VI

Just as I open my mouth to speak Candy slams the pizza down on the table.

Talk about an attention getter.

"Enjoy." she says as she pulls a slip of paper from her apron, sliding it on the table top over to Calum's hand.

He doesn't even look up at her. He just keeps staring straight at me which makes me happier than I care to admit.

When she starts to walk away I ask him what's on the paper. He finally breaks his gaze as he opens it and scoffs dramatically, rolling his eyes as he says "Her number."

He crumples the paper and throws it into an extra water glass on the table for added effect.

"You don't like her?" I ask, stifling a giggle at his actions.

"Hell no. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't like you." he says, maintaining eye contact while he picks up a slice of pizza. He looks away quickly as if suddenly realizing what he just admitted to me and I see a blush creep onto his cheeks.

"So you were saying?" he says, turning the conversation to me again.

I thought I had dodged this conversation. Guess not.

"Huh?"

Stall, stall, stall.

Think, think, think.

Eat, eat, eat.

I stuff a slice of pizza into my mouth and take a big bite to buy myself time.

"Quit stalling." he calls me out, looking pointedly at me.

Shit.

"Well, uh, my parents just aren't very responsible. Haven't been for a while now." I pause and chuckle awkwardly, noticing Calum's interested gaze.

"It's not even that I need someone to be responsible for me or to take care of me. It's just that I knew the people that they used to be. And I miss those people but hate the ones they've become. But anyways, some stuff happened a while back and it tore them to shreds which in turn tore me to shreds. And that brings us to present day." I say, stuffing another large bite of pizza into my mouth hoping to avoid more questions.

Calum wears a look of concern as he says "Okay, look, if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. But I'm here if you ever do. Besides, I like learning more about you."

He smiles as he says the last part but I frown at it. "There's some stuff you don't want to learn about me."

"I highly doubt that, Jackie." he states confidently.

I'm thankful that he didn't pry. I tend to shut down when people press me for information.

"Sooooooo, anyways do you live around here?" he asks, lightening the mood.

We make small talk while we finish off lunch. Then the waitress comes prancing over to the table to drop off the check.

The look on her face when she sees the piece of paper floating in the cup of water is absolutely priceless.

Calum stares at me grinning widely as she hovers angrily at the table.

"Can we help you?" he asks without so much as glancing at her.

She makes a huffing noise then stomps away as Calum and I burst out laughing. I haven't laughed like this in a really long time and it feels amazing.

Calum pulls his wallet out to pay the bill and I do the same.

"Unh-uh." he says, gesturing to my wallet.

"It's fine. 50/50." I state, still sifting through my wallet.

"Jackie, I've got it."

"But-"

"Jackie!" he scolds and I can't help but chuckle at his exasperated expression.

"You sound like my mom when I used to misbehave as a kid."

"Quit misbehaving, then." he winks. "Ready?"

I nod as we rise from the table and start to walk toward the entrance. As we walk, we pass the waitress and I shout back "Thank you so very much for the absolutely impeccable customer service, ma'am." and turn back to Calum grinning and shaking his head..

"What?"

"You really hate her, don't you?"

"Why, yes I do." I state seriously as I clamber into his car.

"So, uh, your car's at my house, right?"

"Um, yeah, it is." I reply. How does he know which car was mine?

"Do you wanna go there so you can pick it up, then?"

"Yeah, that's fine." I smile at him.

"We can hang out there too, if you want. Or not if you don't want to. We can do whatever you want, I don't care what it is. Or not, whatever you want." he rambles and I'm trying really, really hard not to laugh at him.

"Yeah."

"Yeah, what?"

"Just yeah." I state, smiling to myself.

He cranks the radio volume up to a ridiculously loud volume, belting the lyrics. Green Day's playing. I like this guy.

...

As we pull into his driveway and I acknowledge how much different the street looks when it's not packed to the brim with cars like it was last time.

He switches the ignition off he asks me "So did you wanna come in?"

"Well, that depends."

"On what?"

"If you want me to come in."

"Are you kidding? Of course I want you to come in. Come on." he says, getting out of the car and walking to the door.

Before he even unlocks the door I hear clambering and shouts coming from inside the house.

When he opens the door I'm unable to contain myself. Loud laughter spills from my mouth and I'm embarrassed at the volume.

Inside stand two boys about Calum's age. I recognize one of them as the boy who hurled half on my shirt and half in the sink last time I was here. The funny part though is that they're both wearing superhero costumes filled with stuffing to mimic muscles. Their facial expressions are hilarious as well. Redness fills their cheeks, making their embarrassment evident. I guess they weren't expecting me.

I choke out a "Hi." between laughs and gasping for air.

"This is Luke." Calum points to a tall boy with blonde hair and the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

"And you know Michael." Calum says, scowling at the green haired boy. I'm still giggling at their costumes as I move forward to shake their hands.

They both end up surprising me when I extend my hand to them. They pull me into a hug instead and I mutter a sarcastic "So strong." as I feel Luke's stuffed biceps wrap around me.

"I like her." Luke states, smiling as he pulls away.

"Back off." Calum growls.

"Hey, I'm really sorry about getting sick on you before. Most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me, hands down. Sorry." Michael says.

"Don't worry about it." I state, still smiling at their attire.

I notice that I'm smiling more today than I probably have in the last six months combined.

"Yeah, okay. We're going to my room." Calum declares, grabbing my hand and towing me down the hall.

I hear a faint "But we brought you a costume!" from Luke as we reach his bedroom door.

He opens it and tries to lead me in by my hand but I freeze.

A/N: As always, comment and vote, please! The next chapter will be up soon. Thank you so much for reading!