Painless

Chapter 7

"No way!" Calum laughs with his eyes widening when I tell him the story of me standing on top of a horse once. I've never seen horses in my life and the one time I did I was dared to stand on top of one's back. "Weren't afraid you'll fall down?"

"I'm afraid of heights and of horses, Calum. I almost died." I shake when I remember the horrible experience.

We've been talking about all things, old and recent, stupid and serious and it's been everything but awkward. Calum's a really talkative and intelligent person, even though he doesn't show it off that much.

I'm not completely sure how we've come to talking about this subject but now I'm sure that I want to change it.

"Do you want something to eat? You've been here for almost two hours and I still didn't offer you anything." I look at Calum apologetically and he smiles.

"I guess I could snack something." He shrugs and I stand up, Calum following me.

"It's okay, I've got it." I turn around and let Calum know that he doesn't have to come with and help me but Calum shakes his head, passing past me.

"I'll help." He marches into the kitchen and sits on the chair by the kitchen table, putting his one leg on his other knee.

I laugh as I realize his definition of 'help' was actually 'keep company' and I open my fridge.

"There's eggs, salami, cheese, bacon, chicken nuggets, hotdogs-"

"Chicken nuggets!" Calum's voice snaps and stops me from talking so I laugh and take the box of frozen chicken nuggets. I open it and start preparing him his meal as he sits there and taps his fingers on the kitchen table, looking around the room. I don't think he's being impatient or rude, he's just awkward I guess.

After a few minutes he stands up and stands next to me, looking at some of the ready chicken nuggets on the plate. "Can I eat this?" He asks and the minute he finishes his question I hear his stomach growl loudly, which makes me chuckle.

"Please. I don't want you to die from hunger." I nod and Calum starts eating, more like swallowing, the chicken nuggets.

We stay standing there next to each other and when I'm done I eat some of the food as well, taking a few pieces from the plate Calum is now holding in his hand and peeking up at Calum's smiley face every few moments.

"Take the last one, I'm stuffed." Calum offers and I don't even bother arguing, I'm starving and when food is being offered to me I take it gracefully.

I eat the last piece and Calum places the plate in the sink, us both walking back into the living room when we make sure we're all done with eating. We sit down on the couch and just as I want to ask Calum something, I notice red liquid dripping down from his mouth.

"Calum, you're bleeding!!" I yell loudly, not knowing what's happening to him and if it's dangerous.

"What? Where?" Calum widens his eyes and some of the blood drip on his shirt.

"Your mouth." By now I'm sure I have an absolute look of terror on my face and Calum stands up, quickly jogging to the mirror.

"Oh Jesus." Calum says calmly. "I bit my tongue." Calum exhales as he opens his mouth wide so he could see properly. "Almost bit through it, actually."

I hurry towards him, grab his arm and turn him towards me. "Show me your tongue!" I order, squinting my eyes so I could see more clearly.

Calum furrows his eyebrows in confusion but still does what I tell him. He puts out his tongue that is covered in blood.