When We Touch

VIII

Seth and I stare as Cal freaks out. His fingers twist in his hair and he paces back and forth. His wide eyes gaze back at us saying
What the fucking hell did I just do?
None of talk so I guess none of us know.
I open my arms and Cal wraps his arms around me. I feel Seth's shoulders come around both of us.
Cal starts shaking and for a moment I think he's crying.
But he's laughing.
In my chest he murmurs

"I just kissed Will Erics!"

Seth and I join in. And we just hold each other.

Cal pulls away and looks at me. His hazel eyes are filled with excitement.
He giggles.
"Did it look like he liked it?"

Seth snorted.
"Hell yeah, he loved it."

Suddenly Cal's face falls.
"I bet he kisses ever other boy..."

I take Cal by the shoulders.
"Callum Remus Newman. Will Erics is not a playboy. Trust me on this okay? He's also waiting for that perfect guy. Just like you."

I smile and he manages one in return.
His eyes are bright once again.
In a whisper he manages to say what all of us are thinking.

"You think...he might like me back?"

I walk to the doorway and peek outside. Will is still standing there, leaning against the wall, a dreamy smile on his face. I wave Seth over. His head hovers over my petite form. His hands rest on my waist as he leans out.
His hands are warm and sturdy. They make butterflies erupt in my stomach.

He comes back in, trailing his fingers off of me.

"Oh yeah. Definitely."

Cal smiles and takes a deep breath. Suddenly footsteps come towards us.
Will slightly red face appears in the doorway, emerald eyes sparkling.

"You guys coming? Party is near the kitchen."

He takes a hand through his quiff and grins.

"Yeah..."
Cal answers quietly. Will extends a hand to him. A smile opening on both of their faces.

Cal takes his hand and together they make their way to the party.

Seth and I are left in the room. I play with my thumbs.

"Shall we-?"

The ground beneath my feet falls away as Seth's strong arms lift me up by the waist and legs. I laugh as he bursts out of the room, my arms around his neck.
Will sticks his head out of what I think is the kitchen.
He lifts an eyebrow but beckons us over.
Seth takes his time to walking towards the kitchen.
"Hey..."
I look up at him.
Notice the set of his jaw.
The red of his ears.

"You and Dan...be careful...but...just...do-do whatever makes you happy...as long as your happy. I'll always be here."

I'm speechless. He sets me down and I crash into his arms. He stumbles.

"Thank you Seth."

I feel his lips on my head. In my hair he murmurs his response.

"Always."

My heart twists. Oh Seth, don't make me choose. Please.

He puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Honesty Kayla...I'll be fine as long as your happy."

"But your not! Seth you know your not going to be okay!"

"Sometimes getting hurt is good. It's a reality check. I need that sometimes."

He brushes past me. A sigh escaping his lips. I close my eyes.

Fuck this.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. This hand is lighter...more hesitant.

I turn and turquoise eyes look back at me.

"Did...you hear all of that?"

Dan nods.
Takes a step towards me and takes my hand.

"I don't know what's going on between you two but your mine. That douchebag can get some other girl to bang."

I begin to protest, furious, but he pulls me into the party, the deafening roar of Fall Out Boy drumming to the wild beat of my thoughts.