so you two can share," he adds, and I hug him, burying my face in his chest, no longer able to hold back the crying.
He strokes my hair and I let go of him after a few moments, remembering it's not that simple.
"Thank you, but..." I sniffle and dry my cheeks before turning to Logan. "I think you should ask what your roommate thinks about this and..."
"It's yours for as long as you want," the blond player reaffirms his friend's proposal, giving me a soft smile.
I study his eyes and expression for a moment, but I can't see any hesitation or lie there, so I let out a long sigh of relief.
I can't resist and throw myself into his arms too, in a hug of pure gratitude.
Logan seems startled for a second, but hugs me back.
"Thank you."
"It's nothing, Pinkie," he gives back, and I don't have time to pay attention to the nickname because I quickly turn my body and go back to focusing on Madison. She's clinging to Zac like a koala to its mother.
"What do you prefer, Maddie?" I ask, and my cousin runs a hand over her face, exasperated.
"I don't know. I can't think straight. I think..." She pauses to think and presses her lips together as she does. "I think I'll stay with Zac tonight. After I get a few decent hours of sleep, I'll call you and we'll decide, okay?"
"Sure. I think that's the best thing," I agree, and lean in to wipe the trail of tears on her cheeks. "I'll go with the guys, that way Zac doesn't have to take the couch."
"Okay... We'll talk around lunchtime, then," she decides, and I nod in agreement. I trade one more hug with her and we each head to a different car.
Inside Ethan's Jeep, I choose to sit in the back seat and let myself fall apart again, as the thoughts hit me.
It was my floor that caught fire first.
I was supposed to have been there.
If it weren't for a call from Ethan and a sudden decision of mine, I would have been there when it happened.
I could have gotten hurt. Maddie could have gotten hurt. We could have died!
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
I cry and sob so much that I can't breathe right.
I get startled when Logan suddenly lowers his whole front seat and then pulls me to him. I end up with my butt in his lap and my legs in Ethan's lap, as he drives and looks at me with concern.
The situation would be really weird if I had any spare neurons to think about it, but since I don't, I gladly accept the comfort. Logan hugs me tight and I let myself cry copiously against his shirt.
"Shh, it's all okay. You're okay, baby." Ethan tries to console me, and I feel his touch on my leg, in soft, soothing movements.
"W-we c-could have died," I say, and it comes out like a stuttering, depressing babble.
"But it didn't happen, and everyone's fine." It's Logan who answers this time, his voice quiet but firm.
"Exactly. It was a shock, but you, Maddie, and all the girls are going to be okay."
"A-all my th-things... g-gone," I stammer again, like a child. Logan runs his hand up and down my back.
"Leave that to think about later, okay? We don't even know if it reached your room yet. And even if you lost something, you'll get everything back, okay? One little thing at a time," Ethan assures, and I sniffle pathetically.
I know he's right. They both are. But I'm incapable of thinking straight right now. Right now I'm just going to wallow in self-pity and be grateful I have two pairs of shoulders to cry on.