XI

We make it to school all too soon.

I find myself realizing that I wanted to spend more time with him. Not necessarily doing anything, just being in his presence.

He holds my hand as we walk to the language arts building which makes me far happier than it should.

As we approach it I see Ashton sitting on the bench outside of the classroom, waiting for me I assume.

I turn toward Calum to say goodbye but am cut off when he firmly attaches his hands to my hips and presses his mouth to mine forcefully.

Right in front of Ashton.

I pull away quickly, embarrassed by the publicity of what just happened.

"Okay, I'll see you later." I say back to Calum, dismissing him as I walk toward Ashton.

Once I actually focus on Ashton I realize how angry he looks.

I thought he'd be happy for me. I never date anyone.

"You shouldn't be doing that with Calum." he says, scowling at the boy who's shrinking as distance is put between him and us.

"Uh, why?" I say trying to hold in a smirk at Ashton's protectiveness over me.

"Do you know his history?" he asks, quirking up an eyebrow.

"No, but does it matter? My history sucks too." I say.

"He'll chew you up and spit you out. I don't want you to get hurt." he says, poking his tongue out to moisten his lips.

"All right, fine, tell me what you know." I huff, sitting down next to him.

"He sleeps with every girl he lays eyes on. He 'falls' in love with them." he says, putting air quotes around the word 'fall'. "Then he 'falls' out of love with them once they start to fall back. He'll never commit. Ever." he pauses.

"And he's violent. And he drinks and smokes. And he's not good for you." Ashton says, finally meeting my eyes with his hazel ones.

"Let's see how it goes." I sigh "I like him. He likes me. Besides, how much more screwed up could I be?" I gesture dramatically with my arms.

Ashton looks disappointed so I say "But I'll talk to him about what you said. And I'll think about it too. Thanks for watching out for me." I say, leaning over to hug him.

I find comfort in Ashton. He's my rock, and I'm his. I hope that never changes.

I grab his hand and stand, dragging him into the classroom.

Apparently I'm so engulfed in the content of today's lesson I don't notice Ashton leaving early because when I look for him after class ends, he's nowhere to be found.

I try to push it from my mind as I walk outside.

My eyes immediately focus in on Ashton and Calum talking to one another.

Ashton doesn't look happy. At all.

I move a bit closer, hoping to listen in without being noticed. I take shelter behind a column near them.

"You can't use her like the rest, Cal. She's too fragile." I hear Ashton murmur.

"Yeah, mate, I get it, I get it." Calum says, looking behind Ashton as people rush out of the classroom I just exited.

He's looking for me? I feel my pulse quicken at the thought.

"No, I don't think you do." Ashton says, gripping Calum's t-shirt collar.

I move out from behind the column and Ashton's so focused on Calum that he doesn't notice me.

I push between them, breaking their contact as I face Ashton.

Anguish fills his eyes as he stares daggers at Calum.

"We talked about this." I say in an even tone.

He inhales sharply then nods at me. Taking a few steps backwards he points at Calum behind me and says "I mean it." in a threatening tone.

I've never seen Ashton act like this.

"Sorry." I say, turning to Calum.

"No, it's fine. He's trying to protect you. I don't blame him." he says, looking down at me.

"Okay?" I say suspiciously.

"What are you doing today?" he asks me shakily.

I reply with "Work." as I roll my eyes dramatically.

"I didn't know you work. Where?"

"Uh, Starbucks. Classy, right?" I chuckle.

"Well I'll drive you." he smiles.

I nod, looking at my watch "I'm gonna be late."

"Hurry up then." he teases, grabbing my hand as we walk to the car.

...

I pull my apron from my backpack as he pulls into the driveway.

"Like, seriously, my boss's gonna be pissed." I say as I point to the dashboard clock.

"Good luck?" he giggles.

"Gee, thanks." I say, leaning over the center divider to kiss him.

I have enough time for a kiss, right?

"I really need to go, Cal." I say, pulling away slightly.

He whines and pulls me back to him before breaking away again.

"Did you just call me Cal? Not Calum?" he chuckles.

"Which do you prefer?" I say, my forehead leaning against his.

"From you? Either." he smiles.

I look over to the clock again and jump away.

As I open the door I say "I have to go now. See you later." and wave to him.

...

About halfway through my shift a familiar brown-haired, brown-eyed boy comes strolling through the door.

"Couldn't stay away, huh?" I tease from behind the register.

"Maybe I just like coffee." he says, lifting his eyebrows. "Or maybe I couldn't stay away." he winks.

After he gets his order he comes to the front again and leans over the counter to peck my cheek without warning.

That earns me a few friendly elbow jabs from coworkers.

...

I end up watching the clock all day long and I don't even know why because I sure as hell don't want to go home. My shift finally ends and I drag myself outside, then sit there and think about where to go as my phone vibrates.

Calum (17:46):*What time's your shift end?*

Jackie (17:47):*5 minutes ago lol*

Calum (17:47):*Do you have a ride home?*

Jackie (17:48):*Yeah, it's called the bus.*

Calum (17:50):*I'll pick you up.*

Jackie (17:50):*You don't have to pick me up, I'll be fine.*

But in some stupid overly girly part of me I'm hoping that he insists on picking me up so I'm happier than I should be when he text back.

Calum (17:51):*I don't mind at all. I'll be there in ten minutes, tops. :)*

So I wait for him as I have so many times this week.

I fiddle with my fingers nervously as I wait.

Then I see him.

The wind's blowing a little bit today but it's sunny, like any other day in this time of year and he seems to emit this sort of light.

I don't know really, but there's something about him.

His hair is dark brown and has slight waves in it which causes it to fall over his forehead slightly.

His eyes are dark brown, dangerous almost.

But the way he walks is the most amazing thing.

His steps are long, it would take me two steps to match one of his gargantuan yet graceful ones.

He's beautiful. Everything about him.

"I'm not a piece of meat, y'know." he teases and I feel my face heat with embarrassment.

"Sorry." I say as I stand.

"No worries, babe."

"Pet names?"

"Why not?" he challenges.

I just shrug in response.

Truth is, nobody's ever called me anything like that before.

But I can't deny that it sounded good coming from him.

...

We're in my parents driveway now and I'm not looking forward to being here.

"Are you okay? You look tense." Calum asks, breaking the silence surrounding us.

"No. I am tense. I hate coming home." I say quietly, embarrassed that I have such horrible parents.

"You can come stay with me if you want." he says and I'm shocked.

I've known him for a week and he's asking me to move in.

Okay, maybe not move in but he would let me stay there till I get on my feet at least.

"No. I don't want to mess this up." I say gesturing between us.

"You won't." he says sternly and with confidence. "You said the same thing when I tried to kiss you. You don't regret that, do you?" he asks.

I shake my head before saying "Not at all. But for this we'll wait a little longer." I say as a huge grin crosses my face.

He really, genuinely seems to like me.

And I like him.

We like each other.

I've never been able to say that about anyone before, and it feels good.

"Thank you. Thank you for everything. You're the only person I know that would do anything even remotely close to everything that you've done for me having only known me a week. I appreciate it all more than you'll ever know." I say as I look down at my hands in my lap, picking at my chipped nail polish nervously.

I lean over the center divider and kiss him.

His left hand comes up to cup my cheek and when his fingertips touch my face I swear that it sends electricity through my body.

No, seriously, electricity.

Like, the static shock kind.

"Ow!" I jolt back laughing, breaking the kiss.

"Sorry, sorry." he says apologetically. "Come back." he whines, leaning over the divider to reconnect our lips.

After about a minute of that I pull away slightly and tell him that I have to go. He pouts jokingly then reluctantly obliges.

As I approach the front door I hear the shouting coming from inside.

A/N: Whoa, some Cashton tension, huh? Whaddaya think? Thanks for reading!