Tatemae

Chapter 3 - Caleb Hastings

   What am I doing? I was asking myself that for the past hours. I was of course talking about what happened at the park this afternoon. Openly checking out a guy was the most absurd thing I ever did in my entire life. That even made me feels like being mortified, and the worst part was taking a picture of him.

   I stared up at the ceiling as I lay in my bed. It was only 8 o'clock in the evening, and I was already dead tired. I didn't even have the energy to do something progressive on a Saturday night. What else was there to do, anyway? I sighed.

   I took my phone out underneath my pillow and see if I have any notifications. Maybe it would take me away from my thoughts. But when I opened it, it was sad to say I didn't have a single notification. I pouted my lips. At least I thought I would receive one.

   I just decided to scroll down my phone, trying to look for something that would entertain me. I tapped the "Gallery" icon, looking for something funny but instead I saw the picture I took at the park. Oh, I haven't deleted it yet?

   While looking at it, I couldn't help but smile. In some way I was glad that I haven't, I would be a hypocrite if I said I wasn't. I suddenly felt my heart thumped faster. Why am I feeling like this? I questioned myself. Probably having a crush at him?

Maybe, but he thinks you're a creep now. My inner voice answered.

The thought wiped out the smile easily on my face. I sighed loudly, and my shoulders slumped in disappointment. I guess I just need to forget him. Maybe sleep will help me.

*****

Monday...

♪ Closing time

Open all the doors and

Let you out into the world

Closing time

Turn all of the lights on over

Every boy and every girl♪

   I jolted up when I heard a blaring sound from nowhere. What's that noise? I decided to ignore it and went back to sleep. I just needed some more sleep.

♪ Closing time

One last call for alcohol

So finish your whiskey or beer♪

   I groaned, realizing that it was my phone ringing. I buried my head under the pillows.

♪ I know who I want to take me home

I know who I want to take me home

I know who I want to take me home-♪

   I grunted, rolling over to the side to grab my phone on my nightstand and saw it was Gracie calling me, I pressed the answer button. "Good morning." I greeted sarcastically.

   I heard her chuckled. "Sorry for that, but I'm already at your house. You should get ready if you still want a ride to school."

   I whipped my face looking at the watch to see I only have forty-five minutes left before my first period.

   "Shit!" I cursed.

   I immediately got off of the bed. I forgot that it was already Monday. Days really flew fast if you don't want to. I threw my phone in my bed and scrambled my way to the bathroom and took a shower as fast as I can. I dried myself after and stepped out from the bathroom covering myself with my towel. I grabbed my favorite colored gray lose sweatshirt with "don't care" print on it and "ripped on the knees" skinny jeans. I put my clothes on and hurriedly put on my white converse. I combed my hair not bothering to blow dry it since I didn't had enough time and I put a little bit of lip gloss. I slung my bag on my shoulder before sprinting out to the door.

   "Good morning mom." I greeted my mother.

   "Gracie is already waiting for you outside." My mom said. "And I invited the new neighbor next door for dinner, be sure to be home early."

   I just nod and grabbed an apple on the counter and made my way out slumming down the door behind, and ran towards Gracie's car.

   We reached the school as Gracie parks her car in the parking lot and we made our way towards the school building. I grabbed my phone in my pocket to look at the time. I still have eight minutes left before the first bell rings. I sighed in relief.

   "So, see you at lunch Jules." Gracie said, before going to her locker room.

   "Okay!" I replied and made my way to mine.

   I looked around the hall, making sure no Scarlet around the area. No? Good. I walked silently as I could. I was half my way to my locker room when I saw her and her minions approaching.

   Oh, Oh! This is bad. I was just about to turn my way back, hoping they didn't noticed me, yet.

   "Good morning Howard." I heard Scarlet greeted behind me. "Is your imaginary boyfriend with you?" She asked as she giggles.

   I rolled my eyes. Why can't she leave me alone?

   "Of course" I said confidently. I know I shouldn't have blurted that, but I couldn't take it back. I hope this would stop her.

   "Oh, really?" she asked, smirking. "We can see that you're all alone now."

   Oops! I nervously laugh and gulped. "He's not here with me, right now." I said.

   I saw her smirked widens and opened her mouth but I cut her off before she could say anything evil to me. "But I have his picture." I got my phone in my pocket and show her the picture of the mystery boy at the park. I closed my eyes, hoping that they don't know him.

   I slowly opened my eyes, and I saw them staring intently at my phone, shocked. I know he's good looking but, their reaction was too overrated for me.

   Says the girl who was ogling to the same boy. My inner voice said.

   What? I can't help it! I cried out. I was going bat shit crazy right now, talking to myself.

   "You're kidding, right?" she asked.

   "Um...No?" I answered, a little bit confused. "Why would I do that?"

   "That's impossible!" she hissed.

   I furrowed my eyebrows as confusion takes place. Why is she angry?

  "You know what, if you can't believe it, it's up to you and I really don't care." I said in frustration. I really have no time for this. I was about to walked past her but she grips my arm tightly.

   "Wait!" She started, looking straight ahead and smiling evilly. Wow, bipolar much? "There's only one way to prove that." She continued turning at me, and smirked. I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously. What is she talking about?

   "Caleb! Can you come here for a second, please?" she said sweetly, and batting her eyelashes to someone behind me.

   "Sure!" I heard a male's voice answered.

   I don't know what she's planning but I won't let her get whatever she wanted. And what's that Caleb guy got to do with this anyway?

   I turned my back to look at the guy. My eyes widen in shock and my jaw dropped- the second time around- as I saw the boy from the park walking towards us.

   Oh God! Please, shoot me now! Shoot me! Shoot me!