Boy Next Door ~ [C.H]

ch. 8

(Kenzie's POV)

Our tests were over and it was the end of the day. Michael, Calum, and I have to finish our project by the end of the week. But we all decided to stay about an hour here after school so we could get started on our writing papers. For our Writing Class, we have to write an essay on Natural Disasters and I got my favorite story: Hurricane Katrina. I practically begged for this story to have after Calum laughed at me the rest of the time during class.

Speaking of Calum, there's a lot that's been going on. From what I know of, Daniel has been nice to him. Or at least I hope so. I haven't heard any complaints. Danny and I have made up since our talk in the gym's weight room. As for Calum and I, we just get closer everyday. I don't know, there's something about him. He's smart, he's funny, supportive, and such a great friend. It's amazing with how well we know each other after only one year. It blows my mind. But I can't even lie, everytime I look at him I get butterflies sometimes.

"Hey my little love bug," Daniel said, setting his bag down next to me in my corner behind the book shelves in the library.

I look up at him and smile as he plops down next to me. I set my book and binder down beside me. "Hey," I said happily.

"Did you get any studying done for that dumb report?" I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, I did some and it's not dumb!" I defended.

"Whatever," he said, making me laugh. Daniel threw his arm around my shoulder and smiled at me. "You look pretty today, did I ever tell you that?"

"No, but you tell me every other day," I said.

"Well I hear by say it everyday!" He said with a bright smile.

I rolled my eyes and shake my head. "You're such a weirdo."

(Calum's POV)
"Did you really get the Tsunami for 1914?" Michael asked me as we were sitting in the school library at a wooden table.

"Yeah. The research I need is from at least three of these books," I said, showing Michael the titles.

"I think the ocean collection is in the back right corner behind us," Michael informed me. Getting up, I walk to the back for my books.

Twirling my pencil in my hand, I spotted a book and pulled it out. It was a pretty thick book to use for research. Maybe it'll get me through this report.

As I looked back up to see what else was on the shelf, I spotted Kenzie and Daniel. Well, she was definitely not reading I can tell you that!

Busted!

Daniel got up from the corner and walked away. I smirked and placed the book back on the shelf, walking around the case.

"So, good girls are bad girls who haven't been caught huh?" I asked as she looked up shocked.

"Oh....you saw that?" She asked me, referring to her two second of a make out session I saw. I nodded. "Well, I guess all I can say is turn around and forget that you saw that!" She said winking at me again. I swear, everytime she does that, I grow weak in the knees.

Shaking my head, I walk a little closer to her. "Mind if I sit for a minute?" Shaking her head, she points at the spot where Daniel was sitting and I popped a squat, hugging my knees like she was. "So what's up with this rebellious side in you?"

"I guess I'm just interesting," she said mysteriously.

"You're a rebel, aren't you?" I questioned. She smirked and tilted her hand.

"A bit of a hidden rebel," she admits. I smile at that comment.

"I like that," I said.

"Hmm," Kenzie hummed. "I bet you do!" I smiled at her and her smirk changed to an ear to ear smile as well.

"Well, let me tell you this. We leave in about half an hour to work on our project. I better not come back here to find a second round going on," I told her, making my way back to my feet.

Kenzie scoffed. "Oh trust me, you won't!" I laughed at that silently.

"Stay on the low, little rebel rocker." I turned around and walked back to the shelf to grab that book again when I saw her smirking. That made me smile. Only if she wasn't taken.

(Kenzie's POV)
I was reading my book about Hurricane Katrina while taking my notes on the other end of the book when I saw in my peripheral, Calum walking towards me.

"Hey...I'm almost done with this. I just need to finish this last page of notes," I tell him, staying focused on my handwriting. Calum stood in front of me.

"No rush. But we leave in five minutes." I rolled my eyes up to look at him, glancing away from my notebook and he laughed at me. His smile...too damn cute!

"Yeah, no rush here!" I remarked. "Your mom is picking us up today, right?" I asked him as I finished my last bullet point.

"Yeah. She texted me saying she'd pull up in a few minutes." I closed my book and binder and place it in my bag, throwing my pencil in the side pocket. I then zip up my bag.

"Let her know we'll be out shortly. I need to rent this," I said, showing him the huge text book. He nodded and I grabbed my backpack strap. Going to stand up, he grabs my hand, helping me to my feet.

I swing my bag over my shoulder and Calum pulls his phone out and begins to text his mom when I heard someone from a few feet away. "Are you still coming over?" Daniel asked me, looking worried because I was leaving. But it's probably not that, probably because I'm leaving with Calum. He still hasn't processed this whole carpool yet. And it's been over a month.

"I have a project I have to get to. But I'll talk to you later," I said in a rush before speed walking to the front desk, checking my book out.

I got the book and Calum and I left the library and headed outside to the front of the building. Standing in the courtyard alone, I handed Calum my book to put in my bag.

"Danny gets jealous easily, huh?" Calum said.

"No. He just needs to get used to our carpool time," I answered. Cal zipped my bag and came around, laughing at me.

"Kenz, you're clueless!"

"Says you!" I joked, moving the blown hair in my face behind my ear.

"He's obviously jealous that you're leaving with another guy. Might I add, the same age as you." I punched his shoulder and he chuckled. "Okay, I'm kidding for the most part. Only because there's nothing he needs to be jealous of. I'm just an outcast anyway."
My face falls. "Don't say that!" I said.

"It's true, though!"

"Who has said that?" I asked him, crossing my arms.

"Guys like Danny. You know...his dumb little clang!" He said in emphasize.

"Well, I can agree to one thing," I said causing Calum to look at me in the eyes. "They are annoying!" Calum chuckled and I did too. "Look, you're not an outcast. And you're not anything else that they've said about you. Trust me on that alright!" I gave him a light punch to the arm as he looked at the concrete.

"Thanks Kenzie!"

"And next time they do say something, I'll give then heaven and hell," I said throwing my fists in the air. Calum smirked and looked down before placing his hand on both my fists.

"Put them away," he said, pushing my hands down. I laughed just as Cal's mom turned the corner. We heard the front doors swing up and I turned around, seeing Michael race up to us. 

     "Sorry," he said out of breath. "Had to pee!" I rolled my eyes and pushed him towards the back seat door as I laughed. 

     "We're not that close, Mike," Calum said before he reached his backseat door. 

       "Bullshit," Mikey whispered for only us to hear. Calum and I both bursted out into a fit of laughter before we both opened our doors to get into the car.