Chapter 13

Things with Michael kept the same after all the events that had happened. We were still friends, just a lot more...touchy I guess you could say. Not anything major. For the past couple days we would just brush our hands against each other in the halls by "accident", but we both knew what we were doing. Occasionally we would hold hands and our hugs would be longer and more heartfelt. It was a nice yet weird relationship stage that I'd never experience before, but I wasn't complaining.

At school, the whole situation with Bailey has calmed down slightly, although it was still pretty bad. I've miraculously been able to have avoided her pretty well these past days. Calum and I's old friend group ended up choosing her side over ours, so we haven't seen them in a while.

The fact that I'd been 'fired' from volunteering still haunts me. I haven't been able to see Deborah since I've been to ashamed to see any of their faces again. They all probably think I'm a terrible person now.

I look up from my book at the football field. It's pretty hot, but I sat in just the right seat for shade to be casted over me. No one really goes to the football practices except some very eager football moms. Since I no longer volunteer, I just go to Calum's practices to kill some time before going home.

I took a bite of my apple, looking back down at my book and criss crossing my legs. The sounds of whistles and coaches yelling filled my ears, as well as the sound of the cheerleaders chanting as they ran around the track.

"Your nose is always in a book," Calum laughed, hopping up on the chain-link fence guarding the bleachers to look at me. He was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his face as he drank water.

"Well, I'm not exactly completely interested in watching guys run and tackle each other," I admitted, looking up, "Shouldn't you be practicing?"

"Water break. Thought I'd say hi," he added, drinking some more of his water. After he completely finished it, he tossed the bottle onto the ground. (AUTHOR'S NOTE: littering bitch!)

My attention went to the cheerleaders behind Calum- some of them totally staring at him. They finished running their mile and for some reason, Calum caught their attention.

"Those cheerleaders are checking you out," I nodded behind him. "I'm pretty sure they're looking at your butt."

Calum snorted with laughter, turning and looking behind him. The girls waved, smiling at him. He turned back to me, "Too bad I'm not interested."

Wherever I went with Calum, there were always girls flirting with him. Whether we were at school, at the mall, at the grocery store- girls always fawn over him. I've gotten used to it these past years, but it still gets annoying.

"I wonder how Bailey would feel about that," I said, watching as the girls giggled to each other while continuing to stare. "Where is she anyways?"

"Apparently she ditched practice to go dress shopping for homecoming." Calum said, almost laughing.

"How do you know?"

"Because she's going with one of my teammates and she made him go with her," he shrugged. "Sucks for him. The coaches are pissed about it."

"She's dating one of your teammates now?" I asked, scoffing.

"The whole football team is basically lined up to get their chance with her." he explained.

"Well, if she moves on so quickly, why is she still holding a grudge against me?"

"Who said she moved on?"

Before I got the chance to reply, the coaches blew their whistles. Calum hopped down from the fence, passing by the giggling girls and jogging back onto the field.

-

"So how's it going with Michael?" Calum asked as we got out of the car and entered Starbucks. We made it a sort of tradition to go to Starbucks after his football practices.

"Good," I smiled just at the sound of his name, "Why do you ask?"

"Just checking in to see if he's messed up yet," he replied, walking up to the cashier before I could respond.

"Hi, what can I get for you today?" the cashier smiled brightly.

"Two grande caramel frappuccinos, please." he spoke.

"Name?" she asked, eyeing him up and down and biting her lip. I almost threw up at the sight.

"Calum," he mumbled, uninterested. He gave her the money before walking back over to me. We took a seat at one of the tables.

"You realize you don't have to worry about Michael, right?" I asked, continuing the conversation from earlier, "Calum, he's not going to 'mess up'."

"I'm just being cautious." Calum sighed, "Okay? I like the guy and he's nice, but there has to be some reason why he has a bad reputation."

"Reputations mean nothing," I crossed my arms accusingly. "Even I have a bad reputation,"

"Calum!" the barista called out, putting down our drinks. That was certainly the fastest service I've ever received. Calum grabbed our drinks before setting them down on our table and taking a seat.

"Okay, you're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't judge Michael based on what I've heard from people like Bailey." Calum agreed, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Wait a minute," I snatched Calum's cup away from him.

"Heyyyy," he pouted.

"Calum, the barista put her number on your drink," I laughed, showing him the writing.

"Why am I not surprised," he laughed, taking the drink back from me and continuing to drink it.

I began to drink mine as well. I was a tad bit disappointed by the taste- and there were still chunks of ice in it, but I didn't mind. After all, Starbucks is Starbucks.

Suddenly, Calum's phone rang. He reached into his pocket, pulling it out and reading the text message. "Oh. My mom needs me home," he said, looking up to me.

I nodded, hopping down from the chair and following Calum out the door. By now, the sun was setting. As we walked out, we coincidentally passed Michael, who was coming out of a grocery store. He was carrying two cartons of milk.

"Hey Michael," I stopped in front of him. As he turned to me, I noticed a bruise on his right eye.

"Oh! Hey," he laughed, "What a coincidence."

"What're you doing here?" I asked, not wanting to mention the bruise in front of Calum- although I couldn't help but worry because of it.

"We ran out of milk and my dad made me go and get some," he explained, lifting the milk cartons. "Calum, do you mind if I steal Violet away? I can take her home."

"Uh...sure if that's okay with her," he said, looking from Michael to me.

"Yeah, it's fine." I agreed.

"Okay, well I better get going before my mom gets mad at me. Bye, Violet. Bye, Michael," Calum waved as he continued on to his car.

I followed Michael to his car, climbing into the passenger seat as he put the cartons in the back seat. He then got into the driver's seat, turning on the car before driving away.

-

okay...dont @ me but... football!Calum ??? sounds hot