Distraction

Chapter 6-Explained

The ambient light of the restaurant projected a glow across Calum's face as he sat across from me. He looked almost angelic.

We were at Grisanti's, a posh Italian restaurant that I'd never been to. So far, my experience had been enjoyable, sipping lemon water and nibbling on fresh garlic bread while making small talk with Calum.

He'd started an innocent game of twenty questions. "Ok I'll go first. What's your favourite colour?"

I didn't even have to think about it. "Purple. I love purple."

"Really? Mine's turquoise. Umm, who is your best friend?"

I filled my mouth with lemon water and swallowed slowly. Ciarra was the closest thing I had to a friend, but I definitely couldn't consider her one. "I can't choose just one! How about you?"

He chuckled and shifted in his seat. "All my friends are back in Winston."

"Winston? Is that where you're from?" I questioned.

"Yeah, my parents live there. I moved here for Uni."

Now it was my turn to bombard Calum with questions. "What are your parents like? You've met mine already. Sorry about that, by the way."

"No, it's fine. Umm, my parents are pretty average. Nothing special." He seemed uncomfortable, shifting from side to side in his chair and picking up a fork even though our food hadn't arrived yet. Sure, he might've been an amazing bass player, but he sucked ass at lying.

"I find that hard to believe. They've obviously raised you right. Still can't understand why you're being nice to me," I muttered, studying the pattern of the golden tablecloth.

Calum ran a hand through his hair and blew air out of his lips. "Well, my parents don't-"

"Four cheese pasta?"

I groaned quietly as a waiter interrupted him. "Yeah, that's me."

"And the lasagna?" Calum raised his hand.

"Can I get you anything else?"

A drink would be nice, I thought to myself, and immediately regretted it. No, I couldn't break my good habits.

The food was great, and effectively subsided our talking for a few minutes. Then I thought of something. "Hey, I hope you don't expect me to pay for all this. I'm broke."

God, that was stupid. Sure, I assumed he was paying, but isn't it considered rude or something to mention it during dinner? I honestly had no clue; the dating life had passed me by.

Graciously, Calum combatted my idiocy with humour. He faked surprise. "What? You're kidding, right? The only reason I've been hanging out with you is so that you could buy me dinner at the most expensive place in town."

I rolled my eyes. "Nice try, Hood."

Calum laughed. "Only kidding."

Then my curiosity got the best of me. "Where'd you get all this money, anyway?"

He shook his head and shrugged. "Quite a few jobs. I've been working since I was little, saving up for Uni. Just had some left over, I guess."

At least this time, he seemed like he was being honest, but I still didn't understand. A college guy with enough spare money to buy a guitar for a random washed up girl?

We talked very little for the rest of the date. Well, no heavy stuff at the least. Casual banter.

Calum walked me home, just like the gentleman he proved himself to be. I trusted him more than I wanted to at this point. Getting too attached had proved to be a bad thing at the worst times in my life.

However, I still exchanged phone numbers with him. Maybe something good could come out of this. Maybe I'd make a real friend, or something more.

Maybe I'd change myself for good.

xxxxx

I probably should've mentioned this at the very beginning, but this will be slowly updated.

This story is weird for me to write. Horror is my forte.

Oh well.
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