Love is Blind || c.h.

13 • Whatever

Alex's POV

"Alex, honey, are you going to stay for dinner?" Joy peeped her head into Calum's room. I quit slouching and sat up quickly.

"Uh," I hesitated. "No I think I should probably head back home."

"You can stay if you want," Calum told me. "It's no big deal." I hesitated for a moment. It would be much easier to just stay here forever and not go home. I knew as soon as I got home I would be bombarded with questions and most likely a lecture about running off.

"No I should really be home by now," I looked at Calum, hoping he would understand my reasoning.

"Okay, sweetie," Joy smiled. "But you're welcome any time."

"Thank you," I gave her a weak smile before she left and went back downstairs.

I stood up and gave Hercules a quick pet.

"Thanks for letting me barge into your room and cry all over you," I said a little too awkwardly. "You're a good listener."

Calum laughed. "I can't do much else can I?"

I let out an airy, almost laugh, and rolled my eyes. "Oh god." I sighed. "I hate you sometimes."

"No you don't," Calum stated.

"Yes I do."

"People don't kiss people they hate."

"I, uh-" my mind ran blank at the mention of what we had been doing not even thirty minutes ago. "I guess you're right." I leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thanks again."

"Anytime," he said softly.

I reached for the door knob but immediately stopped when I remembered something very important.

"Wait," I spun on my heels and turned back around. "My performance in class is tomorrow. I need to borrow your bass."

Calum nodded. "It should be somewhere in this room, just take it," he instructed me. "But that's my baby so please be careful with her."

"Her?"

"Yes, her."

I scanned his room and found his bass, which was propped up in the corner. I wondered if he put it there or if someone else did, not like it mattered at all. Carefully I picked it up and also grabbed a small amp and grabbed all the necessary equipment, which Calum had already taught me to use. I kicked the door open, but stopped before leaving.

"Thank you again," I pestered him. "I'll text you after and tell you how it goes."

"Okay. Bye Alex."

"Bye."

I quickly left, saying goodbye to Joy and Mali on my way, and walked up to my front door, where I stopped. I didn't know if my mom would be more confused or angry that I left. There was still an extra car outside my house, which meant that Dean was still here. Perhaps she wouldn't confront me at all while he was here.

Hesitantly, I opened the door, not without much difficulty due to all the stuff I was carrying, and walked inside. I tried to enter quietly, so that maybe no one would even know I was home.

I slowly shut the door behind me and tiptoed up the stairs. Unfortunately for me, the stairs are visible from the dining room.

"Alex, is that you?" I heard my mother say.

"Shit," I muttered under my breathe as I turned to face everyone. "Yes?"

I saw my mother sitting there, a look of concern on her face, with Dean to her left, Candice to her right, and Jake sitting next to Candice.